Method for operating plurality of auxiliary systems of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a plurality of auxiliary systems (A) of a vehicle (1), which is coupled to a central computer unit (2) in terms of data or in accordance with the situation. According to the invention, the assistance systems (A) are divided into several categories, in which:-one category of assistance systems (A) is deactivated as a function of the detected instantaneous geographic position of the vehicle (1), and-another category of assistance systems (A) is adjusted as a function of the detected dynamic factors.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a plurality of assistance systems of a vehicle which is coupled or coupled, depending on the situation, to a central computer unit in terms of data technology.

[0002] DE 10 2010 009 133 A1 discloses a method for assisting a driver when operating a motor vehicle equipped with a driver assistance system, and a motor vehicle equipped with a system selection device. The method is configured such that, while the motor vehicle is being operated, driving data is continuously acquired using a vehicle sensor system and transmitted to a system selection device for evaluation. If at least one driver assistance system suitable for the current driving situation of the motor vehicle is present in the motor vehicle, the system selection device selects a suitable driver assistance system for activation based on the evaluation result. Prior to the automatic activation, one or more events leading to the selection of the driver assistance system are evaluated.

[0003] US2020 / 0001893 A1 describes a method for operating a motor vehicle having multiple driver assistance systems. The method includes setting an auxiliary parameter via an operator interface of the motor vehicle, wherein the auxiliary parameter indicates the degree of assistance the driver desires from the driver assistance system. Furthermore, the method includes setting an additional parameter via the operator interface, wherein the additional parameter is related to the vehicle's driving operation. Based on the auxiliary parameter and the additional parameter, an operating parameter is predetermined for each driver assistance system by a processing device of the motor vehicle, and the corresponding driver assistance system is operated according to the operating parameter.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2011 083 944 A1 describes a method for activating an assistance system in a vehicle. After a driver requests activation of a driver assistance system, the method checks whether the driver is suitable for using the desired driver assistance system. The desired driver assistance system is activated based on the driver's suitability.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a new method for operating a vehicle having at least one assistance system.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a vehicle having at least one assistance system having the features of claim 1 .

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] A method for operating a plurality of assistance systems of a vehicle which is coupled to a central computer unit or is coupled as appropriate for the situation, is provided in accordance with the invention in that the assistance systems are divided into several categories, assistance systems of one category being deactivated as a function of the detected instantaneous geographical position of the vehicle, and assistance systems of another category being adjusted as a function of detected dynamic factors.

[0009] By applying this method, and in particular by deactivating assistance systems of one category and adjusting assistance systems of another category, the vehicle user has the opportunity to test the vehicle under relatively extreme conditions. For example, during such driving maneuvers, weak points in the vehicle's physical characteristics, such as its aerodynamics, chassis, braking system, etc., can be discovered.

[0010] This approach allows the vehicle to be used for purposes other than its optimization purpose (e.g., urban or highway driving). On a racetrack, conventional systems may not react adequately to track conditions because they dynamically adjust the assistance systems based on continuous monitoring of driving characteristics. Such conventional systems may attempt to adjust the assistance systems based on the optimization criteria of complying with traffic regulations and / or preventing unsafe driving behaviors in cities or on highways.

[0011] In particular, the method enables a more comfortable, user-individualized vehicle configuration for racetracks.

[0012] In one embodiment of the method, the assistance system of the one category is deactivated when it is determined, based on the detected geographic location of the vehicle, that the vehicle is located on a racetrack. In particular, when applying the method, it is possible for a user to drive the vehicle on a racetrack without, for example, a lane keeping assistance system and / or a distance control device of the vehicle requiring corrective intervention. By applying the method, a user can drive the vehicle, in particular on a racetrack under racetrack conditions, without the assistance system of the one category needing to intervene in the vehicle's driving maneuvers, for example to avoid a potential collision with a vehicle ahead because the distance between the two vehicles is below a predetermined threshold.

[0013] If the vehicle is detected on a racetrack, in another embodiment, assistance systems such as distance control, lane keeping assist, curve warning, and / or driving dynamics control are deactivated. These assistance systems, when activated, can limit testing of vehicle functions on the racetrack, preventing, for example, the identification of weak points in the vehicle's physical properties.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, after the vehicle's geographic location has been detected and the vehicle has left the track, an assistance system of this type is reactivated. This allows for improved driving safety during maneuvers, such as in urban areas or on highways, by enabling the activated assistance system to intervene in a situation-specific manner. Depending on its function, the respective assistance system intervenes, for example with a corrective action, to keep the vehicle in its lane or to prevent the vehicle ahead from closing, in order to maintain a predetermined threshold.

[0015] In one embodiment, the presence of the vehicle on a track is detected based on signals detected by environmental sensors on the vehicle. This detection is used, for example, to verify the plausibility of the vehicle's geographic location, determined based on digital map data, with respect to the track. For example, a sign pointing to the track can be used to confirm that the track is the vehicle's destination and that the vehicle will be traveling on the track.

[0016] In one possible refinement, the existing weather conditions and the characteristics of the track's surface are detected as dynamic factors. For example, if visibility is relatively low due to fog, the vehicle's fog lights can be automatically activated. The fog lights can also be automatically activated when visibility falls below a predetermined threshold. Traction control can also remain active if a slippery road surface is detected as a dynamic factor. In other words, the configuration, particularly the adjustment of assistance systems, is taken into account in the environmental conditions.

[0017] In one embodiment, the most commonly used configurations of another type of assistance system or assistance systems for a given track can be presented to the vehicle user for selection. If the vehicle is detected on a track, these configurations are displayed to the user, allowing the user to select the desired configuration by confirmation, thus eliminating the need to individually adjust each assistance system. For example, these configurations could be track-specific configurations, such as configuring the vehicle's drive unit for aggressive driving behavior.

[0018] In another embodiment, the corresponding deactivation and / or configuration of the corresponding assistance system is provided based on the driving characteristics of the vehicle user. For example, if the vehicle user is a relatively good driver and a slippery road surface is detected, the assistance system is deactivated. However, if the user's driving skills are average and the road surface is slippery, for example, the vehicle's traction control remains activated.

[0019] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the method, all configurations of at least one assistance system of the other category for the respective racetrack are transmitted to the central computer unit and stored therein. Thus, the configurations of the assistance systems for the respective racetrack are available and can be called up or made available to a user of the vehicle / the other vehicle when the vehicle or the other vehicle is on the respective racetrack.

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] in:

[0022] Figure 1 A road section of a racetrack is schematically shown with vehicles and a central computer unit.

[0023] The single FIGURE shows a track section F with a vehicle 1 and a central computer unit 2 .

[0024] It is generally known that using vehicle 1 on a racetrack is a relatively popular hobby for users of vehicle 1, particularly sports vehicles. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a number of assistance systems A that intervene in the driving maneuvers of vehicle 1, for example to avoid a collision between vehicle 1 and a potential collision object. For example, if vehicle 1 deviates from its lane due to inattention by its user, the lane keeping assistance system performs steering maneuvers to guide vehicle 1 back into its lane.

[0025] If the driver of vehicle 1 activates the distance control, vehicle 1 will follow the vehicle ahead at a predetermined distance. If this distance is exceeded due to deceleration of the vehicle ahead and / or acceleration of vehicle 1, vehicle 1 will brake to increase the distance to the vehicle ahead again.

[0026] During the driving maneuver of vehicle 1 on the racetrack, all of these assistance functions are undesirable for the user of vehicle 1, as the user wishes to test their vehicle 1 under extreme conditions on the racetrack without the intervention of assistance systems A. For example, the physical properties of vehicle 1 can be tested during driving maneuvers, thereby identifying weak points of vehicle 1, such as those related to aerodynamics, chassis, braking system, etc. In particular, it should be possible to test vehicle 1 with assistance systems A fully or partially deactivated.

[0027] The following describes a method for operating multiple assistance systems A of a vehicle 1 . Vehicle 1 is coupled to a central computer unit 2 for data purposes, or can be coupled to the central computer unit 2 depending on the situation. For example, vehicle 1 includes a distance control system, a lane keeping assist system, a curve warning system, and a driving dynamics control system as assistance systems A.

[0028] The assistance systems A of the vehicle 1 are divided into two categories, where they are activated, deactivated or adapted depending on the instantaneous geographical location of the vehicle 1 and dynamic factors, such as current weather conditions and / or driver characteristics of the user of the vehicle 1 .

[0029] Depending on the geographical location of vehicle 1 , assistance systems A classified into one category are activated and deactivated, and depending on detected current dynamic factors (particularly spatiotemporal criteria), assistance systems A classified into another category are adjusted.

[0030] The vehicle 1 has a navigation system 3 with a digital map, wherein the instantaneous geographical location of the vehicle 1 is regularly detected by means of a position determination unit of the navigation system 3 and transmitted to the central computer unit 2 , for example at periodic intervals.

[0031] If the vehicle's geographical location is detected, in particular on the basis of map data, and it is determined that the vehicle 1 is located on a racetrack, assistance system A of this type is deactivated.

[0032] For example, it can be determined that the vehicle 1 is located on a racetrack, for example based on a database that has been created and stored in the telematics system of the vehicle 1 and contains position data for various racetracks. For example, the database can be manually expanded by the user of the vehicle 1.

[0033] It can also be provided that the user of the vehicle 1 actively inputs to a so-called microservice (in particular an application) of the vehicle 1 that the user is driving his vehicle 1 on the racetrack.

[0034] If it is determined that vehicle 1 is on a track, the assistance systems A of vehicle 1 classified into this category are deactivated in accordance with the track. These assistance systems A are, in particular, distance control, lane keeping assist, curve warning, and driving dynamics control.

[0035] For example, signals detected by means of the environmental sensors 4 and / or signals received by the central computer unit 2 are evaluated on the vehicle side, thus determining dynamic factors such as the current weather conditions and road surface properties.

[0036] Based on the determined dynamic factors, the assistance systems A and / or vehicle functions classified in the other category are adjusted. Provision can also be made for assistance systems A of the one category to be adjusted based on the determined dynamic factors, for example due to relatively poor visibility. In particular, in rainy conditions, traction control is not deactivated, so that when vehicle 1 is set off, wheel spin is avoided and lateral skidding of vehicle 1 is largely prevented.

[0037] The most commonly adopted configurations for the respective track, for example regarding tire pressure, rear spoiler settings and / or front splitter, are offered to the user of the respective vehicle 1 for selection. If the user selects one of the offered configurations, for example, two categories of assistance systems A are deactivated or adapted to the dynamic factors.

[0038] In one embodiment, vehicle 1, and in particular the microservice, provides appropriate configurations in the form of a rule-based system, taking into account the user's driving characteristics, current dynamic factors, and the vehicle 1's existing assistance system A. For example, if the vehicle 1 user has relatively good driving skills and the road is slippery, assistance system A is deactivated.

[0039] If the user's driving skills are average and the road surface is slippery, the corresponding configuration is designed so that the assistance system A for traction control of the vehicle 1 remains activated.

[0040] When it is determined that the vehicle 1 is located on the race track, the drive unit of the vehicle 1 is configured for an aggressive driving behavior.

[0041] The method also provides for deactivating the sound output of the assistance system A, which is adapted to dynamic factors, when the vehicle 1 is on the racetrack. This allows the vehicle 1 to be tested without any disturbing sound signals being emitted to the user.

[0042] In particular, all setting changes made on the vehicle side, in particular those related to assistance systems A, are displayed to the user of vehicle 1 on a display unit (e.g., of an infotainment system). The user can confirm or reject the made setting changes (i.e., configurations) by pressing a button. It may happen that, although vehicle 1 is on a racetrack, the user intends to move the vehicle in a conventional driving operation, i.e., using a conventional configuration for city driving or motorway driving.

[0043] After vehicle 1 leaves the track and the departure is detected on the vehicle side (e.g. based on map data from navigation system 3), assistance systems A that were deactivated due to the track are reactivated and configuration of normal driving operation of vehicle 1 is performed. This is done automatically or after confirmation by the user of vehicle 1.

[0044] With the aid of a central computer unit 2 , to which the vehicles 1 are data-connected, all modified configurations of the respective vehicle 1 for the racetrack are stored.

[0045] The next time vehicle 1 and the user visit the track, central computer unit 2 automatically retrieves these configurations and offers them to the user for configuration. The user can then select the configuration from the vehicle 1's last visit or, if appropriate, one of several previous visits, depending on the detected dynamic factors.

[0046] For example, it is analyzed with the aid of the central computer unit 2 and the available evaluation options how many vehicles 1 use microservices on the racetrack.

[0047] Furthermore, the method is designed to provide the user with an overview of race tracks and the corresponding individual configuration, wherein, for example, a specific race track is recommended to the user based on the user's driving behavior and driver characteristics.

[0048] In one possible embodiment, personalized recommendations based on the track are provided to the user of vehicle 1, which results in vehicle 1 being able to increase the driving speed of vehicle 1 based on setting changes (e.g., reducing or increasing tire pressure, rear spoiler setting, front splitter setting, etc.).

[0049] The user of vehicle 1 is also provided with the possibility of adopting the configuration of vehicle settings of other users, for example with regard to the configuration of the traction control.

Claims

1. A method for operating a plurality of assistance systems (A) of a vehicle (1), which is coupled or coupled, depending on the situation, to a central computer unit (2) in terms of data technology, characterized in that - The auxiliary systems (A) are divided into several categories, among which - deactivating an assistance system (A) of one category as a function of the detected instantaneous geographical location of the vehicle (1), and - Another type of assistance system (A) is adapted based on detected dynamic factors.

2. The method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that When it is determined based on the detected geographical position of the vehicle (1) that the vehicle (1) is located on a race track, the assistance system (A) of the one type is deactivated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that When it is determined that the vehicle (1) is on a racetrack, a distance control device, a lane keeping assist system, a curve warning device and / or a driving dynamics control device as the assistance systems (A) of the category are deactivated.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that After it is determined based on the detected geographical position of the vehicle (1) that the vehicle has left the track, the assistance system (A) of the one type is activated again.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, It is characterized in that The vehicle (1) is detected to be traveling on the track based on a signal detected by an environmental sensor (4) on the vehicle side.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, It is characterized in that The existing weather conditions and / or the surface characteristics of the race track are detected as dynamic factors.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, It is characterized in that For a corresponding racetrack, the assistance system (A) of the other category or the most commonly used configuration of the assistance system (A) is provided to a user of the vehicle (1) for selection.

8. The method according to claim 7, It is characterized in that Corresponding deactivation and / or configuration is provided according to the driver characteristics of the user of the vehicle (1).

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, It is characterized in that All configurations of at least the assistance system (A) of the other category for the respective racetrack are transmitted to the central computer unit (2) and stored therein.

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