Motor vehicle movement control

Abstract

. .A movement control system for a motor vehicle comprising a movement control device, an acceleration or deceleration signal and a vehicle speed reference signal insensitive to the vehicles' direction are sent to a controller. The system also includes a throttle actuator, brake actuator and anti-lock braking. The controller which receives the acceleration or deceleration signal and vehicle speed reference signal calculates the rate of change of vehicle speed and energizes either the throttle actuator or brake actuator so that the calculated rate of change of speed compares favorably to the reference signal from the movement control device. A cruise control sends a reference speed signal to the controller which compares it to the vehicle speed signal and energizes either the throttle actuator or brake actuator so that the two signals favorably compare, thus controlling the vehicle speed while in the cruise control mode..!. .Iadd.A movement control system for motor vehicle (17) comprising controller (3) receiving reference signal (2) from movement control device (1) and energizing brake actuator (6), wherein the motor vehicle is equipped with anti-lock braking (16). In one embodiment signal (2) calls for maximum engine speed at one end of its range and maximum braking at the other end of its range. In another embodiment, signal (2) calls for maximum acceleration at one end of its range and maximum deceleration at the other end of its range, wherein controller (3) calculates the rate of change of the vehicle speed signal (4) which is insensitive to the vehicle's direction, and energizes either throttle actuator (5) or brake actuator (6) until controller's calculated rate of change of speed compares favorably with reference signal (2). Cruise control compares specifically displayed cruise signal (8) with vehicle speed signal (4). Acceleration control to cruise speed uses reference signal (9). Reference signal (13) from cruise start calls for zero acceleration..Iaddend.

I claim: 
     
       1. A movement control system of a motor vehicle comprising a controller receiving a plurality of signals and energizing at least one actuator wherein at least one of said plurality of signals emanates from a movement control device, controlled throughout its range by an operator of said motor vehicle, and provides specific . .acceleration or deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speeding up or rate of change of slowing down .Iaddend.signal values corresponding to specific positions of the movement control device and another of said plurality of signals is a signal corresponding to speed of the motor vehicle and is characterized by being insensitive to whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward. 
     
     
       2. The movement control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one actuator is a brake actuator of a brake system of the motor vehicle wherein the controller calculates rate of change of speed of the vehicle and energizes the brake actuator to the extent necessary so that calculated rate of change of speed compares as favorably as possible to the reference signal provided by the movement control device.Iadd., and wherein said brake system of said vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       3. The movement control system of claim 1 wherein a specific position of . .the.!. said movement control device calls for zero . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed .Iaddend.of said vehicle, the range on . .the.!. .Iadd.one .Iaddend.side of said specific position for zero . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed .Iaddend.calling for increasing values of . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speeding up .Iaddend.and the range on the other side of said specific position for zero . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed .Iaddend.calling for increasing values of . .deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of slowing down.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       4. The movement control system of claim 1 wherein said at least one actuator is a throttle actuator and further comprising a brake actuator .Iadd.of a brake system of said motor vehicle .Iaddend.wherein the controller calculates rate of change of speed of the vehicle and energizes either the throttle actuator or the brake actuator to the extent necessary so that calculated rate of change of speed of the vehicle compares as favorably as possible to the reference signal provided by the movement control device .Iadd.and wherein said brake system of said vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       5. . .The.!. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.movement control system of . .claim 1.!. .Iadd.a motor vehicle .Iaddend.wherein . .said.!. at least one actuator is a throttle actuator of an engine of said motor vehicle and further comprising a brake actuator of a .Iadd.primary .Iaddend.brake system of said vehicle .Iadd.still .Iaddend.further comprising a speed reference signal from a cruise control wherein . .the.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.controller energizes either the throttle actuator or brake actuator to the extent necessary so that the speed reference signal compares as favorably as possible to the signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle .Iadd.and wherein said brake system of said vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       6. The movement control system of claim . .1.!. .Iadd.5 .Iaddend.further comprising a rate of change of speed reference signal from the cruise control wherein the controller energizes either the throttle actuator or brake actuator .Iadd.of a brake system of the motor vehicle .Iaddend.to the extent necessary to produce a rate of change of speed comparing .Iadd.as .Iaddend.favorably .Iadd.as possible .Iaddend.to the rate of change of speed reference signal until a vehicle speed is reached when the speed reference signal compares as favorably as possible to the signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle .Iadd.and wherein said brake system of said vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system.Iaddend.. . .7. The movement control system of claim 1 wherein the at least one of said plurality of signals is a specific acceleration or deceleration signal 
     
