Abstract: In a vehicle including a VGRS actuator capable of changing the steering transmission ratio by rotating an upper steering shaft and a lower steering shaft relative to each other, an ECU performs a lock releasing process when the VGRS motor is locked. In the process, an actual steering angle is calculated, and is compared with a lock release threshold value that is set in advance in view of the axial force applied to the lower steering shaft during steering. If the actual steering angle is equal to or smaller than the lock release threshold value, the ECU performs driving control of a lock mechanism so as to release the locked state of the VGRS motor.

Abstract: The steering system of the invention includes a processing means (26) comprising a means for determining (30) a driving signal (S3) of the power means (25) on the basis of: a first control signal (S1) determined from the measure of a torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel by applying a gain that depends on the longitudinal speed of the vehicle; a second correction signal (S2) determined from the measure of the torque applied by the driver on the steering wheel, and a setpoint determined on the basis of at least one characteristic parameter of the lateral dynamics of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a steering system for a vehicle, a ship etc. The steering system has a steering handle for the operator of the vehicle, a set of signal processors, a sensor which determines a position of the steered element of the vehicle, and a controller which moves the steered element. The steered element could e.g. be the front wheels of a car. The signal processors are adapted to determine an error between the desired position of the steered element and an actual position of the steered element. In order to make the steering system more fault tolerant, the error signal is amplified based on the speed by which the steering handle is moved, and an error in the sensor therefore becomes less critical. The invention further provides a steering method, a steering control unit and a vehicle provided with a steering system of the mentioned kind.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprises a charge-discharge circuit capable of configuring a circuit for charging an auxiliary power supply and a circuit for discharging a battery and the auxiliary power supply as well as configuring a discharge-preference circuit which enables only the discharge of the auxiliary power supply while avoiding the charge thereof. In the apparatus, a control circuit performs a power latch operation of carrying on control till the end of a predetermined period of time following an operation of turning off an ignition key, and also causes the charge-discharge circuit to configure the discharge-preference circuit thereby enabling steering assist accompanied by the discharge of the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: An electric motor and a control unit are juxtaposed in a speed reduction gear box. A terminal block is provided at an outer circumference of a flange proximate to a control unit of the electric motor. Terminal block surfaces of the terminal block are provided so that a plane direction faces a direction vertical to a shaft line of the electric motor. A motor side connecting terminal is held on the terminal block surface. The unit side connecting terminals provided at a position proximate to the electric motor of the control unit are arranged so as to overlap with the motor side connecting terminal on the terminal block surface to couple by a coupling portion (fixing screw).

Abstract: A power relay is provided in a power line, which supplies power from a power source to a motor through an inverter circuit, to shut off power supply from the power source to the inverter circuit when an abnormality arises. A microcomputer diagnoses a short-circuit failure of the power relay when a steering wheel is not steered during a normal control operation of assisting the steering operation of the steering wheel. An EPS shuts off power supply by the power relay when the steering wheel is not steered, so that the short-circuit failure of the power relay is diagnosed without affecting the assist operation for the steering wheel.

Abstract: An electric power steering system includes an overheat protection current value arithmetic unit that computes an overheat protection current value to which a current flowing into a motor is limited, and an overheat protection control unit that limits the current, which flows into the motor, on the basis of the computed overheat protection current value, suppresses heat dissipation caused by the current flowing into the motor, and thus protects onboard equipment. Information relevant to the computed overheat protection current value is stored. Whether a newly computed overheat protection current value is abnormal is decided based on comparison of the newly computed overheat protection current value with the stored information relevant to the overheat protection current value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for validating a vehicle operator. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an input device for allowing entry of vehicle operator identification information, a transceiver for transmitting a message and receiving a response to the message, an interface for allowing a processor to communication with a vehicle sub-system, and a processor connected to the input device, the transceiver, and the interface, the processor for receiving the vehicle operator identification information from the input device, for generating the message comprising the vehicle operation identification information and providing the message to the transceiver, for receiving the response from the transceiver and for controlling the vehicle sub-system, via the interface, based on the response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a method for controlling same, which involve monitoring the state of PRA which switches power supply so as to stably supply power or cut off the supply of power during the operation of the electric vehicle, and controlling of a plurality of switches for supplying power from a battery or cutting off the result of the switching, thus enabling the accurate control of switching and preventing an erroneous operation.

