Abstract: In a method of changing the trigger threshold of a brake stand-by function of a vehicle brake, the brake stand-by function generates brake pressure in wheel brakes without application of a brake pedal. The trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function is determined by the following steps: a) determining an average return speed of an accelerator pedal; b) changing the trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function depending on the determined average return speed of the accelerator pedal. The method allows reducing the number of spurious releases of the brake stand-by function, which a sportive driving style brings about. In another embodiment of the method, the position of the accelerator pedal is used to change the trigger threshold value for the brake stand-by function.

Abstract: An automated guided vehicle and a method of controlling an automated guided vehicle which are capable of varying the travel path of the automatic guided vehicle in order to reduce wear patterns created in the floor of the material handling facility. The travel path of the AGV is varied by intentionally applying a deviation from a selected predetermined route along which the AGV is traveling.

Abstract: An electronic control device reduces, after a time at which constant speed traveling control is terminated (specific control termination time) not by an accelerating operation or braking operation but by, for example, an operation of a control switch, the vehicle driving force to a force corresponding to the amount of accelerating operation at the specific control termination time.

Abstract: A vehicular control object determination system includes: a radar device for detecting an object that is present in the direction of travel of a vehicle; a travel locus estimator for estimating a future travel locus of the vehicle; a control object determiner for determining a control object based on a detection result obtained by the radar device, a future travel locus of the vehicle estimated by the travel locus estimator based on a vehicle speed and a yaw rate and predetermined control object determination conditions; and a swing rate detector for detecting a swing rate of side-to-side swing of the estimated travel locus. When the detected swing rate is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control object determiner excludes from determination of a control object an object that is further than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: The control device for the hybrid vehicle is mounted on the hybrid vehicle including the engine and the motor generator as the driving source and capable of switching at least two modes, i.e., the infinite variable speed mode and the fixed gear ratio mode. When the speed change is performed from the infinite variable speed mode to the fixed gear ratio mode, the first speed change control to maintain the number of revolutions equal to or larger than the number of engine revolutions at the time of setting the infinite variable speed mode and reduce the engine torque to shift the speed gear in the fixed gear ratio mode is executed. Thereby, when the speed change is performed from the infinite variable speed mode to the fixed gear ratio mode, it becomes possible to appropriately suppress the drivability deterioration caused due to the change of the number of engine revolutions.

Abstract: A method of influencing an automated transmission of a motor vehicle having a tractional resistance detection unit, the method comprising the steps of reading data, via the tractional resistance detection unit, containing at least information about a torque of a drivetrain, a rotational speed of the drive train, and an acceleration of the vehicle, determining the external tractional resistance of the vehicle based upon the read data, and influencing the shift program by at least one of activation, adaptation and variation of the shift program, on a basis one of an actual and a statistically prepared data about the external tractional resistance of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and device for influencing the longitudinal velocity of a motor vehicle, in which a setpoint minimum distance and/or a setpoint maximum velocity is presettable by the driver, the driver being able to influence the vehicle velocity via the accelerator pedal and/or brake pedal, and in which the distance from a vehicle traveling ahead is measured by a distance-measuring sensor and, if the setpoint minimum distance is undershot and/or the setpoint maximum velocity is exceeded by the vehicle velocity, the vehicle velocity is limited so that the setpoint minimum distance is not undershot and/or the setpoint maximum velocity is not exceeded. This function is provided, in particular, in connection with an adaptive distance and cruise control system, the driver being able to activate either the adaptive distance and cruise control system or the limiting function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enabling a vehicle having adaptive cruise control to reduce its speed in a turn according to the vehicle's position within the turn as well as ignoring objects detected during the turn that are not in the vehicle's path. The method of the present invention includes the steps of operating the vehicle in an adaptive cruise control mode such that the vehicle is traveling at a set speed; determining whether the vehicle is in a turn in the vehicle's path by detecting change in the vehicle's lateral acceleration; and when the vehicle is determined to be in the turn, reducing the vehicle's speed according to the vehicle's position in the turn, monitoring for objects and maintaining the vehicle's speed if an object is positioned out of the path of the vehicle.

Abstract: A distance-related cruise control system and method for a motor vehicle performs a speed control to a predefined desired speed during free travel of the motor vehicle and performs a distance regulation to a predefined distance to the vehicle traveling ahead during following travel. After deactivation of the distance regulation during following travel, the system performs a speed control, not to the previously defined speed, but rather to the current speed of the motor vehicle at the instant of the deactivation of the distance regulation as the desired speed.

Abstract: A motorcycle with reduced fuel consumption. A centrifugal clutch intermittently transfers torque from an engine to a drive wheel in accordance with engine speed. A brake lock switch regulates the engine speed. When the brake lock switch is off, engine start inhibition control is executed. When the brake lock switch is on, engine speed regulation control is executed to prevent engagement of the centrifugal clutch.

Abstract: A vehicle speed exceeded notification device to be installed in a vehicle of a type including a vehicle audio entertainment system being configurable via a vehicle data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include an audio entertainment system content interface. The audio interface may be selectively operable to communicate audio content relating to a vehicle speed exceeded condition to the vehicle audio entertainment system. The device may also include a controller coupled to the audio entertainment system content interface for detecting a vehicle speed exceeded condition. The controller may also be for configuring the vehicle audio entertainment system, via the vehicle data communications bus, so that the audio content related to the vehicle speed exceeded condition plays through the vehicle audio entertainment system based upon detecting the vehicle speed exceeded condition.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling deployment of a safety device for a vehicle. The system may include a pre-impact collision assessment system, an impact detection system, and an inflatable safety device. The safety device may be partially inflated when a collision threat is detected based on a signal from the pre-impact collision assessment system. The inflatable device may be subsequently either more fully inflated or deflated.

Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission that is operated in an open loop by way of an adjustable hydraulic motor (5), which is adjusted for the purpose of acceleration or deceleration with the aid of an electronic control unit (8) such that a desired vehicle speed corresponds to a measured vehicle speed.

Abstract: In a high speed mode of operating and electric-gas hybrid car, the combustion engine is directly engaged to the wheels without a transmission and that vehicle speed is controlled without a throttle by electric generator loading of the engine.

Abstract: In a four-wheel drive vehicle, front wheels 14L and 14R are driven by an engine 1, and rear wheels 15L and 15R are driven by an electric motor 5. A high-power alternator 2 is driven by the engine 1, and electric power generated from the alternator 2 drives the motor 5. In addition to controlling the power generation of the high-power alternator 2 and the driving of the motor 5, a 4WD CU 100 estimates an induced voltage E of the motor 5 from a voltage MHV of the motor and from an output current Ia of the high-power alternator, and estimates a rotating speed Nm of the motor from estimation results on the induced voltage E.

Abstract: A cruise control device has an activation device embodied as a key button. By activating the activation device it is possible to transfer the cruise control device, from a switched off operating state to a switched on standby operating state, and by a further activation of the activation device it is possible to transfer the cruise control device from the standby operating state to a switched on control operating state. The cruise control device has a storage device storing a state of the cruise control device immediately before the motor vehicle is switched off and a readout device which reads out the stored state of the cruise control device immediately after the motor vehicle is switched on. If the cruise control device had a switched on operating state immediately before the ignition device is last switched off, the cruise control device is transferred automatically to the standby operating state.

Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of a vehicle, the hybrid propulsion system including an internal combustion engine and an alternate powertrain torque source capable of propelling the vehicle while the engine is turned off, the method comprising of detecting congestion by receiving and analyzing data that is external to the vehicle, and controlling a transition of the hybrid propulsion system between a first propulsion mode and a second propulsion mode based on said detecting of congestion.

Abstract: The output torque of an in-vehicle engine is controlled based on the larger one of a pedal torque set by a pedal torque setting section in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator pedal and a cruise torque for cruise control set by a cruise torque setting section. At the time of starting the cruise control, an initial value of the cruise torque is set by an initial value setting section as the smaller one of the torque required for traveling a vehicle at a constant speed of a target vehicle speed and the pedal torque.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a working vehicle has an improved cruise control and parking brake engagement lever. The drive assembly includes a speed and direction control linkage operatively connecting the speed input mechanism with the transmission drive unit and a braking linkage operatively connected to the brake input mechanism for selectively slowing or stopping the movement of the drive wheel. A cruise control/parking brake engagement linkage interacts with the speed and direction control linkage and the braking linkage when the speed and direction control linkage and the braking linkage are in select conditions. The cruise control/parking brake engagement linkage has a single cruise control/parking brake operating lever that, upon actuation, locks the braking linkage in the brake engaged position to engage the parking brake feature and locks the speed and direction control linkage in a position corresponding to a desired speed to engage the cruise control feature.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for lane recognition for a vehicle that is equipped with an adaptive distance and speed control system are provided, the adaptive distance and speed controller having conveyed to it, using an object detection system, the relative speed of detected objects, a variable for determining the lateral offset of the detected objects with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, and the speed of the host vehicle. From the relative speed of the objects and the host-vehicle speed, a determination is made as to whether an object is oncoming, stationary, or moving in the same direction as the host vehicle. In combination with the calculated lateral offset of the detected object with respect to the longitudinal vehicle axis, the number of lanes present and the lane currently being traveled in by the host vehicle are determined.

Abstract: An electronic control unit of a motor vehicle is connected to signal transmitters and generates output signals in response to a desired speed signal, a yaw signal, a target vehicle signal, and a wheel speed signal. The electronic control unit generates a trigger signal that limits the momentary speed (or momentarily the acceleration) of the motor vehicle for at least a value that substantially corresponds to a maximum of a distance X between the motor vehicle and a target motor vehicle at the same time of its leaving the detection area. The distance X is reduced by a shortening stretch DX to an effective distance Xeff that is dependent on at least one of an environmental condition environment (motorway, country road, town traffic), the speed of the target motor vehicle at the time of leaving the detection area, the momentary speed of the motor vehicle, and the bend radii of bends already driven through in the past within a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for the adaptive cruise control of a motor vehicle along the lines of a distance-constant control and a speed-constant control, respectively, which apparatus includes at least two devices interconnected by a data-exchange device. The first device includes at least one transmitting and receiving unit for detecting objects, which operates according to the radar principle and/or lidar principle, as well as at least one target-object-selection device. The second device includes at least one speed and distance controller, and is connected to the first device by a data-exchange system through which data with respect to two detected objects is transmitted.

Abstract: A speed control system is provided for a motor vehicle, including units for calculating a drive torque or a brake torque as a function of a pre-definable target speed, the target speed being pre-defined by the single actuation of an operable control element. A sustained actuation of the control element is used to pre-define a target acceleration, instead of a target speed. The drive torque or brake torque are calculated from the target acceleration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicular adaptive cruise control system and method that can adapt in real-time to tire and road conditions, vehicular weight, dynamics of the host vehicle, as well as other factors, to offer improved collision avoidance and warning.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle speed control device includes an electronic control unit (ECU). A forward vehicle sensor, electrically communicating with the ECU, generates a forward vehicle signal as a function of whether a forward vehicle is detected. The forward vehicle signal indicates a speed and a distance to the forward vehicle. A speed sensor, electrically communicating with the ECU, senses a driven vehicle speed. Control logic, electrically communicating with the ECU and the forward vehicle sensor, controls the driven vehicle speed as a function of a driven vehicle acceleration and the forward vehicle signal. The control logic sets a fault status as a function of the driven vehicle acceleration and the forward vehicle signal.

