Abstract: A traction control device for a vehicle that has at least one axle, to which two driven wheels are assigned, the traction control device, when one of the driven wheels of the axle shows a tendency to spin, regulating the kinematic behavior of the wheel tending to spin by building up a first wheel brake pressure such that the wheel tending to spin of the axle remains within a permissible slip range. In order to reduce disturbance torques caused by the first wheel brake pressure for a wheel that is not tending to spin of the axle, a second wheel brake pressure is built up, which is adjustable independently of the first wheel brake pressure. Also described is a method for controlling the slip of at least one driven wheel of an axle of a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive slip control system in which, if a gearshift has been detected, at least one parameter of the drive slip controller is switched over so as to render the drive slip controller less sensitive.

Abstract: A road surface friction coefficient estimating apparatus is provided for estimating a road surface friction coefficient of a vehicle that is traveling at a steady state. The road surface friction coefficient estimating apparatus basically has a driving/braking force controller, a driving force controller, a braking force controller (brake fluid pressure controller), a plurality of wheel velocity sensors, a wheel load sensor and a control unit. The driving/braking force controller sets a pre-selected force to be generated and calculates the road surface friction coefficient. The driving force controller generates a driving force in accordance with the pre-selected force. The braking force controller generates a braking force in accordance with the pre-selected force. The wheel velocity sensors produce a wheel velocity signal indicative of a wheel velocity. The wheel load detecting sensor produces a wheel load signal indicative of a wheel load.

Abstract: A control system 32 and method for controlling neutral idle operation of a vehicle 10 is provided. The method includes measuring a brake pressure in a brake control line of vehicle 10. The control line communicates fluid to a brake 128 coupled to a wheel of vehicle 10. The method further includes determining an incline angle of vehicle 10. The method further includes determining a desired brake pressure based on the incline angle. The desired brake pressure is a pressure sufficient to allow the vehicle brakes to maintain vehicle 10 at a predetermined position. Finally, the method includes disengaging a transmission clutch 46 torsionally coupling a vehicle engine 12 to a wheel 24 when the measured brake pressure is greater than the desired brake pressure to initiate neutral idle operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving the control , behavior of an electronically regulated and/or controlled driving stability control system, wherein input quantities for the control are derived from the rotational behavior of the wheels and wherein in situations which are critical for driving stability, the driving stability is increased by braking pressure introduction and/or braking pressure modulation. In order to obviate the need for a precharging pump, the present invention proposes that criteria for evaluation of the driving situation and for the early detection of a driving situation inhering an increased risk are derived from the rotational behavior of the wheels, and that the commencement of driving stability control is prepared upon detection of a driving situation inhering an increased risk. A brake system for implementing the method is also an object of the present invention.

Abstract: A target yaw rate setting unit of a control characteristics changing unit computes a first target yaw rate based on the radius of curvature of a curve. A target yaw rate setting unit of a braking force control unit computes a second target yaw rate based on driving conditions. When a cornering decision unit decides a turning intention, if the absolute value of the first target yaw rate is larger than the absolute value of the second target yaw rate, the second target yaw rate is corrected with the first target yaw rate, and the corrected second target yaw rate is outputted to a target yaw rate changing unit. A braking force control unit controls the braking force with the second target yaw rate corrected.

Abstract: A method for limiting the transverse acceleration of a traveling vehicle consisting of the steps: detection of a driving condition with a critical transverse acceleration, influencing the braking pressure on at least one wheel, and/or influencing the driving torque when the driving condition having a critical transverse acceleration has been detected. A device for limiting the transverse acceleration of a traveling vehicle has a detection device for detecting a driving condition with a critical transverse acceleration, and an influencing device for influencing the braking pressure on at least one wheel and/or for influencing the driving torque when the detection device has detected a driving condition with a critical transverse acceleration.

Abstract: Provided are a yaw moment generating mechanism a which produces a yawing motion at the vehicle, a vehicle behavior detection means b which detects a vehicle behavior, an actual yaw moment detection means a which is included in the vehicle behavior detection means b and detects an actual yaw moment acting on the vehicle, a target yaw moment arithmetic-calculation means d which calculates a target yaw moment necessary for a current vehicle behavior on the basis of an input from the vehicle behavior detection means b, and an operating command means e which operates the yaw moment generating mechanism to output a yaw moment equivalent to the difference between the target yaw moment and the actual yaw moment. Therefore, during the vehicle yaw dynamics control, it is possible to enhance the control quality without the control delay and control hunting and without giving the driver an uncomfortable feeling.

Abstract: A system for controlling downhill vehicle operation includes an electronically actuatable engine compression brake unit associated with an internal combustion engine, an electronically controllable turbocharger boost pressure adjustment device, electronically actuatable service brakes and a transmission including a number of automatically selectable gear ratios, wherein each of these components are coupled to a control computer. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the control computer is operable to detect a potential runaway vehicle condition and control any one or combination of engine compression brake activity, turbocharger boost pressure, service brake activity and automatic transmission shifting to thereby provide for a controlled descent down a negative grade and thereby prevent a runaway vehicle condition.

Abstract: In a method for the adaptive control of the hydraulic pump of a brake system containing low pressure accumulator (NDS1,2) which take up the pressure fluid discharged in the case of control from the wheel brakes and which are evacuated by the hydraulic pump (HP), first the brake pressure pattern (pR) is determined for each individual wheel with the aid of a wheel pressure model. Then a volume model (VM1,2) is formed on the basis of the wheel pressure model for each individual brake circuit, which volume model indicates, by way of approximation, the filling level of the low pressure accumulators (NDS1,2). The maximum filling level (MaxV) and the control frequency or the time interval (T) between two successive brake pressure decreasing phases (Ph2) are determined. The delivery capacity of the hydraulic pump (HP) is so dimensioned that the time interval (T) between two successive brake pressure decreasing phases (Ph2) is just adequate for completely evacuating the low pressure accumulators (NDS1,2).

Abstract: A vehicle driving control system is provided with failsafe for vehicles equipped with an electronically controlled throttle system. A central processing unit receives an output from a normally closed switch that turns OFF in response to a braking operation and an output from a logic circuit that outputs a pulse signal when normally closed switch is ON. When the normally closed switch turns OFF or the pulse signal from the logic circuit stops, it is determined that a braking operation is being performed. Accordingly, the constant speed driving control is canceled. Since a braking operation is detected by both the signal from the normally closed switch the signal from the logic circuit, the system will not lose the ability to cancel the driving control even when there is a problem with one of these circuitry arrangements.

Abstract: To set the brake or traction slip of a wheel at the maximum of the frictional value/slip curve, it is necessary that the wheel sensor associated with each wheel to sense its rotational speed is in a state of operation. Otherwise it is not possible to ascertain the slip of the respective wheel. In order to ensure an emergency function for influencing driving dynamics parameters even in the event of malfunction of a wheel sensor, the present invention discloses performing a two-point control when a wheel sensor is defective. A first operating point (A) lies at a longitudinal slip equal to zero, and a second operating point (B) lies at a longitudinal slip of 100%. Without a longitudinal slip, lateral forces can be transmitted to their maximum, whereas at 100% longitudinal slip longitudinal forces can still be transmitted almost to their maximum.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for drive slip control, a switchover is made in the initial vehicle movement (drive-off) range from slip control to reference engine speed control. Additionally or alternatively, a braking intervention is performed, the braking force being controlled (in closed loop) only at the wheel which first exhibits slip, and the braking force control being accomplished in such a way that the other wheel runs in substantially stable fashion.

Abstract: When it has been determined that a termination condition of brake TRC control has been fulfilled, SM valves 50FL and 50FR and a motor 80 are continuously placed in an ON state, and along with this, SR valves 70FL and 70FR are switched off, and furthermore holding valves 46FL and 46FR and pressure-reducing valves 48FL and 48FR of driving wheels are changed from an on-off switching state to an ON state, and termination control is initiated. Because of this, high-pressure brake fluid on the wheel-cylinder 2FL and 2FR side is expelled via the pressure-reducing valves 48FL and 48FR by drive of the motor 80. Consequently, high-pressure brake fluid can rapidly be expelled immediately after brake TRC control, and along with this, oil-shock noise can be alleviated.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a brake system of a motor vehicle having traction control are described. The brake system contains sensors which are assigned to the individual vehicle wheels and with which a quantity representing at least the driving and/or braking forces acting between the road surface and the vehicle wheel is detected for the respective vehicle wheel. For operation of the brake system having traction control, pressure quantities which describe the brake pressure established for the respective vehicle wheel are analyzed. The pressure quantities are determined as a function of the quantities detected by the sensors.

Abstract: When it is detected that a vehicle is running on a road surface which has a coefficient of friction sufficiently low as to invite ready road wheel slippage, a control which enables the vehicle to automatically follow a preceding vehicle at a predetermined inter-vehicle distance, is inhibited. In one embodiment, when a request for vehicle follow-up is issued by the driver, and the follow-up is inhibited, the driver is informed of the low frictional coefficient of the road and is required to issue a confirmation that follow-up is required before its implementation can be carried out.

Abstract: A travelling direction correcting apparatus includes: a shift detection device for detecting a shift amount of a vehicle running on a road with respect to the road; a wheel brake pressure control device for pressure wheel brake pressures and controlling a wheel brake pressure distribution; and a cruise control device for commanding a wheel brake pressure distribution control to the wheel brake pressure control device. The wheel brake pressure distribution control includes the following processes: (1) at least one of a yaw rate, a lateral speed and a lateral acceleration is made an index, (2) a value of the index, which appears in the vehicle when its running direction is changed toward a direction along which the shift amount decreases, is added to a value of the index, which appears when the vehicle runs along a curved road, and a summed amount is made an object value and (3) the value of the index, which appears in the vehicle, is coincided with the object value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system, which includes a hydraulic braking pressure control apparatus for controlling braking force applied to each wheel of a vehicle at least in response to depression of a brake pedal. A vehicle condition monitor is disposed in the vehicle for monitoring a condition of the vehicle in motion, and a vehicle condition determining device is provided for determining stability of the vehicle in motion, including a turning motion of the vehicle on the basis of the output of the monitor. A braking force controller is provided for controlling the pressure control apparatus in response to the result of determination of the vehicle condition determining device to control the braking force applied to each wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A moving behavior control device for a vehicle calculates first target braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels for stabilizing the vehicle against a turn instability, second target braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels for stabilizing the vehicle against a roll instability, and target overall braking forces to be applied to the respective wheels by integrating the first and second target braking forces, and applies braking forces to the respective wheels according to the target overall braking forces, wherein the applied braking forces are decreased according to a first rate schedule by which the applied braking forces are decreased at a first rate according to an excess of the applied braking forces relative to the target overall braking forces when the vehicle is running at no probability of rolling beyond a predetermined threshold roll, and according to a second rate schedule by which the braking forces are lowered at a second rate smaller than the first rate according to the

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an anti-spin regulation (ASR) for a vehicle are described. The method is characterized in that a slipping driven wheel (20, 30) is braked by braking means (220, 230). A further driven wheel (20, 30) is monitored by monitoring means, (25, 35). The further driven wheel (20, 30) is braked by braking means (220, 230) in case a slipping trend is determined by determination means (90) for said further driven wheel (20, 30). The apparatus is in particular eligible for use with the inventive method and is characterized in that braking means (220, 230) are implemented for braking a slipping driven wheel (20, 30). Monitoring means (25, 35) are implemented for monitoring a further driven wheel (20, 30). Braking means (220, 230) are implemented for braking the further driven wheel (20, 30) in case a slipping trend is determined by further implemented determination means (90) for said further driven wheel (20, 30).

Abstract: A traction control apparatus for vehicles according to the present invention has a slip state detector for detecting a slip state of a wheel, a parameter determining device for determining a control parameter for generating braking force according to the slip state detected, a control permitting device for permitting traction control, a parameter changer for changing the control parameter so as to decrease the braking force when the control parameter is one to generate the braking force at the wheel over permissible braking force at the start of control, and a traction control for executing the traction control, based on the control parameter. Thus the apparatus can restrain uncomfortableness during the traction control and can prevent large input from entering the power train.

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.

Abstract: A parking brake system for vehicles, in particular passenger cars, with an extraneous force generating adjusting unit for tightening or loosening at least one actuating pull for a braking arrangement on the vehicle and having an electronic control device whose output variable is used to actuate the adjusting unit. Input variables, in particular from an operating arrangement, sensors and or switches are fed to the control device and the output variable van be varied as a function of the input variable. A force sensor is disposed on or the actuating pull for directly detecting the force exerted thereon. The signals from the force sensor are fed to the control device as an input variable.

Abstract: To improve the steerability and the driving stability of a vehicle during cornering, the standard control mode is replaced by a special or curve control mode in such a situation in an anti-lock system. This special control mode reduces the brake pressure on the wheel at the inner side of the curve. When, during a braking operation and with the special control mode activated, there is a transition from cornering to straight travel, the pressure deficit on the wheel at the inner side of the curve which is caused by the special control mode is compensated by a special pressure increase mode, for example, by compressing the pressure increase pulse row.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the brake of a vehicle, which easily brings the vehicle to a halt, or starts it, only by the action of the accelerator without operating the brake pedal. Brakes (4,5) are applied when the vehicle speed detected by a speed detector (9) becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The operation of the brakes (4,5) is turned off when a load detected by a load detector (10) becomes larger than a load operated by a load computer (11,14).

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission of an automobile which varies the drive ratio arbitrarily between an input axis and an output axis is combined with a traction control device for example which performs braking corresponding to vehicle running conditions and irrespective of the accelerator pedal depression. A microprocessor calculates the vehicle speed from the rotation speed of the output axis, calculates the target drive ratio depending on the vehicle speed, and controls the drive ratio of the continuously variable transmission to be equal to the target ratio. When the brake operation device performs braking, fluctuation of the drive ratio based on the rotation variation of the output axis is prevented by the correction of the drive ratio in the upshift direction.

Abstract: A brake control system determines utilizes a sensed amount of brake travel and a sensed amount of master cylinder pressure in determining a base brake control signal for an electro-hydraulic brake management system. The system also provides a springer function to provide an appropriate amount of brake jump-in, based on vehicle velocity and pedal travel. For pure brake-by-wire systems that have no hydraulic components, brake force is substituted for master cylinder pressure in determining a base brake control signal.

Abstract: In order to improve the control behavior of an ABS control system wherein, instead of the standard control mode, a special control mode or rather corner control mode comes into operation when a cornering situation is identified, said special control mode or corner control mode causing a reduction of the braking pressure on the front wheel and/or on the rear wheel on the inside of the corner, the gradient of the braking pressure build-up on the wheel on the inside of the corner is reduced in the partial braking range when a threshold value (th1, th2) of a wheel speed difference (SD) is exceeded, which difference is the difference between the wheel speed sums per side formed from the wheel speeds of the two wheels of one side of the vehicle, the reduction taking place in dependence on the extent by which the threshold value (th1, th2) is exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle dynamic control system which alters characteristics of respective vehicle movement controllers so that they can function properly against coming and foreseeable running conditions and current running conditions, recognizing beforehand details of an emerging curve on the road to be traveled. The system comprises a vehicle movement control alterant and at least one among vehicle movement controllers, i.e., a brake controller, a left/right wheel differential limiter controller and power distribution controller. When the vehicle is approaching the curve, the vehicle movement control alterant alters characteristics of a braking controller, the left/right wheel differential limiter controller and the power distribution controller to those favorable to turning for driving through a curve appropriately.

Abstract: A vehicle turn control system has a controller connected to a steer angle detecting section, a vehicle speed sensor and a vehicle turn state detecting section. The controller calculates a target vehicle turn state from a steer angle and a vehicle speed and controls brake pressure supplied to a brake cylinder of each wheel of the vehicle according to a difference between the actual vehicle turn state and the target vehicle turn state. The controller executes a pre-charge control of a brake cylinder of a wheel to be braked next and restricts the pre-charge control according to the vehicle turn condition.

Abstract: A method and a device for generating an error signal in a motor vehicle. In this context, the vehicle has a drive engine as well as an actuating arrangement which can be actuated by the driver of the vehicle, and with the assistance of which a braking system is activated. Further, a detecting arrangement detects an actuation of the actuation arrangement. A wheel drag torque quantity is determined which represents the drag torque caused by the engine at the vehicle wheels. Moreover, a deceleration quantity is determined which represents the longitudinal deceleration of the vehicle. Furthermore, a braking quantity is determined which represents the operating state of the actuating arrangement. The error signal is then generated as a function of the determined drag torque quantity, the determined deceleration quantity, and the determined braking quantity. Thus, it is possible to perform diagnostics on the safety-relevant brake lights switch without requiring additional outlay for hardware.

Abstract: For a vehicle brake system having a brake pedal, a brake booster, a master brake cylinder and an electronically regulatable brake unit arranged between the master brake cylinder and the wheel brakes by which the brake pressure in the wheel brakes can be adjusted independently of the preliminary pressure existing at the output of the master brake cylinder using an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit senses the course of a pedal operating value which is achieved by the brake booster. The pedal operating value is directly proportional to the pedal force applied by the driver by way of the brake pedal. When a predetermined threshold value of the pedal operating value has been reached, the brake pressure in the wheel brakes is generated such that, in the deceleration course, a raised deceleration gradient occurs in the case of a further rise of the pedal operating value in the sense of an increase of the brake booster ratio.

Abstract: To improve the control behavior of an ABS, a driving situation on a low coefficient of friction is quickly and reliably identified. To this end, the reacceleration of the non-driven wheels following a control-induced braking pressure reduction is analyzed, and the existence of a low coefficient of friction is identified if simultaneously in the reacceleration phase the maximum reacceleration of the two non-driven wheels is below a predefined limit value and the maximum filtered acceleration is below a specific predefined limit value, and if the duration of the positive variation of the filtered acceleration in this phase exceeds a predetermined time limit value. When these conditions are satisfied, braking pressure reduction in the following instability phase of the wheels is increased, for example, by a permanent actuation of the pressure reducing valves.

Abstract: A braking force control system is provided with a controller connected to a vehicle operating condition detector, an engine braking force actuator and a wheel braking force actuator. The controller determines a target total braking force on the basis of the vehicle operating condition, a target transmission ratio and a target engine output on the basis of the target total braking force and calculates an engine braking force on the basis of the vehicle operating condition. The controller extracts a fast component of a rate of change of the target total braking force and determines a target wheel braking force on the basis of the fast component. The controller controls wheel braking force actuator so as to correspond the wheel braking force to the target wheel braking force. Therefore, a total responsibility of the system is improved by enhancing a follow-up characteristic during a first half of a transient period.

Abstract: An electronically controllable brake booster with a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber, which are separated from each other by a movable wall, a control valve arrangement which can be actuated by an electromagnetic actuation device, through which a pressure difference between the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber can be adjusted, with the control valve arrangement, as a function of a current flowing through the electromagnetic actuation device, assuming a holding position in which the current ranges between a higher value and a lower value without the control valve arrangement leaving the holding position, a first pressure changing position in which the current is higher than the higher value, and a second pressure changing position in which the current is lower than the low value, characterised in that upon a changeover of the control valve arrangement from the holding position into the first or the second pressure changing position, or upon a changeover from the first or the second pressure changin

Abstract: A method and device setting a driving torque in a motor vehicle, in particular setting the torque as a part of an anti-slip regulation. At least two triggerable actuators are available for influencing the driving torque, where the actuators have different dynamic responses with regard to the setting of a driving torque. The core of the invention consists of the fact that first a component of the driving torque to be set is determined, and this component thus determined is used for triggering the actuator with the lower dynamics. In addition, the change in the driving torque produced by this triggering of the actuator with the lower dynamics is estimated. The difference between the driving torque to be set and the estimated driving torque is then used for triggering at least one actuator with higher dynamics.

