Motor vehicle and procedures for operating a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) with at least one detection device (7, 8, 9) for detecting at least one vehicle parameter describing a driving situation, at least one adjustable seat (2), at least one control element (4), and at least one actuator (5, 25) for adjusting the seat (2), wherein the motor vehicle (1) comprises a control unit (3), wherein, when the control element (4) is actuated, the actuator (5, 25) can be controlled by the control unit (3) depending on the vehicle parameter, wherein the control element (4) comprises at least one force sensor (10) for measuring an operating force exerted by a user when actuating the control element (4), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to additionally control the actuator (5, 25) depending on the operating force, wherein the actuator (5, 25) can be controlled by the control unit (3) such that for operating forces that lie within a predefinable force interval,the adjustment speed of the seat (2) and / or a seat component is linearly related to the operating force, wherein a scaling constant, which describes the relationship between the operating force and the adjustment speed in the force interval, can be determined as a function of the vehicle parameter.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with at least one detection device for detecting at least one vehicle parameter describing a driving situation, at least one adjustable seat, at least one control element, and at least one actuator for adjusting the seat. The invention also relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle.

[0002] Motor vehicles can include multiple adjustable seats equipped with electric seat adjustment mechanisms. These mechanisms control electromechanical or electrohydraulic actuators to adjust, for example, the seat position, backrest angle, and seat cushion tilt. Seat adjustment controls are typically located directly on the seat or on a vehicle door near the seat for easy user access.

[0003] While optimal accessibility of the controls can also lead to unintentional activation, it's possible for a user to accidentally adjust a different seat component instead of the intended one. Furthermore, the user might accidentally hold the controls down for too long, resulting in the seat or seat component being adjusted too far. Such unintentional seat adjustments are particularly disruptive for the driver and reduce user comfort.

[0004] From DE 10 2004 030 055 A1 a method for controlling an electrical adjustment device is known in which the effect of the operating signals on the movement of a vehicle component is restricted depending on vehicle status signals.

[0005] DE 202 19 882 U1 describes an adjustment device for the seat of a motor vehicle, the drive units of which can be controlled by a control device depending on the speed of the motor vehicle.

[0006] DE 199 47 500 A1 describes a device and a method for the electromechanical adjustment of an actuating device. A control unit detects the actuation of adjustable actuating elements, so that in the event of a safety-critical condition, adjustment of the actuating device can be prevented.

[0007] EP 1 839 941 A2 describes a seat control device in which the adjustment of the seat is triggered by the user applying a force to a touch-sensitive fabric. Both the location and the magnitude of the applied force are evaluated by a control unit.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a motor vehicle with an improved seat adjustment device that reduces the risk or the effects of accidental seat adjustment.

[0009] To solve this problem, the invention provides that a motor vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset comprises a control unit, wherein, when the control element is actuated, the actuator can be controlled by the control unit depending on the vehicle parameter.

[0010] According to the invention, it is proposed to perform the seat adjustment depending on detected vehicle parameters that describe a driving situation of the motor vehicle. In certain driving situations, e.g., during strong deceleration of the motor vehicle, there is an increased risk of unintentional activation of the control element, as the user might, for example, accidentally bump the control element with their hand. In order to reduce the effects of such incorrect operation, but still allow operation, control parameters for the actuator can be adjusted depending on the deceleration detected as a vehicle parameter, compared to when the motor vehicle is stationary. For example, the adjustment speed of the actuator can be reduced and the minimum operating force required on the control element to trigger a seat adjustment can be increased. Similarly, other vehicle parameters, e.g.,The vehicle speed must be taken into account. The actuator can only be controlled while the control element is being operated, and in particular, only when operating with a minimum force.

[0011] The control unit can classify the current driving situation based on at least one detected vehicle parameter, such as vehicle speed or acceleration, and control the actuator accordingly when the control element is operated. For example, it can classify whether the vehicle is stationary, moving at high speed, decelerating sharply, or being jolted by an uneven road surface. Control parameters, such as a maximum adjustment speed of the actuator or a minimum operating force at the control element, can be stored in the control unit for each classified driving situation in order to control the seat adjustment differently for each classification.

[0012] In the motor vehicle according to the invention, the vehicle parameter can be the vehicle's acceleration, its speed, and / or at least one accelerator pedal position. The accelerator pedal can be an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and / or a clutch pedal. The accelerator pedal position can be measured using a pedal position sensor. The vehicle speed can be measured using a speedometer. The acceleration of the motor vehicle can be either positive or negative acceleration, i.e., braking. The acceleration can be measured using an accelerometer.Vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and accelerator pedal position are particularly suitable as vehicle parameters, since the probabilities and effects of incorrect operation of a seat adjustment control depend on the current driving dynamics of the vehicle, which can be described at least partially by these parameters.

[0013] According to the invention, it is also possible for at least one predictive parameter describing a future driving situation to serve as a vehicle parameter. For example, location information determined by a positioning system, in particular GPS, can serve as a predictive parameter, or the predictive parameter can be determined based on the location information. The predictive parameter can describe a property of a section of road to be traveled, whereby, for example, expected centrifugal forces when cornering and / or an incline or decline of the section of road to be traveled can be taken into account as vehicle parameters in order to control a seat adjustment based on these factors.

[0014] According to the invention, the control element comprises at least one force sensor for measuring an operating force exerted by a user when actuating the control element, wherein the control unit is configured to additionally control the actuator depending on the operating force. In particular, the adjustment speed of the seat or a seat component can depend on the operating force.

[0015] Furthermore, the invention provides that the actuator can be controlled by the control unit in such a way that, for operating forces that lie within a predefinable force interval, the adjustment speed of the seat and / or the seat component is linearly related to the operating force, wherein a scaling constant, which describes the relationship between the operating force and the adjustment speed in the force interval, can be determined as a function of the vehicle parameter.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, image data from a camera mounted on a vehicle can be used to capture environmental data from which the vehicle parameter can be determined. For example, the road surface condition of the route to be traveled can be determined from camera image data and used as the vehicle parameter.

[0017] The control unit can maintain at least one characteristic curve and / or at least one characteristic curve array, and is configured to additionally control the actuator depending on the characteristic curve and / or the characteristic curve array. The characteristic curve array can contain multiple characteristic curves. A characteristic curve can describe a relationship between at least one input variable, in particular a vehicle parameter and / or the operating force, and at least one output variable. The actuator can be controlled depending on the output variable. For example, an input value describing the user's operating force on the control element can be assigned a corresponding output value via the characteristic curve, which describes a control parameter of the actuator, e.g., its operating current.

[0018] The characteristic curve field can be stored in the control unit as an analytical function or in the form of tabular values. It is possible that the characteristic curve field, or its curves, are stored in the control unit as discrete values, and that the control unit interpolates between these discrete values ​​to determine the output variable.

[0019] A further development of the invention can provide that the characteristic curve field comprises several discrete characteristic curves, wherein the control unit is configured to select one of the discrete characteristic curves from the characteristic curve field depending on the vehicle parameter and / or the operating force in order to control the actuator accordingly.

[0020] The different characteristic curves can be assigned to different driving situations, determined based on vehicle parameters. For example, one characteristic curve can be assigned to a driving situation in which the vehicle is stationary. Another characteristic curve can be assigned to a driving situation in which the vehicle is moving at a constant speed.

[0021] Furthermore, at least one characteristic curve selected for strong acceleration can be stored. Alternatively, two characteristic curves can be used, one assigned to strong negative acceleration and the other to strong positive acceleration.

[0022] For example, during strong deceleration, the seat's movement towards the front of the vehicle may be slower than when the vehicle is stationary. This is because, during strong deceleration, there is a risk that a user may have accidentally triggered the seat adjustment by touching the control. A similar principle applies to strong acceleration. If a user initiates a rearward seat adjustment during strong acceleration, this movement may be slower compared to when the vehicle is stationary, due to the possibility of accidental activation of the control.

[0023] The characteristic curve field can be multidimensional and describe an output variable as a function of several input variables, wherein the input variables include the operating force and at least one or at least two of the vehicle parameters, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the actuator as a function of the output variable.

[0024] It is possible to define a characteristic curve field by specifying individual characteristic curves between which interpolation is performed depending on the vehicle parameters, thus creating a multidimensional characteristic curve field. If the discrete characteristic curves defined in the characteristic curve field are assigned to different driving situations, interpolation between these driving situations can then take place.

[0025] In the motor vehicle according to the invention, the seat may have several actuators that are controllable by the control unit depending on the vehicle parameter and that each serve different adjustment functions, in particular adjusting the backrest angle, seat surface angle, seat height, seat position, and / or headrest height. All adjustment functions can be controlled depending on the operating force applied to the control element or to a specific control element. The relationship between the vehicle parameter and / or the operating force and at least one control parameter for controlling the actuator can be defined separately for each actuator. The control unit can control the multiple actuators assigned to the various adjustment functions, for example, depending on different characteristic curves and / or characteristic curve fields.Each of the adjustment functions can be controlled by a dedicated control element.

[0026] Another embodiment of the invention provides that the control unit can recognize various predefined actuation patterns of the operating element, whereby the actuator can be controlled depending on the recognized actuation pattern. It is possible that a temporal sequence of operating actions is recognized as the actuation pattern. For example, a specific seating position or a specific seat adjustment speed can be set by means of a recognized actuation pattern.

[0027] Depending on the vehicle parameter, the control unit can specify a minimum operating force that the user must apply to the control element to adjust the seat, and / or a maximum operating current of the actuator and / or a maximum adjustment speed of the seat and / or a component of the seat.

[0028] An increased minimum operating force can be specified for adjusting the seat to prevent accidental adjustments in driving situations where a user might inadvertently touch the control element with their hand, for example, during a vehicle jolt. The minimum operating force can be set based on vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and / or measured vehicle vibrations. If the force sensor on the control element detects an operating force, it can be compared to the specified minimum operating force, and the actuator can only be activated for adjustment if the operating force is greater than the minimum operating force.

[0029] Similarly, or alternatively, the maximum speed at which an actuator can be set in motion can be specified. This specification can depend on the vehicle speed, vehicle acceleration, and / or a measured vibration of the vehicle.

[0030] Control variables, such as the operating current of the actuator, the minimum operating force that a user must apply to the control element, or the adjustment speed of the seat and / or a seat component, can be determined by a functional relationship with at least one of the vehicle parameters.

[0031] In addition to controlling the adjustable seat actuator, the control unit can also control at least one other vehicle function independent of the seat adjustment. For example, it can provide an additional comfort function, in particular control of seat heating and / or seat ventilation, and / or monitoring of the seat belt. This allows the seat adjustment according to the invention to be integrated into a motor vehicle particularly cost-effectively, since the seat adjustment control can be integrated into an existing control unit.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle with at least one detection device for detecting at least one vehicle parameter describing a driving situation, at least one adjustable seat, at least one control element, and at least one actuator for adjusting the seat. The method according to the invention is characterized in that, when the control element is actuated, the actuator is controlled by the control unit depending on the vehicle parameter.

[0033] The method can be further developed according to the features described for the motor vehicle according to the invention and can be repeated every time the control element is actuated and / or automatically.

[0034] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 An embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention from a bird's-eye view; Fig. 2 a seat of the in Fig. 1 motor vehicle shown; Fig. 3 another representation of the in Fig. 1 motor vehicle shown; Fig. 4 a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to the invention; and Fig. 5 an embodiment of a characteristic curve field used in the method according to the invention.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 with an adjustable seat 2 and a control unit 3 for controlling several actuators 5 and 25 for seat adjustment, each serving different adjustment functions. A control element 4 is arranged on the seat 2. The control unit 3 is configured to receive several vehicle parameters and, when the control element 4 is actuated, to control the actuators 5 and 25 depending on the vehicle parameters.

[0036] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of seat 2, which is located in Fig. Figure 1 of the motor vehicle 1, which comprises the control element 4 and the actuators 5 and 25, wherein the actuator 5 is arranged at the lower lateral edge of the seat 2 and, in the illustrated embodiment, serves exclusively to move the seat forwards and backwards along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The actuator 5 comprises an electric motor arranged on the seat 2, which drives a gear engaging with a rack arranged on a seat adjustment rail below the seat 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 25 serves to adjust the backrest angle of the seat 2.

[0037] In Fig. 3 is another representation of the in Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with an adjustable seat 2. It comprises the control unit 3 for controlling the seat adjustment, the operating element 4 for triggering the seat adjustment, and the actuators 5 and 25 for executing the seat adjustment, as well as a sensor system 6 for detecting several vehicle parameters. This sensor system 6 consists of a total of three detection devices 7, 8, and 9, wherein detection device 7 is a speed sensor for measuring the vehicle speed, detection device 8 is a pedal position sensor for measuring the accelerator pedal position, and detection device 9 is an acceleration sensor for measuring the vehicle acceleration. The operating element 4 includes a force transducer 10 for detecting an operating force exerted by a user when operating the operating element 4.

[0038] All detection devices 7, 8 and 9, respectively the speed sensor of the pedal position sensors and the acceleration sensor, communicate with the control unit 3 via a bus system 11, e.g. a CAN bus. The control unit 3 for controlling the seat adjustment, the operating element 4 and the actuators 5 and 25 of the seat 2 are also connected to the bus system 11 and can communicate via it.

[0039] When a user initiates an adjustment of the seat 2 using the control element 4, the force applied by the user is measured by a force sensor 10 integrated into the control element 4, and a corresponding signal is sent to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 receives measured values ​​for vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position, and vehicle acceleration from the three sensors 7, 8, and 9.

[0040] The control unit 3 determines an operating current for the actuators 5 and 25 of seat 2 based on the operating force measured at the force sensor 10, the measured vehicle speed, the vehicle acceleration, and the accelerator pedal position. This current is then used to control the actuators, causing seat 2 to move at a speed resulting from the operating current as long as the user operates the control element 4. A characteristic curve stored in the control unit 3 describes the relationship between the operating force at the control element 4 and the operating current for actuator 5. Another characteristic curve stored in the control unit 3 describes the relationship between the operating force at the control element 4 and the operating current for actuator 25. The control process is explained below using actuator 5 as an example.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a procedure for adjusting the seat 2. After starting in step S1, step S2 checks whether a user is applying a force to the control element 4. If no force is detected at the control element 4 in step S2, step S2 is repeated in a loop. If a force is detected at the control element 4, a signal is sent to the control unit 3 in step S3, and several vehicle parameters are acquired by the control unit 3 in step S4. These vehicle parameters could include, for example, the following: Fig. 3 explains that the vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and / or the acceleration of the motor vehicle are recorded.

[0042] The operating current I for actuator 5 is to be specified depending on a driving situation, which is determined by evaluating the vehicle parameters. In order to adapt the control according to the driving situation, a [function / parameter] is provided in control unit 3. Fig. The characteristic curve field 24 shown in Figure 5 is stored and comprises several discrete characteristic curves 12, 13, 14, each of which is assigned to a driving situation. The X-axis represents the operating force F required by a user at the control element 4, and the Y-axis represents the operating current I with which the actuator 5 is controlled. The minimum operating force 15, 18, and 21 indicate the operating force a user must apply to the control element 4 to trigger a seat adjustment in the respective driving situation. The maximum operating current I 16, 19, and 22 indicate the maximum operating current with which the control unit 3 can control the actuator 5 in each case.

[0043] The selection of the characteristic curve to be used takes place in steps S6 to S9. In step S5, control unit 3 compares the value measured by the speed sensor for the current vehicle speed with a speed limit stored in control unit 3. If the speed limit is undershot and the control unit recognizes in step S5 that the vehicle 1 is essentially stationary, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the Fig. The characteristic curve 12 shown in Figure 5 was selected from the characteristic curve field 24 to determine the operating current I of the actuator 5 as a function of the operating force F detected at the control element 4.

[0044] The characteristic curve 12 describes a minimum operating force 15, a maximum operating current 16 and a continuously increasing value range 17, in which the operating current I of the actuator 5 increases proportionally to the operating force F at the control element 4.

[0045] If the vehicle 1 is not detected as stationary, step S7 checks whether the vehicle 1 is moving at a substantially constant speed. For this purpose, the control unit 3 can compare a measured acceleration with an acceleration limit value stored in the control unit 3. In an alternative embodiment, instead of the acceleration, an accelerator pedal position determined by a pedal position sensor, in particular the position of a brake or accelerator pedal, could be evaluated.

[0046] If the measured value for the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is less than the acceleration limit, the procedure continues in step S8. Since the acceleration of the vehicle is low, this corresponds to a driving situation in which the vehicle 1 moves at a substantially constant speed. Therefore, the characteristic curve 13 associated with this driving situation is selected to determine the operating current I of the actuator 5 as a function of the operating force F detected at the control element 4.

[0047] The minimum operating force 18 for this driving situation is greater than the minimum operating force 15 of characteristic curve 12, which is intended to prevent unintentional adjustment of the seat 2 while the vehicle 1 is moving at a constant speed. Additionally, the maximum operating current 19 of the actuator 5 is lower than the maximum operating current 16 defined by characteristic curve 12. The seat adjustment therefore occurs more slowly than when the vehicle is stationary, making any seat adjustment, especially an accidental one, less disruptive to the user. Characteristic curve 13 also includes a continuously increasing value range 20, in which the operating current of the actuator 5 increases proportionally to the operating force at the control element 4. The slope of value range 20 is equal to the slope of value range 17 of characteristic curve 12.

[0048] If, in step S7, a measured value for the acceleration of the vehicle 1 is greater than the acceleration limit stored in the control unit 3, the procedure continues in step S9. This case corresponds to a driving situation in which the vehicle is accelerating or braking. Therefore, in step S9, the characteristic curve 14, which is assigned to this driving situation, is selected in order to determine the operating current I of the actuator 5 as a function of the operating force F detected at the control element 4.

[0049] The acceleration of the vehicle 1 exerts a force on the occupants of the vehicle 1, which could lead to incorrect operation of the seat adjustment. To reduce the effects of such incorrect operation, characteristic curve 14 specifies a higher minimum operating force 21 compared to characteristic curves 12 and 13. Furthermore, the maximum operating current 22 is lower than in the other two characteristic curves 12 and 13, which causes the actuator 5 to move more slowly during actuation of the control element 4 compared to characteristic curves 12 and 13. In characteristic curve 14, the slope of the value range 23 is also the same as the slope of the value ranges 17 and 20 of the two characteristic curves 12 and 13. The continuously increasing value ranges 17, 20, and 23 described in the exemplary embodiment can also have different slopes in an alternative embodiment.In particular, a scaling constant, which describes the relationship between the operating force F and the operating current I and thus the adjustment speed in the range of values ​​17, 20, 23, can be determined depending on the vehicle parameters.

[0050] The actuator 5 is controlled in step S10 according to the characteristic curve 12, 13 or 14 selected in steps S6 to S9 by passing the operating force F measured by the force transducer 10 arranged on the control element 4 to the control unit 3 as an input parameter and the characteristic curve 12, 13 or 14 defines a corresponding value for the operating current I.

[0051] Actuator 25 is controlled according to the control signal of actuator 5, but using a further characteristic curve field not shown. After the seat adjustment has been completed, the procedure can be repeated from step S2.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with at least one detection device (7, 8, 9) for detecting at least one vehicle parameter describing a driving situation, at least one adjustable seat (2), at least one control element (4), and at least one actuator (5, 25) for adjusting the seat (2), wherein the motor vehicle (1) comprises a control unit (3), wherein, when the control element (4) is actuated, the actuator (5, 25) can be controlled by the control unit (3) depending on the vehicle parameter, wherein the control element (4) comprises at least one force sensor (10) for measuring an operating force exerted by a user when actuating the control element (4), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to additionally control the actuator (5, 25) depending on the operating force, wherein the actuator (5, 25) can be controlled by the control unit (3) such that for operating forces that lie within a predefinable force interval,the adjustment speed of the seat (2) and / or a seat component is linearly related to the operating force, wherein a scaling constant, which describes the relationship between the operating force and the adjustment speed in the force interval, can be determined as a function of the vehicle parameter. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by , that the vehicle parameter is an acceleration of the motor vehicle (1), a vehicle speed and / or at least an accelerator pedal position. [3] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit has at least one characteristic curve (12, 13, 14) and / or at least one characteristic curve field (24), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to additionally control the actuator (5, 25) depending on the characteristic curve (12, 13, 14) and / or the characteristic curve field (24). [4] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by, that the characteristic curve field (24) comprises several discrete characteristic curves (12, 13, 14), wherein the control unit (3) is configured to select one of the discrete characteristic curves (12, 13, 14) from the characteristic curve field (24) depending on the vehicle parameter and / or the operating force in order to control the actuator (5, 25) depending on them. [5] Motor vehicle according to claim 3, characterized by , that the characteristic curve field (24) is multidimensional and describes an output variable as a function of several input variables, wherein the input variables include the operating force and at least one of the vehicle parameters or at least two of the vehicle parameters, wherein the control unit (3) is configured to control the actuator (5, 25) as a function of the output variable. [6] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the seat (2) has several of the actuators (5, 25) which can be controlled by the control unit (3) depending on the vehicle parameter and which each serve different adjustment functions. [7] Motor vehicle according to claim 6, characterized by , that the adjustment functions include the adjustment of a backrest tilt, a seat surface tilt, a seat height, a seat position and / or a headrest height. [8] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (3) can detect various predefined actuation patterns of the actuation of the control element (4), whereby the actuator (5, 25) can be controlled depending on the detected actuation pattern. [9] Motor vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that depending on the vehicle parameter, the control unit (3) can specify a minimum operating force (15, 18, 21) that must be applied by the user to the control element (4) in order to effect an adjustment of the seat (2), and / or a maximum operating current (16, 19, 22) of the actuator (5, 25) and / or a maximum adjustment speed of the seat (2) and / or a component of the seat (2). [10] Method for operating a motor vehicle (1) with at least one detection device (7, 8, 9) for detecting at least one vehicle parameter describing a driving situation, at least one adjustable seat (2), at least one control element (4) and at least one actuator (5, 25) for adjusting the seat (2), wherein when the control element (4) is actuated, the actuator (5, 25) is controlled by the control unit (3) depending on the vehicle parameter and depending on the operating force measured by the control element (4) comprising a force sensor (10), wherein the actuator (5, 25) is controlled by the control unit (3) such that for operating forces which lie within a predetermined force interval, the adjustment speed of the seat (2) and / or a seat component is linearly related to the operating force, wherein a scaling constant,which describes the relationship between the operating force and the adjustment speed within the force interval, and is determined as a function of the vehicle parameter.

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