Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-27
2001-04-24
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Indication or control of braking, acceleration, or deceleration
C701S096000, C701S094000, C701S097000, C701S301000, C340S902000, C340S903000, C340S435000, C340S436000, C180S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223117
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally is related to vehicle speed control and, more particularly, is related to adaptive cruise control systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application corresponding to attorney docket No. H-196872.
Conventional cruise control systems control vehicle speed to an operator set speed. Adaptive cruise control systems are known which have varying degrees of interaction with preceding vehicles. A general objective of adaptive cruise control systems is to sense in-path objects such as preceding vehicles and to provide throttle control to maintain a predetermined distance therefrom. Such base systems are characterized by passive deceleration, that is to say deceleration effectuated during closed-throttle coast.
An exemplary adaptive cruise control system employing active vehicle deceleration, that is to say deceleration effectuated by active, controlled application of the vehicle service brakes, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,859 to Deering, hereafter “Deering”, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Deering describes a system wherein vehicle braking control is invoked to decelerate a succeeding vehicle when the succeeding vehicle violates a predetermined range from the preceding vehicle with a range rate indicating that the succeeding vehicle is closing on a preceding vehicle. Such is generally experienced when the preceding vehicle undergoes deceleration due to service brake application.
Vehicle cut-ins, that is to say introduction of a new preceding vehicle in a succeeding vehicle's pathway, commonly occur while operating a vehicle on multi-lane roadways. Cut-ins are operating situations generally characterized by one vehicle changing lanes in front of and/or behind another vehicle. The vehicle changing lanes may affect the operation of an adaptive cruise control system of a vehicle behind itself or, in the case where the vehicle changing lanes is equipped with an adaptive cruise control system, may have its operation affected by the lane change. This is particularly true where the inter-vehicle spacing between the preceding and succeeding vehicles subsequent to the lane change is relatively small. Such cut-ins may result in aggressive active deceleration of the succeeding vehicle based upon violation of inter-vehicle spacing objectives of the system. However, cut-ins are frequently characterized by the lane changing vehicle having a nearly equivalent speed as the adjacent lane vehicle(s). Hence, active deceleration of the succeeding vehicle may be too aggressive for cut-ins characterized by a relatively minor speed differential between the preceding and succeeding vehicles subsequent to the cut-in maneuver.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is implemented in a succeeding vehicle having an adaptive cruise control system which provides active deceleration of the succeeding vehicle in accordance with a predetermined deceleration function of inter-vehicle spacing between itself and a preceding vehicle. Deceleration of the succeeding vehicle is managed by the control by first discerning the introduction of a new preceding vehicle into the path of the succeeding vehicle. The new preceding vehicle may be, for example, a vehicle interposing itself between the succeeding vehicle and another preceding vehicle, or a preceding vehicle in an adjacent lane into which the succeeding vehicle switches. The control determines the inter-vehicle spacing between the succeeding vehicle and the new preceding vehicle and attenuates the deceleration function when a predetermined inter-vehicle spacing is violated.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the attenuation of the deceleration function is effective for a predetermined interval following the introduction of a new preceding vehicle into the path of the succeeding vehicle.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a driver alert, such as a visual and/or aural indicator, is activated when the inter-vehicle spacing between the succeeding vehicle and the new preceding vehicle is violated.
In accordance with a preferred implementation of the present invention, the succeeding vehicle monitors inter-vehicle spacing between it and preceding vehicles such as by conventional adaptive cruise radar or laser systems. Introduction of new preceding vehicles is determined from inordinate changes in inter-vehicle spacing. For example, changes in the neighborhood of 5.0 meters may be used to indicate the acquisition of a new preceding vehicle.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, the deceleration function is inversely responsive to inter-vehicle spacing and the attenuation of the deceleration function attenuates this inverse responsiveness thereto. Additionally, the deceleration function may be responsive to the time rate of change of inter-vehicle spacing and/or deceleration of the preceding vehicle also. It is generally preferred, though not necessary, to limit the attenuation of the deceleration function to the inter-vehicle spacing term.
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Chundrlik, Jr. William Joseph
Labuhn Pamela Irene
Rush Scott Anthony
General Motors Corporation
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
Sedlar Jeffrey A.
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