US5889476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of reducing the speed of a vehicle having a collision avoidance system
Assignee: FEV Europe GmbH
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Filing: 1996-12-12
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Granted: 1999-03-30
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Expires: 2016-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle which has a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine, a variably controllable valve drive and a collision avoidance system includes the following steps: continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; and braking the vehicle by switching over at least one of the engine cylinders to a compressor operation when the actual distance falls below a minimum safe distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Schmitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:36
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/021; B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/10; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; B60T7/22; F01; F01L; F01L13/00; F01L13/06; F02D13/00; F02D13/02; F02D13/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the vehicle with a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine; (b) providing the engine with a fully variably control lable valve drive; (c) providing the vehicle with a collision avoidance system; (d) continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; (e) braking the vehicle by switching over at least one of the engine cylinders to a compressor operation when the actual distance falls below said minimum safe distance; and (f) controlling said valve drive of said cylinder and controlling the quantity of cylinders operating as a compressor as a function of the speed at which the actual distance is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the vehicle with a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine; (b) providing the engine with a fully variably control lable valve drive; (c) providing the vehicle with a collision avoidance system; (d) continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; (e) braking the vehicle by switching over at least one of the engine cylinders to a compressor operation when the actual distance falls below said minimum safe distance; and (f) controlling said valve drive of said cylinder and controlling the quantity of cylinders operating as a compressor as a function of the speed at which the actual distance is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the step of providing a four-cycle engine and further wherein step (e) comprises the step of switching over to a two-cycle compressor operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a steplessly variable gear having a transmission ratio for setting the travelling speed of the vehicle and reducing said transmission ratio when said collision avoidance system effects a forced braking.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 3, wherein the step of reducing said transmission ratio includes the step of limiting a reduction of said transmission ratio by a predetermined maximum rpm of the engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of controlling said steplessly variable gear as a function of the speed at which the actual distance is reduced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein a control for a forced braking is switched off by the driver by actuating said valve drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 3, wherein a control for a forced braking is switched off by the driver by actuating said steplessly variable gear.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the vehicle with a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine; (b) providing the engine with a fully variably controllable valve drive; (c) providing the vehicle with a collision avoidance system; (d) continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; (e) providing the vehicle with a steplessly variable gear having a transmission ratio for setting the travelling speed of the vehicle; (f) forcibly braking the vehicle by the collision avoidance system when the actual distance falls below said minimum safe distance; (g) controlling said valve drive of said cylinder and controlling the quantity of cylinders operating as a compressor as a function of the speed at which the actual distance is reduced; and (h) reducing said transmission ratio when said collision avoidance system effects a forced braking.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle, comprising the following steps: (a) providing the vehicle with a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine; (b) providing the engine with a fully variably controllable valve drive; (c) providing the vehicle with a collision avoidance system; (d) continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; (e) providing the vehicle with a steplessly variable gear having a transmission ratio for setting the travelling speed of the vehicle; (f) forcibly braking the vehicle by the collision avoidance system when the actual distance falls below said minimum safe distance; (g) controlling said valve drive of said cylinder and controlling the quantity of cylinders operating as a compressor as a function of the speed at which the actual distance is reduced; and (h) reducing said transmission ratio when said collision avoidance system effects a forced braking.
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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) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |