Method for controlling a motor vehicle alarm
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021005747
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing motor vehicle alarm systems are overly sensitive to minor inclinations caused by engine vibrations during pre-conditioning, leading to unwanted activation of warning devices.
A method to configure inclination thresholds based on the operating state of the vehicle's engine, adjusting sensitivity to prevent false alarms during engine start-up, operation, and shutdown, using sensors to detect vehicle inclinations and a control unit to manage the alarm system.
Prevents unnecessary activation of alarm systems during pre-conditioning phases by setting dynamic inclination thresholds based on engine states, enhancing reliability and reducing false alarms.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Description Title of the invention: Method for controlling an alarm for motor vehicle
[0001] — The technical context of the present invention is that of alarm systems for motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of control of a motor vehicle alarm, as well as an alarm system.
[0002] = In the prior art, a motor vehicle equipped with a system is known. an alarm system to detect abnormal use of the motor vehicle particularly when it is not in use or when it is parked without occupants on board. In particular, alarm systems with a volumetric function are known. metric that allows, when such alarm systems are activated, the detection of a movement inside the motor vehicle, and to trigger in such a situation, a warning device, for example of the siren type.
[0003] — Complementarily or alternatively, alarm systems are also known including an anti-uplift function which allows, when such systems Alarms are activated to detect vertical movement and / or variation of the vehicle's inclination, and to trigger in such a situation, a warning device, for example of the siren type.
[0004] — Such alarm systems equipped with an anti-lift function are thus very sensitive to variations in the vehicle's tilt, and generally lead to uralally to a triggering of the warning device when the vehicle tilts at The tomobile varies by only a few tenths of a degree.
[0005] — During a pre-conditioning phase of the motor vehicle which leads to activate the heating or air conditioning of the motor vehicle while it is always locked, the activation of a ventilation unit or a climate control unit The installation requires starting the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle in order to to be able to heat or cool the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. However, the vent- The fuel injection and air conditioning units are powered by a coupled accessory belt. with the internal combustion engine. Also, in order to activate its functions during the phase of For preconditioning, it is necessary to start the internal combustion engine while the The motor vehicle is still locked.
[0006] However, the activation of the internal combustion engine causes vibrations which have for consequently generating tilts of the motor vehicle according to amplitudes exceeding the triggering thresholds, leading to activation of the warning system by simply activating the ventilation unit or the air conditioning unit.
[0007] This situation is not desired. The present invention aims to propose a new method of controlling a motor vehicle alarm in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages as well. Another objective of the invention is to prevent such an alarm from being triggered during the pre-conditioning phase of the motor vehicle. Another aim of the invention is to provide a control method that can be easily deployed on many types of motor vehicles. According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method for controlling an alarm system for a motor vehicle, the control method comprising a step of configuring at least one tilt threshold of the motor vehicle beyond which the alarm system is activated according to at least one operating state of an engine of said motor vehicle. In the context of the invention, the alarm system is configured to enable the detection of an unwanted tilt of the motor vehicle, for example when the motor vehicle in which the alarm system is intended to be integrated, and the alarm system is also configured to enable the triggering of a warning device in the event of exceeding the tilt threshold. In the context of the invention, the warning device can be of any type, for example visual and / or audible, implemented near the motor vehicle or at a distance from it. The tilt threshold is a limit value of tilt of the motor vehicle, along a longitudinal or lateral axis of said motor vehicle, beyond which the alarm system interprets such tilt of the motor vehicle as being associated with a break-in of the motor vehicle, leading to the need to trigger the alarm. The inclination of a motor vehicle is understood as a tilt or slope of the vehicle between two sides, relative to an axis of inclination. Such an axis of inclination can be considered as parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and extending from a rear side to a front side, or as parallel to a lateral axis of the motor vehicle and extending from a left side to a right side. Alternatively, an axis of inclination can be taken as a combination of the lateral and longitudinal axes of the motor vehicle. In the context of the invention, the threshold of the invention can be defined identically for several tilt axes of the motor vehicle, or differently for each tilt axis. Ingeniously, the invention allows a trigger level to be configured of the alarm system depending on the operating status of the motor vehicle's engine. The term "engine" here refers to the main engine of the motor vehicle, the one that rotates the vehicle's drivetrain and propels the vehicle. Preferably, but not exclusively within the context of this invention, the engine is a combustion engine. Alternatively, the engine is an electric motor. The operating state of the motor vehicle's engine corresponds more specifically to the state of a descriptive variable of the powertrain, accessible on a local interconnected network of the motor vehicle. Thus, the method according to the invention reads and interprets this variable in order to define a tilt threshold value at which the alarm system's warning device is triggered. In the description that follows, alarm system activation is understood as the activation of the alarm system's alarm horn. The control method according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination: - If the engine is stopped, meaning it is not rotating, then the tilt threshold is defined as a first tilt threshold. If the engine is starting, transitioning from a non-rotating to a rotating state through a transient acceleration phase, then the tilt threshold is defined as a second tilt threshold, different from the first. A stopped engine is associated with a first operating state. This corresponds to a situation where the vehicle is stationary, with the engine off and the ignition key not inserted. This first operating state generally corresponds to the situation where the vehicle is parked in a parking space and locked. A starting engine is associated with a second operating state.This corresponds to the situation in which the ignition key is inserted and the engine is started. The engine then begins to rotate and accelerates until it reaches its nominal speed, the vehicle preferably being stationary during this transitional phase. During this phase, associated with the second operating state, vibrations induced by the engine's rotation can inappropriately trigger the alarm system's warning device, as in existing alarm systems. Thus, the invention makes it possible to define an alarm system activation threshold—associated with a vehicle tilt threshold—higher than that of the previous system. which is defined when the motor vehicle is parked, in the first operating state of the engine; - The value of the first tilt threshold is minimal. For example, the value of the first tilt threshold is equal to one-tenth of a degree or a few tenths of a degree. The value of the first threshold, as well as all the others in the context of the invention, varies depending on the type of motor vehicle considered. In other words, the first tilt threshold is the smallest tilt value beyond which the motor vehicle's alarm system is activated. All other tilt thresholds defined in the context of the invention have values higher than that of the first threshold. In other words, the alarm system's triggering sensitivity is at its maximum when the motor vehicle's engine is off.In other words, the vehicle tilt value beyond which the alarm system warning is triggered is, for the first operating mode of the vehicle's engine, lower than all other vehicle tilt values beyond which the alarm system warning is triggered, for all other engine operating modes; . — in particular, a value of the second inclination threshold is greater than the value of the first inclination threshold; - The difference between the first and second tilt thresholds is between 15% and 25% of the value of the first tilt threshold. Preferably, the difference between the first and second tilt thresholds is equal to 20% of the value of the first tilt threshold. By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first tilt threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then the second tilt threshold is preferably equal to twelve-hundredths of a degree. This advantageous configuration prevents vibrations introduced by the initial rotation of the engine during startup from triggering the alarm system's warning device unnecessarily; - If the engine is in its nominal operating state, with the engine rotating, then the tilt threshold is defined as a third tilt threshold, the value of which is between the value of the first and second tilt thresholds. The engine in its nominal operating state is associated with a third operating state. This corresponds to a situation in which the motor vehicle is in use, for example, while driving or during a phase following the starting phase of the motor vehicle. The engine is rotating at a steady and stable speed; - a difference between the first tilt threshold and the third tilt threshold is between 5% and 15% of a value of the first inclination threshold. Preferably, a difference between the first inclination threshold and the third inclination threshold is equal to 10% of a value of the first inclination threshold. By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first inclination threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then a value of the third inclination threshold is preferably equal to eleven-hundredths of a degree; - If the engine is in the process of being stopped, transitioning from a rotating to a non-rotating state through a transient deceleration phase, then the tilt threshold is defined as a fourth tilt threshold, the value of which is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold. The engine in the process of being stopped is associated with a fourth operating state. This corresponds to a situation in which the motor vehicle is stationary, and the ignition key is turned to stop the engine's rotation. In this fourth operating state, the engine is decelerating from its nominal speed to zero. The value of the fourth tilt threshold is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold to prevent vibrations introduced by the engine stopping from triggering the alarm system's warning device unnecessarily; - a difference between the first and fourth inclination thresholds is between 15% and 25% of the value of the first inclination threshold. Preferably, a difference between the first and fourth inclination thresholds is equal to 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold. By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first inclination threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then a value of the fourth inclination threshold is preferably equal to twelve-hundredths of a degree; - The control method includes a step of determining an engine temperature for the configuration of at least one tilt threshold. This configuration improves the reliability and relevance of the control method according to the invention by integrating the engine temperature into the analysis of the engine environment to define the various predefined tilt thresholds. Without limitation, the engine temperature is measured via a temperature sensor located near the engine. Alternatively, the engine temperature is determined via an environmental variable available on the vehicle's local interconnected network; - If the motor is in nominal operating condition, rotating, and its temperature is below a nominal value, then the tilt threshold is set at a fifth tilt threshold, with the fifth tilt threshold value being greater than the third threshold value. of inclination. The engine during nominal operation is associated here, when the engine temperature is below its expected nominal value — for example 90°C — with a fifth operating state. This corresponds to a situation during which the motor vehicle is in use, for example while driving or during a phase after the starting phase of said motor vehicle while the engine temperature has not yet reached its nominal value, for example in winter or in the minutes following the starting of the motor vehicle; - The difference between the first and fifth inclination thresholds is between 15% and 25% of the value of the first inclination threshold. Preferably, the difference between the first and fifth inclination thresholds is equal to 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold. By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first inclination threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then the value of the fifth inclination threshold is preferably equal to twelve-hundredths of a degree. According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle alarm system is proposed, the alarm system comprising (i) a warning device, (ii) a tilt sensor configured to measure at least one tilt of the motor vehicle, and (iii) a control unit configured to implement the control method according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the control unit being electrically connected to the warning device and the tilt sensor. According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising an alarm system conforming to the second aspect of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention are envisaged, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features described herein. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [Fig.1] illustrates a schematic view of the control method according to the second aspect of the invention; [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle conforming to the third aspect of the invention and incorporating an alarm system conforming to the second aspect of the invention. Of course, the features, variants and different forms of realization of the invention can be combined with each other in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. of others. In particular, one can imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of features described subsequently in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other provided there are no technical obstacles to such combination. In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference. With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the control method 100 of an alarm system 10 for a motor vehicle 1 includes a configuration step 103 of at least one tilt threshold S1, S2, S3, S4, SS of the motor vehicle 1 beyond which the alarm system 10 is activated according to at least one operating state GMB1, GMB2, GM3, GMB4, GMB5 of an engine of said motor vehicle 1. Such an alarm system 10 is illustrated in [Fig. 2]: the alarm system 10 according to the invention comprises a warning device 4, a tilt sensor 3 configured to measure at least one tilt of the motor vehicle 1, and a control unit 5 configured to implement the control method 100 according to the invention, the control unit 5 being electrically connected to the warning device 4 and the tilt sensor 3.The tilt sensor 3 is configured to detect a tilt of the motor vehicle along an orientation axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 1, or parallel to a transverse axis of the motor vehicle 1, or oriented in any direction. Alternatively, the tilt sensor is configured to detect an excess of tilt relative to a predetermined tilt threshold, as defined by the control method 100 according to the invention. Additionally, the alarm system 10 can also include a hood opening detector 2. Advantageously, the alarm system 10 can also include a temperature sensor — not shown in [Fig.2] — of the motor vehicle 1 engine. The control method 100 exploits several operating states GMB1-GMB5 of the motor vehicle 1 engine in order to determine several tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 of the motor vehicle 1 beyond which the alarm system 10 is activated so as to activate the warning device 4. In the control process 100 according to the invention, and during the configuration step 103: — when the motor is in a first operating state GMB1 corresponding to the motor stopped, the motor not being in rotation, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a first tilt threshold S1. The first tilt threshold SI is minimal so as to detect a minimum tilt of the motor vehicle 1 and to allow the rapid triggering of the alarm system 10 and its warning device 4; — when the engine is in a second operating state GMB2 corresponding to the engine during starting, the engine passing from a non-rotating state to a rotating state through a transient acceleration phase, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a second tilt threshold S2 different from the first tilt threshold S1. The second tilt threshold S2 is greater than the first tilt threshold SI, and preferably maximum in order to allow a certain tilt of the motor vehicle 1 induced by the engine start without activation of the alarm system 10 and without triggering of the warning device 4; — when the engine is in a third operating state GMB3 corresponding to the engine in nominal operation, the engine being in rotation, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a third tilt threshold S3. A value of the third tilt threshold S3 is between the value of the first tilt threshold S1 and that of the second tilt threshold S2 in order to allow, to a certain extent, a tilting of the motor vehicle 1 while in motion without triggering the alarm system 10; — when the engine is in a fourth operating state GMB4 corresponding to the engine being stopped, the engine passing from a rotating state to a non-rotating state through a transient deceleration phase, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a fourth tilt threshold S4. A value of the fourth tilt threshold S4 is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold S2. The fourth tilt threshold S4 is greater than the first tilt threshold S1, and preferably equal to the second tilt threshold S2 in order to allow a certain tilt of the motor vehicle 1 induced by the vibrations accompanying the engine stopping, without activation of the alarm system 10 and without triggering the warning device 4: — when the motor is in a fifth operating state GMB5 corresponding to the motor in nominal operation, the motor being in rotation, and a temperature 102 of the motor is less than a nominal value then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a fifth tilt threshold S5. A value of the fifth tilt threshold SS is greater than the value of the third tilt threshold S3. By way of non-limiting example: - a value of the second inclination threshold S2 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; - a value of the third inclination threshold S3 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold SI, preferably by about 10% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; - a value of the fourth inclination threshold S4 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; - a value of the fifth tilt threshold S5 is greater than that of the first tilt threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first tilt threshold S1. Of course, the values of the tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 depend on the type of motor vehicle in question. As a non-limiting example, the value of the first tilt threshold, S1, is equal to one-tenth of a degree. Generally, it is less than one degree. In summary, the invention relates to a control method 100 for an alarm system 10 for a motor vehicle 1, the control method comprising a configuration step 103 which allows several tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 to be defined as a function of the operating state GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5 of the motor vehicle 1 and / or a temperature 102 of the engine. The control method 100 thus makes it possible to adjust the trigger thresholds of the alarm system 10 and its warning device 4 according to certain specific phases of the motor vehicle 1, related to its use and more particularly to the operating state GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5 of the engine. Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.
Claims
Claims
1. Method for controlling (100) an alarm system (10) for a motor vehicle (1), the control method (100) comprising a step of configuring at least one inclination threshold (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) of the motor vehicle (1) beyond which the alarm system (10) is activated as a function of at least one operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of an engine of said motor vehicle (1), the control method (100) also comprising a step of determining an engine temperature for the configuration of the at least one inclination threshold (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5).
2. Control method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein, if the operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is stopped, the engine not being rotating, then the tilt threshold (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) is set to a first tilt threshold (SI), and if the operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is being started, the engine passing from a non-rotating state to a rotating state through a transient acceleration phase, then the tilt threshold (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) is set to a second tilt threshold (S2) different from the first tilt threshold (SI).
3. Control method (100) according to the preceding claim, in which a value of the first inclination threshold (SI) is minimal.
4. A control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein a value of the second tilt threshold (S2) is greater than the value of the first tilt threshold (SI).
5. Control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, if the operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the motor is in nominal operation, the motor being in rotation, then the inclination threshold (SI, S2, S3, S4, S5) is set to a third inclination threshold (S3), a value of the third inclination threshold (S3) being between the value of the first inclination threshold (SI) and that of the second inclination threshold (S2).
6. A control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, if the operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is being stopped, the engine passing from a rotating state to a non-rotating state through a transient deceleration phase, then the tilt threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is set to a fourth tilt threshold (S4), a value of the fourth tilt threshold (S4) being greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold (S2).
7. A control method (100) according to claim 1 taken in combination with claim 5, wherein, if the operating state (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is in nominal operation, the engine being rotating, and the temperature of the engine is below a nominal value then the tilt threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is set to a fifth tilt threshold (S5), a value of the fifth tilt threshold (S5) being greater than the value of the third tilt threshold (S3).
8. Alarm system (10) for a motor vehicle (1), the alarm system (10) comprising: - a warning device (4); - a tilt sensor (3) configured to measure at least one tilt of the motor vehicle (1); - a control unit (5) configured to implement the control method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the control unit (5) being electrically connected to the warning device (4) and to the tilt sensor (3).
9. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an alarm system (10) according to the preceding claim.