Converter for cruise control system

A converter for use with a vehicle cruise control system comprising self speed setting means for specifying the required set speed of the vehicle, self speed determination means for determining a self speed of the vehicle and generating a corresponding self speed signal, and speed adjustment means coupled to the self speed determination means and responsive to the self speed signal for maintaining the self speed of the vehicle at the required set speed;

• the converter for converting the control system to a constant distance system, said converter comprising:
• a rangefinder for determining a distance of said vehicle from a front vehicle and generating a corresponding distance signal,
• distance-dependent speed adjustment means coupled to the rangefinder and to the self speed determination means for determining a required set speed for maintaining a predetermined distance between the two vehicles and generating a corresponding synthetic-speed signal,
• a selector means having first and second inputs respectively connected to the self speed signal and the synthetic-speed signal and having an output connected to the speed adjustment means of the cruise control system, for selectively coupling one of said inputs to said output,
• front speed determination means coupled to the rangefinder and to the self speed determination means and responsive to the distance signal and to the self speed signal for determining the front speed of the front vehicle, and
• comparator means coupled to the self speed setting means and to the front speed determination means for producing a tracking signal if the set speed exceeds the front speed and for producing a cruise control signal if the front speed exceeds the set speed,
• the selector means being coupled to the comparator means and being responsive to the cruise control signal and to the tracking signal generated thereby for connecting the first and second input to the output, respectively.