System and method for controlling vehicle speed to enhance occupant comfort

Abstract

A method for operating a speed control system of a vehicle involves receiving 102 one or more electrical signals representative of vehicle-related information. The one or more predetermined condition, such as terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, is determined 104 based on signals representative of vehicle-related information. A baseline set-speed for the speed control system is automatically determined 106, when one or more predetermined conditions are met. The baseline set- speed is adjusted 108 to determine an instantaneous set-speed of the speed control system based on a signal indicative of a desired comfort level. The system is preferably used in a low speed progress / cruise control system.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to vehicle speed control, and more particularly to methods and systems for controlling the speed of a vehicle capable of traveling over a variety of terrains and conditions, and in doing so, aims to improve the comfort of the vehicle's occupants. Background technique [0002] In known vehicle speed control systems, often referred to as cruise control systems, a set speed for the vehicle may be initially set by a user, eg a driver. As long as the speed control system remains active, the speed control system attempts to maintain the speed of the vehicle at a specified set speed while the vehicle is in motion. However, one disadvantage of such known speed control systems is that the system may allow the user to select a user-selected set speed and / or may maintain the vehicle speed at the user-selected set speed regardless of the presence or absence of various Conditions: The various conditions may adversely affect ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, one disadvantage of such known speed control systems is that the system may allow the user to select a user-selected set speed and / or may maintain the vehicle speed at the user-selected set speed regardless of the presence or absence of various Conditions: The various conditions described may adversely affect the stability of the vehicle and / or the comfort of the vehicle occupants when experienced or encountered at a particular vehicle speed

For example, if the user selects a set speed and / or the speed control system maintains the vehicle's speed at a set speed that, when a particular condition is experienced or encountered at that set speed, is not relevant for that condition or If those conditions are too high, the comfort of the vehicle occupants and the stability of the vehicle may be significantly affected unless corrective measures are taken by the user, such as, for example, switching off the speed control system

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