Method of and system for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle based on an adjustable control characteristic so that the speed of the vehicle follows a target speed

U.S. Patent Number: 5382206

Abstract: A method of and system for controlling the speed of a motor vehicle based on a control characteristic so that the speed of the vehicle follows a target speed. The system estimates a dynamic characteristic of the motor vehicle to adjust the control characteristic when the motor vehicle is under a cruising control. The system includes a sensor for detecting a speed of the motor vehicle and a sensor for detecting an operating position of an actuator which adjusts a travelling speed of the motor vehicle. In the system, the detected vehicle speed and actuator operating position are converted into data in terms of an imaginary operating point. The imaginary operating point remains constant because it is not affected by variations of a static characteristic of the motor vehicle. The dynamic characteristic of the motor vehicle is estimated on the basis of the conversion data. This arrangement can accurately estimate the dynamic characteristic of the motor vehicle.

Inventors: Oda; Kyoji (Tokai, JP), Takeuchi; Hitoshi (Toyohashi, JP), Tsujii; Masao (Nagoya, JP), Ohba; Masahiro (Okazaki, JP)

Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd. (Kariya, JP)

Application Number: 07/904,051

Issued: 1995-01-17

Expired: 2007-01-17

Classes: 477/108 ; 180/197; 477/97

Field of search: 74/866 364/424.1,426.04 180/179 477/108,97

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