Automatic speed controller, also known as a speed stabilizer, it is better known by the English term "cruise control" or the German term "tempomat". Its genesis dates back to the end of the years 60., when such devices were presented by the Bendix company in the USA. Producers from the Old Continent followed in its footsteps, initially on American versions of European cars, and from mid-years 70. also in luxury cars, intended for the domestic market. Bosch and VDO were among the first suppliers of regulators; the latter offered systems under the trade names Tempostat and Tempomat, the second of them entered the colloquial language.
PURPOSE OF APPLICATION
Cruise control began to be used with the driver's comfort in mind. Expansion of highways, in which cars traveled long distances at a steady speed, prompted the designers to build the device, which would automatically maintain the set pace. The task was carried out by introducing an electronic system that maintains a constant throttle position. This was done by a vacuum pneumatic actuator, cooperating with the solenoid valve. After reaching the desired speed, the user turned it on, usually located under the steering column, lever (adjustment scale
The Distronic system allows you to keep a constant, the set speed and the automatic adjustment of the gap to the vehicle in front – co 10 km/h). Adding "gas" (np. when overtaking), and then taking the foot off the pedal did not require memorizing the original value again, contrary, than when the brakes or clutch are applied or the ignition is turned off. In addition, practice has shown a decrease in fuel consumption to 15% (O 0,5-5-1,0 dm3 / 100 km), as a consequence of increasing traffic flow. The appearance of the so-called. electronic accelerator pedal, tj. replacement of mechanical connections controlling the engine operation with electric wires, made the installation of cruise control easier. They settled for good in higher-class cars, being an element of additional equipment. With time, after coupling them with on-board computers, "intelligent" solutions appeared, self-memorizing speed limits, np. valid in quiet traffic zones (intra-settlement roads, city centers) and displaying them on the instrument panel, as well as warning the driver with an acoustic signal about exceeding the speed limit (Mercedes Speedtronic).