Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Indication or control of braking – acceleration – or deceleration
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-22
2001-05-15
Cuchlinski, Jr., William A. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Indication or control of braking, acceleration, or deceleration
C701S064000, C701S055000, C701S086000, C701S089000, C701S091000, C701S095000, C303S191000, C303S192000, C303S193000, C188S170000, C188S179000, C188S180000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233514
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for controlling the downhill speed of an off-the-road vehicle, and more particularly to a method by which the vehicle speed can be set to a constant descending speed by an electronic system operating a braking system with active brake intervention within a low-range traveling phase.
Known devices for maintaining a constant speed desired by the driver through automatic application of the brakes, a process referred to as “active braking,” are already provided in road vehicles. As a general rule, such vehicles are equipped with an anti-locking brake system (ABS), as well as with an anti-slip regulation (ASR) system. The operating components already present in such systems, such as, the electronics, wheel speed sensors, solenoid control valves, etc., are used also to carry out the above-mentioned speed regulation. Such known active braking devices relieve the driver of the task of having to constantly actuate the brake pedal during travel on a downhill stretch. In addition, a uniform speed is evenly maintained in a reliable manner over varying gradients.
An electrical/pneumatic braking force regulating circuit is known, for example, from German application DE-A-24 19 242. In accordance with such circuit, the vehicle speed while traveling on a gradient is maintained by active braking initiated when neither the gas nor the brake pedal is actuated. Such speed regulation is terminated in immediate response to actuation of any one of the above-mentioned pedals, or when the superimposed ABS becomes active.
Another known method is disclosed, for example, in WO 96/11826 A1, in which a vehicle is equipped with a system for downhill control, also referred to as “hill descent control” (HDC). The control system disclosed therein can be activated by the driver by means of a switch. When activated, such system maintains the vehicle on a steep gradient at a constant low speed by means of active, controlled braking, thereby obviating actuation of the brakes by the driver. This system is particularly intended for off-the-road vehicles traveling on a gradient that is so steep that the engine braking effect is no longer sufficient to decelerate the vehicle, even in the lowest gear.
Finally, a process for controlling the speed of a vehicle on a descending gradient is disclosed in German patent DE 196 48 559 (corresponding to Ser. No. 08/970,988 of the inventors herein), whereby the vehicle speed can be set to a constant downhill speed by means of an electronic system through active braking intervention. In accordance with the process, a continuously adjustable target speed to which the current vehicle speed is set is synthesized within the electronic system to achieve a comfortable transition from the vehicle speed and the constant downhill speed, resulting in a continuous transition to the constant downhill speed.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling downhill speed by means of which active, controlled braking of an off-the-road vehicle with several gears takes place in an especially comfortable manner in a low-range traveling speed range.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling the speed of an off-the-road vehicle descending a steep gradient to a constant descending speed. The vehicle in which the method is applied is equipped with several forward gears and a reverse gear.
The value of the constant descending speed is determined as a function of the position of the butterfly valve and the currently engaged gear of the vehicle. The braking system is then electronically controlled with active brake intervention to bring the actual vehicle speed into conformance with the constant descending speed.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate elements providing the same function.
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Claussen Heiko
Eickhoff Jurgen
Cuchlinski Jr. William A.
Mancho Ronnie
Proskauer Rose LLP
WABCO GmbH
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