FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS
The main components in the dynamic radar cruise control system have the following functions:
| Component | Function | |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor | Radiates millimeter radar waves forward, uses the reflected waves to detect the presence of a vehicle being driven ahead, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance, and the relative speed, and then transmits this information to the driving support ECU assembly. | |
| Driving Support ECU Assembly |
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| Cruise Control Switch | ON-OFF Button | Turns the cruise control system on and off. |
| MODE Switch | Switches between constant speed control mode and vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode. | |
| CANCEL Switch | A cancel signal can be output to the driving support ECU assembly through the operation of this switch. | |
| +RES Switch | The accelerate function and resuming of a preset speed can be performed by operating this switch. A signal is output to the driving support ECU assembly when this switch is operated. | |
| -SET Switch | The decelerate function and vehicle speed setting resume signals are output to the driving support ECU assembly when this switch is operated. | |
| Distance Control Switch | While the system is in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the driver can operate the distance control switch to select the vehicle-to-vehicle distance in 3 levels: long, middle, and short. | |
| Power Management Control ECU |
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| MG ECU | Built into the inverter with converter assembly. Controls the motive force of MG2 in accordance with signals from the power management control ECU. | |
| ECM | Actuates the throttle control motor in accordance with the signals from the power management control ECU. | |
| Skid Control ECU |
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| Combination Meter Assembly | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Constant Speed Control Mode) |
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| Cruise Control Indicator Light (Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance Control Mode) |
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| Master Warning Light | Illuminates when there is a malfunction in the system. | |
| Buzzer | If the driving support ECU assembly detects automatic cancel or warning signals while the vehicle is operating under cruise control, this buzzer sounds to inform the driver. | |
| Multi-information Display |
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| MG2 | Generates motive force for the wheels. | |
| Throttle Control Motor | Adjusts the throttle valve opening angle in accordance with signals from the ECM. | |
| Brake Actuator Assembly | Actuates the brakes in accordance with the signals from the skid control ECU. | |
| Stop Light Control Relay | Illuminates the stop lights in accordance with an illumination request signal from the skid control ECU. | |
| Skid Control Buzzer Assembly | Sounds upon receiving a signal from the skid control ECU and alerts the driver that the distance between vehicles is short. | |
| Speed Sensor | Detects the wheel speed of each of the 4 wheels. | |
| Accelerator Pedal Sensor Assembly | Detects the accelerator pedal depression degree and outputs it to the power management control ECU. | |
| Shift Lever Position Sensor | Detects the shift lever position and transmits signals to the power management control ECU. | |
| Steering Angle Sensor | Detects the angle and direction of steering and transmits signals to the driving support ECU assembly. | |
| Yawrate Sensor | Detects the yaw rate of the vehicle and transmits signals to the driving support ECU assembly. | |
| Stop Light Switch Assembly | Detects the brake pedal being depressed and transmits its signal to the driving support ECU assembly. | |
SYSTEM CONTROL
The dynamic radar cruise control system is controlled by the driving support ECU assembly. The driving support ECU assembly increases and decreases the vehicle speed by controlling the engine, MG2 and brake through the motive force request signals.
The combination meter assembly informs the driver of the control conditions.
The cruise control switch (mode switch) is used for switching between constant speed control mode and vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode. The mode in which the cruise control system starts is vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode.
For vehicles with the dynamic radar cruise control system, constant speed control mode is controlled by the driving support ECU assembly, which outputs signals to the MG ECU.
Vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode is controlled by the millimeter wave radar sensor and driving support ECU assembly. Thus, the signals are output to the actuators and the ECU while exchanging data as indicated above.
FUNCTION
Function List
The control of the dynamic radar cruise control system varies depending on the mode:
A: Constant Speed Control Mode
B: Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance Control Mode
| Function | Outline | Mode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | ||
| Constant Speed Control | Controls the motive force through the power management control ECU and skid control ECU, and adjusts the vehicle speed to the set vehicle speed. | X | X |
| Deceleration Control | Performs engine, MG2 and brake control in order to decelerate the vehicle so that the vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the driver's own vehicle and the vehicle ahead equals the set distance. | - | X |
| Follow-up Control | After performing deceleration control, the driver's own vehicle follows the vehicle ahead in order to maintain the proper vehicle-to-vehicle distance. The actual distance maintained for each distance level (long, medium and short) varies in accordance with vehicle speed. | - | X |
| Acceleration Control | Accelerates the vehicle in order to attain the set vehicle speed if the vehicle ahead or the driver's own vehicle has changed lanes. | - | X |
| Set Control |
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X | X |
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X | - | |
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- | X | |
| Low Speed Limit Control | The low speed limit is the lowest speed that cruise control system can be set at and it is designed to be approximately 40 km/h (25 mph). The cruise control cannot be set below that speed. If the vehicle speed drops below that speed while running in the cruise control, the cruise control system will be cancelled automatically. The set vehicle speed is kept in memory. | X | X |
| COAST (-) Switch Control | When the cruise control switch is held to the -SET side, the vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed change as follows, according to the mode: | X | X |
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X | - | |
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- | X | |
| Tap Down Control | When the cruise control switch is moved momentarily (approximately 0.6 seconds or less) to the -SET side, the vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed change as follows, according to the mode: | X | X |
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X | - | |
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- | X | |
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| ACC (+) Switch Control | When the cruise control switch is held to the +RES side, the vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed change as follows, according to the mode: | X | X |
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X | - | |
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- | X | |
| Tap Up Control | When the cruise control switch is moved momentarily (approximately 0.6 seconds or less) to the +RES side, the vehicle speed and the set vehicle speed change as follows: | X | X |
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X | - | |
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- | X | |
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| RES Switch Control | If the vehicle speed is above the low speed limit, the cruise control system resumes operation (when the cruise control switch is subsequently moved to the +RES side) to reach the vehicle speed that was set at the time the driver canceled cruise control. | X | X |
| If the vehicle ahead changes driving lanes during follow-up control, the vehicle speed is gradually increased to the set vehicle speed. At this time, the vehicle speed can be increased promptly by moving the cruise control switch to the +RES side. | - | X | |
| Manual Cancel Control |
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X | X |
| Automatic Cancel Control | When an automatic cancel signal is sent to the power management control ECU, cruise control speed control operation is canceled. At this time, the type of warning sent to the driver and the control resumption condition vary according to the cancel signal. | X | X |
| Mode Switching Control |
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X | X |
X: Available
-: Not Available
Constant Speed Control
The driving support ECU assembly compares the actual vehicle speed (wheel speed signal from the skid control ECU) with the set vehicle speed under constant speed control in each control mode. When the actual vehicle speed differs from the set vehicle speed, the driving support ECU assembly calculates the motive force required to achieve the set vehicle speed and transmits motive force request signals to the power management control ECU, thus controlling the motive force optimally and adjusting the actual vehicle speed to the set vehicle speed.
In vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the driving support ECU assembly performs deceleration control or follow-up control or acceleration control based on the information about the vehicle ahead transmitted from the millimeter wave radar sensor.
Deceleration Control
The driving support ECU assembly calculates the target deceleration rate in accordance with signals from the millimeter wave radar sensor, and transmits a motive force request signal to the power management control ECU and the skid control ECU. Upon receiving this signal, these ECUs control the motive force and decelerate the vehicle.
This control is not performed in the presence of a parked vehicle or object, or below the settable vehicle speed range.
If the driving support ECU assembly determines that further deceleration is necessary, it transmits a brake request signal to the skid control ECU. Upon receiving this signal, the skid control ECU then activates the brake actuator assembly to apply the brakes.
At this time, if the deceleration rate is higher than a predetermined value, the skid control ECU outputs a stop light illumination request signal to the stop light control relay, in order to inform anyone who might be following the vehicle.
If the vehicle is not decelerating adequately, the skid control ECU sounds the skid control buzzer assembly based on a request signal from the driving support ECU assembly. The buzzer is sounded to urge the driver to depress the brake pedal.
Follow-up Control
After performing deceleration control, the driving support ECU assembly transmits motive force request signals to the power management control ECU and the skid control ECU so that the vehicle can follow the vehicle ahead while maintaining the proper vehicle-to-vehicle distance. The actual distance maintained for each distance level (long, middle and short) varies in accordance with vehicle speed. Upon receiving these signals, these ECUs control the motive force in order to perform follow-up control.
3 levels (long, middle, and short) of vehicle-to-vehicle distance can be selected by operating the distance control switch.
Acceleration Control
If the driving support ECU assembly detects that either the vehicle ahead or the driver has changed lanes, a motive force request signal is transmitted to the power management control ECU in order to attain the set vehicle speed. Upon receiving this signal, the power management control ECU controls the motive force of the engine and MG2 in order to perform acceleration control.
Automatic Cancel Control
If any of the conditions listed below occur while the vehicle is being driven using cruise control, speed control by the cruise control system will be canceled. Then, the following warning items will appear for the driver.
| Situation | Warning | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-information Display | Master Warning Light | Buzzer | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Constant Speed Control Mode) | |
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CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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- | - | - | Turns off |
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- | - | - | Turns off |
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- | - | - | Turns off |
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CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
| Description of Malfunction | Warning | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-information Display | Master Warning Light | Buzzer | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance Control Mode) | |
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CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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- | - | - | Turns off |
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CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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CLEAN RADAR SENSOR | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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CHECK CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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CRUISE CONTROL NOT AVAILABLE | Illuminates | Sounds Once | Turns off |
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- | - | Sounds Twice | - |
CONSTRUCTION
Cruise Control Switch
The cruise control switch consists of the ON-OFF button and the +RES, MODE, -SET and CANCEL switches. The +RES, MODE, -SET and CANCEL switches are operated by moving the lever in the 4 directions indicated.
The switches in the cruise control switch are of the automatic reset (normally open) type that turn on only when the switch is being operated and turn off as soon as the driver releases the switch. Furthermore, the functions of the switches are active only when the cruise control system has been turned on using the ON-OFF button on the cruise control switch.
| *1 | Cruise Control Switch | - | - |
| *a | ON-OFF Button | *b | +RES Switch |
| *c | -SET Switch | *d | CANCEL Switch |
| *e | MODE Switch | - | - |
Distance Control Switch
While the vehicle is being driven in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the vehicle-to-vehicle distance setting changes as follows each time the distance control switch is pressed; long → middle → short.
| *1 | Distance Control Switch | - | - |
If the power switch is turned off and back to on (IG), the system will default to "long".
The vehicle-to-vehicle distance is as follows:
| Mode | Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance* |
|---|---|
| Long | Approximately 50 m (160 ft.) |
| Middle | Approximately 40 m (130 ft.) |
| Short | Approximately 30 m (100 ft.) |
Tech Tips
*: While driving at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor
The millimeter wave radar sensor consists of a millimeter wave radar circuit, signal processing circuit, and CPU.
The millimeter wave radar outputs waves when the vehicle speed is above 0 km/h (0 mph), and not when the vehicle speed is at 0 km/h (0 mph). The millimeter wave radar uses frequencies in the 76 GHz band.
The reception antennas receive the millimeter wave radar waves that have been reflected.
The signal processing circuit detects the distance, relative speed, and the direction of the object by generating millimeter wave radar waves and calculating the signals received by the reception antennas. Then, it transmits this information to the driving support ECU assembly.
| *1 | Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor | - | - |
| *a | Detection Distance: Approximately 150 m | *b | Horizontal Angle: About 20° |
| *c | Vertical Angle: About 8° | *d | Signal Processing Circuit |
| *e | Millimeter Wave Radar Circuit | - | - |
The distance to the object, azimuth, and relative speed are calculated from the information that is provided by the reflection millimeter wave radar as described below.
| Item | Calculation Method |
|---|---|
| Distance | Calculated from the length of time that has elapsed from the time the waves of the millimeter wave radar have been emitted, until the reflected waves are received by the millimeter wave radar circuit. The detection distance is approximately 150 m (490 ft.). |
| Azimuth | Calculated from the reception angle of the millimeter wave radar reflections received. The detection angle has a horizontal range of approximately 20° and a vertical range of approximately 8°. |
| Relative Speed | Calculated by utilizing the change (Doppler effect*) that occurs in the frequency of the reflected millimeter wave radar waves. |
Tech Tips
*: The Doppler effect causes the observer to perceive the radio waves emitted by a moving object to be a higher frequency as it approaches, and to be a lower frequency as it recedes.
Tech Tips
An SST is used if radar axis adjustment is needed. For details, refer to the Repair Manual.
OPERATION
Combination Meter Assembly
The combination meter assembly has a master warning light, cruise control indicator light (constant speed control mode), cruise control indicator light (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode), cruise control SET indication, buzzer, and multi-information display to provide warnings and messages regarding the dynamic radar cruise control system.
The multi-information display displays the set vehicle speed, vehicle ahead mark, and warning message.
Examples are shown below for the illumination or display of each indicator light, warning light or multi-information display.
| Condition | Multi-information Display | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Constant Speed Control Mode) | SET (message displayed on multi-information display) |
Master Warning Light | Buzzer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Being Controlled | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| System Check | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Condition | Multi-information Display | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance Control Mode) | SET (message displayed on multi-information display) |
Master Warning Light | Buzzer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set Standby | |
Illuminates | - | - | - |
| Under Constant Speed Control (No Vehicle Ahead, Short) | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| Under Follow-up Control (Vehicle Ahead, Middle) | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| Deceleration Control/Vehicle Approach Warning (Vehicle Ahead, Long) | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | Skid Control Buzzer Sounds Continuously |
| The vehicles in the display are refreshed at 0.5-second intervals. | |||||
| Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor is Dirty. | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Poor Weather Conditions | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| System Check | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Beam Axis Adjustment | |
Turns off | - | - | Skid Control Buzzer Sounds Once |
| Condition | Multi-information Display | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Constant Speed Control Mode) | SET (message displayed on multi-information display) |
Master Warning Light | Buzzer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Being Controlled | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| System Check | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Condition | Multi-information Display | Cruise Control Indicator Light (Vehicle-to-vehicle Distance Control Mode) | SET (message displayed on multi-information display) |
Master Warning Light | Buzzer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set Standby | |
Illuminates | - | - | - |
| Under Constant Speed Control (No Vehicle Ahead, Short)* | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| Under Follow-up Control (Vehicle Ahead, Middle)* | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | - |
| Deceleration Control/Vehicle Approach Warning (Vehicle Ahead, Long)* | |
Illuminates | Displayed | - | Skid Control Buzzer Sounds Continuously |
| Millimeter Wave Radar Sensor is Dirty. | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Poor Weather Conditions | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| System Check | |
Turns off | - | Illuminates | Sounds Once |
| Beam Axis Adjustment | |
Turns off | - | - | Skid Control Buzzer Sounds Once |
Tech Tips
*: While driving at a set speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).
DIAGNOSIS
If a malfunction occurs in the dynamic radar cruise control system during cruise control operation, the driving support ECU assembly cancels the speed control by the cruise control system and turns off the cruise control indicator light (constant speed control mode) or cruise control indicator light (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode) to inform the driver of the malfunction. At the same time, the malfunction is stored in memory as a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).
The DTC can be read when the intelligent tester is connected to the DLC3. The intelligent tester can be used to read the 5-digit codes. For details, refer to the Repair Manual.