Constant speed traveling apparatus for vehicle with inter-vehicle distance adjustment function

A constant speed traveling apparatus for a vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance adjustment function, comprising:

• means for determining a travelling speed of a self vehicle;
• means for generating a preset constant travelling speed of the self-vehicle;
• front-vehicle detection means for detecting a presence/absence of a front vehicle traveling ahead of the self vehicle;
• inter-vehicle distance determination means for determining a target inter-vehicle distance to be set between the self vehicle and the front vehicle;
• inter-vehicle distance measurement means for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the self vehicle and the front vehicle is a state where the front-vehicle detection means detects the presence of the front vehicle;
• relative speed calculation means for calculating a relative speed of the self vehicle relative to the front vehicle on the basis of variations in the inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement means;
• first acceleration calculation means for calculating an acceleration/deceleration required for the inter-vehicle distance to become equal to the target inter-vehicle distance, the acceleration/deceleration being calculated based on the measured inter-vehicle distance and the calculated relative speed when the front-vehicle detection means detects the presence of the front vehicle;
• second acceleration calculation means for calculating an acceleration/deceleration required for the traveling speed of the self vehicle to become equal to the preset constant traveling speed, in the state where the front-vehicle detection means detects the absence of the front vehicle;
• target vehicle speed calculation means for calculating a new target vehicle speed on the basis of the acceleration/deceleration calculated by one of the first and second acceleration calculation means and a target vehicle speed previously calculated by the target vehicle speed calculation means;
• vehicle speed control means for controlling the traveling speed of the self vehicle on the basis of a difference between the previously calculated target vehicle speed and the traveling speed of the self vehicle, such that the traveling speed of the self vehicle is made to approach the new target vehicle speed calculated by the target vehicle speed calculation means;
• and
• acceleration changing means for changing the acceleration/deceleration calculated by the first and second acceleration calculation means, on the basis of an operation performed by a driver.