Patent ID: 6256573
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: B60K,B60W,G08G

Abstract:
A system for an automotive vehicle equipped with the system and defined as a system vehicle, comprising:a first detector for detecting an inter-vehicle distance from the system vehicle to a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the system vehicle;a second detector for detecting a velocity of the system vehicle;a determinator for determining whether the system vehicle is following the preceding vehicle at a target value of the inter-vehicle distance;an inter-vehicle distance controller having a control system for performing a feedback control of the detected value of the inter-vehicle distance to the target value thereof and for outputting a target value of the velocity of the system vehicle, a control gain of the feedback control system being modified according to the detected value of the inter-vehicle distance and a result of a determination by the determinator; anda vehicle velocity controller for controlling a braking force and a driving force of the system vehicle so as to make a detected value of the system vehicle velocity coincident with the target value of the velocity of the system vehicle,wherein the inter-vehicle distance controller includes a deviation calculator for calculating a deviation between the detected value of the inter-vehicle distance and the target value of the inter-vehicle distance and the determinator determines that the system vehicle is following the preceding vehicle at the target value of the inter-vehicle distance when the calculated deviation is equal to or below a predetermined inter-vehicle distance value and a predetermined period of time has passed after the calculated deviation is equal to or below the predetermined inter-vehicle distance.