A vehicle control processor and method capable of preventing departure to an off-road, to reduce driver discomfort, irritation and stress. The control processor calculates a width of a side strip between a left mark line and a road end based on information from a camera. When the width is wider than a specified width, steering torque based on first and second steering characteristics are exerted. The steering torque based on the first steering characteristic is exerted when a vehicle lateral end is located within a range from a left mark line outer end to a characteristic switching position, set in accordance with the width of the side strip between the left mark line and the road end, and the steering torque based on the second steering characteristic is exerted when the vehicle lateral end is located within a range from the characteristic switching position to the road end.

A vehicle control processor and method capable of preventing departure to an off-road, to reduce driver discomfort, irritation and stress. The control processor calculates a width of a side strip between a left mark line and a road end based on information from a camera. When the width is wider than a specified width, steering torque based on first and second steering characteristics are exerted. The steering torque based on the first steering characteristic is exerted when a vehicle lateral end is located within a range from a left mark line outer end to a characteristic switching position, set in accordance with the width of the side strip between the left mark line and the road end, and the steering torque based on the second steering characteristic is exerted when the vehicle lateral end is located within a range from the characteristic switching position to the road end.

A disturbance handling system for a vehicle to handle a disturbance, the disturbance being an external force that acts on the vehicle and causes deflection of the vehicle, including: a disturbance detecting portion configured to determine an occurrence of the disturbance and to estimate a degree of influence of the disturbance; and a disturbance handling portion configured to handle the disturbance based on the estimated degree of influence of the disturbance, wherein, when a deviation of an actual yaw rate from a standard yaw rate is larger than a set threshold, the disturbance detecting portion determines that the disturbance is occurring and increases the set threshold in a situation in which the vehicle is being automatically steered, the standard yaw rate being a yaw rate of the vehicle determined based on a steering operation.

A disturbance handling system for a vehicle to handle a disturbance, the disturbance being an external force that acts on the vehicle and causes deflection of the vehicle, including: a disturbance detecting portion configured to determine an occurrence of the disturbance and to estimate a degree of influence of the disturbance; and a disturbance handling portion configured to handle the disturbance based on the estimated degree of influence of the disturbance, wherein, when a deviation of an actual yaw rate from a standard yaw rate is larger than a set threshold, the disturbance detecting portion determines that the disturbance is occurring and increases the set threshold in a situation in which the vehicle is being automatically steered, the standard yaw rate being a yaw rate of the vehicle determined based on a steering operation.

A machine that can comprise a steering system configured to direct movement of the machine and a control system operably coupled for communication with the steering system. The control system can comprise a grade sensor, and a controller configured to determine a slope from an uphill side of the machine to a downhill side of the machine based on sensed data from the grade sensor. The controller can be further configured to control the steering system to limit a turn radius of the machine toward the uphill side of the frame based on the determined slope.

Provided are a steering control system and method. The steering control system includes a control unit configured to perform steering control using a steering torque and a steering angle detected by a steering torque sensor and a steering angle sensor of a vehicle, wherein the control unit performs the steering control in consideration that the steering torque or the steering angle is changeable by a disturbance.

Provided are a steering control system and method. The steering control system includes a control unit configured to perform steering control using a steering torque and a steering angle detected by a steering torque sensor and a steering angle sensor of a vehicle, wherein the control unit performs the steering control in consideration that the steering torque or the steering angle is changeable by a disturbance.

A computer-implemented method for reducing a lateral drift of a heavy-duty vehicle due to a road bank angle, where the heavy-duty vehicle is associated with a non-zero understeer/oversteer gradient. The method comprises obtaining a road bank angle of a road section the heavy-duty vehicle is about to traverse; obtaining a vehicle model indicative of a vehicle motion response to the road bank angle, where the vehicle model includes the understeer/oversteer gradient; determining, based on the road bank angle and the vehicle model, a first compensation torque for reducing the lateral drift of the heavy-duty vehicle at the road section; and applying the first compensation torque across different wheels of the heavy-duty vehicle to reduce the lateral drift of the heavy-duty vehicle due to the road bank angle.

A trim lock and a centering assembly that provides a centering force between a first portion of a system and a second portion of the system. The centering assembly includes a centering stabilizer that provides a centering force along an axial direction thereof, a trim lock configured and arranged to change a location of one axial end of the centering stabilizer, with respect to the second portion of the system, between an original location and an adjusted location, and to lock the axial end of the centering stabilizer at the adjusted location, a connecting unit for operatively connecting the trim lock with the centering stabilizer, and a mounting member for movably mounting the centering stabilizer with respect to the second portion of the system, wherein the mounting member permits axial movement of the centering stabilizer with respect to said second portion of the system.

A trim lock and a centering assembly that provides a centering force between a first portion of a system and a second portion of the system. The centering assembly includes a centering stabilizer that provides a centering force along an axial direction thereof, a trim lock configured and arranged to change a location of one axial end of the centering stabilizer, with respect to the second portion of the system, between an original location and an adjusted location, and to lock the axial end of the centering stabilizer at the adjusted location, a connecting unit for operatively connecting the trim lock with the centering stabilizer, and a mounting member for movably mounting the centering stabilizer with respect to the second portion of the system, wherein the mounting member permits axial movement of the centering stabilizer with respect to said second portion of the system.