Low Speed Cruise Control for a Vehicle

• US 20160082962A1
• Filed: 09/24/2015
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shem, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shem, LLC
• Inventors: Dolesh, William L., Rood, Christopher, Amback, Eric, Engelbrecht, Gerhard
• Granted Patent: US 10,543,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/047 the memory being digital
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2300/12 Trucks; Load vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/0638 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/143 Speed control B60W30/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A cruise control system for a vehicle having an engine and a power take-off throttle control capable of controlling the speed of the engine includes a cruise control device in communication with a speedometer of the vehicle and the power take-off throttle control. The cruise control device includes a processor configured for receiving a user selection of a set ground speed, determining a current ground speed of the vehicle, via communication with the speedometer, comparing the current ground speed with the set ground speed, and taking further action to maintain the current ground speed close to the set ground speed. The further action taken by the processor may include transmitting an acceleration signal or deceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to increase or decrease a speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be lower or higher than the set ground speed.

Claims

1. A cruise control system for a vehicle having an engine and a power take-off throttle control capable of controlling the speed of the engine, comprising:

a cruise control device in communication with a speedometer of the vehicle and the power take-off throttle control, wherein the cruise control device comprises a processor configured for;

receiving a user selection of a set ground speed;

determining a current ground speed of the vehicle, via communication with the speedometer;

comparing the current ground speed with the set ground speed; and

taking further action based on the comparison between the current ground speed and the set ground speed, in order to maintain the current ground speed close to the set ground speed, comprising;

transmitting an acceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to increase a speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be lower than the set ground speed; and

transmitting a deceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to decrease the speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be higher than the set ground speed.

2. The cruise control system of claim 1, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is configured for utilizing a threshold in determining whether the current ground speed is higher or lower than the set ground speed.

3. The cruise control system of claim 2, wherein the threshold is a percentage of the set ground speed.

4. The cruise control system of claim 1, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for determining a pulse time of the power take-off throttle control for increasing or decreasing the engine speed to maintain the set ground speed, and wherein the acceleration signal or the deceleration signal transmitted to the power take-off throttle control includes the pulse time.

5. The cruise control system of claim 4, wherein the pulse time is determined at least partially based on one or more factors selected from a group consisting of the set ground speed, a loading of the vehicle, and a degree of deviation from the set ground speed, etc.

6. The cruise control system of claim 1, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for utilizing a response time, such that the processor is configured for transmitting the acceleration signal or the deceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to increase or decrease a speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be lower or higher than the set ground speed for a time exceeding the response time.

7. The cruise control system of claim 6, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured such that the response time varies based on operating conditions of the vehicle.

8. The cruise control system of claim 7, wherein the operating conditions of the vehicle include at least one of a loading condition of the vehicle and the set ground speed.

9. The cruise control system of claim 7, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for calculating the response time based on the operating conditions of the vehicle.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels;

an engine operably coupled to supply power to at least one of the wheels, the engine having a main throttle configured to be controlled by the operator to control the speed of the engine;

a power take-off throttle control configured for controlling the speed of the engine; and

a cruise control device in communication with a speedometer of the vehicle and the power take-off throttle control, wherein the cruise control device comprises a processor configured for;

receiving a user selection of a set ground speed;

determining a current ground speed of the vehicle, via communication with the speedometer;

comparing the current ground speed with the set ground speed; and

taking further action based on the comparison between the current ground speed and the set ground speed, in order to maintain the current ground speed close to the set ground speed, comprising;

transmitting an acceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to increase a speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be lower than the set ground speed; and

transmitting a deceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to decrease the speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be higher than the set ground speed.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the power take-off throttle is further configured for overriding the main throttle of the engine when the cruise control is activated.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is configured for utilizing a threshold in determining whether the current ground speed is higher or lower than the set ground speed.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the threshold is a percentage of the set ground speed.

14. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for determining a pulse time of the power take-off throttle control for increasing or decreasing the engine speed to maintain the set ground speed, and wherein the acceleration signal or the deceleration signal transmitted to the power take-off throttle control includes the pulse time.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the pulse time is determined at least partially based on one or more factors selected from a group consisting of the set ground speed, a loading of the vehicle, and a degree of deviation from the set ground speed, etc.

16. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for utilizing a response time, such that the processor is configured for transmitting the acceleration signal or the deceleration signal to the power take-off throttle control to increase or decrease a speed of the engine if the current ground speed is determined to be lower or higher than the set ground speed for a time exceeding the response time.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured such that the response time varies based on operating conditions of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the operating conditions of the vehicle include at least one of a loading condition of the vehicle and the set ground speed.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the processor of the cruise control device is further configured for calculating the response time based on the operating conditions of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle further comprises an operator cab and an interface within the operator cab configured to receive user input for controlling the cruise control system.

21. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the vehicle further comprises:

an operator cab supported by the chassis;

a body supported by the chassis and having an operator area thereon, located outside the operator cab of the vehicle; and

an interface accessible from the operator area of the body and configured to receive user input for controlling the cruise control system.

22. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels;

an engine operably coupled to supply power to at least one of the wheels, the engine having a main throttle configured to be controlled by the operator to control the speed of the engine;

a power take-off throttle control configured for controlling the speed of the engine;

a cruise control device in communication with a speedometer of the vehicle and the power take-off throttle control, wherein the cruise control device comprises a processor configured for transmitting instructions to the power take-off throttle control for maintaining a current ground speed of the vehicle close to a set ground speed selected by a user,

wherein the power take-off throttle control is configured for overriding the main throttle when the cruise control is activated.

23. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels;

an operator cab supported by the chassis;

a body supported by the chassis and having an operator area thereon, located outside the operator cab of the vehicle;

an engine operably coupled to supply power to at least one of the wheels, the engine having a main throttle configured to be controlled by the operator to control the speed of the engine;

a power take-off throttle control configured for controlling the speed of the engine;

a cruise control device in communication with a speedometer of the vehicle and the power take-off throttle control, wherein the cruise control device comprises a processor configured for transmitting instructions to the power take-off throttle control for maintaining a current ground speed of the vehicle close to a set ground speed selected by a user; and

an interface accessible from the operator area of the body and configured to receive user input for controlling the cruise control system.