US5222024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of and apparatus for controlling vehicle speed
Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co
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Filing: 1991-01-15
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Granted: 1993-06-22
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Expires: 2011-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of and an apparatus for controlling the moving speed of a vehicle, which makes a vehicle run at a constant speed independent of applied load by specifically instructing the moving speed according to the difference between the computed number of pulses and the actually detected number of pulses. The vehicle moving speed is properly controllable in correspondence with load applied to the moving vehicle. The apparatus includes a pulse generator which outputs pulses relative to the movement of the vehicle, a unit pulse calculation unit which counts the number of pulses outputted while the vehicle fully passes through a predetermined travel distance and then computes either the traveling distance per unit-pulses or the number of pulses per unit distance, a predetermined position operation unit which computes the number of pulses to be outputted in a specific period of time in which the vehicle from an optional position arrives at the predetermined position after elapse of the predetermined period of time on the basis of the computed number of outputted pulses and the setup speed at the moment of computing the number of pulses, and a present position computing unit which detects the number of pulses actually outputted in a predetermined period in which the vehicle from an optional position arrives at the predetermined position after elapse of a predetermined period of time, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomiyoshi Orita
- 👤 Shinjiro Shibata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/50; G01P3/54; H; H02; H02P; H02P23/00; H02P23/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of controlling vehicle speed, wherein a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with the movement of a vehicle is provided on said vehicle, and a speed instruction is given to a vehicle driving unit so that said vehicle runs at a setup speed on the basis of the result of the counting of said output pulses, said method comprising the sequential steps of: detecting a predetermined travel distance; counting the number of pulses which are outputted while detecting said predetermined travel distance; calculating travel distance per a predetermined number of pulses on the basis of the counted number of pulses; computing the number of pulses to be outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the calculated travel distance and the setup speed at the moment of computing said number of pulses; detecting the number of actually outputted pulses in said predetermined period of time; and giving the instruction of moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference between the computed number of pulses and the number of actually detected pulses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of controlling vehicle speed, wherein a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with the movement of a vehicle is provided on said vehicle, and a speed instruction is given to a vehicle driving unit so that said vehicle runs at a setup speed on the basis of the result of the counting of said output pulses, said method comprising the sequential steps of: detecting a predetermined travel distance; counting the number of pulses which are outputted while detecting said predetermined travel distance; calculating travel distance per a predetermined number of pulses on the basis of the counted number of pulses; computing the number of pulses to be outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the calculated travel distance and the setup speed at the moment of computing said number of pulses; detecting the number of actually outputted pulses in said predetermined period of time; and giving the instruction of moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference between the computed number of pulses and the number of actually detected pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of detecting said predetermined travel distance is detected every time said vehicle passes by each of a plurality of gauges of a specific length which are respectively disposed at different positions along the traveling path of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of controlling vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of detecting said travel predetermined distance is detected every time said vehicle passes by each pair of a plurality of pairs of strikers which are respectively disposed at different positions apart from each other at specific intervals along the traveling path of said vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel which is driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said follower wheel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of controlling vehicle speed, wherein a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle is provided on said vehicle, and a speed instruction is given to a vehicle driving unit so that said vehicle runs at a setup speed on the basis of the result of the counting of said output pulses, said method comprising the sequential steps of: detecting a predetermined travel distance; counting the number of pulses which are outputted while detecting said predetermined travel distance; calculating the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the counted number of pulses; computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the calculated number of pulses and the setup speed at the moment of computing the number of pulse per unit distance; detecting the number of actually outputted pulses in said predetermined period of time; and giving the instruction of moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference between the computed number of pulses and the detected number of pulses.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of controlling vehicle speed, wherein a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle is provided on said vehicle, and a speed instruction is given to a vehicle driving unit so that said vehicle runs at a setup speed on the basis of the result of the counting of said output pulses, said method comprising the sequential steps of: detecting a predetermined travel distance; counting the number of pulses which are outputted while detecting said predetermined travel distance; calculating the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the counted number of pulses; computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the calculated number of pulses and the setup speed at the moment of computing the number of pulse per unit distance; detecting the number of actually outputted pulses in said predetermined period of time; and giving the instruction of moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference between the computed number of pulses and the detected number of pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 6, wherein said step of detecting said predetermined travel distance is detected every time said vehicle passes by each of a plurality of gauges of a specific length disposed at different positions along the traveling path of said vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 6, wherein said step of detecting said predetermined travel distance is detected every time said vehicle passes by each pair of a plurality of pairs of strikers disposed at different positions apart from each other at specific intervals along the traveling path of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 6, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and wherein said pulse generator is attached to said motor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of controlling vehicle speed as set forth in claim 6, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said follower wheel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
234 words
