US 12,491,881 B2
Systems and methods for downhill speed control of a vehicle
Steven M. Bellinger, Columbus, IN (US)
Assigned to Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
Appl. No. 18/729,026
Filed by Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
PCT Filed Jan. 30, 2023, PCT No. PCT/US2023/061551
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 15, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/158918, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 24, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/268,005, filed on Feb. 15, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0108807 A1, Apr. 3, 2025
Int. Cl. B60W 10/06 (2006.01); B60W 10/10 (2012.01); B60W 10/18 (2012.01); B60W 30/14 (2006.01); B60W 30/18 (2012.01)
CPC B60W 30/18136 (2013.01) [B60W 10/06 (2013.01); B60W 10/10 (2013.01); B60W 10/18 (2013.01); B60W 30/146 (2013.01); B60W 2520/105 (2013.01); B60W 2540/10 (2013.01); B60W 2552/15 (2020.02); B60W 2710/06 (2013.01); B60W 2710/1005 (2013.01); B60W 2710/18 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A controller apparatus, the controller apparatus configured to:
determine a target speed for a vehicle along a downhill route segment, the vehicle including foundation brakes;
in response to an acceleration of the vehicle being positive while in a motoring condition, apply an engine braking power of an engine of the vehicle to slow the acceleration of the vehicle;
in response to the acceleration of the vehicle being positive after applying the engine braking power, downshift a transmission of the vehicle to a lower gear;
in response to the acceleration of the vehicle being positive after downshifting to the lower gear, determine a next lower gear is available based on a vehicle speed and then downshifting the transmission to the next lower gear; and
apply the foundation brakes if the next lower gear is not available to slow the vehicle in order to enable the downshift to the next lower gear.