Method and system for controlling vehicle deceleration in an adaptive speed control system based on vehicle speed

Abstract

In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method and system for controlling vehicle deceleration are provided. The method includes determining a speed of the vehicle, and setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed determined. The system includes a receiver capable of receiving an input signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle, and a controller capable of setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a method for controlling vehicle deceleration, the method comprising: 
 determining a speed of the vehicle; and    setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed determined.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed includes adjusting the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration in an inverse relationship to the vehicle speed.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein adjusting the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration comprises decreasing the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration as the vehicle speed increases.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein adjusting the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration comprises increasing the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration as the vehicle speed decreases.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is capable of varying continuously.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is capable of varying in a range between about 0.2 g and about 0.3 g.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is an exponential function of the vehicle speed.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is defined by the equation: 
       MAXDECEL=0.2+160/(VEHSPD+40) 2 , 
       where MAXDECEL is the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration, and VEHSPD is the vehicle speed.  
     
     
         9 . In an adaptive speed control system for a vehicle, a system for controlling vehicle deceleration, the system comprising: 
 a receiver capable of receiving an input signal indicative of a speed of the vehicle; and    a controller capable of setting a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein, to set a maximum allowed vehicle deceleration based on the vehicle speed, the controller is capable of adjusting the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration in an inverse relationship to the vehicle speed.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein, to adjust the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration, the controller is capable of decreasing the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration as the vehicle speed increases.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein, to adjust the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration, the controller is capable of increasing the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration as the vehicle speed decreases.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is capable of varying continuously.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is capable of varying in a range between about 0.2 g and about 0.3 g.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is an exponential function of the vehicle speed.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration is defined by the equation: 
       MAXDECEL=0.2+160/(VEHSPD+40) 2 , 
       where MAXDECEL is the maximum allowed vehicle deceleration, and VEHSPD is the vehicle speed.