Safety system for a motor vehicle as well as motor vehicle with such a safety system

The safety system for parked vehicles uses environmental sensors and communication to prevent collisions by automatically moving and signaling to approaching vehicles, addressing the inefficacy of existing systems in perceiving driver responses.

DE102020210806B4Active Publication Date: 2026-02-26VOLKSWAGEN AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102020210806
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-08-26
Publication Date
2026-02-26
Estimated Expiration
2040-08-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing security systems for parked vehicles are ineffective in preventing collisions due to drivers failing to perceive or misinterpreting warning signals, leading to potential damage.

Method used

A safety system for parked vehicles that utilizes existing environmental sensing sensors to detect approaching vehicles, activates safety functions such as automatic movement and communication signals to prevent collisions, including vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure data communication, and adjusts vehicle height to mitigate impact severity.

Benefits of technology

Enhances road safety by effectively preventing collisions through automated vehicle movements and targeted communication signals, reducing the risk of damage to both parked and approaching vehicles.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A safety system (1) for a parked motor vehicle (2), comprising an environment detection sensor (8) by means of which another motor vehicle (5) approaching the parked motor vehicle (2) in its environment (10) can be detected, and a control unit (12) to which environment data can be provided by means of the environment detection sensor (8), wherein a safety function of the motor vehicle (2) can be activated by means of the control unit (12) depending on the other motor vehicle (5), wherein the motor vehicle (2) can be moved automatically by activating the safety function depending on the other motor vehicle (5), in that the activation of the safety function includes activating a drive unit (13) of the motor vehicle (2). Characterized in that - by activating the safety function, a communication unit (14) of the motor vehicle (2) can be activated in order to provide a safety signal (15, 17, 22, 28, 30) to the other motor vehicle (5) via the communication unit (14), - the communication unit (14) has a data communication element (16) for vehicle-to-vehicle data communication, whereby the safety signal (15) can be provided to the other motor vehicle (5) by means of the data communication element (16) as a data signal (17), and - the motor vehicle (2) can be moved translationally along a motor vehicle vertical axis (z) by activating the safety function by means of the drive unit (13).
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Description

[0001] According to claim 1, the invention relates to a security system for a parked motor vehicle. Furthermore, according to claim 7, the invention relates to a motor vehicle equipped with such a security system.

[0002] Security systems are known for motor vehicles, for example, cars, especially passenger cars, by means of which the vehicle is monitored in a parked state, i.e., while parked, and consequently protected against unauthorized access. Furthermore, there is a need to protect parked vehicles against damage, particularly damage not related to attempted theft. This includes, for example, so-called parking bumps, in which the vehicle is damaged due to another vehicle parking, especially unintentionally by the driver of the other vehicle.

[0003] For example, DE 10 2016 121 840 A1 discloses a collision protection system and an associated method for protecting a parked motor vehicle from collision damage. In this system, a sensor monitors the parked vehicle for approaching vehicles, and a control unit activates a warning device when the approaching vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the parked vehicle. Specifically, the warning device is a warning light, and the method further includes flashing the warning light when the approaching vehicle is within the predetermined distance of the parked vehicle. However, the risk remains that a driver of the approaching vehicle might overlook the flashing warning light and consequently fail to react or react too late.

[0004] Furthermore, US patent 2019 / 0 111 835 A1 discloses a system and an associated method for preventing collisions with a parked vehicle. The system incorporates electronic infrastructure within the vehicle, and the method provides for the vehicle to issue an alarm if it or its driver performs a maneuver that threatens a collision with the parked vehicle. However, there is also a risk that the driver of the approaching vehicle may not perceive the alarm, or may misinterpret it, resulting in a collision occurring despite the alarm.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 219 818 A1 discloses a method and a system for monitoring the area surrounding a parked motor vehicle. A collision monitoring device is configured to detect a collision between an object, in particular a road user or their vehicle, and the parked vehicle using sensors. Additionally, a detection unit is configured to capture a radio signal generated by a radio signal source within the vehicle's surroundings and to generate corresponding sensor data when a collision involving the parked vehicle is detected. An evaluation unit is configured to derive an identification feature from the generated sensor data, by which the radio signal source of the captured radio signal can be identified, and an output unit is configured to store the derived identification feature in a storage unit and / or transmit it via a communication link. This method, or rather,The system therefore helps to identify or determine the object, in particular the vehicle, that has collided with the parked vehicle, although the damage to the parked vehicle has already occurred.

[0006] DE 10 2016 014 544 A1 discloses a method for operating a motor vehicle equipped with a warning system. A warning signal can be issued when an object is detected in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.

[0007] DE 10 2019 008 864 A1 discloses a method for the driverless operation of a driverless motor vehicle parked in a parallel parking space after completion of a parking maneuver.

[0008] DE 10 2012 015 968 A1 discloses a method for moving a vehicle driverless in a parking area.

[0009] Furthermore, DE 103 32 702 A1 discloses a device for pedestrian protection by means of a mechanical modification of at least one body part of a vehicle.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to increase road safety, in particular for motor vehicles parked in stationary road traffic.

[0011] This problem is solved by a safety system with the features specified in claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a motor vehicle with the features specified in claim 7. Features, advantages, and advantageous embodiments of the safety system according to the invention are to be regarded as features, advantages, and advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0012] A safety system according to the invention is provided for a parked motor vehicle, hereinafter referred to as the "ego-vehicle," and includes environmental sensing sensors. The environmental sensing sensors of the safety system are, in particular, sensors already present in the ego-vehicle. This means that the ego-vehicle has the environmental sensing sensors regardless of whether it has the safety system or not. In other words, the environmental sensing sensors of the safety system are at least partially formed by the sensors already present in the ego-vehicle. In this way, the functionality of the ego-vehicle's sensors is used in a particularly efficient manner, since these sensors, as the environmental sensing sensors, are at least partially utilized even when the ego-vehicle is parked, i.e., switched to parking mode.It is equally conceivable that the security system includes its own sensors, which then serve as the environmental sensing sensors.

[0013] Using environmental sensing sensors, at least one object in the vicinity of the self-driving vehicle can be detected, such as another vehicle approaching the parked self-driving vehicle. This approaching vehicle is detected, for example, by a radar sensor, lidar sensor, laser sensor, ultrasonic sensor, camera sensor, etc., as part of the environmental sensing system of the safety system or the sensors of the self-driving vehicle itself. The environmental sensing system and / or the sensors of the self-driving vehicle then generate a sensor data set that characterizes the environment of the self-driving vehicle, including the approaching vehicle.This data set, which includes sensor data characterizing the environment (i.e., the surroundings and, if applicable, the approaching vehicle), is provided to a control unit that is part of the safety system. The control unit processes or further processes the environmental data and / or the sensor data set. Depending on the approaching vehicle, at least one or more safety functions of the vehicle can be activated by the control unit. The respective safety function is designed to prevent an accident between the approaching vehicle and the vehicle, for example, by triggering a reaction on / in the approaching vehicle and / or on / in the vehicle itself.This reaction could, for example, be a reaction from the (human) user or driver of the other motor vehicle, so that the driver of the motor vehicle approaching the self-driving vehicle is warned, for example, that a collision with or an accident with the self-driving vehicle is imminent.

[0014] To increase road safety, particularly for the ego-vehicle parked in stationary traffic, the invention provides that the ego-vehicle can be moved automatically by activating the safety function, depending on the approaching motor vehicle, in particular the approaching motor vehicle. Activating the safety function includes activating a drive unit of the ego-vehicle. This means that the ego-vehicle has a drive unit designed to move the ego-vehicle automatically, for example, autonomously.For this purpose, the drive unit is controlled accordingly by the control unit if, based on the further processing of environmental data by the control unit or within the control unit, it is determined that another vehicle is approaching the parked self-driving vehicle in such a way that there is a risk of a collision between the approaching vehicle and the self-driving vehicle. In this context, the drive unit of the self-driving vehicle can be considered part of the safety system. In other words, in this case, the safety system includes the drive unit of the self-driving vehicle.

[0015] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the safety system can be activated or is activated depending on sensor data supplied by the ego-vehicle's sensors. Accordingly, the ego-vehicle's sensors and the safety system are, for example, coupled or can be coupled in such a way that the safety system can be activated when the ego-vehicle's sensors detect that another vehicle is approaching it. For this purpose, the ego-vehicle's sensors are operated in parking mode to detect the surroundings. Furthermore, in parking mode, the safety system operates in a standby mode or is deactivated, resulting in particularly energy-efficient operation of the safety system and, consequently, of the ego-vehicle equipped with it.

