A vehicle control apparatus is configured to perform a steering assistance control of steering a vehicle to move away from an obstacle to avoid when the obstacle is in a steering assistance range. The vehicle control apparatus is provided with: a determinator configured to determine a steering assistance amount associated with the steering assistance control for the obstacle, on the basis of a distance between two of a plurality of obstacles in a direction of travel of the vehicle, when the plurality of obstacles are in the steering assistance range: and a controller programmed to control the vehicle to perform the steering assistance control by using the steering assistance amount determined by the determinator.

A method for controlling an assist motor of a power steering system, power steering system including the assist motor configured to apply a motor torque on a rack, and at least one steering computer, method being designed to servo-control a position of the rack to a position setpoint, method including: a maneuvering step in which the assist motor exerts a motor torque on the rack according to a motor torque setpoint; wherein the method also includes: servo-control step in which the steering computer determines a speed setpoint of the rack according to the position setpoint and to the position of the rack; limitation step in which the steering computer issues a limited speed setpoint which is lower than or equal to a maximum speed threshold; control step in which the steering computer determines the motor torque setpoint according to the limited speed setpoint and to a speed of the rack.

A method for controlling an assist motor of a power steering system, power steering system including the assist motor configured to apply a motor torque on a rack, and at least one steering computer, method being designed to servo-control a position of the rack to a position setpoint, method including: a maneuvering step in which the assist motor exerts a motor torque on the rack according to a motor torque setpoint; wherein the method also includes: servo-control step in which the steering computer determines a speed setpoint of the rack according to the position setpoint and to the position of the rack; limitation step in which the steering computer issues a limited speed setpoint which is lower than or equal to a maximum speed threshold; control step in which the steering computer determines the motor torque setpoint according to the limited speed setpoint and to a speed of the rack.

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering column having a pinion connected with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in rotation of the pinion. An electrically powered steering unit includes an electric motor having a first output shaft rotatable about an axis. A first planetary gear stage has a first gear reduction ratio and is driven by the first output shaft. A second planetary gear stage is driven by the first planetary gear stage and the pinion and has a second gear reduction ratio different from the first gear reduction ratio. A second output shaft is driven by the second planetary gear stage and coupled to the steerable wheels such that rotation of the second output shaft affects steering of the vehicle wheels.

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering column having a pinion connected with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in rotation of the pinion. An electrically powered steering unit includes an electric motor having a first output shaft rotatable about an axis. A first planetary gear stage has a first gear reduction ratio and is driven by the first output shaft. A second planetary gear stage is driven by the first planetary gear stage and the pinion and has a second gear reduction ratio different from the first gear reduction ratio. A second output shaft is driven by the second planetary gear stage and coupled to the steerable wheels such that rotation of the second output shaft affects steering of the vehicle wheels.

An apparatus and method of controlling a motor driven steering system may selectively perform a motor current control of the motor driven steering system for reducing motor noise according to a present motor-applied current applied to a steering motor of the motor driven steering system when it is determined from vehicle speed information or wheel speed information detected by a first sensor that a vehicle is currently in a stopped state and it is determined from steering angle information detected by a second sensor that a steering wheel is currently in a steering wheel holding state.

An apparatus and method of controlling a motor driven steering system may selectively perform a motor current control of the motor driven steering system for reducing motor noise according to a present motor-applied current applied to a steering motor of the motor driven steering system when it is determined from vehicle speed information or wheel speed information detected by a first sensor that a vehicle is currently in a stopped state and it is determined from steering angle information detected by a second sensor that a steering wheel is currently in a steering wheel holding state.

A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame having a working means arranged thereon, and a drive means for driving left and right crawler tracks at respective predetermined chain speeds. A control unit is configured such that, based on a distance between a front reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and a predetermined path, the chain speed(s) of the left and/or right crawler track is predetermined such that the front reference point moves on the predetermined path. The control unit is further configured such that, during cornering, the control is corrected based on a distance between a rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path such that the distance between the rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path is reduced.

A self-propelled construction machine comprises a machine frame having a working means arranged thereon, and a drive means for driving left and right crawler tracks at respective predetermined chain speeds. A control unit is configured such that, based on a distance between a front reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and a predetermined path, the chain speed(s) of the left and/or right crawler track is predetermined such that the front reference point moves on the predetermined path. The control unit is further configured such that, during cornering, the control is corrected based on a distance between a rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path such that the distance between the rear reference point with respect to the machine frame in the working direction and the predetermined path is reduced.

A work vehicle includes: a body; a traveling apparatus capable of a turning travel; a speed detector capable of detecting a vehicle speed; a steering tool manually operable to steer the traveling apparatus; a notification apparatus; and a controller. The controller is configured or programmed to control the traveling apparatus in response to a manual operation, with use of a travel control module; determine, based on a relationship between the vehicle speed and a steering angle of the steering tool, whether at least one of the vehicle speed and the steering angle needs to be reduced, with use of a determination module; and control the notification apparatus to give a notification of the determination by the determination module, with use of a notification module.