Abstract: A brake system for a motor-driven vehicle includes a brake device driven by a brake cable to stop the motor-driven vehicle from moving, two electrically conductive friction means respectively fastened to the brake device and driven by the brake device to press on two opposite sides of a metal part of wheel means of the motor-driven vehicle in stopping the motor-driven vehicle from moving, a main processor, which controls the operation of the motor of the motor-driven vehicle, and two electric wires respectively connected between the electrically conductive friction means and two opposite terminals of the main processor; wherein when the electrically conductive friction means are forced by the brake device to press on the two opposite sides of the metal part of the wheel means of the motor-driven vehicle, the main processing unit is induced to cut off power supply from the motor of the motor-driven vehicle.

Abstract: A brake system control method, comprising the steps of: determining a maximum acceleration of a vehicle on a high coefficient of adhesion road surface; measuring an acceleration of the vehicle; determining a ratio between the measured acceleration of the vehicle and the maximum acceleration of the vehicle on the high coefficient of adhesion road surface; responsive to the ratio, determining a signal indicative of present coefficient of adhesion; determining a brake actuator command responsive to the signal; and providing the brake actuator command to a brake actuator, wherein an accurate estimation of coefficient of friction between the vehicle wheels and the road surface is used in the brake system control.

Abstract: In a brake system with electronic brake force distribution, the electronic brake force distribution is deactivated as soon as the maximum vehicle deceleration achieved during electronic control falls below by a given factor between 0 and 1, for example, two thirds. The purpose is that an early exit from the electronic brake force distribution is effected even if the brake light switch is defective, with the result that unnecessary valve actuations and the risk of underbraking are prevented. The present invention is applicable to brake systems where the criteria for the activation of the electronic brake force distribution are independent of a brake light switch signal, and to other brake systems if there is a defect in the brake light switch. The present invention makes it possible to sense in good time that the driver has taken his/her foot off the brake pedal or no longer desires heavy deceleration.

Abstract: A driving torque control apparatus has a first differential restraining device which restrains a rotational speed differential between front-left and front-right wheels by adjusting driving torque to be transmitted from a power source mounted on a four-wheel drive vehicle to each of the front-left and front-right wheels, and a second differential restraining device which restrains a rotational speed differential between rear-left and rear-right wheels by adjusting driving torque to be transmitted from the power source to each of the rear-left and rear-right wheels. An adjustment of driving torque by the second differential restraining device is executed in preference to an adjustment of driving torque by the first differential restraining device.

Abstract: A process for reducing yaw during braking in a vehicle having an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traveling on a roadway having different coefficients of friction on opposite sides of the vehicle comprises regulating the braking pressures in the wheels of the vehicle during ABS-controlled braking so that a permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) between the braking pressures in the high and low wheels is maintained. The permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) is calculated by an electronic system based on an algorithm that takes into account the frictional value of the road, and/or the load on the vehicle, and/or the wheel base of the vehicle, and/or the wheel gauge of the vehicle, and/or the level of the center-of-gravity of the vehicle. The algorithm increases the value of the permissible braking pressure difference (.DELTA.P) as the frictional value of the road, the load of the vehicle, and the wheel base of the vehicle increase.

Abstract: A brake system control for use in a vehicle with wheels, wheel brakes and a body, comprising the steps of: measuring a plurality of vehicle parameters; responsive to the measured parameters, determining at least a vehicle yaw rate, a vehicle slip angle, a desired yaw rate and a desired slip angle; responsive to the measured parameters, estimating a coefficient of adhesion between the vehicle wheels and a road surface; implementing a control responsive to the vehicle yaw rate and the desired yaw rate with a first authority and responsive to the vehicle slip angle and the desired slip angle with a second authority, wherein the first authority increases as the estimated coefficient of adhesion increases and decreases as the estimated coefficient of adhesion decreases; and controlling the wheel brakes responsive to the control to reduce a first difference between the vehicle yaw rate and the desired yaw rate and to reduce a second difference between the vehicle slip angle and the desired slip angle.

