Methods for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disorders

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances in a passenger while driving a vehicle (1). During driving of the vehicle (1), dynamic-dependent vibrations caused by the vehicle's operation are acoustically and / or haptically imitated depending on detected current or predicted driving dynamics. According to the invention, the acoustic and / or haptic imitation of the vibrations is carried out depending on passenger-related preferences, with the output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations being synchronized with respect to driving dynamics influences.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances of an occupant during driving of a vehicle, wherein during driving of the vehicle, driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations are optically and / or acoustically and / or haptically imitated as a function of a detected instantaneous or predicted driving dynamics.

[0002] DE 10 2019 205 986 A1 discloses a method and system for reducing the motion sickness effect in passengers of a vehicle. The method provides for optical signals to be provided to the passengers via optical display devices while the vehicle is in motion. The optical signals are dependent on current and future motion state data of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 222 646 A1 describes a device and a method for counteracting kinetosis in an occupant of a means of transport. The device comprises a frame unit, a passenger cabin, a coupling unit for movably supporting the passenger cabin relative to the frame unit, and a drive unit designed to actively dampen or actively move the passenger cabin via the coupling unit. Furthermore, a sensor unit is provided for detecting an acceleration of the passenger cabin relative to the frame unit and the means of transport.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of specifying a method for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances during the driving operation of a vehicle.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a method which has the features specified in claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] A method for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances of an occupant during driving of a vehicle, wherein during driving of the vehicle, driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations are imitated acoustically and / or haptically as a function of a detected instantaneous or predicted driving dynamics, provides according to the invention that the acoustic and / or haptic imitation of the vibrations is carried out as a function of occupant-related preferences, wherein an output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is synchronized with respect to driving dynamics influences.

[0008] By applying the method, acoustic and / or haptic vibrations that typically occur during vehicle operation are imitated, so that the risk of occurring motion sickness-related disorders can be reduced by imitating familiar vibrations. The imitation therefore relates to common audible and tactile vibrations that occur during vehicle operation, which are no longer perceptible to a vehicle occupant due, for example, to the lack of driving noise, as in the case of an electric vehicle, and / or acoustic insulation of the vehicle's passenger compartment or a comparatively strongly dampened chassis. By outputting generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations, the perception of vehicle movement and the respective occupant's anticipation of the vehicle movement can be improved.

[0009] In particular, the method can improve a feeling of comfort and safety for vehicle occupants by creating a familiar atmosphere for vehicle occupants, which can strengthen trust in the vehicle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the vibration frequency of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is changed depending on the driving dynamics. This means that the vibration frequency is increased, particularly as the driving dynamics increase, in order to compensate for the driving dynamics using the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations and thus reduce kinetosis-related disturbances in the vehicle's occupants.

[0011] In one possible embodiment of the method, the amplitude of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is varied depending on the driving dynamics. In particular, the amplitude is modified in such a way that the intensity of the generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is improved for the occupant's perception of driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations of the vehicle or driving noises, such as engine noise, tire rolling noise, braking noise, etc., and thus the risk of kinetosis-related disturbances is reduced.

[0012] A further embodiment provides for the acoustic and / or haptic vibration initiation and / or vibration output within the vehicle to be direction-dependent. The vibration initiation can occur from right to left or from front to back, for example, by activating individual acoustic and / or haptic vibration-generating devices with a time delay depending on the direction. Thus, a deceleration of the vehicle can be supported by a temporally delayed output of an acoustic and / or haptic vibration from the rear, or non-directionally by a temporally synchronous or single acoustic and / or haptic vibration.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment, a number of devices generating acoustic and / or haptic vibrations varies depending on the driving dynamics, so that a large number of devices are activated, particularly in the case of strong driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations, whereas in the case of comparatively low driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations, fewer devices for generating acoustic and / or haptic vibrations are activated to reduce kinetosis-related vibrations.

[0014] In another possible embodiment of the method, the complexity of the generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is varied depending on the driving dynamics. This means that the output of the generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is reduced or amplified depending on the prevailing driving situation, in particular to efficiently convey the usual driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations of the vehicle to the occupants, thus reducing the risk of kinetosis-related disturbances.

[0015] A further development provides for the output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations to be preemptively, reactively, or after a driving situation. For example, it is possible to output the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations to the vehicle before entering a curve, during cornering, or after passing through the curve, for example, for the occupants. This provides the option of a possible prediction, monitoring, or follow-up of a cornering event.

[0016] Furthermore, in one possible embodiment, the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations are output in a front and / or rear vehicle area. For this purpose, for example, detected signals from a seat occupancy detection system can be taken into account, so that it is recognized which vehicle seats are occupied by occupants. Thus, it is also possible, for example, to generate and output the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations in relation to a driver's seat of the vehicle during automated driving, particularly in highly automated driving, particularly in autonomous driving of the vehicle, especially when the driver of the vehicle is reading, for example.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the acoustic vibrations are generated and output by means of a surround sound system of the vehicle, wherein the surround sound system is controlled to output acoustic vibrations depending on driving operation-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations and in particular depending on driving dynamics influences.

[0018] In one embodiment, the haptic vibrations are generated and emitted by means of an unbalance motor and / or by means of pressurizable air cushions and / or by means of pressurizable liquid cushions, in particular in a respective vehicle seat, in order to thus reduce the risk of kinetosis-related disturbances occurring during vehicle operation.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0020] The following shows: Fig.1 schematically shows a vehicle with a driving dynamics sensor system, a surround sound system and a device for generating haptic vibrations in a vehicle seat.

[0021] The single figure shows, by way of example and in a highly simplified manner, a vehicle 1 with a driving dynamics sensor system 2, a surround sound system 3 and a device 4 for generating haptic vibrations in a vehicle seat, wherein such a device 4 is or can be arranged in each vehicle seat.

[0022] It is generally known that, when driving a vehicle 1, kinetosis-related disorders may occur in an occupant, in particular a passenger, of the vehicle 1.

[0023] Kinetosis, also known as travel sickness or motion sickness, refers to the occurrence of symptoms such as nausea, pallor, headache, dizziness, and / or cold sweats that occur when a movement results in conflicting sensory stimuli. A person's eyes, vestibular system, and mechanoreceptors, for example, in joints in the brainstem, detect different signals during movement, which can lead to false signals.

[0024] In particular, kinetosis-related disturbances occur in a passenger as an occupant and less so in a driver of vehicle 1 when performing a driving task of vehicle 1. This is because the driver's eyes track a movement of vehicle 1, and this information is transmitted accordingly to the midbrain and cerebellum.

[0025] The severity of kinetosis-related disorders varies from person to person, and the severity can change during different phases of a person's life.

[0026] If vehicle 1 is driving in highly automated mode, particularly in autonomous mode, kinetosis-related disturbances may also occur in a driver of vehicle 1.

[0027] A lack of transmission of dynamic influences perceptible to an occupant during driving of the vehicle 1, in particular due to a relatively strong damping chassis and / or a lack of perceptible driving noises in the vehicle 1 as well as perceptible vibrations during acceleration, deceleration, cornering or high driving speeds of the vehicle 1 can lead to the occurrence or intensification of kinetosis-related disturbances.

[0028] Due to the relatively strong damping chassis and / or an acoustically insulated passenger compartment of the vehicle 1, vibration information that is usually known and familiar to occupants is filtered to such an extent that it may no longer be used for information feedback as before and thus can no longer have a positive effect against a relatively early onset of kinetosis-related disturbances.

[0029] In the following, a method is described which can reduce the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances due to the lack of known vibration information during the driving operation of a vehicle 1.

[0030] The method provides for imitating driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations by generating and emitting acoustic and haptic vibrations in the vehicle 1. In particular, acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be generated that imitate engine noise, braking noise, tire rolling noise, wind noise, body and / or damping vibrations, as well as transmission and / or drivetrain noises and vibrations.

[0031] For this purpose, the acoustic vibrations, i.e., signals acoustically perceptible by the occupant, are generated and output by means of the surround sound system 3 of the vehicle 1, whereas the haptic vibrations, i.e., signals haptically perceptible by the occupant, are generated and output by means of at least one vibration excitation device 4. For example, the device 4 comprises an unbalance motor and / or a loudspeaker and / or an exciter and / or pressurizable air cushions and / or pressurizable liquid cushions and / or other electrically and / or magnetically and / or pneumatically and / or hydraulically configured vibration elements. In particular, the device 4 is integrated into a vehicle seat.

[0032] An expression of an output of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations for imitating driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations of a vehicle 1 can be carried out in different ways, whereby as little loss of comfort as possible should occur, and if necessary even an increase in comfort can achieve a maximum effect.

[0033] The acoustic and / or haptic vibrations perceivable by an occupant can be emitted in a direction-dependent manner, i.e., direction-indicated, or without any spatial reference. For example, vibrations can be initiated in relation to the passenger compartment from right to left or vice versa, from left to right, and / or from front to back or vice versa, from back to front. For this purpose, various vibration exciters of the device 4 for generating haptic vibrations and / or components of the surround sound system 3 are activated with a time delay depending on the direction.

[0034] For example, a deceleration of the vehicle 1 can be supported by a time-shifted output of an acoustic and / or haptic vibration from the rear or in an undirected manner by a temporally synchronous or a single acoustic and / or haptic vibration.

[0035] Furthermore, the output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations perceptible to an occupant can be preventative, reactive, or post-processed. The acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be output in vehicle 1 before entering a curve, during cornering, or after negotiating the curve.

[0036] In one embodiment of vehicle 1, the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations are always output by default, context-dependent, or after starting a program selectable by an occupant. For example, a sport program, a comfort program, or a winter program are available. Depending on the selected program, the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be selected, combined, and defined in type and intensity as an imitative simulation corresponding to a resulting effect by a vehicle manufacturer and / or, in particular, by an occupant.For this purpose, it is possible to use a sum signal of the surround sound system 3 in combination with the device 4 in a medium form and / or to parameterize the output individually by the respective occupant, for example by deactivating components of the surround sound system 3 and / or vibration exciters of the device 4. It is also possible to adapt a vibration, i.e. a signal intensity, an amplitude and / or a vibration shape and to store the individual settings for each occupant in the vehicle 1.

[0037] In one embodiment, it is possible to synchronize the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations with respect to vehicle dynamic influences. Vehicle dynamics are determined based on signals recorded by the vehicle dynamics sensor system 2.

[0038] For example, a vibration frequency and / or an amplitude and / or a direction and / or a presence and / or a complexity of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be synchronized with respect to a respective vehicle dynamic influence.

[0039] If the driving dynamics of the vehicle 1 increase, a frequency of the imitating acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be changed, in particular increased.

[0040] Alternatively or additionally, if the driving dynamics increase during operation of the vehicle 1, the amplitude can be changed in order to increase the strength of the emitted acoustic and / or haptic vibrations.

[0041] Furthermore, it is alternatively or additionally possible, as described above, to output the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations in a direction-dependent manner in order to imitate the existing driving dynamics. Alternatively or additionally, the number of devices 3, 4 generating acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can be adjusted according to the driving dynamics. In particular, the number is increased if an increase in driving dynamics is detected.

[0042] The complexity of the generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations can also be changed, in particular adapted, depending on the determined driving dynamics of the vehicle 1. In particular, the output of the generated acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is reduced or amplified depending on the prevailing driving situation. Thus, the usual driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations of the vehicle 1 can be efficiently conveyed to the occupant in order to reduce the risk of kinetosis-related disturbances.

[0043] In a further development of the method for reducing the occurrence of motion sickness-related disturbances in a passenger, a combination of the output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations with the output of optical signals is provided. For example, optical signals, in particular light signals, can be output using ambient lighting, the output of which is dynamically synchronized with the dynamic-dependent vibrations of the vehicle 1 caused by driving operation. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 2 Driving dynamics sensors 3 surround sound system 4 Device QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2019 205 986 A1

[0002] DE 10 2018 222 646 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for reducing the occurrence of kinetosis-related disturbances of an occupant during the driving operation of a vehicle (1), wherein during the driving operation of the vehicle (1), driving-related, dynamic-dependent vibrations are acoustically and / or haptically imitated as a function of a detected instantaneous or predicted driving dynamics, characterized by that the acoustic and / or haptic imitation of the vibrations is carried out depending on occupant-related preferences, whereby an output of acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is synchronized with respect to driving dynamics influences. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the vibration frequency of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is changed depending on the driving dynamics. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the amplitude of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations is changed depending on the driving dynamics. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that an acoustic and / or haptic vibration introduction and / or vibration output within the vehicle (1) occurs in a direction-dependent manner. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a number of the acoustic and / or haptic vibration generating devices (3, 4) varies depending on the driving dynamics. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the complexity of the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations changes depending on the driving dynamics. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations are output preventively, reactively or after a driving situation. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the acoustic and / or haptic vibrations are output in a front vehicle area and / or a rear vehicle area. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the acoustic vibrations are generated and output by means of a surround sound system (3) of the vehicle (1). [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the haptic vibrations are generated and emitted by means of an unbalance motor and / or by means of pressurizable air cushions and / or by means of pressurizable liquid cushions.

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