Fuel economizing cruise control
First Claim
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1. In a vehicle having an engine and an electronic throttle including a throttle valve movable to regulate fuel flow to the engine, a cruise control comprising:
- an input device operable from within a passenger cabin of the vehicle to send a speed signal defining a desired vehicle speed to be maintained by the cruise control;
an electronic control module electrically coupled to the throttle for controlling the position of the throttle valve; and
wherein the control module executes a stored program to enter a fuel economy cruise mode and fix the position of the throttle valve when the speed signal is received and a vehicle speed is within a prescribed error value from the desired vehicle speed for a prescribed time period, the control module maintaining the position of the throttle valve until one of an exit condition and acceleration input is detected.
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Abstract
A cruise control has a throttle controller for maintaining the speed of a vehicle at a desired speed. The cruise control can operate in a conventional cruise mode and a fuel economy cruise mode. When in the fuel economy cruise mode, the throttle is held at a fixed position as the vehicle travels within a prescribed range of speeds from the desired speed. The throttle remains fixed until an exit condition occurs or acceleration/deceleration input is supplied at which point the cruise control provides throttle adjustment at less than normal rates.
65 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In a vehicle having an engine and an electronic throttle including a throttle valve movable to regulate fuel flow to the engine, a cruise control comprising:
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an input device operable from within a passenger cabin of the vehicle to send a speed signal defining a desired vehicle speed to be maintained by the cruise control;
an electronic control module electrically coupled to the throttle for controlling the position of the throttle valve; and
wherein the control module executes a stored program to enter a fuel economy cruise mode and fix the position of the throttle valve when the speed signal is received and a vehicle speed is within a prescribed error value from the desired vehicle speed for a prescribed time period, the control module maintaining the position of the throttle valve until one of an exit condition and acceleration input is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of reducing the fuel consumption of a vehicle having a cruise control including a control module operated by an input device mounted within a passenger cabin of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving operator inputs for a desired vehicle speed and to begin a fuel economy cruise mode;
verifying that the vehicle is traveling within a prescribed error range of the desired vehicle speed for a prescribed time period;
entering a fuel economy cruise mode and fixing the position of the throttle;
checking for an exit condition and an acceleration input; and
maintaining the throttle at the fixed position until one of the exit condition and acceleration input is detected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification