Cruise control system for a model vehicle

Abstract

A cruise control system and method for a model vehicle are provided. The system may include a transmitter having a throttle input to produce a throttle command and a cruise control set input. The system includes a receiver for receiving the throttle command and a speed controller for providing a motor command to a motor of a model vehicle. The speed controller provides a motor command based upon the throttle command at a point when the cruise control set input is activated. The method for providing cruise control for a model vehicle includes receiving a throttle command from a throttle input and activating a cruise control set input. The method may include recording the throttle command as a cruise control throttle input at a point when the cruise control set input is activated and sending a motor command to a motor while the cruise control set input is activated.

1 . A cruise control system for a model vehicle comprising:
 a transmitter comprising:
 a throttle input to produce a throttle command; 
 a cruise control set input; 
   a receiver for receiving the throttle command;   a speed controller for providing a motor command corresponding to the throttle command to a motor of a model vehicle;   wherein the throttle command and the cruise control set input are sent to the receiver; and   wherein the speed controller provides a motor command based upon the throttle command at a point when the cruise control set input is activated.   
     
     
         2 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1  wherein the transmitter further comprises a throttle trim control for indicating throttle trim settings. 
     
     
         3 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1  wherein the throttle input further produces a braking command. 
     
     
         4 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1  wherein the cruise control set input is a push button. 
     
     
         5 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1  wherein the cruise control set input further comprises a rotary dial. 
     
     
         6 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1  wherein the cruise control system is an open loop system. 
     
     
         7 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a vehicle speed sensor;   wherein the throttle command is adjusted to maintain a measured vehicle speed provided by the vehicle speed sensor at the time the cruise control set input is activated.   
     
     
         8 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1 , wherein a braking command deactivates the cruise control set input. 
     
     
         9 . The cruise control system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cruise control indicator. 
     
     
         10 . The cruise control indicator is a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         11 . A cruise control system for a model vehicle comprising:
 a transmitter comprising:
 a throttle input to produce a throttle command; 
 a cruise control set input; 
   a receiver for receiving the throttle command;   a speed controller for providing a motor command corresponding to the throttle command to a motor of a model vehicle;   a vehicle speed sensor to measure actual vehicle speed;   wherein the throttle command and the cruise control set input are sent to the receiver; and   wherein the speed controller provides a motor command based upon the throttle command at a point when the cruise control set input is activated;   wherein the motor command is adjusted based upon the actual vehicle speed.   
     
     
         12 . The cruise control system according to  claim 11 , wherein the motor command is adjusted based upon the actual vehicle speed according to a negative feedback loop. 
     
     
         13 . The cruise control system according to  claim 11 , wherein the throttle input further produces a braking command. 
     
     
         14 . The cruise control system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a cruise control indicator. 
     
     
         15 . A method for providing cruise control for a model vehicle comprising:
 receiving a throttle command from a throttle input;   activating a cruise control set input;   recording the throttle command as a cruise control throttle input at a point when the cruise control set input is activated;   sending a motor command to a motor based upon the cruise control throttle input while the cruise control set input is activated.   
     
     
         16 . The method for providing cruise control according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 activating a cruise control indicator while the cruise control set input is activated.   
     
     
         17 . The method for providing cruise control according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 measuring a vehicle speed using a vehicle speed sensor;   adjusting the cruise control throttle input to maintain a substantially constant vehicle speed while the cruise control set input is activated.   
     
     
         18 . The method for providing cruise control according to  claim 15  wherein the cruise control throttle input is adjusted via an open loop process. 
     
     
         19 . The method for providing cruise control according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 deactivating cruise control set input when a braking command is received from the throttle input.   
     
     
         20 . The method for providing cruise control according to  claim 16 , wherein the cruise control indicator is a light emitting diode.