Method for controlling the speed of a vehicle

• US 20080177455A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christian Muehlbauer, Erwin Lock, Mario Kustosch
• Original Assignee: Christian Muehlbauer, Erwin Lock, Mario Kustosch
• Inventors: Kustosch, Mario, Muehlbauer, Christian, Lock, Erwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,801 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/70
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/04 and means for comparing one electrical quantity, e.g. voltage, pulse, waveform, flux, or the like, with another quantity of a like kind, which comparison means is involved in the development of an electrical signal which is fed into the controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/04 Hill descent control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/122 for locking of reverse movement
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/065 Idle condition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1819 Propulsion control with control means using analogue circuits, relays or mechanical links

Abstract

In a method for controlling a speed of a vehicle, when an actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined setpoint speed by more than a first predefined speed difference, a service brake of the vehicle is activated. In the method, the first predefined speed difference has a value greater than zero. Also, when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a second predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, an idle speed control can be activated and a torque request of activated ancillary components can be reduced. Further, when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a sixth predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, an ancillary component can be activated.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:

when an actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined setpoint speed by more than a first predefined speed difference, activating a service brake of the vehicle, wherein the first predefined speed difference has a value greater than zero, and when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a second predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, activating an idle speed control and reducing a torque request of activated ancillary components.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising deactivating the idle speed control when a difference between the actual speed and the setpoint speed drops below a third predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the second predefined speed difference.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising deactivating the idle speed control for as long as the service brake is activated.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a fourth predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, activating a deceleration fuel-cutoff.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising deactivating the deceleration fuel-cutoff when a difference between the actual speed and the setpoint speed drops below a fifth predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the fourth predefined speed difference.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fourth predefined speed difference is greater than the second predefined speed difference, and further comprising deactivating the idle speed control when the deceleration fuel-cutoff is activated.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the deceleration fuel-cutoff remains activated for as long as the service brake is activated.

8. A method for controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:

when an actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined setpoint speed by more than a first predefined speed difference, activating a service brake of the vehicle, wherein the first predefined speed difference has a value greater than zero, and when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a sixth predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, activating an ancillary component.