Method and apparatus for temporarily disabling the driver-independent constant speed function for a single-track motor vehicle - Patents.com

Abstract

To prevent a speed adjusted by a driver from being too high for a curve within scope of a cruise control function.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for temporarily deactivating a function of maintaining a constant speed of a single-track motor vehicle, independently of a driver, where the speed to be maintained is preset by the driver. The method comprises detecting the presence of cornering and, in response to the presence of cornering, reducing the preset speed independently of the driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for temporarily disabling, driver independent, the constant speed function for a single track motorized vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a speed control device for a motorcycle that makes it possible to automatically maintain a motorcycle at a preset speed. This type of speed control device is also known as a cruise control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2241498B1 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates to a method for temporarily deactivating, independently of the driver, a constant speed or cruise control function for a motorized single-track vehicle, in which the speed to be maintained is preset by the driver, by detecting the presence of a curve and, in the event of a curve, reducing said preset speed independently of the driver, said motorized single-track vehicle being in particular a motorcycle. By means of the invention, in the event of a curve being driven, it is prevented that a speed set by the driver within the limits of the cruise control function is still used, even though it is too high for the curve in question.

[0005] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the driving around a curve is detected by means of a GPS sensor device or a sensor device of an anti-lock braking system or ABS system. The GPS sensor device can detect the presence of a curve in cooperation with a digital map. Similarly, the presence of a curve can be detected by means of an inertial sensor device provided in the ABS system.

[0006] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that after the curve is completed, the speed is increased again independently of the driver to a value preset by the driver, which increases the driving comfort for the driver, since after the curve is completed, the cruise control function does not have to be activated again.

[0007] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the lateral acceleration of a motor vehicle is detected and, when a curve is being driven, the speed is reduced so that the lateral acceleration does not exceed a preset limit value, thereby improving safety for the driver.

[0008] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the limit values ​​for the lateral acceleration can be predefined by the driver, which allows the driver to adapt the speed to his personal driving style and comfort zone.

[0009] Corresponding to the lateral acceleration, limitations may also be imposed on other driving dynamic quantities, such as vehicle deceleration and vehicle acceleration.

[0010] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the speed reduction is effected in such a way that a preset speed reduction limit is not exceeded.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the limit value for deceleration can be preset by the driver.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the increase in speed is effected in such a way that a preset acceleration limit value is not exceeded.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the limit value for the acceleration can be predefined by the driver.

[0014] The invention furthermore encompasses an apparatus having means adapted for carrying out the method according to the invention, in particular a controller in which program code for carrying out the method according to the invention is filed.

[0015] The drawings include FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a timeline for the construction of the method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Nowadays, many motorcycles are already equipped with anti-lock braking systems suitable for curved maneuvers. The anti-lock braking system has a sensor arrangement that detects the acceleration in all three spatial directions and the yaw rate around all three spatial directions. These quantities can be used to identify curved maneuvers. Motorcycle drivers have a comfort range with respect to the dynamic quantities of driving in which they feel comfortable and safe. This comfort range is not given in advance and is highly dependent on the driver's experience and personality structure. This comfort range also covers the question of how fast the motorcycle driver goes through a curve and how hard the driver brakes when curved and then accelerates again.

[0018] The invention concerns the cooperation of the speed control function or the cruise control function with the requirements when maneuvering around a curve. When maneuvering around a curve, it is often necessary to decelerate the vehicle. However, this is not provided for in the active cruise control function. Therefore, when the presence of a curve is detected, the cruise control function or at least its speed control element is temporarily deactivated and is activated again after the curve has been left. The deceleration required to safely negotiate the curve is performed so that the resulting vehicle deceleration does not exceed a predefined deceleration limit value. The subsequent increase in speed after the end of the curve is likewise performed so that a predefined longitudinal acceleration limit value is not exceeded. In this case, the deceleration limit value and the longitudinal acceleration limit value can depend, for example, on the driver's capabilities or on the current road situation, such as, for example, the road condition or friction values. Limit values ​​can also be predefined for the lateral acceleration and longitudinal speed occurring when maneuvering around a curve. These limits can also be adjusted by the driver.

[0019] A timeline for the construction of the method according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The method starts in block 100 with the driver activating the constant speed function or the cruise control function. Then, in block 101, it is checked whether a curve is being driven. If not, a return is made to block 100, where the cruise control function continues to maintain the speed constant. If, however, in block 101, it is detected based on the sensor signals that a curve is currently being driven, then in block 102, if necessary, the vehicle is decelerated, for example until the lateral acceleration falls below a predefined limit value. Then, in block 103, it is checked whether the curve is over. If not, a return is made to block 102, where the deceleration is maintained. However, if it is detected in block 103 that a curve is no longer being driven, then in block 104, the vehicle is accelerated until the adjusted speed is reached within the range of the cruise control function, and the cruise control function is then continued. [Explanation of symbols]

[0020] 100 Activating the speed control or cruise control function 101 Checking curve driving 102 Slow down until the lateral acceleration limit is reached 103 Check for end of curve 104 Accelerate to the adjusted speed within the range of the cruise control function

Claims

1. A method for temporarily deactivating a speed constancy function for a motorized single-track vehicle, in which a speed to be maintained is preset by the driver (100), independently of the driver's action, comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of a curved road (101); and, if a curved road is present, reducing the preset speed independently of the driver's action (102); The method includes detecting lateral acceleration of the single track motor vehicle and, if a curve is present, reducing the speed such that the lateral acceleration does not exceed a limit preset by the driver (102).

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the turning is detected (101) using a GPS sensor device or a sensor device of an anti-lock braking system.

3. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the end of the curve maneuver (103), the speed is increased again (104) to a value preset by the driver, independently of the driver's actions.

4. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the speed reduction is performed so as not to exceed a preset deceleration limit.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the deceleration limit value can be preset by the driver.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the increase in speed is performed so as not to exceed a preset acceleration limit.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the acceleration limit value can be preset by the driver.

8. An apparatus for carrying out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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