Vehicle and its collision monitoring system, method and computer program element

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a collision monitoring system for a vehicle, a vehicle comprising the collision monitoring system, a method for monitoring a vehicle collision, and a computer program element for the collision monitoring system. The collision monitoring system includes an environmental sensor unit, a vehicle information providing unit, a collision sensor unit, and a control unit. The environmental sensor unit is configured to generate on-site data of an impending collision event between at least a first vehicle and an obstacle. The vehicle information providing unit is configured to provide operation information of at least the first vehicle to the control unit. The collision sensor unit is configured to generate collision data during a collision event of at least the first vehicle. The control unit is configured to perform a collision simulation based on the on-site data and the operation information and generate prediction attribute data. The control unit is further configured to generate fusion data by fusing the prediction attribute data and the collision data of the ongoing collision event, so as to adapt the prediction attribute data to future collision events.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a collision monitoring system for a vehicle, a vehicle including such a collision monitoring system, a collision monitoring method for a vehicle, and a computer program element for such a collision monitoring system. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of autonomous driving technology, road traffic safety plays an important role. Traditional vehicles can monitor collision events by using various sensor elements. However, the monitoring is usually limited to the size of the target collision vehicle. Without knowing the physical characteristics of the target collision vehicle (such as shape, structural behavior of different manufacturers, mass, etc.), it is difficult to reliably predict an upcoming collision, which may lead to limited utilization of the vehicle's adaptive restraint. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, there may be a need to provide an improved collision monitoring system that can help more accurately predict an upcoming collision and allow proper operation of the occupant protection device.

[0004] The problem is at least partially solved or alleviated by the subject matter of the independent claims of the present disclosure, with further aspects incorporated into the dependent claims. It should be noted that the aspects of the present disclosure are described in a collision monitoring system for a vehicle, a vehicle including such a collision monitoring system, a collision monitoring method for a vehicle, and a computer program element for such a collision monitoring system.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, a collision monitoring system for a vehicle is proposed. The collision monitoring system includes an environmental sensor unit, a vehicle information providing unit, a collision sensor unit, and a control unit. The environmental sensor unit is configured to generate scene data of an upcoming collision event between at least a first vehicle and an obstacle. The vehicle information providing unit is configured to provide operation information of at least the first vehicle to the control unit. The collision sensor unit is configured to generate collision data during a collision event of at least the first vehicle. The control unit is configured to perform a collision simulation based on the scene data and the operation information and generate prediction attribute data. The control unit is further configured to generate fusion data by fusing the prediction attribute data and the collision data of the ongoing collision event, so as to adapt the prediction attribute data to future collision events.

[0006] The collision monitoring system according to the present disclosure allows for a more reliable prediction of upcoming collision events, including impact and / or severity. Accordingly, protection devices such as airbag systems can be accurately applied to protect the occupants in a vehicle. In particular, the control unit can learn the on-site behavior of collision events by using dynamic collision simulations of the environmental sensor unit, the vehicle information providing unit, and / or the collision sensor unit. Accordingly, more precise prediction attribute data can be generated, and the control unit can continuously adapt the prediction attribute data, which can result in reduced injuries to the occupants.

[0007] The environmental sensor unit can include a plurality of sensor elements configured to monitor the environment of an upcoming collision event. The collision event may occur between a first vehicle and an obstacle, which can be one of a passenger car, a truck, a bicycle (motorcycle), a pedestrian, a tree, a building, and a lamppost. The sensor elements can be configured to capture the surrounding environment of the vehicle and generate on-site data, particularly data of the upcoming collision event. The environmental sensor unit can also be configured to identify the shape, type, size, and / or any structural characteristics of the obstacle. The environmental sensor unit can include at least one of a lidar element, a radar element, an ultrasonic element, or an optical imaging element.

[0008] The lidar (light detection and ranging) element can include at least one light source and a receiver to measure the distance to a remote target. While the radar element can determine the distance to a remote target by measuring the reflection of a high-frequency signal from the target. The ultrasonic element can utilize a single ultrasonic element to transmit an ultrasonic signal and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the target. The optical imaging element can generate image data of the vehicle environment. By applying such sensor elements, an accurate measurement of the on-site data of the vehicle and / or the collision obstacle can be achieved. Accordingly, the environmental sensor unit can provide an overall assessment of the upcoming collision event.

[0009] The vehicle information providing unit can also be arranged in the vehicle and is configured to collect the operation information of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle in the case where the obstacle is a movable object. The operation information can include any physical and mechanical data, specifications, and / or characteristics that can affect the operations of each of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle.

[0010] Optionally, the vehicle information providing unit may communicate with the environmental sensor unit and receive on-site data regarding obstacles. Based on the on-site data of the obstacles identified by the environmental sensor unit, the vehicle information providing unit may provide operation information of the obstacles. The operation information of the obstacles may be invariant information such as manufacturing specifications, structural characteristics, etc., for example, it may be stored in the data storage unit. Additionally or alternatively, the operation information may be related to the operation decisions of the vehicle, such as acceleration, braking, cruise control, lane change, turning speed, etc. Therefore, the vehicle information providing unit may supplement or refine the on-site data generated by the environmental sensor unit.

[0011] The control unit may be configured to collect the on-site data and operation information and apply them to simulate an impending collision. The simulation may estimate predicted collision attributes, such as injuries to the occupants and / or the vehicle, the severity of the injuries, the collision direction, and / or the collision duration. Therefore, the control unit is capable of generating predicted attribute data of the impending collision event, in other words, diagnostic data.

[0012] During a collision event, the collision sensor unit may detect the impact transmitted to the vehicle due to the collision. The collision sensor unit may include at least one of an imaging sensor element, a pressure sensor element, an acceleration sensor element, a collision impact sound sensing element, etc. to detect the impact. Therefore, the collision sensor unit may generate collision data related to the deformation of at least a part of the vehicle, the pressure change at the vehicle body, and / or the structure-borne sound.

[0013] The control unit may also be configured to merge the predicted data into the actual detected data to adapt the predicted data to the actual event. Specifically, the predicted attribute data based on the on-site data and operation data generated before the collision event may be fused with the collision data generated during the collision event. Therefore, the collision monitoring system may obtain updated data of the predicted attribute data for future collision events, which may improve future collision simulations. The predicted attribute data may include the collision direction, the collision duration, and the severity of the collision event, etc.

[0014] The control unit may be the electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle. Alternatively, the control unit may be cloud-based to receive and process a large amount of data. In this case, the environmental sensor unit, the vehicle information providing unit, the collision sensor unit, and / or the control unit may include wireless communication elements to transmit data to each other. The wireless communication elements may include cellular networks, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0015] In one example, the control unit is further configured to determine, based on the fused data, that at least one occupant protection device is to be activated in the first vehicle at least in the event of an ongoing collision. Generally, a conventional vehicle includes a plurality of occupant protection devices to protect the occupants from direct impact with the vehicle structure in the event of a vehicle collision. The occupant protection device may include at least one of a seat belt limiter, a front airbag element, a knee airbag element, a side airbag element, or an inflatable curtain. The control unit may be configured to determine, based on the fused data, which one of the plurality of occupant protection devices may be activated in the event of an ongoing collision to safely protect the occupant(s). Thus, if necessary, the control unit may also activate two or more occupant protection devices.

[0016] In one example, the on-site data includes at least one of geographical location data and collision geometry data. The on-site data may include a set of parameters that includes at least one of the collision angle, shape, overlap, identity, etc. of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle. In addition, the on-site data may include environmental data of the collision location, such as road conditions, e.g., traffic lanes, traffic signals, main streets, rural areas, and / or any objects (i.e., buildings, trees, bus stops, streetlights, etc.). The on-site data may provide basic information to perform a simulation of an upcoming collision. In other words, the on-site data may describe a schematic setting of the collision geometry for the simulation. Thus, a backbone scenario of the collision simulation may be established based on the on-site data.

[0017] In one example, the collision monitoring system further includes a data storage unit configured to provide physical characteristic data of at least the first vehicle and / or the obstacle to the vehicle information providing unit. The data storage unit may be cloud-based. In the case where the obstacle is also a vehicle, the data storage unit may be capable of providing physical characteristic data of the obstacle to the vehicle information providing unit.

[0018] The physical characteristic data may include at least one immutable parameter of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle. The immutable parameter may be at least one of structural characteristics such as dimensions, ground clearance, curb weight, turning radius, type and capacity of the engine, power / weight ratio, torque / weight ratio, drivetrain, acceleration ability, suspension, etc. Such information may be provided by the vehicle manufacturer and thus can be easily stored and updated in the data storage unit.

[0019] For example, the data storage unit may include physical characteristic data of various vehicles and / or various manufacturers. Thus, the data storage unit including a large amount of data may preferably be arranged in a cloud system, where at least the data storage unit and the vehicle information providing unit can communicate with each other through a wireless communication element.

[0020] If the environmental sensor unit can at least identify the manufacturer of the obstacle vehicle, and in addition can also identify the model of the obstacle vehicle, this identification information can be transmitted to the vehicle information providing unit and / or the control unit to extract the corresponding physical characteristic data from the data storage unit.

[0021] The data storage unit can be integrated into a big data system that has collected a vast amount of physical characteristic data of various vehicles. Several control units and / or vehicles can access the data storage system to simultaneously receive the necessary physical property data.

[0022] In one example, the collision monitoring system further includes a vehicle communication unit configured to provide traffic management data of the environment of an upcoming collision event to the vehicle information providing unit. The vehicle communication unit can provide additional information about road conditions to the control unit to establish a reliable data set and / or refine the collected on-site data and / or operation information for performing a reliable collision simulation. The vehicle communication unit can include one of the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices that provide infrastructure connectivity.

[0023] The vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device can be a communication device between a vehicle and any entity that may interact with the vehicle. The V2X device can cooperate with other specific types of communication devices, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), vehicle-to-device (V2D), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G). The V2X device can allow a vehicle to share objects detected by the vehicle's on-board sensors, such as cameras and radars, thus providing a better awareness of the objects on the road and potential hazards around the vehicle. For example, the V2X device can generate traffic management data about forward collisions, blind spots, intersection movements, approaching emergency vehicles, road construction, etc. Therefore, the V2X device can contribute to road safety and traffic efficiency.

[0024] In one example, the collision monitoring system further includes a cabin sensor unit. The cabin sensor unit can be at least arranged in the first vehicle and is configured to provide occupant sensing data to the control unit. The cabin sensor unit can include at least one cabin monitoring element configured to generate occupant sensing data that provides spatial information of the vehicle cabin, including the position(s) of the occupant(s). The cabin monitoring element can be an imaging sensor or a radar element. Therefore, the control unit can also be capable of predicting the injuries of the occupants and / or the severity of the impact caused by the ongoing collision event based on the cabin monitoring data and the predicted property data.

[0025] In one example, a control unit is configured to activate at least one occupant protection device in at least a first vehicle based on occupant sensing data. The occupant protection device can be part of an adaptive restraint system in the vehicle. In other words, the control unit is capable of estimating the available survival space in at least the first vehicle based on predictive attribute data and occupant sensing data. The control unit can accordingly actuate the occupant protection device based on the available survival space in the first vehicle to protect the occupant(s).

[0026] The occupant protection device can include at least one of a seat belt limiter, a front airbag element, a knee airbag element, a side airbag element, and an inflatable curtain. Generally speaking, an occupant protection device is a safety device for an occupant to minimize the injury caused by a direct impact between the occupant and the vehicle structure in the event of a vehicle collision. The occupant protection device can also include a device configured to modify or increase the survival space to further protect the occupant(s). Considering the available survival space, the control unit can separately and appropriately activate such protection devices to avoid secondary injuries caused by incorrect actuation of the occupant protection device.

[0027] In one example, a data storage unit includes a collision database in which previous on-site data and / or previous collision data are stored during previous collision events. Each previous on-site data and / or previous collision data forms a previous collision scenario. In other words, the collision database can be a directory in which data related to collision events can be classified and / or stored. The control unit is configured to find the most matching collision scenario in the previous collision scenarios in the collision database to perform a collision simulation.

[0028] The data storage unit can be configured to collect on-site data generated by an environmental sensor unit and / or collision data generated by a collision sensor unit during each collision event. Thus, the previous on-site data and / or previous collision data generated before an upcoming collision event can form a data set for each past collision event. In addition, each data set can also include operation information of the colliding vehicle(s). Each data set can describe a separate previous collision scenario, which can be recorded in the collision database of the data storage unit. In other words, each data set and / or each previous collision scenario can include on-site data, collision data, and / or operation information of one or both of the first vehicle and an obstacle (such as a second vehicle).

[0029] The control unit can compare the on-site data and / or operation information of the upcoming collision event with the previous collision scenarios stored in the collision database and search for the best matching collision scenario in the previous collision scenarios. The best matching collision scenario can be applied to perform a collision simulation of the upcoming collision event.

[0030] Since the data storage unit can be arranged in the cloud system, the control unit can access the data storage unit and / or the collision database through the wireless communication element to perform collision simulation. Therefore, the vehicle may not need to overload its own control system to find the best-matched collision scenario, but it can communicate with the collision database to receive the best-matched collision scenario. According to the collision simulation, the control unit can generate prediction attribute data, such as the upcoming collision direction, the upcoming collision duration, the severity of the upcoming collision event, etc.

[0031] In one example, the collision monitoring system further includes a local subset of the collision database at least in the first vehicle. The local subset is configured to copy previous scenarios from the collision database at least partially. The control unit is configured to find the best-matched collision scenario among the previous collision scenarios in the local subset to perform collision simulation. In combination with and / or as an alternative to the cloud collision database, the vehicle(s) itself may also include at least a part of the cloud collision database, which can be arranged as a local subset of the collision database in the vehicle.

[0032] The user and / or manufacturer of the corresponding vehicle can predefine the scope of the collision database for configuring the local subset. For example, the control unit can filter the previous collision scenarios stored in the collision database according to the manufacturer, vehicle type, vehicle size, number of doors, number of seats, etc., to download the filtered data into the vehicle through the wireless communication element. The control unit can be configured to match the on-site data and / or operation information of the upcoming collision event with the previous collision scenarios stored in the local subset, and search for the best-matched collision scenario among the previous collision scenarios to perform collision simulation. According to the collision simulation, the control unit can generate prediction attribute data, such as the upcoming collision duration, the severity of the upcoming collision event, etc.

[0033] In one example, the control unit is further configured to compare the prediction attribute data with the collision data of the current collision event to verify the prediction attribute data. Once a collision event occurs, the collision sensor unit can generate the collision data of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle. The control unit can verify the prediction attribute data generated during the collision simulation with respect to the collision data of the current collision event. Therefore, the control unit can evaluate how well the prediction attribute data fits the actual collision data.

[0034] In one example, the control unit is configured to store the collision data of the current collision event and / or the verification of the predicted attribute data as a new collision scenario in the collision database. The control unit can create a new classification of the newly generated collision data and / or the fusion data of the predicted attribute data and the collision data, and upload them to the collision database of the data storage unit. This classification can be characterized by the first vehicle and the obstacle (e.g., the second vehicle). Alternatively, if the collision database already includes such a classification, the control unit can update the existing collision scenario of the first vehicle and the obstacle (e.g., the second vehicle) based on the newly generated data. Thus, the collision database can be kept up-to-date. In other words, dynamic adaptation of the collision database can be available.

[0035] In one example, the operation information includes at least the speed, mass, steering angle, physical characteristic data, and / or traffic management data of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle. The operation information can include mechanical driving data, physical characteristic data, and / or traffic management data. The mechanical driving data can include at least one operation parameter of the vehicle, preferably multiple operation parameters, such as speed, lateral acceleration, lateral deceleration, longitudinal acceleration, and / or longitudinal deceleration, turning speed, etc. Together with the mechanical driving data, physical characteristic data, and traffic management data, the operation information can provide a wide range of information to reliably predict an upcoming collision through collision simulation.

[0036] In one example, the obstacle is a second vehicle. The collision monitoring system is applicable not only to collision events between a vehicle and an object, but also to collision events between a vehicle and one or more vehicles. In particular, if the obstacle is also a vehicle, the vehicle information providing unit can also provide the operation information of the second vehicle, which can be stored in the data storage unit. Thus, reliable collision simulation between the first vehicle and the second vehicle can be achieved.

[0037] According to the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes the collision monitoring system as described above. By performing on-site evaluation and dynamic collision simulation, better prediction of collision events and accurate utilization of occupant protection devices can be achieved.

[0038] According to the present disclosure, a collision monitoring method for a vehicle is provided. The method includes but not necessarily in this order

[0039] - Generating on-site data of an upcoming collision event between at least the first vehicle and the obstacle,

[0040] - Providing the operation information of at least the first vehicle to the control unit,

[0041] - Performing a collision simulation based on the on-site data and the operation information and generating predicted attribute data,

[0042] - Generate collision data during a collision event of at least a first vehicle, and

[0043] - Generate fused data by fusing the predicted attribute data and the collision data of the ongoing collision event to adapt the predicted attribute data to future collision events.

[0044] According to the present disclosure, a computer program element is proposed. The computer program element is configured for the driving control system as described above. When executed by a processing element, the program element is adapted to perform the method steps as described above.

[0045] It should be noted that the above examples can be combined with each other regardless of the aspects involved. Therefore, the method can be combined with structural features, and similarly, the system can be combined with the features of the method described above.

[0046] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the examples described below and will be elucidated with reference to the examples described below. Description of the Drawings

[0047] Exemplary examples will be described below with reference to the following drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 An example of a vehicle including a collision monitoring system according to the present disclosure is schematically and exemplarily shown.

[0049] Figure 2 An example of a collision monitoring method according to the present disclosure is schematically and exemplarily shown. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0050] Figure 1 A vehicle 100 operating with a collision monitoring system 1 is shown. The collision monitoring system 1 is capable of predicting an upcoming collision event, particularly a collision event with another vehicle, and prompting the correct actuation of the occupant protection device 80. Therefore, the safety of the occupants in the vehicle can be improved.

[0051] The collision monitoring system 1 includes an environment sensor unit 10, a vehicle information providing unit 20, a collision sensor unit 30, and a control unit 40. The environment sensor unit 10 is configured to generate on-site data of an upcoming collision event between at least the first vehicle 100 and an obstacle (i.e., a second vehicle (not shown)). The vehicle information providing unit 20 is configured to provide operation information of at least the first vehicle 100 to the control unit 40. The collision sensor unit 30 is configured to generate collision data during a collision event of at least the first vehicle 100. The control unit 40 is configured to perform a collision simulation based on the on-site data and the operation information and generate predicted attribute data.

[0052] The collision monitoring system 1 further includes a vehicle communication unit 50 and a passenger compartment sensor unit 60. The vehicle communication unit 50 is configured to provide traffic management data of the environment of an impending collision event to the vehicle information providing unit. The passenger compartment sensor unit 60 is at least disposed in the first vehicle 100 and is configured to provide occupant sensing data to the control unit.

[0053] The collision monitoring system 1 further includes a data storage unit 70, which is configured to store data generated by different sensor units. The data storage unit 70 is preferably cloud-based. The data storage unit 70 is also configured to provide physical characteristic data of at least the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle to the vehicle information providing unit 20. The physical characteristic data can be provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle.

[0054] The data storage unit 70 includes a collision database 71, in which previous collision data is stored during previous collision events. Additionally or alternatively, the collision monitoring system further includes a local subset 72 of the collision database 71 at least in the first vehicle 100. The local subset 72 is configured to at least partially copy previous scenarios from the collision database 71.

[0055] The occupant protection device 80 includes at least one of a seat belt limiter, a front airbag element, a knee airbag element, a side airbag element, or an inflatable curtain. Generally speaking, the occupant protection device 80 is a safety device for the occupant to minimize the injuries caused by direct impact between the occupant and the vehicle structure in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0056] Figure 2 A collision monitoring method of the vehicle 100 is shown (see also Figure 1 ). The method includes

[0057] - generating S1 on-site data of an impending collision event between at least the first vehicle 100 and an obstacle,

[0058] - providing S2 at least the operation information of the first vehicle 100 to the control unit 40,

[0059] - providing S21 occupant sensing data, and

[0060] - finding S30 the best matching collision scenario in the previous collision scenarios in the collision database for performing a collision simulation.

[0061] The obstacle is preferably at least a second vehicle that is about to collide with the first vehicle 100. In step S1, the scene data includes geographical location data and / or collision geometry data generated by the environment sensor unit 20. The environment sensor unit 20 may include a plurality of sensor elements configured to monitor the environment of an impending collision event. The environment sensor unit 20 may include at least one of a lidar element, a radar element, an ultrasonic element, or an optical imaging element.

[0062] The scene data may include a set of parameters such as the collision angle, shape, overlap, identity, etc. of the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle. In addition, the scene data may include environmental data of the collision location, such as road conditions, e.g., traffic lanes, traffic signals, main streets, rural areas, and / or any objects (i.e., buildings, trees, bus stops, streetlights, etc.). The scene data can provide basic information to perform a simulation of the impending collision.

[0063] In step S2, the operation information includes mechanical driving data, traffic management data, and / or physical property data of the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle. The mechanical driving data includes at least one operation parameter of the vehicle, preferably a plurality of operation parameters, such as speed, lateral acceleration, lateral deceleration, longitudinal acceleration, and / or longitudinal deceleration, turning speed, etc. The mechanical driving data is generated by the environment sensor unit and / or a vehicle actuator sensor unit (such as an accelerometer or a yaw sensor).

[0064] The physical property data includes at least one invariant parameter of the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle, such as dimensions, ground clearance, curb weight, turning radius, type and capacity of the engine, power / weight ratio, torque / weight ratio, transmission system, acceleration ability, suspension, etc. This information can be provided by the vehicle manufacturer and thus can be easily stored and updated in the data storage unit 70.

[0065] The traffic management data can be provided by the vehicle communication unit 50, which includes at least one vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device providing infrastructure connectivity. For example, the V2X device generates traffic management data regarding forward collision, blind spot, intersection movement, approaching emergency vehicle, road construction, etc.

[0066] The vehicle information providing unit 50 is configured to collect operation information including mechanical driving data, traffic management data, and / or physical property data of the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle to refine the scene data generated by the environment sensor unit. The vehicle information providing unit 50 is also configured to establish a reliable data set for performing a reliable collision simulation and provide the operation information to the control unit 40.

[0067] In step S21, the occupant sensing data is provided by the cabin sensor unit 60. The occupant sensing data provides spatial information of the cabin, including the position(s) of the occupant(s).

[0068] In step S30, the control unit searches for the best-matching collision scenario based on the on-site data, operation information, and / or occupant sensing data. The data storage unit 70 includes a collision database 71. The data storage unit 70 is configured to collect the previous on-site data and / or previous collision data generated before an upcoming collision, which form a data set for each collision event that has occurred in the past. In addition, each data set may also include the operation information of the collision vehicle(s). Each data set may describe a separate previous collision scenario, which may be recorded in the collision database 71 of the data storage unit.

[0069] The control unit 40 is configured to compare the on-site data and / or operation information of the upcoming collision event with the previous collision scenarios stored in the collision database 71 and search for the most-matching collision scenario among the previous collision scenarios. The best-matching collision scenario can be applied to perform a collision simulation for the upcoming collision event.

[0070] In addition, at least a part of the previous collision scenarios stored in the collision database 71 of the data storage unit 70 can be selectively stored in a local subset 72 of the collision database 71 in at least the first vehicle 100. The control unit 40 can also match the on-site data and / or operation information of the upcoming collision event with the previous collision scenarios stored in the local subset 72 and search for the most-matching collision scenario among the previous collision scenarios to perform a collision simulation.

[0071] The collision monitoring method further includes

[0072] - performing an S3 collision simulation based on the on-site data, operation information, and / or occupant sensing data of the upcoming collision for the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle

[0073] - generating S31 predicted attribute data, and

[0074] - estimating the available survival space in at least the first vehicle 100 in S32 based on the predicted attribute data and the occupant sensing data.

[0075] According to the collision simulation, the control unit 40 is capable of generating predicted attribute data, which includes the collision direction, collision duration, severity of the collision event, etc. In addition, the control unit 40 can calculate the available survival space in the vehicle based on the predicted attribute data and the occupant sensing data.

[0076] The collision monitoring method further includes

[0077] - Generate S4 collision data during a collision event of at least the first vehicle,

[0078] - Generate S5 fusion data by fusing the predicted attribute data with the collision data of the ongoing collision event to adapt the predicted attribute data,

[0079] - Determine that at least one occupant protection device in the S6 ongoing collision is to be activated in at least the first vehicle,

[0080] - Activate at least one protection device in the S7 first vehicle based on the occupant sensing data and the fusion data,

[0081] - Verify the S8 predicted attribute data by comparing the predicted attribute data with the collision data of the current collision event, and

[0082] - Store the verification of the collision data and / or predicted attribute data of the current collision event as a new collision scenario in the S9 collision database.

[0083] Once a collision occurs, the collision sensor unit 30 detects the impact transmitted to the vehicle 100 due to the collision. The collision sensor 30 unit may include at least one of an imaging sensor element, a pressure sensor element, an acceleration sensor element, a collision impact sound sensing element, etc., to generate collision data related to the deformation of at least a part of the vehicle, the pressure change, and / or the structure-borne sound at the vehicle body.

[0084] The control unit 40 is configured to merge the predicted attribute data with the actual detection data of the ongoing collision event to adapt the predicted attribute data to the actual event. Specifically, the predicted attribute data based on the in-situ data and the operation data may be fused with the collision data of the ongoing collision event to generate fusion data.

[0085] The control unit 40 can separately and accurately activate the occupant protection device 80 based on the available survival space, the occupant sensing data, and the fusion data to avoid secondary injuries caused by incorrect actuation of the protection device.

[0086] The control unit 40 is also configured to verify the predicted attribute data generated during the collision simulation using the collision data of the current collision event. In other words, the control unit 40 performs an evaluation of how well the predicted attribute data fits the actual collision data.

[0087] The control unit 40 creates a new classification of the newly generated collision data and / or the fusion data of the predicted attribute data and the collision data, and uploads the new classification to the collision database 71 of the data storage unit 70. This classification can be characterized by the first vehicle 100 and the obstacle (i.e., the second vehicle). Alternatively, if the collision database 71 already includes such a classification, the control unit 40 can update the existing collision scenarios of the first vehicle 100 and / or the second vehicle based on the newly generated data. Thus, the collision database 71 can be kept up-to-date. In other words, a dynamic adaptation of the collision database 71 can be performed.

[0088] It should be noted that the examples of the present disclosure are described with reference to different topics. In particular, some examples are described with reference to method-type claims, while other examples are described with reference to device-type claims. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the above and following descriptions that, unless otherwise stated, any combination between features related to different topics is also considered to be disclosed together with this application, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of topic. However, all features can be combined to provide a synergistic effect, rather than just a simple superposition of these features.

[0089] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail in the drawings and the description, such description and description should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive. The present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed aspects. Other variations of the disclosed examples can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art when practicing the claimed disclosure based on the study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0090] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement the functions of several items recited in the claims. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A collision monitoring system (1) for a vehicle (100), comprising an environmental sensor unit (10), a vehicle information providing unit (20), a collision sensor unit (30), and a control unit (40), wherein the environmental sensor unit (10) is configured to generate on-site data of at least an impending collision event between the first vehicle (100) and an obstacle, the vehicle information providing unit (20) is configured to provide at least operation information of the first vehicle (100) to the control unit, and the operation information includes any one of physical and mechanical data, specifications, and / or characteristics of operations affecting the first vehicle and / or the obstacle, the collision sensor unit (30) is configured to generate collision data during at least a collision event of the first vehicle (100), the control unit (40) is configured to perform a collision simulation based on the on-site data and the operation information and generate predicted attribute data, and the control unit (40) is further configured to generate fusion data by fusing the predicted attribute data and the collision data of the ongoing collision event, so as to adapt the predicted attribute data to future collision events.

2. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit (40) is further configured to determine that at least one occupant protection device (80) is to be activated in the first vehicle (100) during the ongoing collision event based on the fusion data.

3. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The on-site data includes at least one of geographical location data and collision geometry data.

4. The collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Further comprising a data storage unit (70), the data storage unit (70) is configured to provide at least physical characteristic data of the first vehicle (100) and / or the obstacle to the vehicle information supply unit (20).

5. The collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that Further comprising a vehicle communication unit (50), the vehicle communication unit (50) is configured to provide traffic management data of the environment of the impending collision event to the vehicle information providing unit (20).

6. The collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Further comprising a cabin sensor unit (60), the cabin sensor unit (60) can be at least arranged in the first vehicle (100) and is configured to provide occupant sensing data to the control unit (40).

7. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control unit (40) is configured to activate at least one occupant protection device (80) in the first vehicle (100) based on the occupant sensing data and the fusion data.

8. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the data storage unit (70) includes a collision database (71), wherein previous on-site data and / or previous collision data are stored during previous collision events, each previous on-site data and / or previous collision data forms a previous collision scenario, and the control unit (40) is configured to find the best-matched collision scenario in the previous collision scenarios in the collision database (71) to perform the collision simulation.

9. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that It further includes a local subset (72) of the collision database (71) at least in the first vehicle (100), the local subset (72) being configured to at least partially copy previous scenarios from the collision database (71), and the control unit (40) is configured to find the best - matching collision scenario among the previous collision scenarios in the local subset to perform the collision simulation.

10. The collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The control unit (40) is further configured to compare the predicted attribute data with the collision data of the current collision event to verify the predicted attribute data.

11. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control unit (40) is configured to store the collision data of the current collision event and / or the verification of the predicted attribute data as a new collision scenario in the collision database.

12. The collision monitoring system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The operation information includes at least the speed, mass, steering angle, physical characteristic data and / or traffic management data of the first vehicle and / or the obstacle.

13. The collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The obstacle is a second vehicle.

14. A vehicle (100) comprising a collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A collision monitoring method for a vehicle, comprising generating (S1) on - site data of an upcoming collision event between at least a first vehicle (100) and an obstacle, providing (S2) at least the operation information of the first vehicle (100) to a control unit (40), performing (S3) a collision simulation based on the on - site data and the operation information and generating predicted attribute data, generating (S4) collision data during a collision event of at least the first vehicle (100), and generating (S5) fusion data by fusing the predicted attribute data and the collision data of the ongoing collision event to adapt the predicted attribute data to future collision events.

16. A computer program element for a collision monitoring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the computer program element being adapted to perform the collision monitoring method of claim 15 when executed by a processing element.

Images