motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (F) with at least one pedal (P) and with a control device that is set up in such a way, - that the motor vehicle is switched from a first operating state ("ignition off") to a second operating state ("ignition on") by actuating the pedal, - wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state ("ignition on") to a third operating state ("engine on") by actuating a transmission control element, - a vehicle user triggers a query for an initial identification code from an identification element and its verification, - access to the vehicle is granted or denied depending on the inspection result, - by pressing the pedal, a query for a second identification code from an identification element is triggered and its verification is performed, and - depending on the test result, the motor vehicle is switched from the first operating state to the second operating state.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a pedal and a control device.

[0002] A key focus of development efforts in the field of automotive engineering is to further increase user-friendliness. For example, keyless entry systems and keyless engine start systems have already been proposed to allow vehicle users to conveniently open and start the vehicle.

[0003] A method for controlling the operation of a motor vehicle is known from DE 10 2004 024 213 A1. A start-stop system comprises a shutdown system, which automatically shuts down the internal combustion engine when a stop condition is present, and a start-up system, which automatically starts the internal combustion engine when start conditions are present. A stop condition is present when, at a vehicle speed below a predetermined speed threshold, at least one of the following conditions is met: (a) manual transmission: clutch actuation and disengagement of the power transmission, or (b) automatic transmission: brake pedal actuation. A start condition is present when the following conditions are met simultaneously: (c) clutch not actuation and (d) brake pedal not actuation.

[0004] From EP 0 982 202 A2, a motor vehicle with a pedal is already known, in which it may be provided that an authentication process is triggered by pressing down the brake pedal.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of providing a technical teaching with which a motor vehicle can be operated even more comfortably.

[0006] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention is therefore also based on the idea of ​​enabling the switching between two operating states, in particular the states "ignition off" and "ignition on", in a motor vehicle by actuating a pedal. This allows for convenient vehicle operation, especially switching between the states "ignition off" and "ignition on".

[0008] Preferably, a motor vehicle comprises at least one pedal, which is already present for another purpose, for example a brake pedal or a clutch pedal, and a control unit, for example a switching device or a processor unit, configured such that the motor vehicle, in particular its electrical system, another control unit of the motor vehicle, and / or an electrical consumer of the motor vehicle, is switched from a first operating state ("ignition off") to a second operating state ("ignition on") simply by actuating the pedal. Actuation of a control element, such as a start-stop button or a key switch, is preferably not required for switching from the first to the second operating state.

[0009] This allows the vehicle to be switched ergonomically, intuitively and comfortably from a first operating state ("ignition off") to a second operating state ("ignition on").

[0010] Particularly preferred is the provision that the vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state ("ignition on") to a third operating state ("engine on" (for internal combustion engines); "torque applied" or "ready to drive" (for electric motors)) simply by actuating a transmission control element. Preferably, the vehicle's engine (internal combustion engine and / or electric motor) is therefore automatically switched on or activated when changing from the second to the third operating state, unless it is already switched on or activated in the second operating state. This further increases and simplifies ease of use.For example, the engine is automatically started or switched to propulsion readiness when a forward or reverse gear is engaged in a manual transmission (depending on the design variant, either before or after releasing the clutch), or when the drive stage D or R is engaged in an automatic transmission.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention provide that, depending on one or more of the following criteria, the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state (ignition on) back to the first operating state (ignition off): - depending on the state of charge of a vehicle battery; - depending on whether a vehicle door is open or not; - depending on whether a pedal is pressed or not; - depending on whether the motor vehicle is moving or not; - depending on the engine condition; - depending on whether a gear is engaged or not; and / or - depending on the operation of a central locking system.

[0012] It is particularly preferred that the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state (ignition on) to the first operating state (ignition off) when the following two criteria (1) and (2) are met: (1) Engine stopped and / or no vehicle movement and / or no gear engaged; and (2) The battery charge level falls below a specified threshold, such as the starting capability limit, or At least one door is open with no pedal being pressed, or the central locking system is closed or locked.

[0013] This further increases ease of use while taking relevant safety aspects into account.

[0014] The first operating state is preferably defined by the fact that the ignition is off, that a parking light can be activated, that a low beam headlight cannot be activated, that the vehicle consumes less than approximately 3 amps of current, and / or that the vehicle air conditioning cannot be activated. This state can also be called the basic operating state.

[0015] The second operating state is preferably defined by the ignition being on, the vehicle's parking lights being activatable, the vehicle's low beam headlights being activatable, the vehicle consuming more than approximately 10 amps of current, the vehicle's air conditioning being activatable, and / or the combustion engine being ready to start. This state can also be called the main operating state or the ready-to-drive state.

[0016] The third operating state is preferably defined by the fact that the vehicle engine (internal combustion engine and / or electric motor) is switched on or active, and / or that a torque is applied to the engine, in particular the electric motor. This third operating state can also be a special second operating state, i.e., it can additionally fulfill the aforementioned criteria of the second operating state.

[0017] To also allow for conventional operation of the motor vehicle, it is advantageous to provide a further control element, for example a start-stop button or a key switch, for manually switching between the first and second operating states.

[0018] The invention is particularly convenient in combination with the fact that a vehicle user, for example by approaching the vehicle or by touching the door handle, triggers the query of a first identification code from an identification element, such as a portable transponder unit, and its verification, particularly via radio, and that access to the vehicle is granted or denied depending on the verification result.

[0019] To ensure that only authorized personnel can comfortably switch from the first to the second operating state, pressing the pedal triggers a query (primarily radio-based) of a second identification code from an identification element, such as a portable transponder unit, and its verification. Depending on the verification result, the vehicle is then switched from the first to the second operating state. For example, if the identification code queried by the identification element matches an identification code stored in the vehicle, the switch from the first to the second operating state is performed; otherwise, it is not.

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail using examples with reference to the following figure: Fig. Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a motor vehicle.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a vehicle F equipped with a pedal P, such as a brake pedal or a clutch pedal, and a control unit STE. A pedal actuation detection device (not shown) detects whether the pedal is actuated or not.

[0022] The STE control unit is designed so that pressing the pedal triggers a query and verification of an identification code from an identification element. If the queried code matches an identification code stored or generated in the vehicle, the vehicle automatically switches from a first operating state ("ignition off") to a second operating state ("ignition on"). Moving a transmission control element, for example, to engage a forward or reverse gear, automatically switches the vehicle from the second operating state ("ignition on") to a third operating state ("engine running").

[0023] The motor vehicle, on the other hand, is automatically switched from the second operating state (ignition on) to the first operating state (ignition off) when the following two criteria (1) and (2) are met: (1) Engine stopped or inactive and / or no vehicle movement and / or no gear engaged; and (2) The battery charge level falls below a specified threshold, such as the starting capability limit, or at least one door is open with no pedal being pressed, or the central locking system is closed or locked.

[0024] Furthermore, it may be provided that a vehicle user triggers the query of an initial identification code from an identification element and its verification, and access to the motor vehicle is granted or denied depending on the verification result.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (F) with at least one pedal (P) and with a control device that is set up in such a way, - that the motor vehicle is switched from a first operating state ("ignition off") to a second operating state ("ignition on") by actuating the pedal, - wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state ("ignition on") to a third operating state ("engine on") by actuating a transmission control element, - a vehicle user triggers a query for an initial identification code from an identification element and its verification, - access to the vehicle is granted or denied depending on the inspection result, - by pressing the pedal, a query for a second identification code from an identification element is triggered and its verification is performed, and - depending on the test result, the motor vehicle is switched from the first operating state to the second operating state. [2] Motor vehicle (F) according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state (“ignition on”) to the first operating state (“ignition off”) depending on the state of charge of a motor vehicle battery. [3] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on whether a vehicle door is open or not. [4] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on whether a pedal is actuated or not. [5] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on whether the motor vehicle is moving or not. [6] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on whether a gear is engaged or not. [7] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle is automatically switched from the second operating state to the first operating state depending on the state or operation of a central locking system. [8] Motor vehicle (F) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control element for manually switching between first and second operating states.

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