(19) Japan Patent Office (JP)
`(11) Patent Application Publication No.
`S60-174329
`(12) JAPANESE UNEXAMINED PATENT
`APPLICATION PUBLICATION (A)
`
`Ident. Code
`Internal Ref. No.
`(43) Publication Date September 7, 1985 (Showa 60)
`
`6948-3D
`
`Z-7813-3G
`6718-3G * Examination Request: Not Yet No. of Inventions 1 (Total 9 pages)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(51) Int. Cl.4
` B 60 K 31/10
` F 02 D 9/02
` 29/02
`
`(54) Title of Invention VEHICLE SPEED AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE
`
`
`(21) Application No.
`
`S59-26091
`
`
`(22) Date of Filing
`
`February 16, 1984 (Sho 59)
`(72) Inventor
`NARITA, Hiroshi
`
`
`c/o JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`(72) Inventor
`KONISHI, Kiyoshi
`
`
`c/o JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`(72) Inventor
`IWAOKA, Toshio
`
`
`c/o JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`(71) Applicant
`JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`(74) Agent
`Attorney:
`OSHIO, Yutaka
`
` Continued on last page
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`1. Title of the Invention
` VEHICLE SPEED AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE
`2. Scope of Patent Claims
`(1) A vehicle speed automatic control device, comprising an actuator that drives a throttle valve; a
`controller that sends a command to the actuator according to a difference between an actual vehicle
`speed and a stored vehicle speed; and a stored vehicle speed display unit that indicates the stored
`vehicle speed; wherein the vehicle speed automatic control device is provided with a signal line that
`cancels the corresponding stored vehicle speed display when the stored vehicle speed and the
`controller is cleared.
`
`
`
`1
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`3. Detailed Description of the Invention
`(Industrial Applicability)
`
`The present invention relates to a vehicle speed automatic control device that is used to
`automatically control travel speed of a vehicle to a certain set value.
`(Related Technology)
`
`FIG. 1, for example, illustrates a configuration of a conventional vehicle speed automatic
`control device.
`
`In FIG. 1, 1 is a speed sensor that generates a signal is proportional to the actual vehicle speed, 2
`and 3 are command switches that generate a cruise command signal, and of these command
`switches, 2 is a set switch and 3 is a resume switch. Further, 5 is a brake switch that turns on and
`off when the brakes are operated, and 6 is a clutch switch that turns on and off when the clutch is
`operated and functions as an inhibitor switch for automatic vehicles. Moreover, signals from the
`speed sensor 1, the set switch 2, the resume switch 3, the brake switch 5, and the clutch switch 6 are
`input into a microcomputer 9 that resides in a controller 7 via an input interface 8 that similarly
`resides in the controller 7. A vehicle speed storage part that stores the vehicle speed when the set
`switch 2 is operated is embedded in the microcomputer 9, and a failsafe 10 that cancels the stored
`vehicle speed of the vehicle speed storage part by detecting various types of abnormalities is also
`embedded in the microcomputer 9, and a power circuit 12 is provided that contacts and external
`power supply 11.
`
`Further, output from the microcomputer 9 is sent to an actuator 16 and a cruise lamp 17 via an
`output interface 15. The actuator 16, as also illustrated in FIG. 2, is provided with a vacuum valve
`18, vent valve 19, and a safety valve 20, wherein the vent valve 19 and one and of the safety valve
`20 are open to the atmosphere while one end of the vacuum valve 18 is connected to the intake
`manifold (negative pressure source). Moreover, the other ends of each of the valves 18, 19, and 20
`communicate with a negative pressure chamber 23 formed by the casing 21 and one surface side
`(right surface side in FIG. 2) of the diaphragm 22; and one end side of a control wire 24 is
`connected to the other surface side (left surface side in FIG. 2) of the diaphragm 22, while the other
`end side of the control wire 24 is linked to the throttle valve shaft 25.
