Patent ID: 6941213
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: B60T,B60W,B62D

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for estimating a road condition for use in a vehicle having steering control means for actuating a device mechanically independent of a manually operated steering member to steer each wheel, comprising: reaction torque detection means for detecting a reaction torque when at least a wheel of said vehicle is steered by said steering control means; aligning torque estimation means for estimating an aligning torque produced on said wheel on the basis of the reaction torque detected by said reaction torque detection means; wheel factor providing means for providing at least one of wheel factors including a side force and a slip angle applied to said wheel; and grip factor estimation means for estimating a grip factor of at least a tire of said wheel, which grip factor indicates a grip level of the tire in a lateral direction to wheel, in accordance with a relationship between the aligning torque estimated by said aligning torque estimation means and the wheel factor provided by said wheel factor providing means.