Abstract: A process for assisting the driving of a vehicle provided with a braking system including brake calipers able to be activated as a function of a target braking force, including the steps of: determining an instantaneous state of the vehicle defined by state variables measured by sensors with which the vehicle is provided; testing a logical entry condition verified when the velocity of the vehicle is zero and when the slope is greater than a pre-defined slope; when the logical entry condition is verified, testing a logical exit condition; automatically operating the braking system to keep the vehicle static on the slope while the logical exit condition is not verified; and automatically releasing the activation of the braking system when the logical exit condition is verified.

Abstract: Driving assisting systems and methods that regulate a reaction force applied to an accelerator pedal based on risk potential, estimated driver's intention and necessity for acceleration, in response to an estimated driver's intention being a predetermined type of intention.

Abstract: A speed controller for motor vehicles having an input device for the input of a desired speed Vset by the driver, and having a plurality of operating modes which are able to be activated in different speed ranges and differ in their functional scope. A change in the operating mode, which results in the loss of a safety-relevant function, is provided or enabled by a command of the driver, characterized by a decision unit, which, in the light of predefined criteria, determines whether a change in the desired speed Vset, which is input by the driver, is to be interpreted as a command for changing the operating mode.

Abstract: One embodiment of this invention discloses a system for activating a vehicle's emergency flashers upon harsh braking or if the vehicle otherwise undergoes severe deceleration.

Abstract: An economy running system having: a function of stopping an internal combustion engine of a vehicle when the vehicle stops and all of stop conditions are satisfied; and a function of restarting the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. The economy running system includes: a control unit that judges whether the vehicle stops or not, and judges whether each of the stop conditions is satisfied or not; and a notification unit. When the control unit judges that the vehicle stops and that at least one of the stop conditions is not satisfied, the control unit causes the notification unit to notify to a user first notification information concerned with the at least one of the stop conditions.

Abstract: An automotive lane deviation prevention (LDP) apparatus includes a control unit detecting whether a host vehicle is in a specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on road-surface irregularities formed on or close to a lane marking line. The control unit actively decelerates the host vehicle when the host vehicle is in the specific state where the host vehicle is traveling on the road-surface irregularities.

Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for controlling a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer is comprised of a controller which is arranged to receive a vehicle speed command, to obtain an anticipated vehicle speed command from the vehicle speed command taking account of a delay factor of a control system of the vehicle, to calculate a driving force a driving force command from the anticipated vehicle speed command, to obtain an accelerator opening command from a previously stored driving force characteristic map based on the driving force command and a detected vehicle speed, and to control an accelerator opening of the vehicle according to the accelerator opening command so as to adjust the detected vehicle at the vehicle speed command.

Abstract: One energy recovery system (30) that can decelerate the vehicle in response to a brake request stores recovered energy electrically in a battery bank (32). Another energy recovery system (36) stores recovered energy hydraulically in a high pressure accumulator (40). One system is given priority over the other when a brake request is issued. When the stored energies are reused to accelerate the vehicle, one form of stored energy is used before the other.

Abstract: The compaction vehicle having a speed adjustment member, a displacement detector, and a drive source controller further includes a calculation device between the displacement detector and the drive source controller, receiving the displacement S, and outputting a signal I calculated to the controller; a running speed setting switch for the operator operating ON at a desired running speed; a control signal memory device provided inside the calculation device and memorizing a signal I1 to the controller, wherein in a normal operation the calculation device outputs the signal I to the controller so that a running speed increases or decreases according to the displacement S, and wherein when the switch is operated to ON, the calculation device maintains the ON state, and the displacement S is not less than a predetermined value, the calculation device outputs the signal I1 memorized in the memory device so as to run the vehicle at a constant speed.

Abstract: The present invention can realize a vehicle running control apparatus including ACC function and map information data recording medium to obtain effective information for safety driving capable for running control meeting a driver's feeling. The first running speed is decided on the basis of the distance between the vehicles and the relative speed. The position detecting means detects the position of own vehicle on a map. The map information getting means gets road information, the width of the road, the radius of curvature, and slope on the basis of the map information. The visible distance estimating means estimates the visible distance on the basis of the map information, deciding the second running safety speed with the estimated visible distance. The running control means decides the object running speed of smallest one of the set speed, the first running speed, and the second running speed.

Abstract: A wheel speed detection system including a rotator, a sensor head, a detector, a pulse converter, a speed calculator and a threshold shifter. Plural concave and convex portions are formed on a periphery of the rotator rotating together with a wheel. The sensor head includes a coil to generate an alternate current magnetic field. The detector excites the coil to generate an eddy current on the concave and convex portions, and outputs alternate current detection signals corresponding to changes in the eddy current generated with rotation of the rotator. The pulse converter converts the alternate current detection signals into pulse signals according to preset threshold levels. The speed calculator calculates rotational speed of the wheel based on the pulse signals. The threshold shifter shifts the threshold levels corresponding to a difference between a default average and an average of the alternate current detection signals actually outputted from the detector.

Abstract: A first vehicle autonomous brake-apply system includes a vehicle hydraulic brake assembly, a vacuum booster assembly operatively connected to the vehicle hydraulic brake assembly, a solenoid valve operatively connected to the vacuum booster assembly, and an automatic controller including an output signal operatively connected to the solenoid valve. A second system uses a lateral-acceleration-sensor assembly in place of the automatic controller. A third system includes a braking controller, an electrical braking device, and at least one distance sensor. A method for assisting driving of a vehicle includes applying a braking force to stop the vehicle before the vehicle strikes an obstacle whose distance to the vehicle is measured using at least one distance sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for safely moving a vehicle up or down a sloped surface is provided. In one embodiment, a method involves operating the vehicle in a sloped surface mode when at least one ground contacting element for moving the vehicle is on the sloped surface. An amount of torque is provided to the at least one ground contacting element to prevent the vehicle from uncontrollably moving down the sloped surface while in the sloped surface mode of operation. An assist mechanism can be coupled to the propulsion system to enable an operator to guide the vehicle.

Abstract: An enhanced police Doppler direction sensing radar detects possibly dangerous traffic conditions during certain vehicle maneuvers such as U-turns and returns to travel after roadside stops. By monitoring a host or primary vehicle speed, speed transitions, transmission state (e.g. gear selection), and the closing vehicle position, range and speed, a number of selectable conditions are detected, resulting in an alert indication to a primary vehicle operator. User preferences and thresholds allow the traffic alert function to be customized according to a primary vehicle operator's desire to suppress alerts in situations which the user does not deem dangerous. The traffic alert function may be automatically triggered under certain detected conditions, or manually initiated when the primary vehicle operator intends to make a driving maneuver.

Abstract: A construction machine capable of increasing a frictional force and an acceleration performance without causing unwanted slip and an excessive load to a transmission by a driving force. The construction machine comprises a first mode to set the maximum output of an engine to a prescribed output, a second mode to limit the maximum output of the engine to an output lower than the prescribed output and a mode selector switch used for a operator to select from the plurality of modes. The construction machine also comprises control means that controls the machine to operate in the second mode regardless of the mode selected by the mode selector switch when a vehicle speed is equal to or less than a prescribed speed and the opening of an accelerator is equal to or more than a prescribed opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle to follow a preceding vehicle. A stop-holding device maintains a stopped state automatically when the vehicle is stopped, and the stop-holding device is in an enabled state or a disabled state. A control state for following the preceding vehicle is changed, at least in part, according to a set state of the stop-holding device.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling vehicle speed, including a processor. In one embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine whether a first local required speed is greater than a second local required speed, and only if the first local required speed is greater than the second local required speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to a new set vehicle speed. In another embodiment, the processor includes logic to automatically determine a new set vehicle speed based at least on a change in local required speed and a current set vehicle speed, and only if the current set vehicle speed is greater than the determined new set vehicle speed, automatically initiate output of a signal to a vehicle speed controller to change vehicle speed to the determined new set vehicle speed.