     
        from a movement control device..!.8. The movement control system of claim 5 whereby initiation . .or.!. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.cruise control is achieved by pressing .Iadd.and releasing .Iaddend.a cruise start button which, while depressed, calls for zero . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed .Iaddend.or very low . .deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of slowing down .Iaddend.overriding any . .acceleration or deceleration.!. .Iadd.signal .Iaddend.called for by the movement control device, . .and then releasing the cruise start button;.!. and whereby conclusion of cruise control is achieved by moving the movement control device to at least a position of very low or zero . .deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of 
     
     
        change of slowing down.Iaddend.. 9. The movement control system of claim 8 further comprising a brake pedal under the control of the operator wherein conclusion . .or.!. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.cruise control can be achieved by depressing the brake pedal which then also deactivates the throttle and brake actuators until either the cruise start button is depressed and released or the movement control device is moved to at least a position of very low or zero . .decelerations.!. .Iadd.rate of change of slowing down.Iaddend.. . .10. The movement control system of claim 2 wherein said brake system of said vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system..!.. .11. The movement control system of claim 4 wherein said brake system of said 
     
     
        vehicle includes an anti-lock brake system..!.12. . .The.!. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.movement control system . .of claim 1.!. .Iadd.of a motor vehicle .Iaddend.wherein . .said.!. at least one actuator is a throttle actuator of an engine of said motor vehicle, said system further comprising . .an acceleration.!. .Iadd.a rate of change of speeding up .Iaddend.reference .Iadd.signal .Iaddend.from a cruise control wherein . .the.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.controller energizes the throttle actuator to the extent necessary to produce . .an acceleration.!. .Iadd.a rate of change of speeding up of the vehicle .Iaddend.comparing .Iadd.as .Iaddend.favorably .Iadd.as possible .Iaddend.to the . .acceleration.!. reference signal until a speed .Iadd.of the vehicle .Iaddend.is reached when a cruise speed reference signal compares as favorably as possible to . .said.!. .Iadd.a 
     
     
        .Iaddend.signal corresponding to the speed of the vehicle. 13. A movement control system for a motor vehicle comprising a controller receiving a plurality of signals and energizing at least one actuator wherein at least one of said plurality of signals emanates from a cruise speed control device, controlled throughout its range by an operator of said motor vehicle, and provides specific cruise speed signal values corresponding to specifically displayed speed control device settings, . .and.!. another of said plurality of signals is a signal corresponding to speed . .to.!. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the motor vehicle . ...!..Iadd., and still another of said plurality of signals is a signal calling for a specific rate of change of speed of the vehicle up or down to a specific cruise speed.Iaddend.. . .14. The movement control system of claim 13 wherein one of said plurality of signals is a signal calling for a specific rate of change of speed of the vehicle up or down to a specific cruise 
     
     
        speed..!.    The movement control system of claim 13 wherein another of said plurality of signals is a zero . .acceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed .Iaddend.or very low . .deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of slowing down .Iaddend.signal provided by depression of a cruise 
     
     
        start button. 16. The movement control system of claim 13 wherein another of said plurality of signals is a cruise conclusion signal provided by movement of a movement control device to a position of . .very low or.!. zero . .deceleration.!. .Iadd.rate of change of speed or very low rate of 
     
     
        change of slowing down.Iaddend.. 17. The movement control system of claim 13 wherein said at least one actuator is a throttle actuator for an engine of said vehicle wherein the controller energizes the throttle actuator to the extent necessary so that .Iadd.the .Iaddend.cruise speed reference signal compares as favorably as possible to the signal corresponding to speed of the motor vehicle. .Iadd.18. A movement control system for a motor vehicle comprising a controller receiving at least a signal from a movement control device and energizing at least a brake actuator of a brake system of said vehicle, characterized in that said movement control device, controlled throughout its range by an operator of said vehicle, calls for maximum engine speed when positioned at one end of its range, in that said movement control device itself is biased, at any and all times whenever the operator is free from the movement control device, to a position calling for maximum braking, wherein said movement control device is the sole determinant of the extent of the range of movement of said device, and in that said brake system is an anti-lock brake system.Iaddend.. .Iadd.19. A movement control system according to claim 18 characterized in that said brake system further includes a brake pedal controlled by said operator of said motor vehicle, said brake pedal providing alternate energizing means for said brake system.Iaddend.. .Iadd.20. A movement control system according to claim 18 characterized in that said energization of the brake actuator by the controller utilizes electro-hydraulic or electro-pneumatic means providing specific degrees of energization of the brake actuator for specific values of said signal from the movement control device..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The movement control system according to claim 18 further comprising a throttle actuator and a cruise reference signal wherein the controller energizes either the throttle actuator or brake actuator to the extent necessary so that the speed of the motor vehicle compares as favorably as possible to the speed indicated by the cruise speed reference signal.Iaddend..