Vehicle cruise control with automatic set speed reduction
First Claim
1. A cruise controller having a value reducing device for reducing a set speed when the cruise controller is controlling a controlled vehicle'"'"'s speed to maintain a predetermined distance behind a target vehicle travelling slower than the set speed of the controlled vehicle, and in which the set speed is reduced to zero if the controlled vehicle comes to a halt, and following which the cruise controller is responsive to the position of a vehicle accelerator pedal and uses motion of the pedal as an indication from the driver that cruise control is to be resumed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cruise controller (2) with a set speed and/or acceleration limit reduction facility is provided. If the controlled vehicle becomes slowed due to the presence of a slower moving vehicle in front of it, the set speed and/or acceleration limit is reduced in order to prevent rapid acceleration from occurring if the target vehicle suddenly moves out of the way.
20 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A cruise controller having a value reducing device for reducing a set speed when the cruise controller is controlling a controlled vehicle'"'"'s speed to maintain a predetermined distance behind a target vehicle travelling slower than the set speed of the controlled vehicle, and in which the set speed is reduced to zero if the controlled vehicle comes to a halt, and following which the cruise controller is responsive to the position of a vehicle accelerator pedal and uses motion of the pedal as an indication from the driver that cruise control is to be resumed.
- 11. A method of controlling a vehicle fitted with a cruise control system arranged to follow a target vehicle at a predetermined distance when the target vehicle is travelling slower than a set speed of the controlled vehicle, and in which the set speed is reduced to zero if the controlled vehicle comes to a halt, and in which the cruise controller then awaits a driver signal provided via motion of a vehicle accelerator pedal before recommencing cruise control.
- 13. A cruise controller having a value reducing device for reducing an acceleration limit when the cruise controller is controlling a controlled vehicle'"'"'s speed to maintain a predetermined distance behind a target vehicle travelling slower than a set speed of the controlled vehicle, and in which acceleration limit is reduced to zero if the controlled vehicle comes to a halt, and following this the cruise controller monitors the position of an accelerator pedal and uses motion of the accelerator pedal as a indication from the driver that cruise control is to be resumed.
- 20. A method of controlling the speed of a vehicle fitted with a cruise control system arranged to follow a target vehicle at a predetermined distance when the target vehicle is travelling slower than a set speed, the method comprising reducing a maximum acceleration value when the vehicle speed is constrained by the presence of a target vehicle travelling at less than the set speed, and in which the maximum acceleration value is reduced to zero if the vehicle comes to a halt, and the cruise controller waits for the driver to move a vehicle accelerator pedal before resuming cruise control.
Specification