` Next, a description will be given of the operation of the vehicle speed automatic control device
`
`
`
`2
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`having this type of configuration with reference to FIG. 3, and first the operation of the vehicle
`speed automatic control device begins with turning on the main switch. The speed sensor 1
`generates a pulse proportionate to the actual vehicle speed, and this pulse signal is input into
`microcomputer 9 of the controller 7 and performs sampling within fixed periods so that a pulse
`count proportionate to the vehicle speed is always recognized by the microcomputer 9. When, for
`example, a set signal is sent at the time t1 in this state by the set switch 2 of the command switches,
`the cruise lamp 17 illuminates, and the microcomputer 9 stores the pulse count according to the
`vehicle speed at that time into the vehicle speed storage part while at the same time the stored
`vehicle speed is indicated on the stored vehicle speed indicator portion in the driver side meter. The
`vent valve 19 and the safety valve 20 close to block the negative pressure chamber 23 from the
`outside atmosphere, and the vacuum valve 18 opens to introduce negative pressure into the negative
`pressure chamber 23, and the throttle valve shaft 25, via the control wire 24, can be held in a
`predetermined position. Thereafter, the throttle valve shaft 25 is held in the predetermined position
`even when releasing the accelerator pedal and constant speed travel control begins. Furthermore,
`after this, a command is sent from the microcomputer 9 to the actuator 16 so that the pulse count
`according to the detected actual vehicle speed is equivalent to the stored pulse count (which is to say
`the stored vehicle speed), and a state of negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber 23 of the
`actuator 16 is controlled by controlling the on and off states of the vacuum valve 18 and the vent
`valve 19. For example, when the actual vehicle speed is smaller than the stored vehicle speed by
`only a predetermined value, the vacuum valve 18 is switched on by a signal from the
`microcomputer 9 to introduce negative pressure into the negative pressure chamber 23. By this, the
`throttle valve shaft 25 pivots slightly to the valve open direction to increase the vehicle speed.
`Meanwhile, when the actual vehicle speed is greater than the stored vehicle speed by only a
`predetermined value, the vent valve 19 is switched off by a signal from the microcomputer 9 to
`introduce outside air into the negative pressure chamber 23. By this, the throttle valve shaft 25
`pivots slightly to the valve close direction to decrease the vehicle speed. Moreover, a constant
`vehicle speed is controlled by repeating this type of operation.
`
`Further, when wanting to decrease the speed of a constant speed travel, pressing and holding the
`set switch 2 at the time t3 of FIG. 3 opens the vent valve 19 to introduce outside air into the negative
`
`
`
`3
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`pressure chamber 23 which decreases the speed by applying an engine brake, and releasing the set
`switch 2 at the time t4 stores to vehicle speed while simultaneously indicating the newly stored
`vehicle speed on the stored vehicle speed display unit in the meter and constant speed travel is
`entered again. In addition, when operating a braking operation at the time t5 cancels the system and
`turns off the cruise lamp 17. At this time, even if the system is canceled, the stored vehicle speed
`display remains as is displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit in the meter. Moreover,
`operating the resume switch 3 at the time t6 that the vehicle speed has not fallen below a lower limit
`value (for example, 40 to 50 km/hrr), resumes constant speed travel at the speed prior to the braking
`operation, which is to say the speed indicated in the stored vehicle speed display unit, and if the
`resume switch 3 is operated at the time t7, the vehicle speed gradually increases, and after the time t8
`when the resume switch 3 is released, it returns to the stored vehicle speed prior to the time t7 and
`constant speed travel resumes, and operating the clutch in a manual vehicle or putting the shift lever
`of an automatic vehicle into the N or P position at the time t9 cancels the system. At this time, the
`stored vehicle speed prior to the system being canceled is still displayed on the stored vehicle speed
`display unit in the meter.
` However, in this type of conventional vehicle speed automatic control device, if the system is
`canceled because the failsafe 10 is moved for some reason, the stored vehicle speed prior to
`cancellation continues to be indicated on the stored vehicle speed display unit in the driver side
`meter even if the content of the vehicle speed storage part in the microcomputer 9 is canceled at
`zero. Because the displayed stored vehicle speed value remains until a new vehicle speed storage
`signal is input, there is a problem in that the driver is led to determine that the stored vehicle speed
`still remains and leads them to believe that resuming is possible by operating the resume switch 3.
`(Object of the Invention)
`
`In light of the conventional problems described above, an object of the present invention is to
`provide a vehicle speed automatic control device having a stored vehicle speed display unit in the
`driver side meter where the stored vehicle speed display in the stored vehicle speed display unit is
`canceled at the same time that the system is canceled by movement by the failsafe 10 for some
`reason, and the stored vehicle speed is displayed by the stored vehicle speed display unit only at
`such time that a stored vehicle speed exists.
`
`
`
`4
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`(Configuration of the Invention)
`
`The present invention is a vehicle speed automatic control device that includes an actuator that
`drives a throttle valve; a controller that sends a command to the actuator according to a difference
`between an actual vehicle speed and a stored vehicle speed; and a stored vehicle speed display unit
`that indicates the stored vehicle speed; wherein the vehicle speed automatic control device is
`provided with a signal line that cancels the corresponding stored vehicle speed display when the
`stored vehicle speed and the controller is cleared.
`(Embodiment)
`
`FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a system block
`diagram of the vehicle speed automatic control device. In FIG. 4, the portions of the configuration
`that are the same as FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof are
`omitted.
`
`In FIG. 4, 31 is a controller for the speedometer, and a memory cancel signal S sent from the
`controller 7 is input into a microcomputer 33 via an input interface 32, and output of the
`microcomputer 33 sends a control signal to the driver seat side speedometer 35 via an output
`interface 34. The speedometer 35 is provided with a digital actual vehicle speed display unit 36 and
`a stored vehicle speed display unit 37.
` Next, a description will follow of the conditions for changing the vehicle speed in the vehicle
`speed automatic control device and for changing the actual vehicle speed display unit 36 and the
`stored vehicle speed display unit 37.
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating display changes in the speedometer 35 according to operation of
`the command to switch after turning on power, and when the memory cancel signal S sent from the
`controller 7 without constant speed travel is in a Hi state, display is not shown in the stored vehicle
`speed display unit 37, but the actual vehicle speed is displayed on the actual vehicle speed display
`unit 36.
` Next, when turning on the set switch 2 at the time t1 when reaching a speed of 70 km/hr, a
`constant speed travel is initiated at a speed of 70 km/hr, and at the same time the stored vehicle
`speed 70 km/hr is displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37. Here, the vehicle speed
`displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37 is displayed by transferring (not illustrated) the
`
`
`
`5
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`vehicle speed recognized by the controller 7 to the controller 31 or it displays the vehicle speed
`recognized by the controller 31. The timing of this display is when the actual vehicle speed at the
`time that the set switch 2 is turned on or off is transferred to the stored vehicle speed display unit. In
`this state of constant speed travel, accelerating by operating the resume switch 3 or the accelerator
`pedal at the time t2 regularly displays the change in vehicle speed on the actual vehicle speed
`display unit 36, and after a temporary acceleration, when turning the set switch 2 on and off again
`and the operation of the resume switch 3 or the accelerator pedal is stopped upon reaching 80 km/hr
`at time t3, constant speed travel begins at 80 km/hr while at the same time the stored vehicle speed at
`this time is displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37, and when beginning to decelerate
`by continuously operating the set switch 2 at a time t4, the reduction in actual vehicle speed is
`regularly displayed on the actual vehicle speed display unit 36, and when releasing the set switch 2
`at speed 65 km/hr at time t5, constant speed travel begins again while the newly stored vehicle speed
`of 65 km/hr is displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37.
`
`FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating changes in vehicle speed when decelerating by a braking
`operation after constant speed travel and then resuming by the resume switch 3 and changes in the
`display of the actual vehicle speed display unit 36 and the stored vehicle speed display unit 37, and
`when the memory cancel signal S sent from the controller 7 without constant speed travel is a Hi
`state, there is no display on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37. Next, initiating constant speed
`travel at a speed of 70 km/hr by operating the set switch 2 at the time t11 simultaneously causes the
`memory cancel signal S to become Lo at this time and the stored vehicle speed is displayed on the
`stored vehicle speed display unit 37. Furthermore, when operating the breaks at time t12 during
`constant speed travel, the change in the actual vehicle speed due to the deceleration is displayed on
`the actual vehicle speed display unit 36 while the stored vehicle speed continues to be displayed as
`is on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37. The system is canceled when the actual vehicle speed
`drops below the predetermined lower limit value (for example, 50 km/hr) due to the braking
`operation, and the memory cancel signal S from the controller 7 becomes Hi at the same time while
`the stored vehicle speed display disappears from the stored vehicle speed display unit 37, but when
`operating the resume switch 3 at time t13 at 55 km/hr while the actual vehicle speed has not dropped
`below the lower limit value as illustrated in the drawing, the display on the stored vehicle speed
`
`
`
`6
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`display unit 37 remains as is displaying the stored vehicle speed 70 km/hr from the time that the set
`switch 2 was operated thereby entering into constant speed travel from time t14 when reaching the
`stored vehicle speed.
