Integrated queue assist and adaptive cruise control

• US 6,560,525 B1
• Filed: 01/02/2002
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Tellis, Levasseur, Joyce, John Patrick, Engelman, Gerald H
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/683,452
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 701/68, 701/93, 701/96, 701/301, 180/168, 180/169, 180/170, 180/179, 123/349, 123/350, 123/399
• US Class Current: 701/96
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/18 including a device to audibly, visibly, or otherwise signal the existence of unusual or unintended speed to the driver of the vehicle devices primarily intended for indicating speed to other traffic B60Q1/54
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2201/02 Active or adaptive cruise control system; Distance control
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/22 initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle , or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/16 Control of distance between vehicles, e.g. keeping a distance to preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/075 Ramp control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

An adaptive cruise control system includes a forward-looking sensor generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and a target vehicle. The forward-looking sensor also generates a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that the distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle is changing. A controller is electrically coupled to the forward-looking sensor. The controller maintains a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and the target vehicle by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to the range signal and the range rate signal. The host vehicle may come to a full stop when the target vehicle is acquired below a predetermined velocity. If the target vehicle is acquired above the predetermined velocity, then a warning is given when braking is required.

Claims

1. An adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle comprising:

a forward-looking sensor generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and a target vehicle;

said forward-looking sensor generating a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that said distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle is changing; and

a controller electrically coupled to said forward-looking sensor and acquiring said target vehicle, said controller including control logic operative to maintain a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to said range signal and said range rate signal, stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired below a predetermined velocity, and activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired above said predetermined velocity.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the controller signals a braking system to maintain the preset headway distance.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller signals an engine management system to maintain the preset headway distance.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller operates from an initial vehicle rest velocity of 0 KPH.

5. A system as in claim 1 further comprising:

an electric park brake assist;

wherein said controller applies said electric park brake assist while maintaining a headway distance between the host vehicle and said target.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said target comprises at least one of a vehicle, an object, and a pedestrian.

7. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an indicator electrically coupled to said controller, said indicator indicating then said controller is maintaining a rest vehicle velocity of zero KPH.

8. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an indicator electrically coupled to said controller, said indicator indicating when said controller is adjusting the acceleration of the host vehicle.

9. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an indicator electrically coupled to said controller, said indicator indicating when said controller is stopping the host vehicle.

10. A system as in claim 1 further comprising an indicator electrically coupled to said controller, said indicator indicating that rate of deceleration is insufficient as to stop behind said target.

11. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller maintains the host vehicle at a rest velocity of zero KPH for a predetermined duration of time.

12. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller maintains the host vehicle at a rest velocity of zero KPH until intervention is provided.

13. A system as in claim 1 further comprising:

said forward-looking sensor generating a target angle signal;

wherein said controller maintains a headway distance in response to said target angle signal.

14. A system as in claim 1 further comprising:

said forward-looking sensor generating a yaw rate signal;

wherein said controller maintains a headway distance in response to said yaw rate signal.

15. A adaptive cruise control system for a host vehicle comprising:

a forward-looking sensor generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and a target vehicle;

said forward-looking sensor generating a range rate signal corresponding to a rate that said distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle is changing; and

a controller electrically coupled to said forward-looking sensor and acquiring said target vehicle, said controller including control logic operative to maintain a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle from a host vehicle velocity of zero KPH, by adjusting the host vehicle velocity in response to said range signal and said range rate signal, stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle did not exceed a predetermined velocity, and activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle exceeded said predetermined velocity.

16. A method of adjusting the velocity of a host vehicle comprising:

sensing a target vehicle and generating a range signal corresponding to a distance between the host vehicle and said target;

generating a range rate signal corresponding to a rate said distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle is changing;

maintaining a preset headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle, in response to said range signal and said range rate signal;

stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired below a predetermined velocity; and

activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle was acquired above said predetermined velocity.

17. A method as in claim 16 further comprising maintaining a headway distance between the host vehicle and said target vehicle, from an initial vehicle rest velocity of zero KPH, in response to said range signal and said range rate signal.

18. A method as in claim 16 further comprising stopping said host vehicle when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle did not exceed a predetermined velocity.

19. A method as in claim 16 further comprising activating a warning when said target vehicle stops and said target vehicle exceeded said predetermined velocity.