Method and device for detecting animal bite damage to a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for detecting animal bite damage to a motor vehicle, in which - a self-test is carried out in the motor vehicle, in which at least one actual value of a physical quantity is determined, - the actual value is compared with a target value of the same physical quantity and - in the event that a deviation between the actual and the target value exceeds a predetermined value, a driver warning is issued, which alerts a driver of the motor vehicle to a possible animal bite damage, characterized in that the self-test is carried out when the motor vehicle is stationary and at the same time output signals from proximity sensors or inertial sensors show values ​​or profiles that are unusual for the stationary motor vehicle, wherein, in the case of a detected high probability of animal bite damage, driver information is provided with a specific indication of the relevant, damaged motor vehicle component.

Description

State of the art

[0001] DE 199 30 508 A1 discloses a marten deterrent system in which an electrical switching device detects movements in the engine compartment and triggers a pulse that activates a device for deterring the marten.

[0002] Documents DE 10 2006 004 730 A1 and DE 101 35 968 A1 disclose a method for detecting animal bite damage to a motor vehicle, in which a self-test is carried out in the motor vehicle, in which at least one actual value of a physical quantity is determined, the actual value is compared with a target value of the same physical quantity, and in the event that the deviation between the actual and the target value exceeds a predetermined value, a driver warning is issued, which alerts the driver of the motor vehicle to possible animal bite damage.

[0003] The publication DE 10 2013 200 731 A1 discloses a method for situation-based estimation of a hazard to a vehicle.

[0004] Document DE 10 2011 120 380 A1 discloses a method for detecting and / or preventing animal damage to vehicles. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a method for detecting damage caused by an animal bite or marten to a motor vehicle, in which - a self-test is carried out in the motor vehicle, in which at least the actual value of a physical quantity is determined, - the determined actual value is compared with a target value of the same physical quantity and - In the event that the deviation between the actual and target values ​​exceeds a predetermined value, a driver warning is issued, which alerts the driver to a possible, probable or suspected animal bite damage.

[0006] According to the invention, the self-test is performed when the vehicle is stationary and, at the same time, the output signals from proximity sensors or inertial sensors exhibit values ​​or patterns that are unusual for a stationary state. If a high probability of animal bite damage is detected, the driver is informed, according to the invention, with a specific indication of the affected, damaged vehicle component. The driver can also be advised on how to verify the suspected damage and shown possible ways to repair it. This enables the driver to visit a repair shop in a timely manner.

[0007] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the physical quantity is a hydraulic flow rate, a hydraulic pressure, an electric current, or an electrical resistance. In particular, a quantity already determined in a motor vehicle can be used.

[0008] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the self-test is carried out independently of the driver at the start of the journey.

[0009] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the self-test is carried out after the motor vehicle receives information from an external database that it is parked or left in a spatial area which has an increased risk of animal bite damage.

[0010] The invention further comprises a device containing means configured for carrying out the methods according to the invention. This is, in particular, a control unit in which the program code for carrying out the methods according to the invention is stored.

[0011] Damage caused by martens can be identified by comparing system characteristics such as flow rates, pressure curves, ohmic resistances or current curves from operational, special or self-tests of an electronic vehicle safety system or driver assistance system.

[0012] The aforementioned system characteristics are continuously logged during vehicle operation. When stationary, specific self-tests, such as electric motor-based pump runs, are performed based on energy-efficient planning or self-triggering, and system characteristics are also recorded during these tests. For tests that can only be performed while driving or with the combustion engine running, these are preferably carried out immediately after the journey begins. If a comparison of the system characteristics reveals significant changes that suggest damage caused by a marten or other animal, the driver is informed.

[0013] The system-relevant parameters can include, for example, the flow rate of turbochargers, hydraulic pressures, electrical currents, etc., which were recorded particularly during driving.

[0014] The triggering of self-tests can depend on the following factors: - A self-test is performed when a journey is highly likely. For this purpose, typical user behavior stored in the vehicle, such as the typical daily commute to work, can be used. - A self-test can be performed if the vehicle is parked in an area with a high probability of marten damage. This can be achieved, for example, by automatically querying an external database that contains the frequency of marten damage depending on the location. A self-test can be performed if, while the vehicle is stationary, signals from proximity sensors or inertial sensors detect movement patterns atypical for a stationary vehicle. The proximity sensors could, for example, be ultrasonic sensors.

[0015] The self-test is primarily performed for systems with a high probability of damage from an animal bite or marten bite.

Claims

[1] Method for detecting damage caused by an animal bite to a motor vehicle, in which - a self-test is carried out in the motor vehicle, in which at least one actual value of a physical quantity is determined, - the actual value is compared with a target value of the same physical quantity and - in the event that a deviation between the actual and the target value exceeds a predetermined value, a driver warning is issued, which alerts the driver of the motor vehicle to possible animal bite damage, characterized by, that the self-test is carried out when the motor vehicle is stationary and at the same time output signals from proximity sensors or inertial sensors show unusual values ​​or profiles for the stationary motor vehicle, whereby in the event of a detected high probability of animal bite damage, driver information is provided with a specific indication of the relevant, damaged motor vehicle component. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the physical quantity is a hydraulic flow rate, a hydraulic pressure, an electric current, or an electrical resistance. [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the self-test is carried out independently of the driver at the start of the journey. [4] Method according to claim 1, characterized by, that the self-test is carried out after the motor vehicle receives information from an external database that it is parked or left in a spatial area which has an increased risk of animal bite damage. [5] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the animal bite damage is caused by a marten. [6] Device comprising means configured for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.