US4771656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cruise control method and apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
•
Filing: 1986-09-26
•
Granted: 1988-09-20
•
Expires: 2006-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A method wherein control of a desired engine speed occurs during a period when a throttle valve is opened at an upper limit position by an auto drive. Vo is defined as a desired vehicle speed, Vr as an actual vehicle speed, A1 as a positive constant and A2 as another positive constant smaller than A1. When Vo-Vr≧A1, the desired engine speed is increased. When Vo-Vr<A2, the desired engine speed is decreased or maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Itoh
- 👤 Shigeki Hiramatsu
- 👤 Mitsuru Takada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:28
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/66254; F16H61/66259; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/06; B60K31/10; B60W; B60W2552/00; B60W2552/15; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0605; B60W2710/0644; B60W2710/065; F16H59/00; F16H59/60; F16H59/66; F16H2059/663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
263 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, Said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, Said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; means for increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr or said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; means for increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr or said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
273 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; means for decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower that that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
273 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, by a throttle actuator which is operated by a negative pressure in an intake pipe of the engine, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches an upper limit of a control range of said throttle actuator in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said upper limit is reached; means for decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower that that corresponding to said upper limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vo-Vr of said actual vehicle speed Vr from said desired vehicle speed Vo is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said upper limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vo-Vr becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positiee value A1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positiee value A1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cruise control method according to claim 5, wherein said lower limit of the throttle valve opening corresponds to an idling speed of said engine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
243 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttel valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
243 words
In a cruise control method for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode wherein the improvement comprises the steps of: determining whether the opening of said throttel valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and maintaining said lowered level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cruise control method according to claim 7, wherein said lower limit of the throttle valve opening corresponds to an idling speed of said engine.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
248 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuossly variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; means for increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
248 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuossly variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of its control range in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; means for increasing a desired speed of said engine to an elevated level higher than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed of the engine, or decreasing the desired speed of the engine from said elevated level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cruise control method according to claim 9, wherein said lower limit of the throttle valve opening corresponds to an idling speed of said engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of a control range of said throttle actuator means in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; means for decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a cruise control apparatus for a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein an actual speed of the engine and an actual speed ratio of the transmission are automatically controlled in a cruise control mode, so that an actual vehicle speed Vr coincides with a desired vehicle speed Vo, said engine having a throttle valve whose opening is automatically changed in said cruise control mode, wherein the improvement comprises: detecting means for determining whether the opening of said throttle valve reaches a lower limit of a control range of said throttle actuator means in said cruise control mode; comparing means for comparing said actual vehicle speed Vr with said desired vehicle speed Vo upon determination that said lower limit is reached; means for decreasing a desired speed ratio of said transmission to a lowered level lower than that corresponding to said lower limit of the opening of said throttle valve so that said actual speed of the engine is increased, if a difference Vr-Vo of said desired vehicle speed Vo from said actual vehicle speed Vr is equal to or greater than a predetermined first positive value A1; and means for maintaining said elevated level of the desired speed ratio of the transmission, or increasing the desired speed ratio of the transmission from said lowered level to the level corresponding to said lower limit of the throttle valve opening, when said difference Vr-Vo becomes smaller than a predetermined second positive value A2 which is smaller than said first positive value A1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cruise control method according to claim 11, wherein said lower limit of the throttle valve opening corresponds to an idling speed of said engine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-20 | 1992-03-21 | 1992-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-20 | 1996-03-21 | 1996-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-20 | 2000-03-21 | 2000-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |