Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for controlling behavior of a vehicle having at least a brake and a steering system including a steering wheel to be manipulated by a vehicle operator, comprising: automatic braking control means having an obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle present on a road on which the vehicle is traveling and for operating the brake automatically to avoid contact with the obstacle when a possibility of contact is found to exist; a steering actuator installed in the steering system for steering wheels of the vehicle in a desired direction; steering condition determining means for determining a condition of steering of the vehicle whether the vehicle is steered by the steering wheel manipulated by the vehicle operator or the vehicle is steered by a force generated by an interplay between the wheel and road; and steering actuator control means for controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay between the wheel and road if the vehicle is determined to be steered by the force when the brake is operated automatically.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A system for controlling behavior of a vehicle having at least a brake and a steering system including a steering wheel to be manipulated by a vehicle operator, comprising: automatic braking control means having an obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle present on a road on which the vehicle is traveling and for operating the brake automatically to avoid contact with the obstacle when a possibility of contact is found to exist; a steering actuator installed in the steering system for steering wheels of the vehicle in a desired direction; steering condition determining means for determining a condition of steering of the vehicle whether the vehicle is steered by the steering wheel manipulated by the vehicle operator or the vehicle is steered by a force generated by an interplay between the wheel and road; and steering actuator control means for controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay between the wheel and road if the vehicle is determined to be steered by the force when the brake is operated automatically.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the steering condition determining means includes: first steering amount detecting means installed at the steering system at a first position for generating an output indicative of an amount of steering input by the vehicle operator; and second steering amount detecting means installed at the steering system, at a second position which is closer to the wheels than the first position, for generating an output indicative of an amount of steering including a parameter indicative of the force generated by the interplay of the wheel and road; and wherein the steering condition determining means determines the condition of steering based on the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the steering condition determining means determines the condition of steering based on times at which the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means are generated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 3, wherein the first steering amount detecting means is a steer angle sensor for generating the output indicative of a steer angle input by the vehicle operator and the second steering amount detecting means is a torque sensor for generating the output indicative of a steering force acting on the steering system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the steering condition determining means determines the condition of steering based on polarities of the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein the first steering amount detecting means is a steer angle sensor for generating the output indicative of a steer angle input by the vehicle operator and the second steering amount detecting means is a torque sensor for generating the output indicative of a steering force acting on the steering system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the steering actuator control means discontinues controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay of the wheel and road when the automatic braking operation is discontinued.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the steering actuator control means discontinues controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay of the wheel and road when at least one of the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means is less than a reference value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the steering actuator control means discontinues controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay of the wheel and road when a change of at least one of the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means is less than a reference value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 2, wherein the steering actuator control means discontinues controlling the steering actuator to cancel the force generated by the interplay of the wheel and road when the polarities of the outputs of the first and second steering amount detecting means are equal.