Abstract: A vehicle distance measuring safety warning system and method is disclosed having one or more distance measurement sensors measuring the distance from the driver's vehicle to a second vehicle immediately in front. A vehicle distance alarm alerts the driver when the distance between the driver's vehicle and the second vehicle is less than a configured minimum distance, indicating an unsafe driving condition. An event record display device displays the time/date or the last twenty occurrences of the distance warning alarm. When an alarm is generated, a throttle set-back actuator operates to gently and automatically slow the car and increase vehicle to vehicle distance. Vehicle brakes may be automatically applied by the system to further slow the vehicle. The vehicle distance measuring safety warning system provides an additional margin of safety for a driver who may be distracted while driving.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a speed of a vehicle, when an actual speed of the vehicle exceeds a predefined setpoint speed by more than a first predefined speed difference, a service brake of the vehicle is activated. In the method, the first predefined speed difference has a value greater than zero. Also, when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a second predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, an idle speed control can be activated and a torque request of activated ancillary components can be reduced. Further, when the actual speed exceeds the setpoint speed by a sixth predefined speed difference, which is smaller than the first predefined speed difference, an ancillary component can be activated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling automatic or automated transmission downshift used for power braking and comprising set of predetermined shifting laws, characterized in that it consists, below a certain arbitrary threshold Ethreshold of the accelerator pedal depression, in defining a new downshift law designed to be substituted for the current standard downshift law.

Abstract: Cruise control systems and methods suitable for use in vehicles, such as Class 8 trucks, are provided. For example, cruise control systems are disclosed that include verification and/or notification features for verifying the operational condition of the cruise control system, and if non-operational, notifies the vehicle operator of system inoperability and/or instructs the operator to activate a specified control input, e.g., press and release the clutch pedal, the service brake pedal, the parking brake, etc., so that cruise control functionality may be enabled.

Abstract: An automated transportation system includes a plurality of vehicles adapted to travel along a pathway, and a monitoring system located within each vehicle and adapted to monitor a location and a speed between an associated vehicle and the pathway. The automated transportation system also includes a transmitter located within each vehicle and adapted to transmit a signal that includes data on the location and the speed monitored, and a receiver located within each vehicle and adapted to receive the signal from each of the other vehicles. The automated transportation system further includes a controller located within each vehicle and adapted to interpret the signal received by the receiver and control the associated vehicle to provide proper spacing between the remaining vehicles to avoid collisions therebetween and maximize throughput of the vehicles along the pathway.

Abstract: A creep drive control device according to the invention sets a target creep vehicle speed when a driver has neither one of an acceleration intention or a stop maintenance intention. An engine output is increased (or decreased) by a vehicle speed increase processing (or a vehicle speed decrease processing), or a braking force is decreased (or increased), and an actual vehicle speed is controlled so as to be equal to the target creep vehicle speed or a value in the proximity thereof. The target creep vehicle speed, and respective engine output and braking force increase amounts and decrease amounts are corrected and set in accordance with driving conditions, road surface conditions and driver operations.

Abstract: A method and a motor vehicle applying that method for preventing an uncontrolled rollback of a motor vehicle is suggested, said method comprising means for influencing the torque transmission by a drive train. In case a rollback action is detected, namely a movement in opposite direction as the predetermined direction of movement, the transmission of torque is influenced such that a torque is transmitted via the drive train acting against the rollback direction and the torque does not exceed a defined maximum value. The control allows a controlled rollback by making the intervention by the system to be perceived little disturbing, but at the same time in particular in case of strong incline of the road does not render the driver non-informed about the actual incline.