Abstract: A device for compensating for a disturbance yaw moment in a vehicle having at least two wheel-individual drives is described. In particular in vehicles having multiple wheel-individual electric drives, wear or heavy use may result in a defect of a single drive. Since this drive is coupled to a single wheel of the vehicle, a strong disturbance yaw moment may be generated thereby which may result in the vehicle breaking away if countermeasures are not taken. It is provided to compensate for the disturbance yaw moment at least partially by effectuating a compensation yaw moment by retarding one or multiple of the other wheels of the vehicle in a targeted manner, when an event is detected which indicates a disturbance yaw moment of the vehicle and in which one wheel of the vehicle is excessively retarded due to a defect on a wheel-individual drive assigned to the wheel.

Abstract: The rollover prevention apparatus defines an adaptive steering range limiting device comprising a control unit and a pair of opposing unidirectional brake assemblies mounted to a steering column position detection disc. The rollover prevention apparatus prevents the steering wheel of the vehicle from being turned beyond the threshold of vehicle rollover, but otherwise does not restrict the rotational range of motion of the steering wheel of a vehicle.

Abstract: When a steering torque sensor fails, a time delay setting section calculates delayed lateral acceleration by delaying lateral acceleration. A lateral acceleration upper limit restricting section calculates restricted lateral acceleration by restricting the upper limit of the lateral acceleration by the delayed lateral acceleration. An assist torque calculation section calculates a target assist torque on the basis of the restricted lateral acceleration such that the target assist torque increases with the restricted lateral acceleration. Thus, it is possible to properly delay steering assist in relation to detection of the lateral acceleration, whereby slippage of a vehicle due to excessive turning of a steering wheel is suppressed.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a vehicle control system. The control system includes a steering control coupled to at least one steerable wheel, the steering control having a first position, a second position and a plurality of positions therebetween. The control system also includes a steering sensor coupled to the steering control and configured to generate steering sensor signals based upon the position of the steering control. The control system also includes a control module coupled to the steering sensor, the control module configured to (i) record a first steering sensor signal value when the steering control is in the first position; (ii) record a second steering sensor signal value when the steering control is in the second position; and (iii) determine a current position of the steering control by comparing the first and second steering sensor signal values with a current steering sensor signal value.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle traveling on a roadway. The method includes, but is not limited to determining data of the roadway in the area, which includes determining a number n of lanes. If it is determined that n?2, it is determined whether a lane in which the vehicle is located with data of an optical camera of the motor vehicle. In addition, it is determined whether a second motor vehicle is traveling in the lane, in which the motor vehicle is located, in a direction of travel opposite a first direction of travel with a determination apparatus of the motor vehicle. If a second motor vehicle is determined, a warning message and/or automatic actuation is generated from an apparatus of the motor vehicle (e.g, a braking apparatus, a drive apparatus, or a steering apparatus).

Abstract: A method is provided for vehicle steering using a steering actuation apparatus operable by the driver. The vehicle steering device has electromechanical control assemblies for this purpose for controlling a steerable wheel, located on the right and left on a vehicle body, of a wheel pair of at least one steerable vehicle axis. A central control unit compares target value specifications of the steering actuation apparatus to ESP specifications and actual values of the wheel positions of the steerable wheels and adapts electronic specifications of the steering stops for the steerable wheels to the operating situations of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power steering device provides an appropriate power assist from the motor even when torque sensors have failed and the steering torque is no longer detected. If an error is detected in a torque sensor, the motor is driven based on the rotor rotation angle detected by a resolver and assist characteristics. When the absolute value of the rotor turning angle velocity calculated based on the rotor rotation angle falls to or below a prescribed value, a process is started for reducing the current driving the motor, and if the state in which the absolute value of the rotor turning angle velocity has fallen to or below the prescribed value continues over a prescribed length of time, the process for reducing the current is interrupted and, because an assist current was flowing at said time of interruption, an appropriate power assist can be given during a steering retention period.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for scanning the surrounding environment of a vehicle. When the vehicle falls below a first boundary speed a timer is triggered whose state is incremented until the vehicle exceeds a boundary speed, a check of the unobstructed view of the scanning device being carried out upon expiration of the time period recorded by the state of the timer and in which the state of the counter is incremented.

Abstract: A driving instability determination device is provided to improve the precision in detecting the driving instability. The driving state determination section determines whether the state is a prescribed driving state by determining whether the information of the operation state of the driving operation unit and the vehicle state as the running state data is disturbed. Based on the running state data for detecting the unstable state of the driver, the running state distribution computing section excludes the running state data when the state is determined to be the prescribed driving state, and the running state distribution computing section computes the first and second running state distributions in different time ranges. The driving instability determination section determines the instability of the driving from the difference between the two computed running state distributions.

Abstract: A system and method of continuously updating a steering wheel angle offset value to adapt to changing road conditions. A vehicle control system receives a plurality of vehicle parameter values each from a different vehicle sensor. The system then calculates a plurality of observed steering angle values, each using a different calculation method based on one or more of the plurality of vehicle parameter values. The plurality of observed steering angle values are then used to calculate a vehicle steering angle. A steering wheel angle offset value is then calculated based on the steering wheel angle and the calculated vehicle steering angle. The steering wheel angle offset value and the steering wheel angle are used to control the vehicle's steering system.

Abstract: In a steering apparatus for a vehicle which has a steering mechanism for steering steerable road wheels by means of a steering wheel operated by a driver and an electrically controllable auxiliary steering angle superposition mechanism, and in which a target auxiliary steering angle is set in accordance with a steering wheel angle, and an electric motor of the auxiliary steering angle superposition mechanism is driven and controlled according to the target auxiliary steering angle, the rotation of the electric motor 212 is inhibited without regard to the state of the driving control. A short-circuit relay 13 is provided for short-circuiting opposite terminals of the electric motor 212, and the short-circuit relay 13 is operated so as to short-circuit the opposite terminals of the electric motor 212 through a short-circuit relay driving unit 14 in accordance with the kind of a failure detected by a failure detection unit 18, whereby the rotation of the electric motor 212 is inhibited.

Abstract: A steering wheel movement sensing apparatus for an agricultural vehicle comprising a magnetic ring configured to fit around the steering column such that it turns in unison with the steering wheel. The minimum number of magnetic poles on the ring is not defined, but a ring having at least 36 poles enables the movement sensor to detect steering wheel movement of 10 degrees. At least two hall-effect sensors fixed in a stationary position adjacent to the magnetic ring generate signals of fluctuating value as the magnetic poles pass enabling wheel movement and the extent of wheel movement to be derived. By specifically adjusting the position of the hall-effect sensors in relation to each other, the resultant output signals can also be used to determine the direction of movement of the steering wheel. Outputs from the sensing apparatus can be used to disengage an automated vehicle guidance system upon detection of steering wheel movement and to provide input to a self-cancelling turn signal system.

Abstract: In view of the matter that an abnormality occurred in an operating portion of a control system comes out in an early stage as a result of the control, while it takes a time for an abnormality occurred in the generation of a controlling amount for controlling the operation of an operating portion to come out, in ceasing the control when an abnormality has occurred in the control system the controlling amount is decreased at a higher speed when the abnormality of the controlling amount was judged than a speed at which the operation of the operating device is decreased when the abnormality of the operating device was judged.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a driver assistance system using an LKS function of a vehicle, in which the LKS function is activated within predefinable boundary values and is deactivated outside these system boundaries. According to the invention, in response to the deactivation of the LKS function during cornering of the vehicle, the LKS function is transferred from a regulation to a control, in such a way that, during the cornering, the driver continues to be supported by a system torque in the transverse guidance of the vehicle at least over a certain stretch of path.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system, in which a steering member and steered wheels are not mechanically coupled to each other, includes a rotation angle restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation angle of the steering member within a restricted angular range. In a failure mode, that is, in a case where a malfunction occurs in a steering angle sensor, a steering direction is detected on the basis of a strain of the rotation angle restriction mechanism, which is detected by one of strain gauges at a corresponding one of a pair of terminal ends of a restricted angular range. Drive control is executed on a steered system actuator on the basis of the detected steering direction.

Abstract: In normal times, a rotation angle restriction mechanism in a first state restricts a rotation angle of a steering member within a first rotation angular range. In the event of a failure, that is, when there is a malfunction in a steering angle sensor, the rotation angle restriction mechanism is switched into a second state by an electromagnetic clutch, and the rotation angle of the steering member is restricted within a second rotation angular range. A steering direction is detected on the basis of at which one of a pair of terminal ends of the second rotation angular range, the steering member is located. An ECU executes drive control on a steering system actuator on the basis of the detected steering direction.

Abstract: An ECU controls the operation of an EPS actuator in order to periodically apply instantaneous motor torque to a steering system when assist continuation control is executed using a sensor signal (residual sensor signal) that is output by a sensor element in which an abnormality has not been detected, regardless of the application of an assist force. The ECU also detects an abnormality in the residual sensor signal based on whether the application of instantaneous motor torque is reflected in the residual sensor signal, which is the basis of the assist continuation control.

Abstract: The power steering apparatus according to the invention is a power steering apparatus with a power steering function to drive an oil pump by a motor to generate hydraulic pressure, and to assist in driver's steering through the hydraulic pressure. The power steering apparatus includes a power source voltage detecting unit which detects the voltage of a power source of the power steering apparatus; a motor rotating speed detecting unit which detects the rotating speed of the motor; and a control stopping unit which stops the power steering function when the voltage of the power source detected by the power source voltage detecting unit exceeds a predetermined power source voltage value, and the rotating speed of the motor detected by the motor rotating speed detecting unit is equal to or less than a predetermined motor rotating speed value.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system in which a steering member and a steered wheel are not mechanical coupled to each other includes a rotation angle restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation angle of the steering member within a restricted angular range. In a normal mode, drive control on a steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor. In a failure mode for a situation in which there is a malfunction in the steering angle sensor, drive control on the steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering direction detected by a steering direction detection sensor. The steering direction detection sensors detect the steering direction on the basis of at which one of a pair of terminal ends of the restricted angular range, the rotation angle restriction mechanism is restricting the rotation angle of the steering member.

Abstract: There is provided a controller for a steering device that makes it possible to prevent sudden ceasing of steering assisting power by effectively utilizing an auxiliary power source. An electric power steering device that generates steering assist force by a motor includes a battery for supplying electric power to the motor, an auxiliary power source that supplies the motor with electric power, and a control circuit for controlling a power supply to the motor. In the event of a breakdown of the battery, the control circuit adjusts a power supply to the motor from the auxiliary power source according to an amount of energy remaining in the auxiliary power source so as to reduce steering assist force.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes: a steering mechanism that includes a steering member, a steering angle detecting unit and a direction detecting unit that detects a steering direction with reference to a neutral position of the steering member; a steered mechanism that includes a steered wheel and a turning actuator having a turning motor, and that is not mechanically coupled to the steering mechanism; and a control device that controls the turning motor and that, at the time of a failure of the steering angle detecting unit, controls the turning motor by determining a turning motor command value for controlling the turning motor on the basis of a detected signal from the direction detecting unit.

Abstract: A method for operating an active steering system of a vehicle, in which a ratio between a wheel steer angle and a steering wheel angle specified by the driver can be modified by superimposition of a superimposition angle. The method comprises detecting an offset between a requested motor angle and an actual motor angle, and reducing the offset between the requested motor angle and the actual motor angle using a reduction rate that is selected as a function of at least one input variable specified by the driver.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a safety steering mechanism for an automobile. The mechanism comprises a steering wheel mechanism for changing a direction of movement of the automobile. A jack is connected to an automobile wheel for providing backward and forward movement of an axle with respect to the steering wheel movement. A hydraulic pump is providing in a hydraulic stream. A control valve regulates a direction of motion of the hydraulic stream. A plurality of directional control valves cut a hydraulic stream between the control valve and the jack. A main valve controls the backward and forward motion of the jack. At least one sensor installed on each tire of the automobile generates signals corresponding to a tire pressure. A plurality of electronic units processes signals from the plurality of the sensors and passes an output signal to an electronic control unit (ECU).

Abstract: An assist control portion, upon detecting source power supply abnormality of a main electric power source, switches the characteristic of an assist map in which the steering torque and the target current are related to each other from an original assist characteristic to an abnormality-time assist characteristic. Therefore, the steering handle operation suddenly becomes heavy, thereby causing the driver to be aware of the abnormality. After that, the abnormality-time assist characteristic is altered so that the assist force relative to the steering torque further decline in accordance with declines in the actual amount of charge of the subsidiary electric power source declines. Therefore, the steering handle operation gradually becomes heavier, thereby causing the driver to anticipate that the abnormality is further progressing.

Abstract: A motor is driven based on an axis current value in a rotating coordinate system that rotates in accordance with a control angle that is a rotational angle used in a control. The control angle is calculated by adding an addition angle to an immediately preceding value of the control angle in each predetermined calculation cycle. A command steering torque is set based on a predetermined steering angle-torque characteristic. The addition angle is calculated based on the deviation of a detected steering torque from a command steering torque. The addition angle based on the deviation is changed when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: In an electric power steering system, a control signal output section outputs independent dual-system control signals to driver circuits that are disposed in connection with independent dual-system motor coils. The control signal output section gives high priority to the output of the control signal to the other system, when the occurrence of energization failure is detected in one system. When the energization failure occurring phase is only one phase and the value of the basic command exceeds the upper limit of the priority command, the control signal output section outputs the control signal to the driver circuit in the system where the energization failure has occurred in order to supply electric power in which the two phases other than the energization failure occurring phase are used as the energized phases on the bases of the complementary command that corresponds to the excess of the upper limit.

Abstract: A method for controlling a steering apparatus (10) of a vehicle includes providing a steering signal (154) indicative of a steering maneuver to be performed. A desired parameter of the steering apparatus is calculated during the steering maneuver when no external force is applied to a hand wheel (14) of the vehicle. The parameter is measured during the steering maneuver. A mode signal (182) is produced by comprising the desired parameter to the parameter. The vehicle is placed in one of an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode based on the mode signal (182).

Abstract: In the control device for vehicles which executes a control of the vehicle by one calculation control device based upon a target control amount generated by another calculation control device connected to the one calculation control device by way of a communication means, the other calculation control device calculates an estimated target control amount by itself to compare it with the target control amount generated by the one calculation control device and input thereto by way of the communication means, or a third calculation control device compares the target control amounts generated by the one and the other calculation control devices and input thereto by way of the communication means, thereby to judge if an abnormality has occurred in the communication means, and to rapidly modify the control to make a counter-measure against the abnormality.

Abstract: A method for influencing the direction of travel of a vehicle. In order to lower the risk of accidents in driving situations in which the driver reacts incorrectly, for example because of being surprised, it is provided that the driving operation be monitored in reference to the occurrence of an event due to which the travel direction of the vehicle changes, deviating from the travel direction specified at the steering wheel, and when such an event is detected that an automatic intervention in the driving operation be performed whereby the vehicle is moved back approximately into the original direction of travel in which it was moving before the event occurred.

Abstract: A steering operation force detection device for a steering wheel including a steering wheel rim having a right-side rim section and a left-side rim section. The device includes load cells that detect six component forces of the steering operation force acting on the right-side rim section and the left-side rim section consisting of forces in three axial directions and moments about three axes. The device includes a steering angle detection sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel, and an inertial force component correcting unit that derives an inertial force component acting on the right-side rim section and the left-side rim section due to rotation of the steering wheel, based on an amount of displacement of the steering angle detected by the steering angle detection sensor, and that corrects the component force detected by the load cells to eliminate an effect of the derived inertial force component.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus drives a motor to generate a steering assist force according to a steering torque and includes an output circuit for supplying the motor with electric power from at least one of a battery and an auxiliary power supply. The electric power steering apparatus has a control circuit which at or after detection of a breakdown of the battery, determines a length of time to the end of steering assist (decreasing time t1) based on the amount of energy stored in the auxiliary power supplies and which takes the determined length of time to perform output decreasing control to gradually decrease the upper limit of power supplied for the steering assist to practically zero according to a constant gradient. Thus is provided an electric power steering apparatus which is adapted to prevent a sudden fall of the steering assist force in the event of a battery breakdown while effectively utilizing the available stored energy.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a steering system to maintain stability of the steering system is provided. The control system includes an operating conditions module that estimates at least one operating gain based on an operating condition of the steering system. A blend module estimates a blend value based on the at least one operating gain. A steering assist module generates a steering assist command based on the blend value.

Abstract: A power steering assist system for a hand-steered pallet truck includes a joint assembly having a pivot joint, handle biasing mechanism, and a torque sensing arrangement. The pivot joint includes a pair of needle bearings and pivot pin disposed within a pivot block that provides a flexible connection between a handle and a tiller arm. The handle biasing mechanism includes a cantilevered beam spring and two cam rollers that resists an operator steering force applied to the handle and further, centers the handle with respect to the tiller arm after the force is released. The torque sensing arrangement includes a magnet and a non-contact magnetoresistive (MR) sensor that measures movement of the handle relative to the tiller arm which is used to determine operator steering intent, i.e., the amount of steering force applied to the handle. The MR sensor provides accurate torque measurements regardless of the angle of the tiller arm.

Abstract: When a partial malfunction is detected, a sensor malfunction determination unit changes a control mode from a first control mode to a second control mode. When the control mode is changed from the first control mode to the second control mode, a steered system motor is rotated in a direction corresponding to a rotation direction of a steering wheel immediately before the partial malfunction occurs in the angle sensor. When the absolute value of a steering angular velocity of the steering wheel exceeds a threshold, it is determined that a driver has operated the steering wheel in a direction opposite to a current steered direction, and the rotation direction of the steered system motor is reversed.

Abstract: In a vehicle steering system, when a sensor malfunction determination unit detects a malfunction of a rotation angle sensor, the sensor malfunction determination unit changes a control mode from a first control mode to a second control mode. In the second control mode, an actual rotor angle (mechanical angle) (?SM) of a steered system motor is computed on the basis of a second rotor angle (electric angle) (?SE2) estimated by a rotation angle estimation unit. Then, feedback control is executed such that the actual rotor angle (?SM) converges to a target rotor angle (?SM1*) that is obtained by superimposing a rotation maintaining command signal on a target rotor angle (?SM*) computed by a target rotor angle computation unit.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering control system includes; a torque sensor that detects a steering torque based on an operation of a steering member; a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle; a steering assist control unit that calculates an assist force for steering front wheels based on the value detected by the torque sensor; and a steered system control unit that executes steered control on rear wheels based on the value detected by the steering angle sensor or the value detected by the torque sensor. When it is determined that there is a failure in a function of the steering assist control unit, the steered system control unit executes the steered control such that the rear wheels are steered only on the side where the steered angle of the rear wheels is opposite in phase from the steering angle of the steering member.

Abstract: A method to evaluate a secondary steering system including the steps of lowering the first hydraulic fluid pressure, determining the first hydraulic fluid pressure, sensing a second hydraulic fluid pressure, and comparing the first hydraulic fluid pressure to the second hydraulic fluid pressure. The lowering step includes lowering the first hydraulic fluid pressure provided by the primary steering system power source while the vehicle is traveling at a substantially predetermined speed. The sensing step includes sensing the second hydraulic fluid pressure provided by the secondary steering system power source while an operator of the vehicle is steering the vehicle as the vehicle travels at the predetermined speed. The comparing step includes comparing the first hydraulic fluid pressure to the second hydraulic fluid pressure to determine if the second steering system power source provided fluid to steer the ground-engaging device.

Abstract: A control system has regular ECUs and a recovery ECU. Each regular ECU controls driving of current consumers, respectively, drivable by driving methods and connected through output channels. The recovery ECU has output drivers, respectively, producing driving currents based on the driving methods and channel changing blocks corresponding to the respective driving methods. When receiving information indicating failure of an output channel of one regular ECU, the recovery ECU specifies the driving method of the failed channel, controls the driver of the specified driving method to produce a driving current, and controls the changing block of the specified driving method to select one output channel, through which the current consumer connected with the failed ECU through the failed channel is also connected with the changing unit. The recovery ECU performs substitute driving instead of the failed ECU to supply the current to the consumer.

Abstract: A gateway control apparatus for vehicles includes a receiver configured to receive vehicle state information from vehicle ECUs and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance from an intelligent cruise control unit. The gateway control apparatus also includes a first memory to store the vehicle state information, a calculation unit to calculate a relative velocity and a relative acceleration from the vehicle state information, and to calculate a collision index. A determination unit determines if the collision index exceeds a predetermined value. A vehicle information management unit determines an accident occurrence time point when the collision index exceeds the predetermined value, and allows the first memory to store pre-accident and post-accident vehicle state information. The gateway control apparatus stores the pre-accident and post-accident vehicle state information even in the case of a fender bender or minor collision to use the stored information for post-accident judgment.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion, a seatbelt detecting portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion determining that an adult is seated on the seat in a case where a seating load equal to or greater than a predetermined first load is detected and determining a child seat placed state where a child seat is placed on the seat and fastened by the seatbelt in a case where the seating load smaller than the first load is detected and the engagement of the buckle of the seatbelt is detected. The seat occupancy determining portion maintains a determination result of the child seat placed state even when the seating load becomes equal to or greater than the first load in a case where a predetermined determination result retention condition is satisfied after the child seat placed state is determined.

Abstract: An electric power steering control apparatus can reduce steering torque even in a steering holding state or a slight steering state without providing an unpleasant feeling to a driver. The apparatus includes a torque sensor for detecting steering torque generated by the driver for a vehicle, a motor for generating assist torque to assist the steering torque, a rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the motor, a torque controller for calculating an assist torque current corresponding to the assist torque based on the steering torque, and a damping control section for calculating a damping current to be added to the assist torque current to suppress vibrations generated in a steering system of the vehicle. The damping controller reduces a damping control gain to calculate the damping current when the rotational speed of the motor is equal to or less than a predetermined speed.