IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,286,109
Granted Patent B2
US 12,286,109 · App. 18/089,295 · Granted Apr 29, 2025

Adaptive driveforce for speed limit control

Inventor: Thomas S. Hawley (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignees: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60W30/143B60W40/076B60W40/107B60W40/13G06V20/582B60W2420/403B60W2520/105B60W2530/10B60W2540/106B60W2540/12B60W2552/15B60W2555/60B60W2556/50
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,286,109
App. No.
18/089,295
Granted
Apr 29, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a driveforce speed control system for a vehicle. The driveforce speed control system includes a sensor configured to detect a speed limit, and an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the sensor. The ECU is configured to calculate a road load and a mass condition, determine a speed limit based on the sensor, and activate a speed control based on the road load, the mass condition, and the speed limit.

Claims (25)

1. A driveforce speed control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a speed limit; and

an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the sensor and configured to:

determine a speed limit based on the sensor; and

activate a speed control in response to:

the vehicle operating in a steady accelerator pedal press condition for a threshold period of time, and

the vehicle being within a predetermined range of the speed limit.

2. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is further configured to record all instances of zero acceleration by collecting a driving force from a powertrain of the vehicle and a physical road grade condition.

3. The driveforce speed control system of claim 2 , wherein the ECU is further configured to interpolate a road load of the vehicle based on the recorded instances of zero acceleration.

4. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an image sensor such that the speed limit is detected based on image data from the sensor.

5. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit for detecting location data.

6. The driveforce speed control system of claim 5 , wherein the ECU is further configured to determine the speed limit based on the location data.

7. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the speed control is activated in response to the vehicle further operating in a steady acceleration condition.

8. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is further configured to dynamically modify a driveforce mapping of the vehicle in response to the speed control being activated.

9. The driveforce speed control system of claim 8 , wherein the driveforce mapping is modified based on a road grade.

10. The driveforce speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the ECU is further configured to deactivate the speed control in response to at least one of a change in acceleration over a first predetermined threshold, a pedal press being above a second predetermined threshold, a delta pedal press is above a third predetermined threshold, or a brake is above a fourth predetermined threshold.

11. A method for controlling a pedal to driveforce mapping of a vehicle to maintain speed and compensate for changes in mass and road conditions, the method comprising:

calculating a road load and a mass condition;

determining a speed limit; and

activating a speed control in response to the vehicle operating in a steady accelerator pedal press condition for a threshold period of time and the vehicle being within a predetermined range of the determined speed limit, the speed control being based on the calculated road load and the calculated mass condition.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the ECU is further configured to record all instances of zero acceleration by collecting a driving force from a powertrain of the vehicle and a physical road grade condition, wherein the ECU is further configured to interpolate the road load based on the recorded instances of zero acceleration.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising determining the speed limit based on at least one of sensor data or location data.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising activating the speed control in response to the vehicle further operating in a steady acceleration condition.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising dynamically modifying a driveforce mapping of the vehicle in response to the speed control being activated, wherein the driveforce mapping is modified based on the road grade.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising deactivating the speed control in response to at least one of a change in acceleration over a first predetermined threshold, a pedal press being above a second predetermined threshold, a delta pedal press is above a third predetermined threshold, or a brake is above a fourth predetermined threshold.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2025
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 071241/0400 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2022
From: HAWLEY, THOMAS S.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.; TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 062214/0181 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240208498A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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