Vehicle speed control system
First Claim
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1. A vehicle speed control system for maintaining vehicle speed at a base target speed when the control system is activated by a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
- a slope sensor for directly or indirectly determining the slope of the ground on which the vehicle is traveling;
a speed sensor for directly or indirectly determining the vehicle speed;
an engine controller for generating an engine torque request signal to operate an engine/drivetrain so as to control the vehicle speed at an engine target speed;
a brake controller for generating a brake request signal to operate vehicle brakes so as to control the vehicle speed at a brake target speed;
wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill the brake target speed is greater than the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the engine target speed and when the vehicle is traveling downhill the brake target speed is less than the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the brake target speed; and
wherein the engine and brake controllers cooperate to maintain the vehicle speed at or near the base target speed.
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Abstract
This invention relates to a vehicle speed control system, configured with off-road performance features, that will allow the driver to travel at a set speed in a smooth, controlled manner on various unmaintained surfaces without requiring the driver to press the brake or accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed control system uses a brake controller to control the wheel brakes, and an engine controller to control the engine/drivetrain torque, separate or in combination, to maintain a target speed.
24 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A vehicle speed control system for maintaining vehicle speed at a base target speed when the control system is activated by a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
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a slope sensor for directly or indirectly determining the slope of the ground on which the vehicle is traveling; a speed sensor for directly or indirectly determining the vehicle speed; an engine controller for generating an engine torque request signal to operate an engine/drivetrain so as to control the vehicle speed at an engine target speed; a brake controller for generating a brake request signal to operate vehicle brakes so as to control the vehicle speed at a brake target speed; wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill the brake target speed is greater than the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the engine target speed and when the vehicle is traveling downhill the brake target speed is less than the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the brake target speed; and wherein the engine and brake controllers cooperate to maintain the vehicle speed at or near the base target speed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle speed control system for maintaining vehicle speed at a base target speed when the control system is activated by a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
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a slope sensor for directly or indirectly determining the slope of the ground on which the vehicle is traveling; a speed sensor for directly or indirectly determining the vehicle speed; an engine controller for generating an engine torque request signal to operate an engine/drivetrain so as to control the vehicle speed at an engine target speed; a brake controller for generating a brake request signal to operate vehicle brakes so as to control the vehicle speed at a brake target speed; wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill the brake target speed is greater that the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the engine target speed; wherein when the vehicle encounters an obstacle and the vehicle speed falls to or near zero, the system operates to increase engine torque so as to climb the obstacle; and
wherein, at or near the time when the vehicle then begins to move and the vehicle speed is still below the target speed, the vehicle braking is increased to preload the brake system prior to the vehicle speed reaching the target speed; andwherein the engine and brake controllers cooperate to maintain the vehicle speed at or near the base target speed.
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15. A vehicle speed control system for maintaining vehicle speed at a base target speed when the control system is activated by a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
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a slope sensor for directly or indirectly determining the slope of the ground on which the vehicle is traveling; a speed sensor for directly or indirectly determining the vehicle speed; an engine controller for generating an engine torque request signal to operate an engine/drivetrain so as to control the vehicle speed at an engine target speed; a brake controller for generating a brake request signal to operate vehicle brakes so as to control the vehicle speed at a brake target speed; wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill the brake target speed is greater that the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the engine target speed; wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill and the driver requests braking, the engine controller continues to generate the engine torque request signal until the driver'"'"'s braking pressure reaches a predetermined level which is a function the steepness of the slope; and wherein the engine and brake controllers cooperate to maintain the vehicle speed at or near the base target speed.
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Specification