Abstract: In vehicle roll sensing of the present invention, a self-aligning torque (SAT) estimator estimates a composite value of SATs generated on tire contact patch of right and left wheels. A slip angle computer detects a vehicle speed and a steering angle and computes a slip angle of the wheel from the measured vehicle speed and steering angle. An SAT model value computer estimates an SAT model value as a composite value of SATs of the right and left wheels when no load shifts between the right and left wheels on the basis of the slip angle. A load shift ratio estimator estimates a load shift state of the right and left wheels on the basis of the composite value of the SATs of the wheels and the SAT model value. A vehicle rollover estimator estimates a rollover of the vehicle on the basis of the estimated load-shift state.

Abstract: The vehicle operation control apparatus multiplies the variable gain G controlled based on the vehicle velocity V, the steering angle &thgr;h, the steering angle velocity &ohgr;h and the actual steering angle &thgr;T with the steering angle &thgr;h, and controls the actual steering angle &thgr;T of the driven wheels on a result of this multiplication. Consequently, the additional turning time gear ratio Ga1 or the turning-back gear ratio Ga2, set up individually, can be selected depending on the turning direction of the steering wheel. Therefore, the steering feeling both at the time of additional turning and turning-back can be improved.

Abstract: A physical amount estimating apparatus including first outputting means for outputting a first physical amount that does not include a hysteresis characteristic, second outputting means for outputting a second physical amount that has a predetermined physical relationship to the first physical amount and includes a hysteresis characteristic, hysteresis removing means for calculating a corrected value with the hysteresis characteristic removed therefrom based on the second physical amount, and estimating means for estimating a third physical amount based on a physical relationship between the first physical amount and the corrected value.

Abstract: An antiskid braking control system includes a wheel factor estimating means for estimating at least a wheel factor such as a side force of a vehicle front wheel and a front wheel slip angle based upon a vehicle state variable, a grip factor estimating means for estimating a grip factor of at least the vehicle front wheel based upon a change of a aligning torque depending upon the front wheel factor, and a control parameter adjusting means for adjusting a control parameter based upon the grip factor estimated.

Abstract: A vehicle control device incorporating an electric power steering is provided, wherein an extraordinary yaw motion acting on a vehicle is detected and is suppressed or moderated, so that the stability of the vehicle in a straight-ahead steering is improved. The causes of the extraordinary yaw motion are one of lateral wind, asymmetrical surface state of the road, lateral slant of the road and the like. A countermeasure against the extraordinary yaw motion is taken by applying a counter (opposite direction) yaw motion on the vehicle or switching over the control mode from a proportional control to a proportional integral control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a road condition estimation apparatus for estimating a road condition for use in a vehicle having a steering control unit for actuating a device mechanically independent of a manually operated steering member to steer at least a wheel of front and rear wheels. The apparatus includes an actuating signal detection unit for detecting an actuating signal for actuating the device of the steering control unit, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on the wheel on the basis of the actuating signal detected by the actuating signal detection unit, and a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a road condition estimation apparatus for estimating a road condition for use in a vehicle having steering control unit for actuating a device mechanically independent of a manually operated steering member to steer each wheel.

Abstract: The vehicle operation control apparatus multiplies the variable gain G controlled based on the vehicle velocity V, the steering angle &thgr;h, the steering angle velocity &ohgr;h and the actual steering angle &thgr;T with the steering angle &thgr;h, and controls the actual steering angle &thgr;T of the driven wheels on a result of this multiplication. Consequently, the additional turning time gear ratio Ga1 or the turning-back gear ratio Ga2, set up individually, can be selected depending on the turning direction of the steering wheel. Therefore, the steering feeling both at the time of additional turning and turning-back can be improved.

Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle operation control method and vehicle operation control apparatus which protects a vehicle driver from a feeling of disharmony in his steering operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control apparatus, which includes a steering factor detection unit for detecting at least one of steering factors including a steering torque and steering effort applied to a steering system, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on at least a wheel of the vehicle on the basis of the steering factor, a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle, a wheel factor estimation unit for estimating at least one of wheel factors including a side force and slip angle applied to the wheel on the basis of the vehicle state variable, and a grip factor estimation unit for estimating a grip factor of at least a tire of the wheel, in accordance with the estimated alignment torque and the estimated wheel factor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wheel grip factor estimation apparatus, which includes a steering factor detection unit for detecting at least one of steering factors including a steering torque and steering effort applied to a steering system extending from a steering wheel to a suspension of a vehicle, an aligning torque estimation unit for estimating an aligning torque produced on at least a wheel of the vehicle on the basis of the steering factor detected by the steering factor detection unit, and a vehicle state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable of the vehicle. The apparatus further includes a wheel factor estimation unit for estimating at least one of wheel factors including a side force and slip angle applied to the wheel on the basis of the vehicle state variable, and a grip factor estimation unit for estimating a grip factor of at least a tire of the wheel, in accordance with a relationship between the estimated alignment torque and the estimated wheel factor.

Abstract: An antiskid braking control system includes a wheel factor estimating means for estimating at least a wheel factor such as a side force of a vehicle front wheel and a front wheel slip angle based upon a vehicle state variable, a grip factor estimating means for estimating a grip factor of at least the vehicle front wheel based upon a change of a aligning torque depending upon the front wheel factor, and a control parameter adjusting means for adjusting a control parameter based upon the grip factor estimated.

Abstract: A motor-driven steering controller for controlling a steering wheel of a vehicle. The controller includes a steering torque controlling unit, a braking force estimating unit, a right and left braking force difference estimating unit and an assist steering torque providing unit. The steering torque controlling unit controls a steering torque on the steering wheel depending on a steering operation. The braking force estimating unit estimates braking forces to be imposed on wheels of the vehicle. The right and left braking force difference estimating unit estimates difference between the braking forces to be imposed on the right and left wheels each estimated by the braking forces estimating unit. The assist steering torque providing unit provides an assist steering torque for the steering torque controlling unit on the basis of the difference in braking force between right and left wheels estimated by the right and left braking force difference estimating unit.

Abstract: A vehicle control device incorporating an electric power steering is provided, wherein an extraordinary yaw motion acting on a vehicle is detected and is suppressed or moderated, so that the stability of the vehicle in a straight-ahead steering is improved. The causes of the extraordinary yaw motion are one of lateral wind, asymmetrical surface state of the road, lateral slant of the road and the like. A countermeasure against the extraordinary yaw motion is taken by applying a counter (opposite direction) yaw motion on the vehicle or switching over the control mode from a proportional control to a proportional integral control.

Abstract: A physical amount estimating apparatus including first outputting means for outputting a first physical amount that does not include a hysteresis characteristic, second outputting means for outputting a second physical amount that has a predetermined physical relationship to the first physical amount and includes a hysteresis characteristic, hysteresis removing means for calculating a corrected value with the hysteresis characteristic removed therefrom based on the second physical amount, and estimating means for estimating a third physical amount based on a physical relationship between the first physical amount and the corrected value.

Abstract: A braking force control device is provided in which wheel speeds of respective wheels of a vehicle are detected. On the basis of detected wheel speeds, a road surface &mgr; slope, which is a slope of a coefficient of friction &mgr; between a wheel and a road surface, is estimated for each wheel. On the basis of the road surface &mgr; slope estimated for each wheel, a braking force of each wheel is controlled such that the braking force of each wheel is adjusted.

Abstract: A braking force control device is provided in which wheel speeds of respective wheels of a vehicle are detected. On the basis of detected wheel speeds, a road surface &mgr; slope, which is a slope of a coefficient of friction &mgr; between a wheel and a road surface, is estimated for each wheel. On the basis of the road surface &mgr; slope estimated for each wheel, a braking force of each wheel is controlled such that the braking force of each wheel is adjusted.

Abstract: A deviation between a target value of a quantity of state and an actual value of the quantity of state that is caused to follow the target value or a time-integral of the deviation is filtered. Based on the filtered value, a switching surface &sgr; is calculated. Based on a value of the switching surface &sgr;, a control input value u is outputted. The filter is set through comparison in Bode diagrams between a design model of a control system based on an ordinary sliding mode control method and a characteristic variation model of the control system, and by performing compensation in such a direction as to cancel out the variation. The filtering process makes it possible to properly control the control system having a dead time by the sliding mode control method.