Cruise control, or “autodrive”, in a car is a hardware-software complex, which is designed to maintain speed in a certain area. At the same time, driver participation is not required - you can relax on a long journey. Feet can be removed from the pedals and kept on the floor. This system first appeared in 1958. She was staffed by the Chrysler Imperial. This system is in many modern cars, also found in old foreign cars. And for installation on domestic cars there are special kits.
Operating principle
Cruise control can work in different ways, but most often the following system is used. In the simplest case, this is a negative feedback servo connected via a cable or traction to the throttle mechanism. If the vehicle’s speed is constant, then the accelerator is pressed on a certain, constant angle of inclination. If you turn on the system, the control unit will remember the position of the pedal and fix the speed.
If, when the car is moving, the speed will decrease, for example, on the rise, the control unit will signal that the angle of the throttle valve changes. The angle of the accelerator pedal depends on the mismatch signals. So it will be until the speed does not increase.
When the speed increases, the computer will give the corresponding signal to the servo drive, and the fuel supply will decrease. In this case, the fuel supply can be reduced up to idle. But here various options are possible, and it all depends on what cruise control is installed in the car.
If the gearbox is mechanical, then the accelerator sector can abut against a special emphasis restricting its further movement. In this case, the control unit will offer the driver to change the gear. If the car is equipped with an automatic transmission, the gear will shift automatically. When the speed reaches the level set by the driver, the servo will stop, and the accelerator sector will return to its position.
Types of systems
Now there are two types of cruise control systems. These are adaptive and passive options. The first type provides a classic system that has been used on cars with both manual transmission and automatic transmission for more than 40 years. Starting is carried out using buttons or levers. Such a solution can only maintain any constant speed. Passive speed control will turn off if the driver starts to press the brake or gas pedal.
Features of adaptive systems
Adaptive cruise control is much more interesting technically. This is a hardware-software complex, which, unlike a passive analogue, can not only maintain a constant speed set by the driver, but also adjusts the speed depending on road conditions.
To do this, there are various sensors that measure the distance to cars moving in front.
How the adaptive system works
The principle of operation can be divided into two types. Laser and radar modifications can be distinguished. In the case of the former, a laser beam is used to measure the distance to the car in front. In the second case, a radio wave is used to solve the same problem.
Laser beam systems have a lower cost. However, for this reason, they have a lot of limitations and disadvantages, because of which they did not become popular. So, the efficiency of the laser beam is significantly reduced if the street is cloudy or foggy. Also, the laser may be mistaken if the car ahead is dirty.
Radar systems do not have all these shortcomings, but they can only be found on premium cars. The sensor is installed behind the radiator grille. In the process, he constantly sends a signal, and then fixes the distance to the car, which moves in front. If this car slows down or the distance to the car decreases, if another object appears between the cars, the system will send a signal to reduce the speed. In this case, not only the power unit, but also the braking system will be involved in braking. When the road conditions become better and there are no obstacles, the speed will automatically recover.
The adaptive system works at a distance of up to 200 meters. At the same time, the speed that it can support is in the range from 40 to 120 km / h. Speed ranges may vary depending on the make and model of car. The system can even completely stop the car in traffic, and then start moving when the car in front drives off.
How to use the system
Not all modern car owners know that such a system is installed in the car, so we will tell you how to enable cruise control and how to use it. Often there are buttons on the steering wheel to control the complex. Manufacturers often have controls on the multi-wheels. In rare cases, the controls can be seen on the steering column switches - this can be seen in old foreign cars.
Getting started with this driver's assistant is a snap. There is a cruise control button for this. However, all cars are different, which means that nuances are possible.
In most cases, it is necessary to gain speed at which further movement is planned. It should be borne in mind that for the bulk of the systems, the minimum speed is 40 km / h. Then they activate the system using the button - on it you can see the tachometer symbol. After that, the corresponding symbol will be displayed on the dashboard. Then they are put into operation using the lever or button labeled “Set”. Only then will the machine be controlled automatically.
If you need to reduce or increase the speed of movement, there are buttons “-“ and “+”. At the same time, the speed will change step by step - it depends on the car. Some modern models have more flexible customization options.
How to disable
The assistant is disconnected depending on its type. For the simplest system, just press the gas or brake pedal. Then the control unit will go into normal driver-controlled mode. If this is an adaptive cruise, then you can turn it off by pressing the gas pedal. In other cases, the corresponding button is used.
The system will shut down automatically if the car starts to increase sharply. Also, automatic shutdown will occur if a neutral gear is included in the automatic transmission.
How to install
Installation of cruise control will make the car more comfortable. On sale you can find mechanical solutions, including for carburetor cars, as well as blocks for the electronic gas pedal.
To install, you must disconnect the negative terminal of the battery, dismantle the plastic parts of the steering wheel trim. Next, disconnect the audio signal connectors and remove the airbag hollowly. Then mark and cut on the plastic seats for future buttons. It is recommended that you carefully check everything before cutting. After that, the controls are inserted into the prepared places, the wire blocks are connected.
Cruise control, for example, “Ford Focus”, installed, after that you need to configure using the appropriate software. On cars from AvtoVAZ, the installation scheme will be different. Here, in addition to the buttons, a separate electronic unit is also installed.
Conclusion
As you can see, this is a useful system, but not always and not for everyone. It is convenient to include on long trips. At the same time, the quality of the roadway must be very high. On roads with large pits and potholes, this solution is inefficient. But to establish cruise control is at least in order to make the car more technological.