`
`FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating changes in vehicle speed when the system is canceled due to
`movement by the failsafe 10 for some reason after constant speed travel and changes in the display
`of the actual vehicle speed display unit 36 and the stored vehicle speed display unit 37, and the
`memory cancel signal S sent from the controller 7 is in a Hi state without constant speed travel,
`there is no display on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37. Next, initiating constant speed travel
`at a speed of 70 km/hr by operating the set switch 2 at the time t21 simultaneously causes the
`memory cancel signal S to become Lo at this time and the stored vehicle speed is displayed on the
`stored vehicle speed display unit 37. When the system is canceled due to movement by the failsafe
`10 for some reason during constant speed travel at a speed of 70 km/hr, the memory cancel signal S
`from the controller 7 becomes Hi and display on the stored vehicle speed display unit 37 is canceled
`and actual vehicle speed decreases unless the accelerator pedal was operated, and this actual vehicle
`speed is displayed regularly on the actual vehicle speed display unit 36. Thereafter, when entering
`constant speed travel at a speed of 55 km/hr by operating the set switch 2 again at the time t22, the
`memory cancel signal S becomes Lo at the same time and the stored vehicle speed is displayed on
`the stored vehicle speed display unit 37.
` Note that in this embodiment, both the actual vehicle speed display unit 36 and the stored
`vehicle speed display unit 37 are digital displays, but this is of course not limited to this type of
`digital display and may also be a digital bar graph or an analog type display.
`(Effect of the Invention)
` As described above, the present invention is a vehicle speed automatic control device provided
`with an actuator that drives a throttle valve, a controller that sends a command to the actuator
`according to a difference between actual vehicle speed and stored vehicle speed, and a stored
`vehicle speed display unit that indicates the stored vehicle speed, and is configured to provide a
`signal line that cancels the corresponding stored vehicle speed display when the constant speed
`travel is canceled abnormally for the stored vehicle speed display that is displayed on the stored
`vehicle speed display unit at the time of constant speed travel; and therefore, when the system of the
`
`
`
`7
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`vehicle speed automatic control device is canceled due to movement by the failsafe for some reason,
`the stored vehicle speed display is also canceled at the same time on the stored vehicle speed display
`unit, and the stored vehicle speed can be displayed on the stored vehicle speed display unit only at
`the time that the system is working properly, and it has an extremely excellent effect in recognizing
`the stored vehicle speed easily and without error.
`4. Brief Description of the Drawings
`
` FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a conventional vehicle speed automatic control device.
`FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a vertical cross-section of an actuator. FIG. 3 is an explanatory
`diagram of the passage of time illustrating an active state of the vehicle speed automatic control
`device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of the vehicle speed automatic control
`device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of
`the passage of time illustrating changes in vehicle speed according to operation of the command
`switch and changes in display of the actual vehicle speed display unit and the stored vehicle speed
`display unit. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the passage of time illustrating changes in vehicle
`speed win decelerating according to a braking operation after constant speed travel and resuming by
`the resume switch, and changes in display of the actual vehicle speed display unit and the stored
`vehicle speed display unit. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the passage of time illustrating
`changes in vehicle speed when the system is canceled for some reason after constant speed travel,
`and changes in display of the actual vehicle speed display unit and the stored vehicle speed display
`unit.
`1 … speed sensor
`2 … set switch
`3 … resume switch
`5 … brake switch
`6 … clutch switch
`7 … controller
`16 … actuator
`25 … throttle valve shaft
`31 … speedometer controller
`
`
`
`8
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`35 … speedometer
`36 … actual vehicle speed display unit
`37 … stored vehicle speed display unit
`S … memory cancel signal
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Applicant
`
`Agent, Attorney
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`OSHIO, Yutaka
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`FIG. 1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`FIG. 2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11
`
`
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`FIG. 4
`12
`
`7
`l
`
`L
`8
`
`power circuit
`
`/ 9
`
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`
`18
`
`16
`
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`
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`vacuum valve
`
`11
`
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`
`2
`
`set switch
`
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`
`resume
`switch
`
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`
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`
`5
`
`6
`
`clutch switch1
`
`
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`_{
`
`I
`
`
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`13
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`14
`
`
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`

`

`Internal Ref. No.
`7604-3G
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Continued from first page
`(51) Int. Cl.4
`
`Ident. Code
` F 02 D 41/14
`
`
`YAMAGUCHI, Yuichi
`(72) Inventor
`
`c/o JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`(72) Inventor
`DANZAKI, Tsutomu
`
`c/o JIDECO, Co., Ltd.
`
`
`
`1760 Higashimatanocho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`16
`
`Ford Motor Company et al.
`Ex. 1004
`
`