Speed control method for vehicle approaching and traveling on a curve
First Claim
1. A speed control system adapted for use with a vehicle having a steering wheel and operator, said system comprising:
- a map database having at least one record, wherein the record presents at least one path, said path presenting a plurality of position points, wherein a portion of the points present adjacent curve points that define a curve;
a locator device communicatively coupled to the database, and configured to determine the location of the vehicle and match the location with a first of said points on the path, when the vehicle is located on the path;
a controller communicatively coupled to the device and database, and configured to identify an approaching curve point and determine an allowable curve point management speed; and
a steering angle module communicatively coupled to the controller, and configured to determine and communicate to the controller the current degree of rotation of the steering wheel,said controller being configured to determine a desired curve point management speed based in part on the allowable curve point management speed and an operator preference or vehicle characteristic input, and further configured to determine the current vehicle speed,said controller including an estimation module configured to estimate a future condition of the vehicle based on the current vehicle speed and degree of rotation, and presenting a closed loop system, wherein the controller is configured to compare the estimated future condition to the corresponding actual future condition, and modify the estimation module accordingly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle curve speed control system (10) adapted for use with a vehicle (12) having an operator (14), includes a map database (16) representing a current vehicle path, and a locator device (20) communicatively coupled to the database (16) and configured to determine the location of the vehicle (12) on the path. The system (10) further includes a controller (36) configured to identify approaching curve points of a curve (18a) in terms of curvature or radius, and determine a desired speed profile based on operator preference and/or vehicle characteristic input. An acceleration profile is determined, based on the current vehicle speed, and desired speed profile. An acceleration/deceleration command at the present control loop is modified towards achieving an optimal curve speed, and is delivered to either a brake or acceleration module (40,42) to automatically accelerate or decelerate the vehicle (12) accordingly.
84 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A speed control system adapted for use with a vehicle having a steering wheel and operator, said system comprising:
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a map database having at least one record, wherein the record presents at least one path, said path presenting a plurality of position points, wherein a portion of the points present adjacent curve points that define a curve; a locator device communicatively coupled to the database, and configured to determine the location of the vehicle and match the location with a first of said points on the path, when the vehicle is located on the path; a controller communicatively coupled to the device and database, and configured to identify an approaching curve point and determine an allowable curve point management speed; and a steering angle module communicatively coupled to the controller, and configured to determine and communicate to the controller the current degree of rotation of the steering wheel, said controller being configured to determine a desired curve point management speed based in part on the allowable curve point management speed and an operator preference or vehicle characteristic input, and further configured to determine the current vehicle speed, said controller including an estimation module configured to estimate a future condition of the vehicle based on the current vehicle speed and degree of rotation, and presenting a closed loop system, wherein the controller is configured to compare the estimated future condition to the corresponding actual future condition, and modify the estimation module accordingly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of vehicular curve management by a controller, wherein the vehicle includes a navigation system having a map database, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) accessing and locating the current position of the vehicle upon a path in the database; b) identifying a plurality of approaching curve points of a curve on the path; c) determining a curve point radius and an allowable curve point management speed for each of said points, so as to determine an allowable curve speed profile; and d) receiving an input relating to an operator preference or vehicle characteristic, and determining a desired curve point management speed for each of said points based on the allowable curve point management speed and input, so as to determine a desired curve speed profile for said plurality of approaching curve points. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification