Vehicle speed control arrangement for convoy system - uses monitored value of air pressure between moving vehicles to operate sensor controlling fuel supply of following vehicle

摘要

The method for enabling vehicles to travel closely behind each other whilst maintaining the same speed, is intended to reduce fuel consumption due to reduced wind resistance for the following vehicle. Each vehicle has a sensing device mounted at the front, which, due to the vehicle in front operates to regulate the fuel supply and controlling its speed. This can be combined with a signalling system to establish the speed, and also an indicator to show that the device is in operation. A mechanical system uses a sensing arm (12) with a front part projecting from the bumper (9) to contact an inset region (30) on the bumper (8) of the vehicle ahead. This is controlled by a spring system (15,16) so that a predetermined force is maintained on the arm by contact between the two vehicles. This arm is connected by a Bowden cable to a lever system interconnected with the accelerator pedal (26).