Patent ID: 6353788
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: B60K,B60T,B60W,G08G

Abstract:
A method for regulating speed and/or distance of a first vehicle to at least one second vehicle driving ahead of the first vehicle in connection with a passing maneuver, comprising the steps ofproviding a detection system so that the detection system is associated with the first vehicle, the detection system obtaining detection data by continuously detecting the at least one second vehicle when the at least one second vehicle is situated in front of the first vehicle, by continuously detecting a turn signal light position of the at least one second vehicle, and by continuously detecting a yaw rate and/or a steering position of the first vehicle; providing an evaluator unit so that the evaluator unit is associated with the first vehicle, the evaluation unit continuously ascertaining a setpoint value for regulating a speed of the first vehicle and a distance of the first vehicle to the at least second vehicle from the detection data so that a defined minimum distance value is determined for a passing maneuver; allowing a reduction of the distance of the first vehicle to the at least one second vehicle when the turn signal light of the first vehicle is activated until the distance is equal or greater than the defined minimum distance value; determining using the evaluator unit whether the distance of the first vehicle to the at least one second vehicle is greater than the defined minimum distance value and determining whether the distance of the first vehicle to the at least one second vehicle is equal or greater to a permissible collision distance to determine whether a collision may occur during the passing maneuver; activating a passing maneuver if the evaluator unit determines that the collision may not occur during the passing maneuver; and aborting a passing maneuver if the evaluator unit determines that the collision may occur during the passing maneuver.