Abstract:
A road surface friction coefficient estimating device includes a lateral force detecting section for detecting the lateral force of a wheel during traveling, a slip angle detecting section for detecting the slip angle of the wheel during traveling, and a road surface μ calculating section for estimating the relationship between the detected lateral force and the detected slip angle on the basis of the ratio between the detected lateral force and the detected slip angle, the correlation between the lateral force and the slip angle in the case of the reference road surface, and at least either the detected lateral force or the detected slip angle.
Abstract:
Provided is a composition comprising at least one polymer having a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol %; a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica, and mixtures thereof; and a polymeric additive comprising a functional end group reactive with said filler, wherein said polymeric additive has a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol % and a number average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 25,000. The composition may optionally contain one or more polymers having a degree of unsaturation of more than 50 mol %. The composition may be particularly useful as a component for a tire.
Abstract:
A lane-keep control system includes a traveling condition detector and a controller. The controller includes a steering intention detecting section that detects whether a driver has an intention to steer a vehicle, a first steering torque control section that controls, when the driver has no intention to steer the vehicle, a steering torque according to the traveling condition so that the vehicle keeps a predetermined position between lane markings of a lane, and a second steering torque control section that controls, when the driver has an intention to steer the vehicle, the steering torque according to the traveling condition so that a steering operation of the driver is readily reflected on steering of the vehicle. A lane-keep control method is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for estimating a tire wear life which enables estimation of the tire wear life accurately in a short time. In this method, a rubber index Gi of a rubber test piece which is made of the same material as the material used in the tire tread portion of the tire whose tire wear life is to be estimated is measured using an abrasion tester which can be operated under a slip ratio of about 0.5 to 5% (step 100). Then, friction energies of the tire in free rolling, in a state in which the tire is provided with a toe angle, in a state in which a side force is applied to the tire, in a state in which a driving force is applied to the tire and in a state in which a braking force is applied to the tire are measured (step 102), respectively. An expected value of the tire wear life T1 is calculated from the rubber index Gi and the friction energies obtained above (step 104). The tire wear life is estimated from the expected value of the tire wear life T1 thus obtained (step 106).
Abstract:
Apparatus for estimating a ground contact surface gripping characteristic of a vehicle wheel of a vehicle comprises an input section and an output section. The input section sets an input representing a ratio of a wheel force acting on the vehicle wheel in the ground contact surface, and a wheel slipping degree of the vehicle wheel. The output section determines, from the input, an output representing a grip characteristic parameter indicative of the gripping characteristic of the vehicle wheel.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to coating compositions for use on the surface of elastomeric articles and materials. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of rubber goods such as tires.
Abstract:
In order to enhance the accuracy of estimation of sideslip angle β, a sideslip angle estimation apparatus calculates a first sideslip angle β2 between the direction of centrifugal force acting on the vehicle body during cornering and the lateral direction of the vehicle body based on accelerations exerted on the vehicle body and acting in two different directions. A sideslip angle between the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and the direction of travel of the vehicle is calculated based on the calculated first sideslip angle β2.
Abstract:
An electric power steering system for an automotive vehicle, including a steering torque detecting device which detects a steering torque of a steering shaft. An electric motor is provided to generate an assist torque for assisting a driver's steering effort required for steering the vehicle and a counter-assist torque for increasing the driver's steering effort. The assist torque and the counter-assist torque are applied to a steering mechanism. Additionally, a controller is provided to output a drive command to the electric motor in accordance with the detected steering torque. The drive command is for causing the electric motor to generate the counter-assist torque when the detected steering torque is a transitional torque.
Abstract:
A system for assisting a lane-keep traveling of a vehicle is comprised of a camera for detecting a view ahead of the vehicle, a vehicle behavior detector including a vehicle speed sensor and a yaw rate sensor, and a controller. The controller is arranged to estimate a road shape on the basis of lane markers detected by the camera, to detect a target yaw rate necessary to return the vehicle at a center of the lane markers, and to determine that there is a possibility that the vehicle deviates from the lane when a difference between the target yaw rate and an actual yaw rate detected by the yaw rate sensor becomes greater than a threshold.
Abstract:
A wear resistance index G1 of a tire whose wear life is to be estimated is measured by the Lambourn abrasion tester. Then, friction energies in free rolling, when the tire is fitted with a toe angle, under application of a side force, under application of a braking force and under application of a driving force of the tire are measured. An expected value of the wear life T1 is calculated using the wear resistance index G1 and the friction energies thus obtained and the wear life of the tire is estimated on the basis of the expected value of the wear life T1. The wear life of a tire can be estimated accurately in a short time in accordance with the method for estimating a tire wear life of the present invention.