Patent · US Expired

Electronic vehicle speed control

US3946707A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
6References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1974
Grant dateMar 30, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60W2540/12
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic vehicle speed control with a fluid actuating means. Typically the actuating force is derived from the vehicle engine manifold vacuum applied selectively to a bellows operatively connected to the throttle mechanism. A dead-band type control is provided. When the actual vehicle speed is below the dead band range a valve is operated to allow the control fluid to increase the throttle setting. When the vehicle speed is above the dead band range a valve is operated to allow the control fluid to decrease the vehicle setting. In the preferred and specifically described circuit a circuit is provided to translate a contact closure rate into a D. C. voltage proportional to vehicle speed. A constant current source drives a series circuit including a speed set potentiometer and a dead-band setting resistor. The set speeds at either end of the dead band are compared to the actual speed and vacuum is "admitted" to or "dumped" from the bellows to return the actual speed within the dead band. Such a system provides very satisfactory control while affecting engine operation much less than a conventional vacuum powered vehicle speed control. Several novel safety and operat…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.