Procedure for operating a stationary motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for operating a stationary motor vehicle (K) in which at least one detection area (E1-E6) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (K) is monitored by an environmental monitoring system, wherein, in the event of a collision risk between at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) and a potential collision obstacle (KH1, KH2), an automatic locking of the at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) is initiated, wherein, after the collision risk has ceased, an automatic unlocking of the at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) takes place, characterized in that, in the event of a collision risk occurring and after a certain period of time has elapsed without the collision risk having ceased, a notification (H) is issued, wherein the notification (H) is linked to the query.whether manual deactivation of the implemented locking is desired or not, and where, if unlocking is desired, a control signal (S) from the evaluation and control unit unlocks previously locked vehicle doors (T1-T4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a stationary motor vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2007 036 079 A1 discloses a method in which sensors monitor the area around a motor vehicle and, if there is a risk of collision with a vehicle door due to an obstruction, a warning signal is emitted as soon as the vehicle door is about to be opened. The warning signal can be visual, acoustic, or haptic. In addition to emitting a warning signal, the opening of a potentially hazardous door can be blocked or delayed. To avoid false alarms and to monitor only those doors that are actually at risk of collision, the occupancy of the vehicle seats is also monitored.

[0003] German patent DE 195 37 619 A1 describes a method for operating a stationary motor vehicle. Here, too, suitable sensors detect approaching persons or vehicles. When such a potential obstacle approaches, the opening of a vehicle door is blocked. Additionally, an optical and / or acoustic signal can alert the driver to the approach of a collision obstacle.

[0004] German patent DE 100 04 161 A1 discloses an adaptive door locking system for motor vehicles. Specifically, the vehicle's surroundings are monitored by sensors. If a vehicle occupant intends to open a door and a moving or stationary object is detected that poses a collision risk, an acoustic warning is triggered and the door is blocked. In the case of a stationary object, the door unlocks again after a time delay.

[0005] A door monitoring system is known from DE 10 2004 040 399 A1, in which sensors detect the risk of a door colliding with potential obstacles. A control unit can initiate a warning signal in two warning levels. A higher warning level is issued if, in addition to the risk of collision, an intended opening of the door is also detected. The higher warning level can also be combined with a haptic warning signal.

[0006] US patent 2005 / 0 242 618 A1 describes a sensor system for protecting a vehicle door, which also detects a potential collision risk to the vehicle door and, depending on this, blocks the opening of the vehicle door. The blockage of the vehicle door can be released via an emergency switch.

[0007] In the aforementioned procedures, if a collision risk arises and a door is intended to be opened, the corresponding door is simply locked automatically. It does not unlock automatically. Therefore, once the collision risk has ceased, the locked door must be manually unlocked by the vehicle occupant if they wish to open it.

[0008] Depending on the age or health condition of a vehicle occupant, this can potentially trigger helplessness or even panic.

[0009] The remedy here is provided by CN 1 689 876 A, which forms the preamble of claim 1. Specifically, a vehicle door collision avoidance system is described, comprising first sensors in the exterior mirrors and second sensors in the door handles of the vehicle doors. When the vehicle is stationary, the sensors are activated. As soon as the first sensor detects a moving object in the vehicle's vicinity and the second sensor detects a hand moving towards the door handle, a control circuit generates a locking signal for the vehicle doors. This is signaled visually and audibly via a warning light and a loudspeaker. If no further collision risk is detected within a certain time period after the object is detected, the control circuit again sends an unlocking signal to the door handles.

[0010] The present invention is based on the objective of improving known methods and offering even more assistance to a vehicle occupant.

[0011] The present problem is solved by a method having all the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having all the features of claim 8. Advantageous further developments or embodiments of the method can be found in the respective dependent claims.

[0012] The embodiment according to the invention is based on a method for operating a stationary motor vehicle in which at least one detection area in the vicinity of the motor vehicle is monitored by an environmental monitoring system. If a collision risk arises between at least one vehicle door and a potential collision obstacle, an automatic locking of the at least one door is initiated.

[0013] A stationary motor vehicle within the meaning of the invention shall also be understood to be a motor vehicle which is not absolutely stationary, which may therefore still have a speed slightly above 0 km / h.

[0014] For monitoring purposes, the environmental monitoring system is equipped with suitable sensors. These sensors can be, for example, ultrasonic, radar, infrared sensors, and / or video cameras. This list is not exhaustive.

[0015] According to the invention, it is also proposed that after the risk of collision has ceased, at least one vehicle door is automatically unlocked.

[0016] This provides a high degree of assistance to vehicle occupants in the event of an impending collision risk. In particular, it prevents the occupant from being placed in an uncomfortable situation due to a still-blocked door.

[0017] According to the invention, a warning is also given if a collision risk occurs and after a certain period of time has elapsed without the collision risk being eliminated.

[0018] For example, a situation might arise where a driver parks their vehicle next to a fixed obstacle, such as a bollard, a tree, or a large rock, without immediately noticing. While the procedure does lock at least the door at risk of collision, a prolonged locking can also lead to an unpleasant situation for the vehicle's occupants.

[0019] Therefore, in such a case, a warning indicating a potentially fixed obstacle that has been within the detection range of the environmental monitoring system for some time is very useful.

[0020] A vehicle occupant or driver may, for example, be asked to check what obstacle is causing a prolonged collision risk. They can then decide, for instance, to move the vehicle a few meters forward or backward to eliminate the collision risk.

[0021] This gives a vehicle occupant a high degree of freedom of choice in the face of an existing risk of collision. According to the invention, it is proposed that, in the event that at least one vehicle door is locked, a corresponding notification is provided along with the option to manually deactivate the locking mechanism of that door. Preferably, this can be combined with a requirement to exercise particular care and caution when opening the door.

[0022] According to a further development of the invention, a warning is given after the locking of at least one vehicle door has been initiated. This contributes to providing comprehensive information and reassurance to the vehicle occupant in such a case.

[0023] According to another embodiment, a warning is also given once the risk of collision has ceased. This makes the vehicle occupant feel safer when they intend to exit the vehicle again.

[0024] According to a further development of the invention, it can also be helpful if, in the event of an existing locking mechanism on at least one vehicle door and a collision risk, a warning is only issued when the at least one vehicle door is intentionally opened from the inside. However, this generally requires more complex vehicle equipment, for example, proximity sensors or an interior surveillance camera that can detect whether an operating tool for unlocking a vehicle door is approaching or not. The use of touch-sensitive sensors that trigger a corresponding warning only when a unlocking device is touched is also conceivable.

[0025] According to a further development of the invention, if at least one vehicle door is locked, the corresponding indication is also provided haptically by the tightening of a seatbelt tensioner. Such tightening is preferably achieved with a reversible seatbelt tensioner, whereby the tightening is gentle yet perceptible to the vehicle occupant. This tightening can be performed once or repeatedly in quick succession. Such a haptic indication effectively alerts the vehicle occupant to the changed situation.

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, it can also be useful to design the haptic cue as the movement of a movable element of a vehicle seat. Such a movable element could be, for example, a massage function or lumbar support. This is also very well suited to making the changed situation "tangible" for the vehicle occupant.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the warning is displayed visually in an instrument cluster. This visual warning is particularly prominent and easily recognizable for the driver. In a further development, the visual warning can also appear additionally or alternatively in at least one exterior mirror of the vehicle. This is advantageous because the exterior mirrors are easily visible to both vehicle occupants and people outside the vehicle. In this way, a person who might pose a potential collision hazard can be made even more aware of the situation.

[0028] According to further training, it can be very useful if, when a vehicle door is locked but the driver still wishes to unlock and open it manually, a brief visual and / or audible signal is emitted to the surrounding area. This can be achieved, for example, by briefly and automatically activating the vehicle's hazard warning lights and / or horn.

[0029] In this way, a person who represents a potential collision obstacle is optimally warned in advance.

[0030] According to further training, the warning can also be given visually, either additionally or alternatively, through ambient lighting or at least a portion of it. Ambient lighting typically extends over a larger area of ​​the vehicle interior (i.e., not just a single point). This makes the visual warning particularly easy for vehicle occupants to notice.

[0031] According to one embodiment, it is further proposed that the warning be additionally or alternatively issued audibly as a spoken message. This has the significant advantage that the warning can be issued unambiguously and clearly. Such a voice output can also include reassuring phrases for the vehicle occupant.

[0032] The embodiment according to the invention also relates to a motor vehicle for carrying out the method according to the invention. Such a motor vehicle is equipped with an environmental monitoring system consisting of suitable sensors. Potential collision obstacles located within the detection range can be detected by the environmental monitoring system. The occurrence and absence of a collision risk can be assessed by at least one evaluation and control unit of the motor vehicle, wherein the evaluation and control unit is connected to the sensors of the environmental monitoring system via a signal connection. Upon the occurrence and absence of a collision risk, the evaluation and control unit can generate control signals for activating at least one door locking device, to which the evaluation and control unit is also connected via a signal connection.The control signals are configured such that the door locking device can be activated when a collision risk arises and deactivated when the collision risk is eliminated. A collision risk, as defined by the invention, always occurs when a potential collision obstacle enters the swing area of ​​a vehicle door or threatens to enter such an area due to a foreseeable trajectory.

[0033] At least one door locking device could, for example, be a central locking system of a motor vehicle. However, it is also conceivable to connect the evaluation and control unit to a door locking device of each vehicle door via a signal connection. While this increases the control complexity, it also leads to maximum flexibility in the process. In particular, it makes it possible to lock only the vehicle door where there is an actual risk of collision.

[0034] According to the invention, the motor vehicle used to carry out the method is characterized in that, upon the occurrence and / or absence of a collision risk, control signals for activating at least one seatbelt tensioner can be generated by the evaluation and control unit, to which the evaluation and control unit is also connected via signal technology. In this way, haptic cues or warning signals can be generated very effectively.

[0035] In the embodiment according to the invention, it is alternatively or additionally conceivable that the evaluation and control unit can generate control signals for controlling at least one display device in an instrument cluster and / or at least one display device in an exterior mirror. According to the invention, the control signals can also be generated in at least a part of ambient lighting. This effectively implements the creation of visual indicators.

[0036] According to the invention, the evaluation and control unit can alternatively or additionally generate control signals for controlling at least one speech output device. This makes it possible to output verbal instructions or precise verbal directions to vehicle occupants.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and is explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures, where further advantages of the invention also become apparent. In this context, identical reference numerals refer to identical, comparable, or functionally equivalent components, whereby corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved, even if a repeated description is omitted.

[0038] They show, each in a very schematic way Fig. 1 a motor vehicle which is equipped to carry out the method according to the invention, from above, Fig. 2 the motor vehicle from the side, Fig. 3 a flowchart to explain the method according to the invention and Fig. 4 a flowchart which forms a sub-section of the method according to the invention.

[0039] First, attention will be drawn to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Referenced.

[0040] These figures show a motor vehicle K. The motor vehicle K is equipped with sensors 1, which are designed as ultrasonic sensors and partly also as radar sensors. As can be seen, the sensors 1 are located in the front bumper cover, the rear bumper cover, and also on the sides of the motor vehicle K, specifically in the area of ​​the sills. The sensors 1 define detection zones E1, E2, E3, and E4.

[0041] Additionally, sensors 2 in the form of video cameras are present, creating detection areas E5 and E6. Detection areas E5 and E6 partially overlap with detection areas E2 and E1.

[0042] Furthermore, a sensor 3 in the form of an interior surveillance camera is located in the headliner area. Two capacitive proximity sensors 4 are also shown as examples. The sensors 4 are located near the unlocking switches of vehicle doors T1 and T2 on the driver's and passenger's sides, respectively, as well as vehicle doors T3 and T4 in the rear of the vehicle K.

[0043] As can be seen in particular from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the motor vehicle K also has sensors 5 on its wheels, which are designed as wheel speed sensors. The speed of the motor vehicle can be determined by means of the sensors 5.

[0044] Furthermore, an evaluation and control unit 11 is provided, which can receive input signals from sensors 1 to 5, to which it is connected via signal technology.

[0045] The evaluation and control unit 11 is also connected via signaling to locking devices 12-1 to 12-4 or to a central locking device 12 that simultaneously controls these. The vehicle doors T1 to T4 can be locked or unlocked using the aforementioned locking devices 12-1 to 12-4.

[0046] The evaluation and control unit 11 is further connected via signal technology to the following components shown: with a reversible belt tensioner 6 for a belt 10 with a motor (not shown) for a moving part 8 in a vehicle seat 7 with a display device in a combination instrument 9 each with a display device in the exterior mirrors 14 with a speech output device 13 (e.g. loudspeaker) and with a linear ambient lighting 15

[0047] Depending on input signals from sensors 1 to 5 and known dimensions of the vehicle doors T1 to T4, the evaluation and control unit 11 assesses the occurrence or absence of a collision risk with a potential collision obstacle.

[0048] A collision obstacle KH1 could, for example, be a pedestrian walking past the vehicle K. It is also conceivable that a collision obstacle KH2 could be a fixed obstacle (tree, bollard, or the like) located next to the vehicle K.

[0049] In the event of a collision risk, the evaluation and control unit 11 sends control signals S to at least one of the locking devices 12-1 to 12-4, such that at least one of the vehicle doors T1 to T4, which is specifically at risk of collision, is locked. For example, if a collision risk occurs, all vehicle doors (T1 and T3 or T2 and T4) on which a potential collision obstacle KH1, KH2 has also been detected can be locked simultaneously. However, it is also conceivable that the evaluation and control unit 11 sends a signal S to the central locking device 12, so that all vehicle doors T1 to T4 are locked at the same time.

[0050] In addition, if a collision risk arises, the evaluation and control unit 11 can generate control signals S, which can generate a wide variety of visual, haptic, and / or acoustic cues H. Visual cues H could include, for example, messages in the instrument cluster 9, especially as plain text, visual displays in at least one of the exterior mirrors 14, or activation of the ambient lighting 15 in some form.

[0051] Haptic cues H include, in particular, the activation of the reversible belt tensioner 6, which tightens the belt 10 slightly but noticeably in a jerky movement B1. A movement B2 of the movable part 8 in the vehicle seat 7 can also be generated as a haptic cue H. The movable part 8 could, for example, be a lumbar support or a massage device.

[0052] Finally, the control signal S can also be used to control a speech output device 13. The speech output device 13 can, for example, be a loudspeaker already present in the motor vehicle K, which usually serves, for example, as a hi-fi output device or as a hands-free system.

[0053] Based on the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. A possible sequence of the process according to the invention will now be outlined.

[0054] However, the logic shown only runs when the sensors 5 determine that the speed of the motor vehicle is zero km / h or at least approximately zero km / h.

[0055] In query A1, the first step is to check whether a collision risk has occurred or exists. If not, query A1 is repeated cyclically.

[0056] If there is a risk of collision, in a process step V1 an automatic locking of at least one vehicle door T1-T4 is initiated in the manner described.

[0057] In a process step V2, at least one of the previously described indications H of a successful locking of the vehicle doors T1-T4 is provided in the manner described.

[0058] In query A3, it is checked whether the collision risk that occurred has ceased or not.

[0059] If so, in process step V3, the evaluation and control unit 11 generates a control signal S, which leads to the unlocking of a locked vehicle door or the locked vehicle doors T1 to T4. In process step V4, a notification H is then sent indicating that the unlocking has taken place.

[0060] However, if query A3 indicates that a collision risk has not yet passed, query A4 checks whether a certain (preferably adjustable) time limit has been exceeded or not.

[0061] Ordinary life experience shows that collision obstacles KH1, KH2, which are caused, for example, by a pedestrian or cyclist, usually disappear again within a short time of a few seconds.

[0062] The elimination of a collision risk caused by the collision obstacle KH1 could, for example, be affirmed if the collision obstacle KH1, initially detected in the detection area E2, subsequently enters the detection area E1 of sensors 1 (cf. Fig. 1).

[0063] If such a time limit has not yet been exceeded, a lock and, if applicable, a corresponding notification H will be maintained.

[0064] If such a time limit is exceeded, the procedure enters Part II, which is determined based on the Fig. 4 will be explained in more detail.

[0065] First, it should be mentioned that after query A1, an optional query A2 can be performed to determine whether or not the opening of a (collision-prone) vehicle door is intended. This check can be carried out using the aforementioned sensors 4 and / or sensor 3. If no opening is planned, there is essentially no real risk of collision, so locking the door is not necessarily required.

