Speed ​​controller for motor vehicles

Abstract

Cruise control for motor vehicles for regulating the speed to a predetermined target speed, comprising a first control element for switching on, and a second control element for switching off the cruise control, wherein the cruise control can be in the states switched on and active cruise control, switched on and interrupted cruise control, and switched off, and wherein the first control element is designed such that when the first control element is actuated with the cruise control switched on and active, the cruise control is interrupted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a speed controller for motor vehicles for regulating the speed to a predetermined target speed according to the preamble of claim 1 and claim 4.

[0002] Cruise control systems allow the driver to maintain a set speed without having to constantly adjust the speed using the accelerator pedal. These systems are particularly useful on highways with low traffic density, where maintaining a constant speed is often desirable.

[0003] Motor vehicles with cruise control systems have been around for a long time. Most currently available cruise control systems regulate the vehicle's speed to a preset target speed. In addition to these standard systems, some manufacturers now offer cruise control systems enhanced with distance control. In principle, the familiar cruise control system, which maintains a specific target speed, is extended by an additional distance function, making such "distance-based" speed control possible even in heavy highway and rural road traffic. This so-called "distance-based speed control" maintains the desired speed when the lane is clear. If a distance sensor mounted on the vehicle, which may be radar-based, detects a vehicle ahead, the system automatically adjusts the speed accordingly.If a (motor) vehicle is in its own lane, its speed is adjusted to match the speed of the vehicle in front, for example by applying appropriate braking force. In some cases, such systems can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop when following.

[0004] In principle, the cruise control comprises several operating units or controls for switching the cruise control on and off, as well as for setting the target speed. Separate controls are provided for switching the system on and off. Increasing or decreasing the target speed can also be done using the same control used to switch the cruise control on. To recall a previously stored target speed, another control (the so-called "resume" button) is usually provided. Pressing this button switches the cruise control on and activates it, resetting the target speed to the last set speed. Such a control unit can be found, for example, in the current BMW 5 Series.

[0005] From DE 10 2004 028 614 A1 a speed controller is known, wherein the speed controller has only a single operating mode and the operating device for activating the controller comprises only a single operating element.

[0006] Furthermore, the cruise control of such a system can be interrupted due to certain driving maneuvers, so that the cruise control remains technically activated, but the cruise control function is not currently being executed. Cruise control is interrupted, for example, when the driver applies the brake pedal or handbrake, or due to an automatic stability control intervention. Interrupting the cruise control is useful when the driver desires only a slight deceleration of the vehicle, or when this is necessary due to the current situation. The deceleration is achieved through the current engine braking torque. Cruise control is reactivated by pressing the Resume button or a so-called Set button, which, when pressed, sets the current speed as the target speed.

[0007] Speed ​​controllers designed in this way are often difficult to use for people who do not use the speed controller regularly, as the selection of functions appears confusing due to the many controls.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a speed controller that is easy and intuitive for the driver to operate and has the fewest possible number of controls.

[0009] This problem is solved by a speed controller according to claim 1 and claim 4. Advantageous further developments result from the dependent claims.

[0010] The cruise control according to the invention can be assumed to be in at least three different operating states. The cruise control can be switched off or switched on. When the cruise control is switched on, the speed control can be active or interrupted due to a previous driving maneuver or driver intervention. In this case, the cruise control is switched on, but the speed control is not active; that is, no speed control is taking place.

[0011] The speed control includes two operating elements, a first operating element being for switching on the speed control and a second operating element being for switching off the speed control.

[0012] In a first alternative embodiment of the invention, the first control element, which is primarily intended for activating the speed controller or speed regulation, is designed such that when the first control element is actuated while the speed control is activated, the speed regulation is interrupted. Thus, the first control element is used not only to activate the speed controller or speed regulation but also simultaneously to interrupt the speed regulation. This is easily achievable because this control element would otherwise be inoperative when the speed control is activated.

[0013] In contrast, if the cruise control is switched on but the cruise control is currently interrupted, pressing this first control element can also be assigned a function. Advantageously, pressing the first control element while the cruise control is switched on but interrupted will reactivate the cruise control. The target speed can be either the last set target speed or the current speed of the vehicle.

[0014] Analogous to the first alternative, the invention according to the second alternative is characterized in that the second control element, which is primarily intended for switching off the speed controller or speed regulation, has at least one additional function. The second control element is designed such that when the speed control is switched on and active, the speed regulation is interrupted. If the speed regulation is switched on but interrupted, the speed regulation is switched off when the second control element is pressed. Thus, the speed regulation can also be interrupted by pressing the second control element.

[0015] The second control element can also be designed such that, when activated and the cruise control is active, the cruise control is either interrupted or deactivated depending on the type of actuation. For example, the second control element can be designed so that, when the cruise control is activated and active, the cruise control is immediately deactivated if the second control element is actuated for a predetermined duration. Alternatively, the second control element can be actuated with a predetermined force, which causes the second control element to move into a second position that can only be reached with increased force. Once this second position is reached, the cruise control is immediately deactivated, regardless of its current state.

[0016] To set the target speed, which is not possible by actuating the controls in this configuration, an advantageous embodiment of the invention allows the target speed to be set by actuating the existing accelerator pedal. Additionally, the existing brake pedal can be configured such that actuating it also enables the target speed to be set or interrupts active speed control.

[0017] The target speed is set by pressing the accelerator pedal in such a way that, when the accelerator pedal is pressed and subsequently released, the target speed is either the current speed at the time of release or a speed determined based on that speed. When the target speed is dependent on the current speed, it is advantageous that at least one additional vehicle parameter, which includes a measure of the vehicle's current driving condition, is taken into account during the calculation. Thus, not only the vehicle's current speed but also its current driving condition is considered. This can improve the driver's subjective impression of the vehicle's speed control when maintaining the target speed.

[0018] If the cruise control is currently deactivated, it can be reactivated by pressing the accelerator pedal. Since the driver is still manually controlling the vehicle's speed in the conventional way when the accelerator pedal is pressed, the cruise control is activated as soon as the pedal is pressed. However, the control only becomes active and noticeable once the driver releases the accelerator pedal. Therefore, no additional control is required to reactivate the deactivated cruise control.

[0019] By assigning the various functions to the two control elements, as well as to the accelerator and brake pedals, the number of conventional controls can be significantly reduced. This design of the cruise control allows for extremely simple and intuitive operation.

Claims

[1] Cruise control for motor vehicles for regulating the speed to a predetermined target speed, comprising a first control element for switching on and a second control element for switching off the cruise control, wherein the cruise control can be in the states switched on and active cruise control, switched on and interrupted cruise control, and switched off, and wherein the first control element is designed such that when the first control element is actuated when the cruise control is switched on and active, the cruise control is interrupted. [2] Speed ​​controller according to claim 1, characterized by , that when the first control element is activated with the cruise control switched on and interrupted, the cruise control is activated. [3] Speed ​​controller according to claim 2, characterized by, that when the cruise control is activated, the last set target speed or the current target speed of the vehicle is set as the target speed. [4] Cruise control for motor vehicles for regulating the speed to a predetermined target speed, comprising a first control element for switching on and a second control element for switching off the cruise control, wherein the cruise control can be in the states switched on and active cruise control, switched on and interrupted cruise control, and switched off, and wherein the second control element is designed such that when the second control element is actuated, the cruise control is interrupted when the cruise control is switched on and active, and when the cruise control is switched on and interrupted, the cruise control is switched off. [5] Speed ​​controller according to claim 4, characterized by , that when the second control element is activated with the speed control switched on and active, it will be switched off if the second control element is activated for longer than a predetermined duration. [6] Speed ​​controller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an accelerator pedal for setting the target speed.