A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position which is a target position of an own vehicle in a lane width direction in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of LCA; calculates a target control amount based on the target trajectory function; when a steering operation by a driver has been detected, again initializes the target trajectory calculation parameter; and recalculates the target trajectory function based on the target trajectory calculation parameter.

Embodiments provide a vehicle control system comprising a projecting device, a camera device, a control device and an actuating device. The vehicle steering control system does not need a physical steering wheel, thus the weight and cost of the vehicles can be reduced. In addition, the steering control system according to the present invention provides the drivers with brand new driving experience.

A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position which is a target position of an own vehicle in a lane width direction in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of LCA; calculates a target control amount based on the target trajectory function; when a steering operation by a driver has been detected, again initializes the target trajectory calculation parameter; and recalculates the target trajectory function based on the target trajectory calculation parameter.

A driving support ECU initializes a target trajectory calculation parameter at a start of LCA; calculates, based on the target trajectory calculation parameter, a target trajectory function representing a target lateral position in accordance with an elapsed time from the start of LCA; and calculates a target control amount according to the target trajectory function. When it is determined that the own vehicle has crossed a boundary white line, the driving support ECU again initializes the target trajectory calculation parameter, and calculate the target trajectory function based on the target trajectory calculation parameter.

An autopilot enabling device may be configured to be coupled to portions of a steering wheel of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the device may include an alpha subunit and a beta subunit. The alpha subunit may include a first end, a second end, and an alpha contact surface. The beta subunit may include a first end, a second end, and a beta contact surface. A first coupling may be configured to couple the first end of the alpha subunit to the first end of the beta subunit. The device may be secured to the steering wheel by placing the alpha contact surface in contact with a first portion of the steering wheel, by placing the beta contact surface in contact with a second portion of the steering wheel, and by coupling the first end of the alpha subunit to the first end of the beta subunit.

A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body, an airbag module, and a damper unit that connects the steering wheel body and the airbag module. The airbag module is mounted to the steering wheel body via the damper unit facing in a Z-axis first direction that is an example of a first direction. The damper unit is configured to apply a force on the airbag module in a state where the airbag module is mounted on the steering wheel body in a direction of pushing up the airbag module in a direction that intersects with the Z-axis first direction.

A drive assist apparatus, including a lane-keeping assist apparatus configured to apply an auxiliary steering torque to a steering mechanism mounted on a vehicle so that the vehicle runs at a predetermined position between lane lines, an operating member configured to be operated by an operator of the vehicle to output an activation signal for activating the lane-keeping assist apparatus, a determining unit configured to determine whether operation of the lane-keeping assist apparatus is necessary, and an outputting unit configured to output at least one of a notify signal for prompting the operator to operate the operating member and the activation signal, when the operating member is inoperative and it is determined that operation of the lane-keeping assist apparatus is necessary by the determining unit.

A lane departure avoidance system disables start of steering control or terminate running steering control upon determination that a value of a at least one selected variation, which is selected from a first variation, a second variation, a third variation, and a fourth variation, is equal to or more than a corresponding threshold. The first variation is a variation of a lateral position of an own vehicle relative to lane marking lines recognized by a recognition unit, and the second variation is a variation of a yaw angle of the own vehicle relative to the recognized lane marking lines. The third variation is a variation of a curvature of the recognized lane marking lines, and the fourth variation is a variation of a pitch angle of the own vehicle.

A driving support apparatus estimates an expected route of an own vehicle, calculates an effective length of the expected route, and alerts a driver of the own vehicle when it is determined that there exists an object which crosses a part within the effective length within a predetermined time. A formula of a circle with a radius of an estimated turning radius is used for an expected route formula expressing the expected route. Once it is determined that the own vehicle is trying to start turning left or right, the driving support apparatus calculates a turning angle of the own vehicle, and calculates the effective length of the expected route using a value based on a product of the estimated turning radius and a remaining turning angle which is an angle obtained by subtracting the turning angle from a predetermined angle.

A torsion bar for a steering system includes a main body. Also included is an end region having a cylindrical outer surface extending from an axial end surface. Further included is a serrated portion disposed proximate the end region and axially offset from the axial end surface.