Vehicle Speed Control (e.g., Cruise Control) Patents (Class 701/93)
  • Patent number: 8843292
    Abstract: An adaptive speed control device includes a posted speed change detecting section, a notification section, a set speed signal receiving section, and an adaptive speed control section. The posted speed change detecting section is configured to detect an upcoming change to a posted speed limit at. The notification section is configured to control a user interface device to notify a new posted speed limit at a prescribed notification timing before the vehicle reaches a transition point. The set speed signal receiving section is configured to accept a set speed signal from a user input device. The adaptive speed control section is configured to change a set speed of the vehicle according to the new posted speed limit and to automatically change a speed to the set speed upon receiving the set speed signal at or after a prescribed activation timing that occurs simultaneously with or after the prescribed notification timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Heft, Hiroshi Tsuda, Hiroshi Kawazoe, Masahide Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140277986
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting traffic signal information are provided. An exemplary method includes obtaining data from a plurality of types of sources and analyzing the data to predict states of a plurality of traffic signals. The data include crowdsourced data. The predictive traffic signal information may be used to adjust an operation of an on-board system of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Grant MAHLER, Andreas WINCKLER, Ardalan VAHIDI, Andre LUCKOW
  • Publication number: 20140277835
    Abstract: Energy consumption of a vehicle is optimized while traveling a route assembled of road segments between a first position and a destination. A speed profile generator is located at least partially off of the vehicle and uses an energy consumption model of the vehicle together with road grade data corresponding to the route to calculate an optimal speed profile. The speed profile specifies target speeds for respective locations on the route for traversing the route with an optimized energy consumption. The speed profile generator compares energy consumption for a plurality of feasible speed profile trajectories between a maximum trajectory and a minimum trajectory in order to identify the optimal speed profile. A speed updater is responsive to a current position of the vehicle and the optimal speed profile to initiate the target speed for the current position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, John O. Michelini, Steven J. Szwabowski, Perry R. McNeille, Stefano Di Cairano
  • Publication number: 20140277988
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Diana Franganillo, Simon Gilling, Andrew Fairgrieve, Daniel Woolliscroft, James Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140277987
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a vehicle at a driver selected target speed. The system and method configured to identify a target speed based on a position of a gear shift selector and control engine torque and brake pressure to control the vehicle to operate at the target speed. The system and method is further provides manipulating the engine torque and brake pressure of the vehicle in response to a driver's throttle and brake commands to operate at a speed desired by the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Zachary C Rogalski, Ivan Roman, Loren M Trotter, Jason Trombley
  • Publication number: 20140277889
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle which includes a prime mover operatively connected to at least one tractive element. The system and method include determining the vehicle's total weight and, using an electronic controller carried by the vehicle, causing the prime mover to apply power to the tractive element so as to propel the vehicle. The magnitude of the power can be a function of the vehicle's total weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: HENRY TODD YOUNG, AJITH KUTTANNAIR KUMAR
  • Patent number: 8838306
    Abstract: In a method and a device for operating a drive unit, a first output variable of the drive unit is restricted; a setpoint value of a second output variable of the drive unit is specified; and an actual value of the second output variable of the drive unit is determined. The setpoint value is compared with the actual value, and if it is determined that the actual value does not exceed the setpoint value, then the first output variable is restricted to a first value. If it is determined that the actual value exceeds the setpoint value, then the first output variable is restricted to a second value smaller than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Kettenacker, Christian Ruland, Klaus Schwarze
  • Patent number: 8831813
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to speed control in an autonomous vehicle. For example, an autonomous vehicle may include a user interface which allows the driver to input speed preferences. These preferences may include the maximum speed above the speed limit the user would like the autonomous vehicle to drive when other vehicles are present and driving above or below certain speeds. The other vehicles may be in adjacent or the same lane the vehicle, and need not be in front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Dmitri A. Dolgov
  • Patent number: 8830044
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving support device that is capable of realizing driving support in consideration of a risk potential determination tendency of a driver. The driving support device is a device that estimates a risk potential that is a degree of a risk with respect to a risk target in driving of a vehicle and performs a driving support for a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the estimated risk potential, and includes: a risk potential bias setting unit that sets a risk potential bias that is a value for changing the risk potential on the basis of a risk potential determination tendency of the driver; and a risk potential estimating unit that changes the risk potential on the basis of the risk potential bias set by the risk potential bias setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideo Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 8830048
    Abstract: An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Robert R. Ambrogi, James J. Dattolo, Robert J. Duggan, J. Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Matthew M. McCambridge, John B. Morrell, Michael D. Piedmonte, Richard J. Rosasco
  • Publication number: 20140249722
    Abstract: A driver assistance system includes a sensor that detects objects and/or characteristics of objects in the surroundings of a motor vehicle, and an object recognition unit that evaluates data from the sensor to produce object information, and determines a confidence value indicating the probability of accuracy thereof. If the confidence value is greater than a minimum threshold but less than a predefined threshold, then the system displays the object information to the driver, who confirms or rejects it, e.g. by actuating or not actuating an operating element. Upon confirmation by the driver, the system begins or continues to perform a driver assistance function based on the object information. Upon rejection by the driver, the system does not perform or discontinues the driver assistance function based on the object information. If the confidence value exceeds the predefined threshold, then the system autonomously performs the driver assistance function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan HEGEMANN, Tobias STEPHAN, Marc FISCHER
  • Patent number: 8825327
    Abstract: A drive control device for a vehicle includes an additional operation reaction force applying part that is configured to apply an additional operation reaction force to an accelerator pedal depending on the speed of depression of the accelerator pedal and the speed of the vehicle, and a lower limit changing part that is configured to change the lower limit of the speed of depression, above which the additional operation reaction force is applied, depending on the traveling direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the drive control device can apply an additional operation reaction force appropriately depending on the vehicle speed and the speed of depression of the accelerator pedal in each traveling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Kimura
  • Patent number: 8825339
    Abstract: A vehicular drive control apparatus provided with pulse-driving and gliding means for setting upper limit Vhi and lower limit Vlo of running speed V of a vehicle according to an upper and lower vehicle speed limit maps, and on the basis of target running speed Vt which is the running speed V at a time when control initiating conditions have been satisfied, and running the vehicle in P & G running mode by alternately repeating pulse-driving run (accelerating run) and gliding run (decelerating run) of the vehicle at the running speed V varying between the set upper and lower limits Vhi and Vlo, the control initiating conditions including a condition that the vehicle is in a steady running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Shono, Yoshikazu Motozono, Masafumi Uchihara, Akihiro Ueda, JongGap Kim, Norimi Asahara
  • Patent number: 8823504
    Abstract: A vehicle control system includes a forward vehicle sensor transmitting a forward vehicle message based on a distance to a forward vehicle. An adaptive cruise controller receives the forward vehicle message and receives at least one additional message indicating a respective status of the vehicle, the adaptive cruise controller sets a braking pressure for an adaptive cruise controller braking event above a default braking pressure if the adaptive cruise controller determines, based on the at least one of the additional messages, that the vehicle will maintain stability during the adaptive cruise controller braking event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Custer, Charles E. Ross, Srikiran Kosanam, William P. Amato
  • Patent number: 8825338
    Abstract: A primary controller disclosed. The primary controller is configured for controlling operation of a drive system comprising a prime mover, a generator, and a motor, wherein the prime mover is configured to provide energy to the generator, which is configured to drive the motor. The controller comprises a speed controller configured for determining a target speed of the motor dependent on externally-supplied speed input and a torque controller configured for determining a target torque of the motor based on externally-supplied torque input and on parameters of the vehicle. The primary controller is configured to simultaneously determine the target speed and the target torque and to simultaneously control the prime mover, generator, and motor to operate the motor at the target speed and the target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Braier, Arie Perry
  • Publication number: 20140244130
    Abstract: Vehicle apparatus adjusts a vehicle powertrain of the vehicle in response to a speed setpoint. An optimizer selects a control policy to periodically generate speed adjustments for applying to the speed setpoint to operate at increased efficiency. The control policy is based on a value function providing an optimized solution for a cost model and a transition probability model. The transition probability model corresponds to a driving state defined according to a plurality of dimensions including a time-of-day dimension and a geographic region dimension. The transition probability model and the control policy have inputs based on road grade and speed. The optimizer collects road grade data during routine driving of the vehicle to construct a observed transition probability model and uses divergence between the observed transition probability model and a set of predetermined transition probability models to identify a control policy for use during the routine driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Kevin McDonough, Steven J. Szwabowski, John O. Michelini, Diana Yanakiev, Mahmoud Abou-Nasr
  • Publication number: 20140244129
    Abstract: Vehicle apparatus includes a speed control for adjusting a vehicle powertrain of the vehicle in response to a speed setpoint. A grade estimator determines a road grade of a roadway where the vehicle is traveling. A traffic density estimator determines a density of traffic traveling on the roadway in the vicinity of the vehicle. An optimizer executes a selected control policy to periodically generate speed adjustments for applying to the speed setpoint to operate the vehicle powertrain at increased efficiency. The control policy is based on a value function providing an optimized solution for a cost model responsive to the determined road grade to generate an initial speed offset. The optimizer reduces the initial speed offset in proportion to the determined traffic density to generate the speed adjustments. The system minimizes negative impacts to overall traffic flow as well as any negative contribution to reduced fuel efficiency of surrounding traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dimitar P. Filev, John O. Michelini, Steven J. Szwabowski, Diana Yanakiev
  • Patent number: 8818678
    Abstract: A method to selectively prevent a vehicle from resuming a vehicle set speed stored in memory of a cruise control system includes monitoring a vehicle speed, determining that the vehicle speed indicates operation in a low speed range, determining a threshold slow zone maneuver based upon the vehicle speed substantially remaining in the low speed range through a predetermined duration, and inhibiting resumption of the vehicle set speed based upon the threshold slow zone maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Salinger, William G. Herbert, James N. Nickolaou
  • Patent number: 8818668
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus that performs driving assist control on an entrance ramp or an exit ramp connected to a main road having a different safe cruising speed limit than the entrance ramp or the exit ramp. The control apparatus includes a broken line detecting device that detects a broken line marked on the road and divides the main road and the entrance ramp or the exit ramp and a controller that determines a control zone of the driving assist control based on the broken line detection results from the broken line detecting device. For example, the vehicle control apparatus detects the broken line that divides a main road and an exit ramp using the broken line detecting device and starts driving assist control using the controller when it is detected that an accelerator pedal has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Ikeda, Kouichi Hara
  • Patent number: 8818677
    Abstract: If a condition for finishing speed limit control is satisfied, a gradient of a slope of the road is estimated based on a steady component of the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and a correction factor is computed based on the slope gradient of the road, while a target acceleration of the vehicle is computed based on the vehicle speed. Then, a target vehicle speed is computed by adding the target vehicle speed of the last cycle to the product of the correction factor, target acceleration and the cycle time of the control, and the braking or driving force of each wheel is controlled so that the vehicle speed becomes equal to the target vehicle speed. In this manner, a passenger of the vehicle is prevented from feeling uncomfortable about the speed increase after the completion of the vehicle speed limit control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Advics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gen Inoue, Hiroshi Omine, Yasuhito Ishida
  • Patent number: 8818681
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. For example, when the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Philip Nemec, Anne Aula
  • Patent number: 8818682
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri A. Dolgov, Philip Nemec, Anne Aula
  • Publication number: 20140236448
    Abstract: A cruise control arrangement for a vehicle includes a cruise control speed function, a cruise control brake function and at least one selectable economy level, having a set maximum speed value corresponding to a maximum allowed vehicle speed, a set brake speed value corresponding to a brake cruise speed and a set cruise speed value corresponding to a cruise speed, where a temporary brake speed value replaces the set brake speed value as the actually used brake speed value, and where the temporary brake speed value is dependent on the selected economy level. The behaviour of the cruise control of a vehicle can be adapted to take account of economy, which makes it possible to optimize the fuel consumption of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
  • Patent number: 8812213
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control apparatus including a driving force characteristic map section configured to have a previously recorded driving force characteristic map, to input a target driving force and a target vehicle speed, and to output an accelerator opening angle in accordance with the driving force characteristic map, a vehicle sensitivity calculating section configured to calculate an inverse number of a vehicle sensitivity in accordance with the driving force characteristic map, a vehicle speed feedback section configured to input a vehicle speed deviation and the inverse number of the vehicle sensitivity and to output an accelerator opening angle according to the inverse number of the vehicle sensitivity, and an addition section configured to add the accelerator opening angle from the driving force characteristic map section to the accelerator opening angle from the vehicle speed feedback section to provide an accelerator opening angle command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventor: Masayasu Kanke
  • Patent number: 8805605
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a control unit configured to be disposed on-board at least one of a first vehicle or a second vehicle. The control unit also is configured to receive an updated time of an event involving the first vehicle and the second vehicle traveling in a transportation network. The control unit also is configured to change a speed of said at least one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle in response to the updated time to arrive at the event. A method is provided that includes, at one of a first vehicle or a second vehicle, receiving an updated time of an event involving the first vehicle and the second vehicle in a transportation network. The method also includes changing a speed of said one of the first vehicle or the second vehicle in response to the updated tune to arrive at the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared Cooper, Mitchell Scott Wills, Kevin Campbell, John McElroy, Jian Li, Bruce Hancock, Sherri Boyd, Mason Samuels, Paul Denton, David Eldredge, Scott Dulmage
  • Patent number: 8801572
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a transmission system is provided. One agricultural vehicle includes a vehicle controller configured to instruct an engine controller to maintain an engine at a constant speed and to receive a first signal from a transmission controller indicative of gear shift initiation. The vehicle controller is also configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at a current torque upon receipt of the first signal and to receive a second signal from the transmission controller indicative of gear shift completion. The vehicle controller is configured to instruct the engine controller to maintain the engine at the constant speed upon receipt of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Justin Ringwald, Rex LeRoy Ruppert
  • Publication number: 20140207357
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a vehicle-side system capable of enhancing convenience for drivers who are driving vehicles having an auto-cruise function. A vehicle-side system of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle having an auto-cruise function and is capable of receiving traffic conditions from outside the vehicle. The vehicle-side system includes a position detector that detects vehicle position information that is information regarding the position of the vehicle, a receiver that receives traffic conditions, an auto-cruise setting unit that makes settings including a setting of a predetermined speed at which the auto-cruise function causes the vehicle to travel, and a controller that performs control to change the settings made by the auto-cruise setting unit on the basis of the traffic conditions received by the receiver, the settings in the auto-cruise setting unit, and the vehicle position information detected by the position detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Shimotani, Hidehiko Ohki, Makoto Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 8788174
    Abstract: A method for increasing active duration time of an automatic freewheeling function in a vehicle with cruise control and during a cruise control active period is provided. The function includes an arrangement for determining a vehicle set speed (Vset speed) for when the function is allowed to be activated and arrangement for calculating a predetermined allowable vehicle speed drop to a first under speed value (Vunderspeed) below the vehicle set speed (Vset speed). The function is controlled based on said under speed value, in order to extend active duration time of the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Johan Bjernetun, Anders Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8788173
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide a Fuel Saver Speed Control (FSSC) system that facilitates vehicle speed control while maximizing fuel economy. For instance, when the vehicle traverses an uphill section of the road, the Fuel Saver Speed Control reduces the vehicle's fuel consumption by controllably reducing engine power output within the boundaries of activated FSSC settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Horton Transou, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8784267
    Abstract: A method of controlling a rolling or a coasting function of a vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle, having a drive train including a drive motor, an automatic or automated transmission that is controllable by transmission controls, a controllable shifting mechanism for interrupting the flow of power in the drive train, and a driving speed control device. The flow of power in the drive train is interrupted in a suitable driving situation. In order for the rolling or the coasting function to be exploited as efficiently as possible, and still be terminated safely and comfortably, the flow of power in the drive train is restored depending on a selectable difference in speed (?v_F_T) between the current vehicle speed (v_F) and a speed limit (v_T) set by the driving speed control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Staudinger, Maik Wurthner
  • Publication number: 20140200789
    Abstract: The following description relates to systems and methods for adjusting vehicle response parameters in response to indications of vehicle operator preferences. In one example approach, a method comprises, during a cruise control mode of operation, adjusting a vehicle response parameter from a default set-point based on an indication of vehicle operator preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Michael Pietron, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Hong Jiang, Bradley Dean Riedle, Diana Yanakiev, Joseph F. Kucharski
  • Publication number: 20140200788
    Abstract: An arrangement for adapting a cruise control system in a vehicle includes a cruise control modifier unit connected to a cruise control system, where the cruise control modifier unit includes a position input arrangement adapted to receive actual position information from a position source, a map input arrangement adapted to receive road information from a map database for a predefined section ahead of the vehicle, where the arrangement is adapted to modify cruise control parameters for a road section within the predefined section depending on the received position and map information. Behavior of the cruise control of a vehicle can be adapted to upcoming road profile changes, which makes it possible to optimize the fuel consumption of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Johan Bjernetun
  • Patent number: 8781705
    Abstract: An open cockpit off-road vehicle has an engine, four wheels, side-by-side driver and passenger seats, and at least one safety belt which include a seat belt, first and second connecting portions selectively connected to each other, and one of a safety belt sensor and a safety belt switch sensing a state of this connection. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connects the engine to the wheels. A control unit is connected to the engine. A vehicle speed sensor senses a forward speed of the vehicle. The control unit controls the engine in a vehicle speed limit mode when the first and second connecting portions are disconnected. When in this mode, the control unit controls the engine to limit the forward speed of the vehicle to a predetermined forward speed and to permit the engine to reach a torque necessary to operate the vehicle at the predetermined forward speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Reisenberger
  • Patent number: 8781707
    Abstract: The amount of traffic on the road is greatly affected by both an inter-vehicle distance and a vehicle speed. When the amount of traffic increases and is more than a threshold value, an ECU 20 and an ACC 30 control the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed such that the amount of traffic is a predetermined value equal to or more than the threshold value. In this way, it is possible to effectively suppress traffic congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Kagawa, Masayoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8781704
    Abstract: A memory stores traveling schedule information of a vehicle without a contact wire, information on a next station located on a traveling interval and information about a plurality of traffic lights on the traveling interval temporarily, and a velocity pattern calculator for calculating a velocity pattern of the vehicle based on the traveling schedule information, the information on the next station and the information about the plurality of the traffic lights, in which the velocity pattern calculator calculates a velocity pattern which satisfies conditions that the vehicle is never stopped at a first traffic light, that when the vehicle departs from a current stop station, the vehicle is accelerated at an constant acceleration a and that after the acceleration, the vehicle travels at a constant first velocity V1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Mitake, Takayuki Kono, Katsuaki Morita, Takeya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8781642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to control system for a vehicle. The control system includes a manually operable control lever, such as a joystick, an actuator, a sensor and a control unit. The control lever sets a state variable of the vehicle. The actuator applies a force to the control lever. The sensor senses a vehicle parameter and transmits a parameter signal to the control unit. The control unit determines a current operating state of the vehicle. The control unit, depending on the present operating state of the vehicle, controls the actuator and causes it to apply a changed, predetermined force to the control lever, in order to make the operator aware of an unsafe operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicolai Tarasinski, Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 8776922
    Abstract: A method for reducing a driving power of a vehicle drive includes detecting a temperature difference between a temperature of at least one component of the vehicle drive and a temperature threshold value, detecting an instantaneous driving state of the vehicle drive, establishing whether or not the instantaneous driving state allows for a reduction in the driving power of the vehicle drive, and reducing the driving power of the vehicle drive for lowering the temperature of the at least one component in order to increase the temperature difference if the instantaneous driving state allows for the reduced driving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Fassnacht
  • Publication number: 20140195120
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a driver analyzer and a driver assistance system, both of which are coupled to a controller. The controller includes a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions for causing the controller to determine a level of attentiveness of a driver of the automotive vehicle and to adapt a response of the driver assistance system in response to the determined level of attentiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Jason McClain, Zachary Joseph Bolton
  • Patent number: 8774994
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle which includes a prime mover operatively connected to at least one tractive element. The method includes: (a) determining the vehicle's total weight; and (b) using an electronic controller carried by the vehicle, causing the prime mover to apply power to the tractive element so as to propel the vehicle, the magnitude of the power being a function of the vehicle's total weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry Todd Young, Ajith Kumar
  • Patent number: 8775116
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining the direction of a moving object across a sensor having a plurality of inputs is disclosed. The invention determines the direction of a moving object, such as a vehicle on a roadway, based on inputs provided by sensors along the object's path. The methods involve monitoring state changes of the inputs as the object passes the sensor and comparing the magnitude of state changes in the order in which a forward-moving object would cause inputs to switch to a particular state. For each state change comparison, a direction variable is adjusted to indicate forward or reverse movement. After passage of the object, a direction of movement is assigned to the moving object on the basis of the final value of the direction variable. The invention provides a high degree of accuracy, is simple to reconfigure, and more economical than other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
    Inventor: Julio Sesti
  • Publication number: 20140188365
    Abstract: A speed zone computation unit that computes a speed zone of a host vehicle; a target speed computation unit that computes a target speed of the host vehicle based on a speed zone; a driving assistance starting point computation unit that computes a driving assistance starting point determined by a state of the host vehicle at the time when a driving assistance is started; and a target speed modification unit that modifies a target speed, when the driving assistance starting point is within the speed zone, are included. The target speed computation unit sets a speed lower than the speed zone in the reference position as the target speed. The target speed modification unit sets a value higher than a value computed by the target speed computation unit as a new target speed, in speed in the reference position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 8768596
    Abstract: A device for the speed control of a vehicle, containing an operator control unit, via which the driver specifies a setpoint speed to be maintained by the vehicle, and a control unit, which positions final controlling elements of the vehicle according to the driver's specification. The device provides that the operator control unit contains at least one speed direct setting control element, which is used for setting a specific setpoint speed value, and the specific setpoint speed value of the vehicle is specifiable and directly settable by a one-time operation of the speed direct setting control element, independently of the instantaneous actual speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Hackl
  • Patent number: 8768597
    Abstract: A navigation system acquired information relating to a point, such as a sag where a decrease in vehicle speed is induced in front of a system-mounted vehicle. When the system-mounted vehicle has reached a predetermined distance from the sag concerning the information acquired by the navigation system or when a predetermined time has come before reaching the sag, an ECU and an ACC controls the traveling of the system-mounted vehicle such that the inter-vehicle distance from an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle increases. Therefore, even when a vehicle control device is not mounted in an ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, it becomes possible to prevent a decrease in the speed of the ordinary vehicle behind the system-mounted vehicle, thereby more effectively suppressing congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunori Kagawa
  • Patent number: 8761994
    Abstract: A control unit for a hybrid vehicle is described, having an electric drive, and an internal combustion engine, and a method for operating a control unit, in particular for a hybrid vehicle. The hybrid vehicle has an electric drive, an internal combustion engine, a traction battery, a power electronics system, current consumers, a control unit and an insulation fault detector. The control unit initiates an emergency operating mode when an insulation fault is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dragan Mikulec, Dieter Hanauer, Andreas Heyl
  • Publication number: 20140172264
    Abstract: A method for increasing active duration time of an automatic freewheeling function in a vehicle with cruise control and during a cruise control active period is provided. The function includes an arrangement for determining a vehicle set speed (Vset speed) for when the function is allowed to be activated and means for calculating a predetermined allowable vehicle speed drop to a first under speed value (Vunderspeed) below the vehicle set speed (Vset speed). The function is controlled based on said under speed value, in order to extend active duration time of the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: VOLVO LASTVAGNAR AB
    Inventors: Johan BJERNETUN, Anders ERIKSSON
  • Publication number: 20140163837
    Abstract: The speed of a vehicle is automatically controlled in a speed bump area located in the vicinity of a speed bump. Information about a speed bump is received from a navigation device, and a distance between the vehicle and the speed bump is calculated. If the calculated is less than a preset reference distance, it is determined that the vehicle is entering or has entered an area of the speed bump. Upon determining that the vehicle is in the speed bump area, a speed difference between a safe speed bump crossing speed and a current speed of the vehicle is computed, a required acceleration value is calculated based on the calculated distance to the speed bump and the speed difference, and the speed of the vehicle is controlled so that the vehicle decelerates or is accelerates in accordance with the required acceleration value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: DAE YOUN UM, Jee Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20140163836
    Abstract: The speed of a vehicle is automatically controlled in a speed bump area located in the vicinity of a speed bump. Information about a speed bump is received from a navigation device, and a distance between the vehicle and the speed bump is calculated. If the calculated is less than a preset reference distance, it is determined that the vehicle is entering or has entered an area of the speed bump. Upon determining that the vehicle is in the speed bump area, a speed difference between a safe speed bump crossing speed and a current speed of the vehicle is computed, a required acceleration value is calculated based on the calculated distance to the speed bump and the speed difference, and the speed of the vehicle is controlled so that the vehicle decelerates or accelerates in accordance with the required acceleration value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Dae Youn Um, Jee Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20140163798
    Abstract: Economic cruise control where a response of a cruise control system used to control a powertrain is determined based at least in part on whether a driver of a vehicle system has selected to manage cruise control according to performance or efficient cruise control strategies. The performance strategy corresponding with fulfilling a request to accelerate or otherwise increase energy demands less efficiently, and in some cases more quickly, than if the request were to be fulfilled with the efficient cruise control strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gunnar Robert Ross
  • Patent number: 8751134
    Abstract: For regulating the speed of a motor vehicle, a control apparatus is equipped with an object detection system, and the reference speed is determined as a function of at least one preceding vehicle in the evaluation region of the object detection system, such that upon recognition of an imminent lane change by the regulated vehicle, vehicles in the adjacent destination lane are additionally taken into consideration for calculation of the reference speed by expanding the evaluation region in the direction of the destination lane, and consideration is given only to vehicles in the destination lane whose distance from the regulated vehicle is less than a predetermined distance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Dorenkamp, Thomas Gruber, Werner Urban, Juergen Boecker
  • Patent number: 8751133
    Abstract: A speed limiter method and system that automatically limits the maximum speed of a motor vehicle based on the segment of the road the vehicle is travelling on and on the user or driver of the vehicle, by modifying an actual throttle sensor signal from the throttle position sensor of the vehicle transmitted to the engine control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: 7980302 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Poulin