US5154250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic speed control system
Assignee: Mazda Motor Corp
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Filing: 1991-09-27
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2011-09-27
Abstract
Abstract An automatic speed control system has a device for detecting an actual speed of vehicle, a device for setting a target speed of the vehicle, and a device for controlling the actual speed so that it approaches the target speed by adjusting a throttle opening. The improved system includes a down-shift device for making a down-shift operation of a transmission so as to accomplish the target speed under a predetermined condition when the vehicle runs on an uphill rod, and uphill end judge device for holding that an end of the uphill road has been reached when the throttle opening is reduced beyond a predetermined value from a maximum value after the down-shift operation. An uphill end of a short length can be properly detected so that a desirable speed control can be accomplished.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Murai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 11:23
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/14; B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/06; B60K31/10; B60K31/102; B60K31/105; B60K31/107; B60W; B60W50/00; B60W2050/0001; B60W2050/0043; B60W2050/0057; B60W2552/00; B60W2552/15; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H2061/0075; F16H2061/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A constant-speed cruise control system for a vehicle comprising: means for detecting an actual speed of a vehicle, means, manually operated by a driver, for setting a target speed for the vehicle, means for controlling the actual speed of the vehicle so that is approaches the target speed by adjusting an engine output, down-shift means for making a down-shift operation of a transmission so as to accomplish the target speed under a predetermined condition when the vehicle runs on an uphill road, detecting means for detecting a maximum value of the engine output after the down-shift operation is made, difference detecting means for detecting a difference between said maximum value and a present value of the engine output, and uphill end judge means for judging that an end of the uphill road has been reached by the vehicle when said difference exceeds a first predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A constant-speed cruise control system for a vehicle comprising: means for detecting an actual speed of a vehicle, means, manually operated by a driver, for setting a target speed for the vehicle, means for controlling the actual speed of the vehicle so that is approaches the target speed by adjusting an engine output, down-shift means for making a down-shift operation of a transmission so as to accomplish the target speed under a predetermined condition when the vehicle runs on an uphill road, detecting means for detecting a maximum value of the engine output after the down-shift operation is made, difference detecting means for detecting a difference between said maximum value and a present value of the engine output, and uphill end judge means for judging that an end of the uphill road has been reached by the vehicle when said difference exceeds a first predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A constant-speed cruise control systems as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the actual speed of the vehicle controls a throttle opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 2, wherein a maximum value of the throttle opening is obtained and stored by storing a throttle opening greater than a stored value after the down-shift operation, and a reduction of the throttle opening is obtained by calculating a difference between the stored maximum value and the latest throttle opening detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 2, wherein an up-shift operation is made when the end of the uphill road is determined to have been reached by the vehicle by the uphill end judge means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 2, wherein the uphill end judge means judges that an end of the uphill road has been reached by the vehicle when the engine output is reduced beyond a second predetermined value after a steady condition in which the vehicle speed settles down is established on the uphill road.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A constant-speed cruise speed control system as recited in claim 5, wherein the first predetermined value is greater than the second predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for controlling the actual speed controls the engine output in accordance with a difference between the actual speed and the target speed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 2, wherein the down-shift operation is made when the throttle opening increases beyond a threshold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A constant-speed cruise control system as recited in claim 8 wherein the down-shift operation may be made when the difference between the actual speed and the target speed exceeds the threshold and the throttle opening increases beyond a threshold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |