Patent · US Expired

Auto-drive control unit for vehicles

US5906645A · kind A · utility

182Cited by
20References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 5, 1996
Grant dateMay 25, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 5, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB62D1/28
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A unit for smoothly switching from auto-drive to manual drive for a vehicle provided with an auto-drive mode. To perform auto-drive, an auto-drive ECU controls steering wheel, brake, and accelerator actuators in accordance with signals from a route recognition/obstruction check sensor, a GPS and the like. When an interface (switch) for switching to the manual drive is operated, the auto-drive ECU evaluates running stability/instability in accordance with signals from various running safety devices and sensors for detecting a variation in vehicle state, and if the vehicle is in an instable state, prohibits a shift to the manual drive, even when the vehicle is running on a straight road.

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