A vehicle speed controlling apparatus which is provided with a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle and gives an instruction so that said vehicle runs at the setup speed according to the result of the counting of the output pulses, said apparatus comprising: predetermined travel distance detecting means for detecting a predetermined travel distance; pulse counting means for counting the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance; unit travel distance calculating means for calculating traveling distance per a predetermined number of pulses on the basis of the number of pulses counted by said pulse counting means; pulse number computing means for computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the travel distance calculated by said unit travel distance calculating means and the speed set up at the moment of computing said number of pulses; pulse number detecting means for detecting the number of pulses actually outputted in said predetermined period of time; pulse number difference computing means for computing the difference between the number of pulses computed by said pulse number computing means and the number of pulses detected by said pulse number detecting means; and means for giving the instruction of the vehicle speed relevant to the difference of the number of pulses computed by said pulse number difference computing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
234 words
A vehicle speed controlling apparatus which is provided with a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle and gives an instruction so that said vehicle runs at the setup speed according to the result of the counting of the output pulses, said apparatus comprising: predetermined travel distance detecting means for detecting a predetermined travel distance; pulse counting means for counting the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance; unit travel distance calculating means for calculating traveling distance per a predetermined number of pulses on the basis of the number of pulses counted by said pulse counting means; pulse number computing means for computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the travel distance calculated by said unit travel distance calculating means and the speed set up at the moment of computing said number of pulses; pulse number detecting means for detecting the number of pulses actually outputted in said predetermined period of time; pulse number difference computing means for computing the difference between the number of pulses computed by said pulse number computing means and the number of pulses detected by said pulse number detecting means; and means for giving the instruction of the vehicle speed relevant to the difference of the number of pulses computed by said pulse number difference computing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermine travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each of a plurality of gauges of a specific length disposed at different positions along the traveling path of said vehicle; said pulse counting means counts the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance; and said unit travel distance calculating means calculates a travel distance per the predetermined number of the pulses on the basis of the counted number of pulses, and then renews the travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each gauge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each pair of a plurality of pairs of strikers which are disposed at different positions apart from each other at specific interval along the traveling path of said vehicle; said pulse counting means counts the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance counting means detects the predetermined pulse distance; and said unit travel distance calculating means calculates a travel distance per the predetermined number of pulses on the basis of the counted number of pulses, and then renews the travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each pair of strikers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said follower wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
234 words
A vehicle speed controlling apparatus which is provided with a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle and gives an instruction so that said vehicle runs at the setup speed according to the result of the counting of the outputted pulses, said apparatus comprising: predetermined travel distance detecting means for detecting a predetermined travel distance; pulse counting means for counting the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance; unit pulses calculating means for calculating the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the number of pulses counted by said pulse counting means; pulse number computing means for computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the number of pulses computed by said unit pulses calculating means and the setup speed at the moment of computing the number of pulses; pulse number detecting means for detecting the number of pulses actually outputted in said predetermined period of time; pulse number difference computing means for computing the difference between the number of pulses computed by said pulse number computing means and the number of pulses detected by said pulse number detecting means; and means for giving the instruction of the moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference of the number of pulses computed by said pulse number difference computing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
234 words
A vehicle speed controlling apparatus which is provided with a pulse generator outputting pulses in connection with movement of a vehicle and gives an instruction so that said vehicle runs at the setup speed according to the result of the counting of the outputted pulses, said apparatus comprising: predetermined travel distance detecting means for detecting a predetermined travel distance; pulse counting means for counting the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance; unit pulses calculating means for calculating the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the number of pulses counted by said pulse counting means; pulse number computing means for computing the number of pulses outputted in a predetermined period of time on the basis of the number of pulses computed by said unit pulses calculating means and the setup speed at the moment of computing the number of pulses; pulse number detecting means for detecting the number of pulses actually outputted in said predetermined period of time; pulse number difference computing means for computing the difference between the number of pulses computed by said pulse number computing means and the number of pulses detected by said pulse number detecting means; and means for giving the instruction of the moving speed of said vehicle relevant to the difference of the number of pulses computed by said pulse number difference computing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each pair of a plurality of gauges of a specific length disposed at different positions along the traveling path of said vehicle, said pulse counting means counts the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance, and said unit pulses calculating means calculates the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the counted number of pulses and then renews the number of pulses every time said vehicle passes by each gauge.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined travel distance every time said vehicle passes by each pair of a plurality of pairs of strikers disposed at different positions apart from each other at specific intervals along the traveling path of said vehicle, said pulse counting means counts the number of pulses outputted while said predetermined travel distance detecting means detects the predetermined distance; and said unit pulses calculating means calculates the number of pulses per unit distance on the basis of the counted number of pulses and then renews the number of pulses every time said vehicle passes by each pair of said strikers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle speed controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said vehicle is driven along the predetermined traveling path by means of a driving wheel driven by a motor and a follower wheel, and said pulse generator is attached to said follower wheel.
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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) | 1996-06-21 | 1996-12-21 | 1997-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-21 | 2000-12-21 | 2001-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-21 | 2004-12-21 | 2005-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |