Patent ID: 6185499
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B60K,B60W

Abstract:
A cruise control system of a vehicle having a first vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a first vehicle speed of said vehicle, an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between said vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of said vehicle, a second vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a second vehicle speed of said preceding vehicle and an acceleration/deceleration means for accelerating or decelerating said vehicle, comprising:a safe inter-vehicle distance calculating means for calculating a safe inter-vehicle distance based on said first vehicle speed and said second vehicle speed;a constant speed running mode selecting means for selecting a constant speed running mode wherein said first vehicle speed of said vehicle is held at a set vehicle speed by said acceleration/deceleration means, when said inter-vehicle distance is larger than said safe inter-vehicle distance;a following-behind running mode selecting means for selecting a following-behind running mode wherein said inter-vehicle distance is held at a predetermined value by said acceleration/deceleration means, when said inter-vehicle distance is smaller than said safe inter-vehicle distance; anda vehicle speed updating means, when said following-behind running mode lasts longer than a specified time, for updating said set vehicle speed into a vehicle speed around an average vehicle speed within said specified time.