VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle speed control system operable to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by controlling an amount of brake torque applied by a braking system and an amount of drive torque applied by a powertrain to one or more wheels of the vehicle, the system being operable to detect a leading wheel step event in which a leading wheel encounters an abrupt increase in surface gradient, the system being operable in dependence on the detection of a leading wheel step event to cause brake torque to be applied against drive torque in anticipation of a trailing wheel step event corresponding to the leading wheel step event, the system being operable to cause the application of brake torque at least until a trailing wheel has travelled a sufficient distance to reach the location at which a leading wheel experienced the leading wheel step event.

主权项

1. A vehicle speed control system operable to cause a vehicle to operate in accordance with a target speed value by controlling an amount of brake torque applied by a braking system and an amount of drive torque applied by a powertrain to one or more wheels of the vehicle, the system being operable to detect a leading wheel step event in which a leading wheel encounters an obstacle presenting an abrupt increase in surface gradient,
the system being operable in dependence on the detection of said leading wheel step event to cause brake torque to be applied against drive torque in anticipation of a corresponding trailing wheel step event, the system being operable to cause said brake torque to be applied at least until a trailing wheel has travelled a sufficient distance to reach a location at which a leading wheel experienced said leading wheel step event.