Method and control unit for setting a control signal for controlling at least one safety device of a vehicle

Abstract

Method (200) for setting a control signal (135) for controlling at least one safety device (130) for a vehicle (100), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: Reading (210) a driving mode signal (115) which has a first value when a manual driving mode of the vehicle (100) is set, and which has a second value when at least a partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle (100) is set;and adjusting (220) at least one parameter of the control signal (135) for controlling the at least one safety device (130) using the driving mode signal (115) to set the control signal (135), characterized in that, when responding to the first value of the driving mode signal (115) read in the reading step (210), the at least one parameter is set to a first parameter value in the adjusting step (220), wherein the first parameter value causes a partial triggering of the at least one safety device (130) when the at least one safety device (130) is controlled.

Description

State of the art The invention relates to a control unit or a method according to the preamble of the independent claims. The present invention also relates to a computer program. Typically, a motor vehicle may be fitted with at least one occupant protection device and at least one restraint device, which may be referred to herein as safety devices, for example, to protect the vehicle's occupants in the event of an accident. DE 10 2011 084 204 A1 describes a method for controlling safety actuators of a motor vehicle. German patent application DE 10 2014 210 494 A1 discloses a method for operating a vehicle in which a collision probability and a measure of the efficiency of the restraint systems for the collision associated with that probability are determined. Subsequently, depending on the determined measure, at least one damage-minimizing measure is initiated. German patent application DE10 2015 010 265 A1 discloses a method for controlling at least one occupant protection device in a vehicle, in which an automatically initiated evasive maneuver is controlled to avoid a collision with a potential collision object. During the automatically executed evasive maneuver, an occupant protection device can be controlled and positioned. German patent application DE 10 2015 206 501 A1 discloses a vehicle which can be operated in a manual and an at least partially automatic driving mode. In this mode, at least one driving-related cockpit element can be operated in a first position in the manual driving mode and in a second position in the automatic driving mode. Disclosure of the invention Against this background, the approach presented here comprises a method, a control unit that uses this method, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims. Advantageous further developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim are possible through the measures listed in the dependent claims. According to embodiments, an adaptive adjustment of the driver's position prior to the activation of safety devices and prior to a collision or impact of the vehicle can be implemented, depending on the driving mode. The driving mode can be set, for example, to manual or at least partially automatic. In other words, a bimodal adjustment of pre-crash parameters or pre-impact parameters of a vehicle can be implemented, depending on the driving mode. When the driver is driving manually, only limited safety measures can be taken to maintain the driving task as much as possible. With at least partially automatic driving, for example, greater seatbelt forces, seat length adjustments, and the like can be applied, since the driving task is usually not affected. Advantageously, according to certain embodiments, the benefit of pre-impact safety systems, or so-called pre-crash systems, for a driver during a collision can be optimized by adaptively adjusting the degree of intervention with regard to impact loads and driving mode. For example, the driving mode—i.e., manual or at least partially automatic—can be taken into account when safety devices are triggered. Pre-impact measures on one side of the driver, such as seat adjustment before impact, seatbelt forces, and the like, can, for example, be limited or remain limited only in manual driving mode to avoid interfering with the driving task. In this way, the benefit of safety devices during a collision can be increased, particularly in at least partially automatic driving modes on the driver's side. Furthermore, an integrated safety system can be implemented.Furthermore, a method according to embodiments and additionally or alternatively a control unit according to embodiments is easy to implement. A method for setting a control signal for controlling at least one safety device of a vehicle is presented, wherein the method comprises the following steps: reading a driving mode signal, wherein the driving mode signal represents information as to whether a manual driving mode or an at least partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle is set; and adjusting at least one parameter of the control signal using the driving mode signal to set the control signal. This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware, or in a hybrid form of both, such as in a control unit. The vehicle can be a motor vehicle, in particular a road vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, or commercial vehicle. The at least one safety device can comprise an actuator, an actuating element, a triggering element, or the like. The at least one safety device can be triggered before and additionally or alternatively in the event of a vehicle accident. In the adaptation step, a parameter set or set of parameters of the control signal can be adjusted. By adjusting the at least one parameter, the control signal can be set so that the safety device is activated in a manner adapted to the respective driving mode. According to one embodiment, at least one parameter can be adjusted during the adjustment step, which can influence the triggering of at least one safety device related to a driver of the vehicle. The at least one safety device can, for example, be designed to adjust a driver's seat, a seat belt, or the like. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that a driver can be reliably protected from the consequences of an accident, depending on the extent of a driving task, which is dependent on the driving mode. The safety device can be designed according to different embodiments to exert its protective effect either before or during an accident. According to one embodiment, the safety device can thus be configured to perform a pre-crash intervention with a level that depends on the driving mode. A pre-crash intervention can be understood as the safety device being triggered even before an accident, such as a collision, in order to protect the driver from the consequences of the impending accident. If, for example, the safety device is configured to intervene at the vehicle seat, the level of the safety device can refer to a seat position or seat adjustment that can be set depending on the driving mode. If the safety device is configured to intervene at the vehicle seat belt, the level of the safety device can refer to a seat belt tension that can be set depending on the driving mode.Thus, during the adjustment step, at least one parameter of the control signal can be modified, which affects the level of the safety device. In this way, a pre-crash intervention, which may relate to the seat or seatbelt, for example, can be controlled with at least two levels dependent on the driving mode. In the adjustment step, at least one parameter can be adjusted that can set a force, a speed, an acceleration, an actuation path, a displacement path, and additionally or alternatively, a triggering time of the at least one safety device. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the triggering behavior of the at least one safety device can be precisely tailored to the current driving mode. During the initial reading step, a driving mode signal can also be read. This signal has a first value if the vehicle is set to a manual driving mode, and a second value if it is set to at least a partially automatic driving mode. Optionally, the driving mode signal can also have at least one further value if a different driving mode (besides the manual and partially automatic modes) is selected. This embodiment offers the advantage of allowing the current or selected driving mode to be detected simply and reliably. In this process, at least one parameter can be set to a first parameter value in the adaptation step, based on the first value of the driving mode signal read in the input step. This first parameter value can then trigger a partial activation of the at least one safety device. Partial activation can be understood as activation with limited force, limited speed, limited acceleration, limited actuation distance, limited displacement distance, and additionally or alternatively, a limited duration. For example, in contrast to a complete activation, a safety device is only partially or more slowly activated during partial activation.Such an embodiment offers the advantage that the driving task of manual driving can be largely performed when the at least one safety device is partially triggered, since the safety device has a less pronounced effect on the driver compared to a complete triggering. Furthermore, in the adjustment step, at least one parameter can be set to a second parameter value based on the second value of the driving mode signal read in the input step. This second parameter value can trigger a complete activation of the at least one safety device when activated. Complete activation can be understood as activation with maximum force, maximum speed, maximum acceleration, maximum actuation distance, maximum displacement distance, and additionally or alternatively, maximum duration. The effect of a complete activation of the safety device exceeds the effect of a partial activation.Such an embodiment offers the advantage that maximum protective effect of the safety device can be achieved in at least partially automated or highly automated driving. The method may include a step of providing the driving mode signal using a driving mode device of the vehicle. The driving mode device may be a vehicle control unit, a user input interface, or the like. Thus, the driving mode signal may represent a sensor signal and, additionally or alternatively, a user input signal. Such an embodiment offers the advantage that reliable detection, acquisition, or determination of a selected driving mode can be achieved. The approach presented here further creates a control unit that is configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of the method presented here in appropriate devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a control unit also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently. For this purpose, the control unit can have at least one processing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or for outputting control signals to the actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The processing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, or the like, while the storage unit can be flash memory, an EPROM, or a magnetic storage device.The communication interface can be configured to read or output data wirelessly and / or via wired connections, whereby a communication interface that can read or output wired data can, for example, read this data electrically or optically from or output it into a corresponding data transmission line. In this context, a control unit can be understood as an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals accordingly. The control unit can have an interface, which can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based interface, the interfaces can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which incorporates various functions of the control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are separate integrated circuits or at least partially comprised of discrete components. In the case of a software-based interface, the interfaces can be software modules, which, for example, are located on a microcontroller alongside other software modules. In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit controls at least one safety device of a vehicle or at least sets a control signal for controlling at least one safety device of a vehicle. For this purpose, the control unit can, for example, access input signals or sensor signals such as a user input signal, an image signal from a camera recording the vehicle interior, or the like. The control of the at least one safety device is effected via actuators such as servo motors, ignitable propellant charges, and the like. A safety device in the form of an airbag can have several stages, for example, up to three stages. According to one embodiment, the stages to be activated can be selected depending on the driving mode. Similarly, a safety device in the form of an electric seatbelt can control different force levels.According to one embodiment, a power level can be selected depending on the driving mode. Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and is used to carry out, implement and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above, in particular if the program product or program is executed on a computer or device. Exemplary embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle with a control unit according to one exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method for adjustment according to one exemplary embodiment; and Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a process for parameter adjustment according to one exemplary embodiment. In the following description of favorable embodiments, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, without repeating these elements. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 100 with a control unit 120 according to an exemplary embodiment. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 100 is a motor vehicle in the form of a road vehicle, in particular a passenger car or the like, which is only shown as an example of a left-hand drive vehicle. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a driver 102 is arranged in the vehicle 100 on a driver's seat 104. Vehicle 100 has control unit 120 and, by way of example, only one safety device 130. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, vehicle 100 also has a driving mode device 110. Control unit 120 is connected to safety device 130 for signal transmission. Furthermore, control unit 120 is connected to driving mode device 110 for signal transmission. The driving mode device 110 is configured to detect or recognize a driving mode of the vehicle 100. The driving mode is, for example, a manual driving mode or a driving mode that is at least partially automatic or highly automated. In the manual driving mode, the driver 102 has to perform a greater number of driving tasks than in the at least partially automatic driving mode. In the at least partially automatic driving mode, the vehicle 100 can be controlled in a highly automated or semi-automated manner using a suitable control device, so that the driver 102 has to perform no driving tasks or fewer driving tasks compared to the manual driving mode. The driving mode device 110 is configured to output or provide a driving mode signal 115. The driving mode signal 115 represents information indicating whether the manual driving mode or the at least partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle 100 is selected.The safety device 130 is assigned to the driver 102 and additionally or alternatively to the driver's seat 104. The safety device 130 is designed to protect the driver 102 in the event of an accident involving the vehicle 100. To this end, the safety device 130 is specifically designed to influence the driver 102. For example, the safety device 130 is designed to influence, change, or maintain the position of the driver 102 relative to the vehicle 100, particularly to the driver's seat 104. The safety device 130 can also be designed to change the position of the driver 102 by altering the setting of the driver's seat 104. The safety device 130 can be triggered before and / or during an accident involving the vehicle 100.The safety device 130 is, for example, a device for tightening a seat belt, a device for moving the driver's seat 104, and / or another safety device. The safety device 130 is controlled or triggered by a control signal 135. Thus, the safety device 130 can be controlled or triggered by the control signal 135. The control unit 120 is configured to set the control signal 135 for controlling at least one safety device 130 of the vehicle 100. For this purpose, the control unit 120 is configured to set the control signal 135 using the driving mode signal 115. The control unit 120 has a reading device 122 and an adaptation device 124. The reading device 122 is configured to read the driving mode signal 115. Furthermore, the reading device 122 is configured to forward information regarding the selected driving mode to the adaptation device 124. The adaptation device 124 is configured to adapt at least one parameter of the control signal 135 using the driving mode signal 115 or the information represented by the driving mode signal 115. By adapting at least one parameter, the control signal 135 can be set so that, taking into account the current driving mode, the safety device 130 can ensure optimal protection for the driver. Thus, the adaptation device 124 is designed to adjust at least one parameter that influences the triggering or triggering behavior of the safety device 130 relating to a driver 102 of the vehicle 100. The at least one parameter adjustable by the adaptation device 124 is suitable for setting a force, a speed, an acceleration, an actuation distance, a displacement distance and / or a time of triggering of the safety device 130 when the safety device 130 is actuated by means of the control signal 135. According to one embodiment, the control unit 120 can be configured to provide the control signal 135 with at least one adapted parameter. Optionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to receive the control signal 135 from an interface to a vehicle device and to provide or output the control signal 135 with at least one adapted parameter. Regarding the operation of the control unit 120 in the vehicle 100, it should be noted that the driving mode signal 115, which can be read or has been read by the reading device 122, has or represents a first value or a second value. The first value is present when a manual driving mode of the vehicle 100 is set, whereby the driver 102 has to perform a maximum number of driving tasks. The second value is present when an at least partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle 100 is set, whereby the driver 102 has to perform a minimum number of driving tasks. If a driving mode signal 115 with the first value has been read by the reading device 122, at least one parameter is set to a first parameter value by means of the adaptation device 124. The first parameter value causes only a partial triggering of the safety device 130 when it is activated.If a driving mode signal 115 with the second value is read in by the reading device 122, at least one parameter is set to a second parameter value by means of the adaptation device 124. When the safety device 130 is activated, the second parameter value causes a complete triggering of the safety device 130, going beyond a partial triggering. Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for adjustment according to an exemplary embodiment. The method 200 for adjustment can be implemented to adjust a control signal for controlling at least one safety device of a vehicle. The method 200 for adjustment can be implemented in conjunction with the control unit or using the control unit from Fig. 1 or a similar control unit. Thus, the method 200 for adjustment can be implemented in conjunction with the vehicle from Fig. 1 or a similar vehicle. Procedure 200 for setting includes a step 210 for reading a driving mode signal. The driving mode signal read in step 210 represents information as to whether a manual driving mode or at least a partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle is set. In step 220 of the adjustment, which can be performed subsequently with respect to step 210 of the reading process, at least one parameter of the control signal is adjusted using the driving mode signal in procedure 200 for setting the control signal. In other words, the at least one parameter of the control signal is adjusted here depending on the driving mode represented by the driving mode signal. According to one embodiment, the setting method 200 also includes a step 230 of providing the driving mode signal using a driving mode device of the vehicle. In this step, the provision step 230 can be performed before the reading step 210. Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of process 300 for parameter adjustment according to an exemplary embodiment. Process 300 can be executed to adjust at least one parameter of a control signal for controlling at least one safety device of a vehicle using a driving mode. Process 300 can be executed in conjunction with the adjustment method from Fig. 2 or a similar method and / or in conjunction with, or using, the control unit from Fig. 1 or a similar control unit. Process 300 reaches a junction 310, where it is determined whether at least partially automated driving is present as the driving mode. If the driving mode is not set to automatic driving, i.e., if manual driving is selected, then process 300 proceeds to block 322. In block 322, at least one parameter, such as force, speed, acceleration, and displacement, is adjusted to a balanced level before an impact in order to maintain the driver's ability to control the vehicle. If the driving mode is set to at least partially automatic driving, then process 300 transitions to block 324. In block 324, at least one parameter, for example force, speed, acceleration, and displacement, is set to a high level before an impact, for example, to a full value with regard to impact loads. In process 300 for parameter adjustment, for example, two different sets of parameters are used for measures on one side of the driver before an impact, depending on a driving mode. If an embodiment includes an “and / or” connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Method (200) for setting a control signal (135) for controlling at least one safety device (130) for a vehicle (100), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: Reading (210) a driving mode signal (115) which has a first value when a manual driving mode of the vehicle (100) is set, and which has a second value when at least a partially automatic driving mode of the vehicle (100) is set;and adjusting (220) at least one parameter of the control signal (135) for controlling the at least one safety device (130) using the driving mode signal (115) to set the control signal (135), characterized in that, when responding to the first value of the driving mode signal (115) read in the reading step (210), the at least one parameter is set to a first parameter value in the adjusting step (220), wherein the first parameter value causes a partial triggering of the at least one safety device (130) when the at least one safety device (130) is controlled. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case of partial triggering the safety device is only partially or slowly triggered. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the case of partial triggering the safety device has a less strong effect on the driver in contrast to a complete triggering. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (220) of the adjustment at least one parameter of the control signal (135) is adjusted which influences the triggering of at least one safety device (130) relating to a driver (102) of the vehicle (100). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety device (130) is configured to perform a pre-crash intervention with a level dependent on the driving mode, and wherein in step (220) of the adjustment at least one parameter of the control signal (135) is adjusted which causes an adjustment of the level of the safety device (130). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (220) of adjusting at least one parameter of the control signal (135) is adjusted which causes a setting of a force, a speed, an acceleration, an actuation path, a displacement path and / or a time of triggering of the at least one safety device (130). Method (200) according to claim 1, wherein, responding to the second value of the driving mode signal (115) read in step (210) of reading, in step (220) of adjusting the at least one parameter, the at least one parameter is set to a second parameter value, wherein the second parameter value, when the at least one safety device (130) is activated, causes a complete triggering of the at least one safety device (130). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (230) of providing the driving mode signal (115) using a driving mode device (110) of the vehicle (100). Control unit (120) configured to perform steps of the method (200) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units (122, 124). Computer program configured to execute the method (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 10 is stored.

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