Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle having a plurality of wheels is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The method further comprises determining, based on the one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information, that one or more of the wheels of the vehicle have overcome an obstacle or are about to overcome an obstacle and that therefore a reduction in an applied drive torque to one or more of the wheels of the vehicle by a powertrain subsystem (applied drive torque) will be required to maintain the speed of the vehicle at a target set-speed of the speed control system. The method still further comprises automatically commanding the application of a retarding torque to one or more of the wheels of the vehicle to counteract the effect of an overrun condition in the powertrain subsystem from increasing the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for selecting a gear ratio for a driveline of vehicle is provided. The method comprises gathering information relating to one or more parameters associated with the vehicle and anticipating, based on the gathered information, an occurrence of an event relating to the vehicle for which a change in driveline gear ratio is needed. The method further comprises identifying a suitable driveline gear ratio for the anticipated event, generating a command signal representative of a request to change the gear ratio of the driveline to the identified gear ratio, and communicating the command signal to a driveline subsystem of the vehicle. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating an off-road speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a pattern or change in at least one component of vehicle drag. The method further comprises monitoring vehicle speed to predict where a change in the at least one component of vehicle drag may result in a speed overshoot event or a speed undershoot event. The method still further comprises, in response to the predicted speed overshoot event or speed undershoot event, automatically commanding the application of an appropriate opposing torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle to counteract the predicted speed overshoot or undershoot. An off-road speed control system for a vehicle comprising an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend further acceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising: means for receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel; and means for commanding application of torque to one or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein the system is configured such that when it is required to accelerate the vehicle to achieve the target speed and the system detects a wheel slip event, the system is operable temporarily to suspend an increase in net torque applied to one or more wheels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle control system comprising a plurality of speed control systems each operable to cause the vehicle to operate in accordance with a respective target speed, the system being operable wherein one at said plurality of speed control systems may be selected to control vehicle speed at a given moment in time, wherein when responsibility for speed control is transferred from a first one of the plurality of speed control systems to a second one of the speed control systems, the second one of the speed control systems is operable to set a value of target speed thereof to a value corresponding to that of the target speed of the first.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises identifying a torque required to achieve a desired operating parameter of the vehicle. The method further assessing whether the required torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit, and when it does, determining if it is appropriate to increase the torque limit. When it is determined that it is appropriate to do so, the method further comprises increasing the predetermined torque limit. A speed control system of a vehicle comprising an electronic control unit configured to: determine a torque required to achieve a desired operating parameter of the vehicle, assess whether the required torque exceeds a predetermined torque limit; when the torque exceeds the torque limit, determine if it is appropriate to increase the torque limit; and when it is determined that it is appropriate to do so, increase the torque limit, is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The method further comprises determining, based on the signals representative of vehicle-related information, whether one or more predetermined conditions are met. The method still further comprises automatically determining a baseline set-speed for the speed control system when it is determined that at least certain of the one or more predetermined conditions are met The method yet still further comprises adjusting the baseline set-speed to determine an instantaneous set-speed of the speed control system based on a signal indicative of a desired comfort level. A speed control system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the above-described methodology is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, the vehicle speed control system comprising one or more electronic control units configured to carry out a method that includes applying torque to at least one of the plurality of wheels, detecting a slip event between any one or more of the wheels and the ground over which the vehicle is travelling when the vehicle is in motion and providing a slip detection output signal in the event thereof. The method carried out by the one or more electronic control units further includes receiving a user input of a target speed at which the vehicle is intended to travel and maintaining the vehicle at the target speed independently of the slip detection output signal by adjusting the amount of torque applied to the at least one of the plurality of wheels.

Abstract: A method for use with a speed control system of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises receiving readings from one or more vehicle sensors to determine the nature of the terrain over which the vehicle is traveling. The method further comprises gathering information relating to one or more parameters of the vehicle that correspond to the configuration of the vehicle. The method still further comprises determining, based on the nature of the terrain and the gathered information, whether the vehicle is appropriately configured to travel over the terrain. A system comprising an electronic control unit configured to perform the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds therein. The method further comprises selecting a desired set-speed from the plurality of predefined set-speeds stored in the memory device. The method may further comprise determining whether the selected set-speed is appropriate based on one or more conditions. The method may still further comprise causing the vehicle to operate in accordance with the selected set-speed when it is determined that the set-speed is appropriate. A system comprising a memory device configured to store a plurality of predefined set-speeds, and electronic control unit configured to select a desired one of the predefined set-speeds stored in the memory is also provided.

Abstract: A speed control system operable to control a motor vehicle to operate in accordance with a set-speed value, the control means being operable to allow a user to adjust the set-speed value by user actuation of a vehicle brake control or a vehicle accelerator control.

Abstract: A method and system of providing steering in cruise control, in low friction conditions, at low speed and in low range. Speed of individual vehicle wheels is repeatedly and automatically adjusted to ensure that the actual rate of turn of the vehicle approaches the theoretical rate of turn as demanded by the vehicle driver.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a current value of vehicle set-speed. The system responds to user input to change the current value of vehicle set-speed to a different value and is configured to store the current value of set-speed in a memory as a stored set-speed and to change the current value of set-speed in dependence on the user input. The speedometer indicates both the current and stored set-speeds. The system can return the current value of vehicle set-speed to the stored set-speed upon receipt of a “resume” or other user command. The system can enter into a descent control mode that applies braking torque but no drive torque and can also enter into a full functionality mode that provides either drive or braking torque to maintain the vehicle at the set-speed.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicle speed in accordance with a current value of vehicle set-speed. The system responds to user input to change the current value of vehicle set-speed to a different value and is configured to store the current value of set-speed in a memory as a stored set-speed and to change the current value of set-speed in dependence on the user input. The speedometer indicates both the current and stored set-speeds. The system can return the current value of vehicle set-speed to the stored set-speed upon receipt of a “resume” or other user command. The system can enter into a descent control mode that applies braking torque but no drive torque and can also enter into a full functionality mode that provides either drive or braking torque to maintain the vehicle at the set-speed.