Automatic following guidance system for motor vehicles

US6370471B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Herbert Lohner · Friolzheim, DE
• Peter Dominke · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Chi-Thuan Cao · Ditzingen, DE
• Klaus-Dieter Leimbach · Heubach, DE
• Werner Harter · Mühlacker, DE
• Mathias Hommel · Wolfsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 8, 2001
• Grant date: Apr 9, 2002
• Expiry date: Jan 8, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05D1/024
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for automatic following guidance, particularly for heavy-traffic automatic following guidance, of a motor vehicle (1), designed to ease the burden on the driver in heavy-traffic situations both by taking over lateral guidance by means of an automatic steering regulation system and by maintaining a set distance from a leading vehicle. The latter function requires an adaptive cruise and braking regulation system with “stop” and “go” function. According to the invention, selection and decision means (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are provided that select both the regulating parameters and the types of controllers [sic], e.g., following guidance of the motor vehicle (1) on the basis of lane markings recognized by means of a video camera or on the basis of a recognized leading vehicle. The system is divided into hierarchical levels I-IV, the driver always being in the monitoring and adaptation loop assigned to the top level IV of the hierarchy, so that he has the highest priority and can override the system at any time.