Abstract: To improve the control behavior of an anti-lock control system or brake slip control system, more particularly, to improve the steerability of a vehicle and its drivability when braking during cornering is performed, criteria for cornering identification and for determining the direction of cornering are derived from the wheel slip of the individual wheels. When cornering is identified, the normal control mode which is intended for straight travel and is configured for an individual control of all wheels or an individual control of the front wheels in conjunction with a select-low control of the rear wheels is changed to a cornering control mode. In the cornering control mode, the average pressure level of the curve-inward front wheel is decreased by a predetermined value and the average pressure level of the curve-outward front wheel is increased by a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an automobile having a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, a brake system for selectively braking each of the pairs of front and rear wheels, an engine, a transmission system including a speed change gear device for selectively providing a plurality of transmission gear ratios, a center differential device, a front differential device, and a rear differential device, the traction control device detects slipping conditions of each of the pairs of front and rear wheels, and controls the brake system so as to brake at least one of the pairs of front and rear wheels for execution of traction controls according to one of at least two separate traction control programs which are automatically changed over for execution according to selections of the transmission gear ratios of the speed change gear device for a relatively high speed driving or a relatively low speed driving.

Abstract: In a brake system, the actuating force of a pneumatic brake power booster, which is adapted to be independently activated, is indirectly determined. For this purpose, there is provided a pressure sensor which senses hydraulic pressure introduced into a master brake cylinder connected downstream of the brake power booster, and a differential pressure sensor which senses the pneumatic differential pressure which prevails in the housing of the brake power booster. An electronic controller calculates from both sensor signals the actuating force acting at an actuating pedal.

Abstract: A wheel speed differential with another wheel of each of several wheels is determined as a parameter for brake-adjustment use, and driving torque conveyed respectively from an engine to the several wheels is adjusted by braking torque determined on a basis of the parameter for brake-adjustment use so as to restrain the wheel-speed differential. In such a driving torque control, the engine output is reduced if the braking torque is excessive. Therefore, load to the brake apparatus and drivetrain caused by engine output can be reduced. Thus, deterioration of the durability of the brake apparatus and drivetrain can be prevented.

Abstract: A traction control system for an automotive vehicle is provided which controls engine power and braking force to recover traction of wheels when wheel slippage occurs during acceleration. The traction control system has four traction control modes and four control switching modes for switching between the traction control modes smoothly without any mechanical shock. In each of the control switching modes, one of the engine power control and the braking force control is restricted gradually according to its control capacity which is, for example, determined based on a period of time left until the control is prohibited. If the control capacity is decreased undesirably, the control is modified so as to increase the control capacity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle motion control system for maintaining vehicle stability, even in the case where the vehicle is tilted when the vehicle is in turning motion, wherein a braking force control unit is provided for controlling a braking force applied to each of front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The system includes a tilt detection unit which detects a tilt of a normal axis of the vehicle to its vertical axis, and a turn determination unit which determines a turning condition of the vehicle including a turning direction thereof. A yaw moment control unit is provided for controlling the braking force controlling unit to produce a yaw moment in a direction opposite to the turning direction of the vehicle in response to the tilt detected by the tilt detection unit when the turn determination unit determines that the vehicle is turning.

Abstract: A traction control system for a machine having two driven wheels is disclosed. Braking mechanisms controllably apply braking forces to each of the driven wheels. Transducers produce an actual speed signal having a value proportional to the rotational velocity of each driven wheel. A microprocessor produces a desired speed signal having a value representative of a desired rotational velocity of each driven wheel, and an error signal representative of the difference between the values of the desired and actual speed signals. The microprocessor additionally multiplies the error signal by a gain value and produces a braking command signal to the braking mechanism to apply braking forces to a slipping wheel. The present invention provides the advantage of modifying the gain value based on machine operating conditions in order to achieve good performance.

Abstract: In a brake control system for yaw control in a vehicle, the conditions for starting a brake operation are that the absolute value of a deviation between a target yaw rate determined in a target yaw rate determining device and an actual yaw rate detected by a yaw rate detecting device is equal to or greater than a preset deviation value and that the absolute yaw rate is equal to or greater than a preset value. The wheel brake for an outer wheel, during turning of the vehicle, is operated by the yaw control system based on the deviation between both the yaw rates. However, brake control does not occur when both of the yaw rates are the same in direction and are large. Thus, yaw control is conducted immediately when necessary, but the conduction of unnecessary yaw control is avoided, thereby reducing the frequency of the brake operation.