US5012419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for automatically controlling vehicle speed to desired cruise speed
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-12-22
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2008-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for automatically controlling a vehicle speed to a desired cruise speed are disclosed in which when the vehicle speed is reduced by a first predetermined value from a set and stored cruise speed at which the vehicle is cruising during the operation of the automatic cruise control, the gear range of a vehicular transmission is shifted down and simultaneously the set and stored cruise speed is updated to reduce the set and stored cruise speed by a second predetermined value so that the vehicle speed coincides with the updated cruise speed. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the gear range is shifted up and the updated cruise speed is returned to the original cruise speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/02; F16H61/0202; F16H61/0204; F16H61/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A system for automatically controlling speed of a vehicle to a desired cruise speed, comprising: (a) first means for detecting current speed of the vehicle; (b) second means for deriving a set command for a desired cruise speed for the vehicle; (c) third means responsive to the set command derived from the second means and the detected current speed derived from the first means for: (i) storing the desired cruise speed, (ii) deriving an indication of a speed difference between the current vehicle speed and the desired cruise speed, and (iii) adjusting an operating variable of an engine driving force adjusting mechanism for the vehicle on the basis of the derived speed difference indication so that the current vehicle speed substantially coincides with the stored cruise speed; (d) fourth means for deriving an indication of whether the current vehicle speed is less than the desired cruise speed by at least a first predetermined value; (e) fifth means for selectively shifting down a transmission mechanism of the vehicle in response to the indication derived by the fourth means; and (f) sixth means for updating the stored cruise speed to reduce the desired cruise speed by a second predetermined value which prevents an abrupt torque increase of the vehicle engine in response to the indication derived by the fourth means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
A system for automatically controlling speed of a vehicle to a desired cruise speed, comprising: (a) first means for detecting current speed of the vehicle; (b) second means for deriving a set command for a desired cruise speed for the vehicle; (c) third means responsive to the set command derived from the second means and the detected current speed derived from the first means for: (i) storing the desired cruise speed, (ii) deriving an indication of a speed difference between the current vehicle speed and the desired cruise speed, and (iii) adjusting an operating variable of an engine driving force adjusting mechanism for the vehicle on the basis of the derived speed difference indication so that the current vehicle speed substantially coincides with the stored cruise speed; (d) fourth means for deriving an indication of whether the current vehicle speed is less than the desired cruise speed by at least a first predetermined value; (e) fifth means for selectively shifting down a transmission mechanism of the vehicle in response to the indication derived by the fourth means; and (f) sixth means for updating the stored cruise speed to reduce the desired cruise speed by a second predetermined value which prevents an abrupt torque increase of the vehicle engine in response to the indication derived by the fourth means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising seventh means for: (i) deriving an indication of the occurrence time of the shift down performed by the fifth means, and (ii) determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the occurrence time of the shift down, and eighth means for shifting up the transmission mechanism in response to the predetermined time elapsing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising ninth means for returning the updated cruise speed to the originally stored cruise speed and shifting up the transmission means in synchronization with the eighth means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the seventh means deenergizes an overdrive cancelling solenoid to activate the transmission into the overdrive mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the transmission mechanism is an automatic transmission.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5, wherein the fifth means shifts down from a fourth speed overdrive range of the automatic transmission to a third range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 6, wherein the fifth means includes an overdrive cancelling solenoid for cancelling the overdrive mode by energization of the fourth means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined value is 6 Km/h and second predetermined value is 4.5 Km/h.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the engine driving force adjusting mechanism includes an engine throttle valve and the operating variable includes an opening angle of the throttle valve.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of automatically controlling speed of a vehicle to a desired cruise speed, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting current vehicle speed; (b) storing an indication of desired cruise speed for the vehicle; (c) deriving an indication of the difference between the detected current vehicle speed and the indication of stored cruise speed; (d) adjusting an operating variable of a driving force adjusting mechanism of an engine of the vehicle in response to the indication of the speed difference so that the vehicle speed substantially coincides with the stored cruise speed; (e) determining whether the detected current vehicle speed is less than the stored cruise speed by a first predetermined value; (f) shifting down a transmission mechanism of the vehicle when the detected vehicle speed is less than the stored cruise speed by the first predetermined value and simultaneously updating the stored cruise speed to reduce the stored cruise speed by a second predetermined value; and (g) adjusting the vehicle speed so that it substantially coincides with the updated cruise speed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of automatically controlling speed of a vehicle to a desired cruise speed, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting current vehicle speed; (b) storing an indication of desired cruise speed for the vehicle; (c) deriving an indication of the difference between the detected current vehicle speed and the indication of stored cruise speed; (d) adjusting an operating variable of a driving force adjusting mechanism of an engine of the vehicle in response to the indication of the speed difference so that the vehicle speed substantially coincides with the stored cruise speed; (e) determining whether the detected current vehicle speed is less than the stored cruise speed by a first predetermined value; (f) shifting down a transmission mechanism of the vehicle when the detected vehicle speed is less than the stored cruise speed by the first predetermined value and simultaneously updating the stored cruise speed to reduce the stored cruise speed by a second predetermined value; and (g) adjusting the vehicle speed so that it substantially coincides with the updated cruise speed.
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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) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |