Speed stabilizer for automatically turning conventional cruise controls on/off in dense low speed traffic to save fuel

A method of employing a vehicle speed stabilization processor for setting and canceling a cruise control system (CC) coupled thereto, for a vehicle having an electronic throttle, by operating a pedal release type accelerator pedal mechanically biased to assume an upward start position by a first mechanical biasing means, said processor executing the following steps:

• (a) setting the CC at a CC engagement speed when a given vehicle speed exceeds a minimum vehicle speed and said given vehicle speed stays within predetermined boundary limits for a particular time period;
• (b) establishing a virtual pedal position that is whatever pedal position corresponds to a vehicle throttle position at said CC engagement speed;
• (c) upon setting of the CC, establishing a pedal position tolerance motion range about a current virtual pedal position within which the pedal can travel without canceling the CC;
• (d) canceling the CC when the pedal position becomes higher than an upper boundary of the pedal position tolerance motion range;
• (e) canceling the CC when the pedal position becomes lower than a lower boundary of the pedal position tolerance motion range;
• and
• (f) upon setting of the CC, positioning a second mechanical biasing means for resisting further downward motion of said pedal at the current virtual pedal position for increasing the resistance sensed by a driver as said pedal passes in the vicinity of the current virtual pedal position, thereby enabling the driver to readily locate the current virtual pedal position and thus make it easier for the driver to hold his foot within the tolerance range.

A method of employing a speed stabilization processor for setting and canceling a cruise control system (CC) coupled thereto by employing a pedal lock accelerator pedal, said processor executing the following steps:

• (a) setting the CC at a CC engagement speed when a given vehicle speed exceeds a minimum vehicle speed and said given vehicle speed stays within predetermined boundary limits for a particular time period;
• (b) establishing a virtual pedal position that is whatever pedal position corresponds to a vehicle throttle position at said CC engagement speed;
• (c) upon setting of the CC, establishing a pedal position tolerance motion range about a current virtual pedal position within which the pedal can travel without canceling the CC;
• (d) canceling the CC when the pedal position becomes lower than a lower boundary of the pedal position tolerance motion range;
• (e) canceling the CC when the pedal position becomes higher than an upper boundary of the pedal position tolerance motion range by sensing the reduction of pressure upon a pedal mounted touch sensor.