Speed control apparatus for an automotive vehicle with creep control
First Claim
1. A slow, creep speed control apparatus for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a throttle actuator for opening and closing a throttle valve of the vehicle;
a brake actuator (31) for controlling the application of a brake of the vehicle;
an accelerator pedal depression sensor for sensing the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle;
a vehicle speed sensor for sensing the speed of the vehicle;
a vehicle separation sensor for sensing the separation of the vehicle from a preceding vehicle; and
a controller responsive to output signals from the accelerator pedal depression sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, and the vehicle separation sensor, the controller comprising;
mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of different operating modes which include at least a normal driving mode and a slow, creep speed control mode; and
creep control means for determining a slow, target creep speed for the vehicle based on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, for controlling the throttle actuator to maintain the vehicle speed equal to the target creep speed during the creep speed control mode, and for controlling the brake actuator to apply the brake when the vehicle separation from the preceding vehicle falls below a prescribed minimum separation or when the accelerator pedal is not depressed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A speed control apparatus for an automotive vehicle performs creep control and suppresses wheel slipping. At low vehicle speeds, a control unit calculates a target vehicle speed based on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and controls a throttle actuator to maintain the target speed. The driver can change the target speed by adjusting the amount of accelerator pedal depression. The brakes of the vehicle are automatically applied when the accelerator pedal is released. A vehicle separation sensor measures the separation from a preceding vehicle. When the vehicle separation falls below a prescribed level, the control unit automatically applies the brakes of the vehicle. The control unit detects wheel slip by monitoring the speed difference between the front and rear wheels. When wheel slip occurs, the control unit decreases the throttle valve opening and applied the brakes until wheel slip is suppressed.
60 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A slow, creep speed control apparatus for an automotive vehicle comprising:
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a throttle actuator for opening and closing a throttle valve of the vehicle; a brake actuator (31) for controlling the application of a brake of the vehicle; an accelerator pedal depression sensor for sensing the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle; a vehicle speed sensor for sensing the speed of the vehicle; a vehicle separation sensor for sensing the separation of the vehicle from a preceding vehicle; and a controller responsive to output signals from the accelerator pedal depression sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, and the vehicle separation sensor, the controller comprising; mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of different operating modes which include at least a normal driving mode and a slow, creep speed control mode; and creep control means for determining a slow, target creep speed for the vehicle based on the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, for controlling the throttle actuator to maintain the vehicle speed equal to the target creep speed during the creep speed control mode, and for controlling the brake actuator to apply the brake when the vehicle separation from the preceding vehicle falls below a prescribed minimum separation or when the accelerator pedal is not depressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification