Method for controlling at least two components of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for controlling at least two components (4) of a motor vehicle (1), - according to which, using at least one sensor (16) present in the motor vehicle (1), an instantaneous driving profile of the motor vehicle (1) is determined and compared with a stored reference driving profile, and - according to which, depending on a result of this comparison, at least two different components (4) are controlled simultaneously, wherein a first component (4) is an interior lighting (10) and a second component (4) is an air conditioning system (6) of the motor vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling at least two components of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with a control unit which is set up / programmed to carry out this method.

[0002] DE 10 2011 013 777 A1 relates to a motor vehicle with at least two light sources arranged in the vehicle's interior, the light color of which is adjustable. A sensor device is designed to acquire measurement data. This measurement data includes audio data, which can be measured and recorded by means of a microphone installed in the vehicle's interior. A control device evaluates the acquired measurement data using an evaluation unit. Depending on the evaluation, the control device adjusts the light color of the at least two light sources separately.

[0003] German patent DE 2013 016 817 A1 describes an interior lighting system for the interior of a vehicle. This system comprises one or more light sources. A first sensor measures the illuminance and color temperature of ambient light entering the interior from outside the vehicle. A second sensor measures the illuminance and color temperature within the vehicle's interior. A control device regulates the illuminance and color temperature of the light sources based on the two measured illuminance and color temperature values.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2013 011 188 A1 describes a motor vehicle with at least two light sources distributed throughout the vehicle's interior, the light color of which is adjustable. A sensor device enables the acquisition of measurement data. This measurement data is evaluated by an evaluation unit located in a control unit. Depending on the evaluation unit's assessment, the control unit adjusts the light color of the at least two light sources. The measurement data can include color information from a graphical representation displayed on a screen installed in the vehicle.

[0005] DE 196 00 938 A1 deals with a vehicle condition monitoring device. The monitoring device records behavioral parameters related to the yaw or lateral movement of the vehicle and compares them with a reference behavioral parameter. Based on the behavioral parameter, the reference behavioral parameter, and the vehicle speed, a lateral deviation value is determined, which in turn determines whether the driver's driving condition is normal or not. In the latter case, several warning devices, such as an audible buzzer and a warning light, can be activated.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2004 034 748 A1 concerns a driver assistance system for fatigue detection and / or attention assessment. Any driver fatigue is detected by determining the number of corrective interventions required to maintain a desired driving direction. If fatigue is detected, a warning signal is generated.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and a device for carrying out this method, by means of which the driving behavior of the driver of a motor vehicle can be influenced, in particular with regard to various safety-relevant aspects.

[0008] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to influence the driving behavior of a motor vehicle driver in such a way that the driving profile of the motor vehicle is approximated to a predetermined reference driving profile by means of a control mechanism in which the driver is involved. In this way, unfavorable or undesirable driving behavior, particularly from a safety perspective, can be prevented or at least counteracted, for example, in cases of driver fatigue.

[0010] In the method according to the invention, a component of the motor vehicle, by means of which the driving behavior of the driver of the motor vehicle can be influenced, is controlled depending on the result of a comparison of a current driving profile of the motor vehicle with a stored reference driving profile. At least one sensor is used to determine the current driving profile, by means of which a measured variable characterizing the driving profile can be determined. This measured variable can, for example, be the current steering angle of the motor vehicle, which can be set by the driver using a steering wheel and measured by means of a steering angle sensor.

[0011] Since the actual, current driving profile of the vehicle depends on the driver's behavior, this comparison allows conclusions to be drawn about the driver's current driving behavior. If the stored reference driving profile corresponds to a desired, ideal driving behavior and the comparison reveals a certain deviation of the current, actual driving profile from the reference driving profile, it can be concluded, for example, that the driver is experiencing signs of fatigue. This can be counteracted by appropriately controlling the component in question. If the controllable component is, for example, the interior lighting of the vehicle, then this interior lighting can be used to counteract driver fatigue. For this purpose, the color temperature of the interior lighting can be selected in such a way that it is perceived by the driver as a warning signal against fatigue.As a result, the driver can adjust his driving behavior accordingly, which in turn changes the driving profile of the vehicle, ideally in such a way that its deviation from the stored reference driving profile decreases.

[0012] In the inventive method for controlling at least one component of a motor vehicle, a current driving profile of the motor vehicle is determined using at least one sensor present in the motor vehicle. The determined driving profile is then compared with at least one stored reference driving profile, and depending on the result of this comparison, at least two different components are controlled. A first component is the interior lighting of the motor vehicle. A second component is the air conditioning system of the motor vehicle.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, at least one measured variable can be influenced by the driver while the vehicle is in operation. This ensures that the driver is part of the control mechanism described above, so that the actual driving profile of the vehicle largely, and ideally even completely, adapts to the stored reference driving profile by adjusting the driver's driving behavior.

[0014] Particularly preferred is at least one component designed in such a way that it can influence the driver's driving behavior and, consequently, the vehicle's driving profile. Such a component could be, in particular, an air conditioning system for blowing conditioned and tempered fresh air into the vehicle interior, an air balance system for ionizing the fresh air, an entertainment system with an audio system for playing music in the vehicle interior, and interior lighting provided in the vehicle interior.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the driver's fatigue level is determined by comparing the calculated driving profile with the reference driving profile. This can preferably be done by assigning a current driving profile value to the actual, instantaneous driving profile as part of the inventive method. Similarly, a reference driving profile value can be assigned to the stored reference driving profile. By comparing the two values, i.e., the driving profile value and the reference driving profile value, particularly by simply calculating the difference, the driver's fatigue level can be defined and determined.

[0016] Particularly preferred is at least one component designed in such a way as to reduce the driver's fatigue level. Such a component could be, for example, an audio system in the vehicle through which music can be played. In the present context, it is conceivable to change the type of music played, e.g., the genre, and / or the volume at which this music is played, once or repeatedly, in order to influence the driver's driving behavior.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the driving profile includes at least one measurand that can be determined by the sensor. Suitable measurands include, in particular, the vehicle's speed, which can be measured by a speed sensor, and the steering angle of the vehicle, which is set by the driver using a steering wheel and can be determined by a steering angle sensor. Further suitable measurands include longitudinal and lateral acceleration of the vehicle, which can be measured by an acceleration sensor designed as a longitudinal acceleration sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor, respectively.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the at least one sensor and the at least one component communicate via a common fieldbus with a control unit provided in the motor vehicle, in which the method according to the invention is carried out. This enables the method according to the invention to be carried out using equipment that is typically already standard in the motor vehicle. The provision of additional components for carrying out the method is therefore unnecessary in this variant. Significant additional costs in the manufacture of the motor vehicle can thus be largely avoided. The communication link can preferably be established using a fieldbus provided in the motor vehicle, in particular a CAN or LIN bus.

[0019] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a control unit and at least one component controllable by this control unit. The motor vehicle further comprises at least one sensor for determining a current driving profile of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the control device is configured / programmed to carry out the method described above.

[0020] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawing and the associated description of the figures based on the drawing.

[0021] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description.

[0023] The only Fig.Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a control unit 2, which can be part of an anti-drowsiness assistance system 3 of the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 comprises several components 4, in the example scenario in the form of comfort systems 5, by means of which the driving comfort perceived by the occupants of the motor vehicle 1, including the driver 20, can be influenced and, in particular, improved. The components 4 or comfort systems 5, and also the control unit 2, are networked with each other via a fieldbus 19 present in the motor vehicle 1, preferably via a CAN or LIN bus, so that the components 4 or comfort systems 5 can be controlled by the control unit 2 of the anti-drowsiness assistance system 3. It is understood that the individual components 4 or comfort systems 5 areComfort systems 5 can each have individual control units connected to the fieldbus 19.

[0024] In the example scenario, the comfort systems 5 include an air conditioning system 6 for blowing conditioned and tempered fresh air into the vehicle interior, an air balance system 7 for ionizing the fresh air, an entertainment system 8 with an audio system 9 for playing music in the vehicle interior, and interior lighting 10 provided in the vehicle interior.

[0025] The control unit 2 comprises a control device 21 and a storage unit 22 and is set up / programmed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0026] Furthermore, several sensors 16 are installed in the vehicle 1, including a steering angle sensor 12 for determining the instantaneous steering angle set by the driver 20 in a steering wheel 11. Another sensor 16 is designed as a speed sensor 13, which determines the instantaneous speed of the vehicle 1. Another sensor 16 is designed as a longitudinal acceleration sensor 14, which determines the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle 1 in its longitudinal direction. Finally, another sensor 16 is designed as a lateral acceleration sensor 15, which determines the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle 1 in its lateral direction, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. All sensors 16 are connected to the fieldbus 19 and can thus communicate with the control unit 2.The aforementioned measured variables have in common that they can be influenced by the driver 20 of the vehicle 1 during driving. Using the sensors 16, a current driving profile of the vehicle 1 can be determined. The driving profile depends on the driving behavior of the vehicle 1 as currently imposed on it by the driver 20.

[0027] Regarding the specific technical implementation of the driving profile determination, a wide range of possibilities are available to the expert. One conceivable approach is to classify the current driving profile as "sporty," "defensive," "driver fatigue likely," or similar, depending on the current speed or acceleration in the longitudinal and lateral directions and the steering behavior of the vehicle 1. The driving profile is determined by evaluating the sensor data provided by the sensors 16 and transmitted to the control unit 2 via the fieldbus 19. The determination of the driving profile 2 takes place in the control unit 21 of the control unit 2. The driving profile determined by the control unit 2 is compared with several reference driving profiles stored in the memory unit 22.Such reference driving profiles can, for example, be profiles that represent a sporty or defensive driving style. A reference driving profile corresponding to the "ideal" driving behavior of the driver 20 is particularly preferred. In the control mechanism implemented by the method according to the invention, this reference driving profile corresponds to a desired target driving profile.

[0028] In the inventive method, the various components 16 are controlled by the control unit 2 depending on the result of this comparison. For example, the interior lighting 10 can be modified with regard to brightness and color profile depending on the result of this comparison. It is conceivable, for instance, to define a reference driving profile that corresponds to a defensive driving style. If the comparison of the reference driving profile with the actual driving profile reveals that no defensive driving behavior is present, this can be counteracted with the help of the interior lighting 10. It is conceivable, for example, to select a lighting color or brightness that the driver finds pleasant, in particular "calming". This can lead to a change in the driver's 20 driving behavior such that the actual driving profile of the motor vehicle 1 adapts to the reference driving profile.

[0029] An alternative variant could also involve changing the lighting of the vehicle interior in such a way that it is understood by the driver 20 as a warning signal against fatigue if driver fatigue is detected by comparing the determined driving profile with the stored reference driving profile.

[0030] Similarly, it is also conceivable, as a consequence of the aforementioned comparison, to control the air conditioning system 6 in such a way that a particularly large mass flow of tempered air is blown into the vehicle interior. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to increase the ionization level of the fresh air introduced into the vehicle interior by means of the Air Balance System 7.

[0031] Furthermore, it may be possible to control the entertainment system 8 with the audio system 9 in a suitable manner, for example by changing the volume of the music currently being played in the vehicle interior, i.e. increasing or decreasing it.

[0032] The aforementioned components 4 have in common that they can influence the driving behavior of the driver 20 and, through this, the driving profile of the motor vehicle 1.

[0033] Ideally, the control of component(s) 4 influences the driving behavior in such a way that the resulting current driving profile of the vehicle 1 approximates the stored reference driving profile or, ideally, even matches it. In this case, the method presented here follows the operating principle of a controller that also incorporates the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling at least two components (4) of a motor vehicle (1), - according to which, using at least one sensor (16) present in the motor vehicle (1), an instantaneous driving profile of the motor vehicle (1) is determined and compared with a stored reference driving profile, and - according to which, depending on a result of this comparison, at least two different components (4) are controlled simultaneously, wherein a first component (4) is an interior lighting (10) and a second component (4) is an air conditioning system (6) of the motor vehicle (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the color of the interior lighting (10) is changed if the result of the comparison indicates driver fatigue. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that fresh air is blown into the interior of the motor vehicle (1) by means of the air conditioning system (6) if the result of the comparison indicates that the driver is fatigued. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the at least two components (4) are designed in such a way that their interaction can influence the driving behavior of the driver (20) and, through this, the driving profile of the motor vehicle (1). [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that by comparing the determined driving profile with the reference driving profile a degree of driver fatigue (20) is determined. [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least two components (4) are two different comfort systems (5) of the motor vehicle. [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the driving profile includes at least one measurement variable that can be determined by the sensor (16). [8] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one measurement variable can be influenced by a driver (20) during the operation of the motor vehicle (1). [9] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one sensor (16) and the at least two components (4) communicate via a common fieldbus (19) with a control unit (2) provided in the motor vehicle (1) in which the procedure is carried out. [10] Motor vehicle (1), - with a control unit (2) and at least two components (4) controllable by this control unit (2), wherein a first component (4) is an interior lighting (10) and a second component (4) is an air conditioning system (6) of the motor vehicle (1), - with at least one sensor (16) for determining an instantaneous driving profile of the motor vehicle (1), - wherein the control unit (2) is set up / programmed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [11] Motor vehicle according to claim 10, characterized by , that the at least two components (4) are designed in such a way that the driver's fatigue level (20) can be reduced with them. [12] Motor vehicle according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by , that the motor vehicle (1) is designed in such a way that at least one measured variable can be influenced by a driver (20) during the operation of the motor vehicle (1).

Images