[0066] Returning to Part II of the procedure, in procedure step V5 an optical and / or acoustic signal H is issued to alert a vehicle occupant that the collision obstacle KH1, KH2 may be a stationary collision obstacle (e.g., KH2) and that the collision risk therefore still exists. This may also be combined with the optical or acoustic signal H indicating that it is advisable to maneuver the vehicle K out of the collision area.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally, the note H can be linked to a query A6 asking whether manual deactivation of the performed locking is desired or not.

[0068] If this is not desired, the procedure returns to query A3.

[0069] However, if manual unlocking is desired, the procedure proceeds to a process step V6, in which a control signal S from the evaluation and control unit 11 unlocks previously locked vehicle doors T1 to T4.

[0070] The unlocking process can be combined in step V7 with an optical and / or acoustic indication H that the vehicle doors T1 to T4 are now unlocked and that special care must be taken when opening them.

[0071] Procedure step V5 can be preceded by a query A5, which again checks whether opening a vehicle door T1-T4 is actually intended despite the existing risk of collision. Input signals from sensors 3 and / or 4 can also be used for this purpose. If no opening is intended, the procedure also returns to query A3.

[0072] If a collision hazard has been eliminated in the meantime, a control signal S for unlocking doors is also issued in a process step V3 in the manner described.

[0073] In process step V4, a message H can also be issued indicating that the unlocking has been successful. Reference symbol list 1-5 sensors 6 seatbelt tensioners 7 vehicle seats 8 moving part in the vehicle seat 9 Instrument cluster 10 strap 11 Evaluation and control unit 12 central locking device 12-1 to 12-4 locking devices 13 Speech output device 14 exterior mirrors 15 Ambient lighting A1-A6 queries B1, B2 movements E1-E6 detection areas H Notes K motor vehicle KH1, KH2 collision obstacles S control signals T1-T4 vehicle doors V1-V7 Process steps

Claims

[1] Method for operating a stationary motor vehicle (K) in which at least one detection area (E1-E6) in the vicinity of the motor vehicle (K) is monitored by an environmental monitoring system, wherein, in the event of a collision risk of at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) with a potential collision obstacle (KH1, KH2), an automatic locking of the at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) is initiated, wherein, after the collision risk has ceased, an automatic unlocking of the at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) takes place, characterized by, that if a collision risk occurs and after a certain period of time has elapsed without the collision risk being eliminated, a warning (H) is issued, wherein the warning (H) is linked to the query as to whether manual deactivation of the locking action is desired or not, and wherein, if unlocking is desired, a control signal (S) from the evaluation and control unit is used to unlock previously locked vehicle doors (T1-T4). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that after an initiated locking of at least one vehicle door (T1-T4), the warning (H) is given. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the indication (H) is given after the collision risk has been eliminated. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the warning (H) is only given when at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) is intended to be opened from the inside. [5] Method according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized by , that in the case of an existing locking of at least one vehicle door (T1-T4) the indication (H) is at least also haptically designed as a tightening of a belt tensioner (6) and / or as a movement of a movable element (8) of a vehicle seat (7) of the motor vehicle (K). [6] Method according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized by , that the indication (H) is at least also visually designed as an indication (H) in an instrument cluster (9) and / or as an indication (H) in an exterior mirror (14) and / or as an indication (H) of ambient lighting (15) of the motor vehicle (K). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized by, that the indication (H) is also output acoustically as a linguistic indication (H). [8] Motor vehicle (K) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an environmental monitoring system consisting of sensors (1-4) by which potential collision obstacles (KH1, KH2) located in detection areas (E1-E6) can be detected, and comprising at least one evaluation and control unit (11) by which the occurrence and absence of a collision risk can be assessed, wherein the evaluation and control unit (11) is connected to the sensors (1-4) of the environmental monitoring system via a signal system, and in the event of the occurrence and absence of a collision risk, control signals (S) for controlling at least one door locking device (12) can be generated by the evaluation and control unit (11) such that the door locking device (12) can be activated in the event of a collision risk and deactivated in the event of the absence of a collision risk. characterized by, that in the event of the occurrence and / or the absence of a collision risk, control signals (S) can be generated by the evaluation and control unit (11) to control at least one belt tensioner (6) and / or at least one part of an ambient lighting (15).

Images