Vehicle speed control apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A method of automatically controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:
- receiving an input from a driver to enter a cruise control mode;
determining a threshold speed;
increasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a first predetermined value above the threshold speed;
decreasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a second predetermined value below the threshold speed; and
repeating the steps of increasing and decreasing the vehicle speed until an input is received to exit the cruise control mode; and
further comprising detecting a vehicle in front, determining a distance to the vehicle in front, maintaining the vehicle in front within a distance range to the vehicle in front and calculating the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value dependent on the distance to the vehicle in front.
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for controlling the speed of a vehicle comprising: during a pulse phase of cruise control, applying engine torque to raise speed, the amount and duration of which being responsive to engine speed; and during a glide phase of cruise control, discontinuing engine combustion. In this way cruise control may maintain a mean speed equivalent to a desired, threshold speed while reducing fuel consumption, and NVH effects felt by the end user compared to traditional cruise control methods.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of automatically controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:
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receiving an input from a driver to enter a cruise control mode; determining a threshold speed; increasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a first predetermined value above the threshold speed; decreasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a second predetermined value below the threshold speed; and repeating the steps of increasing and decreasing the vehicle speed until an input is received to exit the cruise control mode; and further comprising detecting a vehicle in front, determining a distance to the vehicle in front, maintaining the vehicle in front within a distance range to the vehicle in front and calculating the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value dependent on the distance to the vehicle in front. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of automatically controlling a speed of a vehicle, comprising:
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receiving an input from a driver to enter a cruise control mode; determining a threshold speed; increasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a first predetermined value above the threshold speed; decreasing the vehicle speed to a speed which is a second predetermined value below the threshold speed; repeating the steps of increasing and decreasing the vehicle speed until an input is received to exit the cruise control mode; and reducing audio, visual or tactile phenomena associated with the repeated change in the vehicle speed by using a filter to alter a tachometer display. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method, comprising:
reducing noise, vibration and harshness during pulse and glide cruise control by, filtering a tachometer output; adjusting a rate of acceleration during a pulse phase; varying a duty cycle of the pulse phase; and adjusting a difference between a high speed and a low speed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
Specification