[0016] In particular, a parking maneuver or corresponding parking trajectory of the other vehicle can be detected by the sensors of the self-driving vehicle. A corresponding sensor signal is then generated by the self-driving vehicle's sensors and provided to the safety system, especially its control unit, which accepts this sensor signal as an input signal. This input signal activates the safety system. For example, the sensors of the self-driving vehicle and the sensors of the safety system are located side-by-side and work together to prevent a collision between the other vehicle and the self-driving vehicle, or at least to reduce the severity of an (unavoidable) collision.Similarly, the safety system can be partially deactivated or operated in standby mode, whereby, for example, the environmental detection sensors of the safety system monitor or detect the surroundings of the other vehicle during the parking operation of the self-driving vehicle, in order to activate further components of the safety system when the other vehicle is detected.

[0017] For example, it is conceivable that the driver of the approaching vehicle visually perceives (using the human eye) that the approaching vehicle is moving, as this movement is caused by the activated safety function. This makes it particularly clear to the driver of the approaching vehicle that their current trajectory towards the vehicle carries at least the risk of an unwanted collision. In this way, the driver of the approaching vehicle is made aware of this risk in a particularly efficient manner.The driver of the other vehicle is provided with information indicating that he is currently at risk of causing an accident with the parked ego-vehicle and damaging his vehicle and / or the ego-vehicle. Assuming that the driver of the other vehicle does not want to cause an accident, he then reacts to the automatically or autonomously moving ego-vehicle by adjusting his current driving maneuver accordingly to avoid a collision between his vehicle and the ego-vehicle.

[0018] According to the invention, activating the safety function enables a communication unit of the self-driving vehicle to be activated in order to provide a safety signal to the other vehicle – directly and / or indirectly – via the communication unit. This means that the at least one safety function of the self-driving vehicle, when triggered, results in the safety signal, which may be, for example, an electronic, optical, acoustic, or haptic safety signal, being provided or transmitted to the other vehicle, in particular to a counterpart in / on the other vehicle that is approaching the self-driving vehicle. The counterpart may, for example, be another communication unit that is part of the other vehicle.Furthermore, the counterpart can be the driver of the other vehicle, so that the safety signal is provided to the driver of the other vehicle. This means that in this case, the driver of the other vehicle can be considered part of the other vehicle.

[0019] Activating the communication unit of the ego-vehicle can be encompassed by at least one safety function of the ego-vehicle or represented by a further safety function of the ego-vehicle. By providing the safety signal directly or indirectly to the other vehicle or its driver, the risk that the driver of the other vehicle overlooks, fails to perceive, or perceives the safety signal inadequately is at least reduced. This means that the safety signal is provided to the other vehicle or its driver in a particularly efficient manner. Assuming that the driver of the other vehicle wants to avoid a collision with the ego-vehicle, it can thus be assumed that the driver will react accordingly to the safety signal in order to avoid the collision.In this way, road safety for the self-driving vehicle is improved once again, and furthermore, road safety for the other motor vehicle is improved.

[0020] In connection with the communication unit, the safety system further stipulates that the communication unit includes a data communication element, for example, a first data transceiver, for vehicle-to-vehicle data communication, so that the safety signal can be provided to the approaching vehicle as a data signal via the data communication element or the first data transceiver. This means that in this case, the safety signal is directly provided or delivered to the approaching vehicle by connecting, or at least being connectable to, the approaching vehicle via a vehicle-to-vehicle data connection.Due to the ever-increasing digitalization of road traffic, the number of vehicles, especially passenger cars, equipped with such data transceivers for vehicle-to-vehicle data communication is rising. The intention is that the respective data transceivers of the vehicles in the fleet communicate with each other for data exchange.

[0021] If, in this case, the self-driving vehicle or its safety system detects, for example, via its environmental sensors, that a collision with another vehicle is imminent, the safety system, in particular its control unit, generates the safety signal, which is implemented as a data signal, and transmits it to the other vehicle via direct vehicle-to-vehicle data communication. If the other vehicle has an output device, such as a display, haptic element, or acoustic element, the safety signal is then provided to the driver of the other vehicle visually, haptically, and / or acoustically, for example, displayed on the screen or emitted via the acoustic element.This means that the acoustic, visual, and / or haptic output of the safety signal is directed straight at the driver of the other vehicle, making the safety signal particularly effective at reaching the driver. Accordingly, the driver of the other vehicle is able to react appropriately to the safety signal, which indicates an impending collision between the other vehicle and the first vehicle, and thus prevent the resulting traffic accident or parking mishap.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the safety system, the ego-vehicle can be automatically moved translationally along a longitudinal axis of the ego-vehicle by activating the safety function via the drive unit. Accordingly, at least one safety function of the ego-vehicle can include translational movement of the ego-vehicle, or a further safety function can be provided that includes translational movement of the ego-vehicle along the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the vehicle coincides with an X-axis of a coordinate system of the ego-vehicle, with a Y-axis of the coordinate system coinciding with a transverse direction of the ego-vehicle.While the X-axis and Y-axis are perpendicular to each other, the Z-axis is perpendicular to both the X-axis and the Y-axis and, in particular, coincides with the vertical axis of the ego-vehicle. Typically, the X-axis and the forward direction of travel of the ego-vehicle point in the same direction.

[0023] The self-driving vehicle (SDR) therefore performs small movements along its longitudinal axis (X-axis) independently, automatically, or autonomously. These movements include, for example, moving forward and / or backward. This means that the SDR's drive unit is designed to power its wheels to propel it. The safety system ensures that these movements are safe, specifically preventing any collisions between the SDR and nearby objects, such as parked vehicles.For this purpose, environmental sensors can be used, for example, to detect the surroundings of the self-driving vehicle and determine whether the vehicle movements intended to be triggered by the safety function are safe and cause no harm. If, for instance, the safety system, particularly its environmental sensors, determines that such a vehicle movement along the vehicle's longitudinal axis or X-axis would result in an accident with an object in the vicinity of the self-driving vehicle, or in the worst case, a pedestrian, then the automatic or autonomous movement of the self-driving vehicle can be omitted.

[0024] This automatic or autonomous movement of the self-driving vehicle, when another vehicle approaches so closely that a collision is imminent, allows the self-driving vehicle to at least partially evade the approaching vehicle and / or create more space between itself and the approaching vehicle, depending on the situation. In this way, the impending collision is at least delayed, if not completely avoided. This improves road safety for both the self-driving vehicle and the approaching vehicle.

[0025] It is intended that the vehicle can be automatically moved translationally along its vertical axis by activating the safety function via the drive unit. Accordingly, at least one safety function of the ego-vehicle includes the translational movement of the ego-vehicle along its vertical axis or Z-axis. Furthermore, it may be provided that the translational movement of the ego-vehicle occurs due to another safety function of the ego-vehicle. This improves road safety for the parked ego-vehicle, as it makes it possible, for example, to align a collision element, such as a bumper, of the ego-vehicle with the height of a corresponding collision element of the approaching vehicle.For example, the height of the impact element of the approaching vehicle is detected by the safety system's environmental sensors and / or by the vehicle's own sensors. Then, if the control unit determines that a collision between the approaching vehicle and the vehicle is imminent, the height of the vehicle's impact element is adjusted to match the height of the impact element of the approaching vehicle. This reduces the severity of damage, particularly if a collision between the vehicle and the approaching vehicle is unavoidable. Accordingly, the vehicle's drive unit is designed to adjust the vehicle height, such as ground clearance, by acting on a height adjustment element of the vehicle's chassis.In other words, the drive unit of the ego vehicle is designed to raise or lower the ego vehicle, for example by acting on an air suspension, hydraulic vibration dampers, etc.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit has a further data communication element, for example a second data transceiver, for vehicle-to-infrastructure data communication, so that the safety signal can be provided to an infrastructure facility and, via this, to the other vehicle by means of the further data communication element or the second data transceiver. This data signal is, in particular, the data signal described above. In this case, when the safety system detects an impending collision between the other vehicle and the first vehicle, the safety signal, configured as the data signal, is indirectly provided or delivered to the other vehicle.In this process, the safety system of the self-driving vehicle detects the impending collision of another vehicle and provides the infrastructure element, which could be a server or backend system, with the safety signal (e.g., a data signal) acting as an intermediary between the self-driving vehicle and the other vehicle. Alternatively, the self-driving vehicle or its safety system could generate a data signal different from the safety signal and send it to the infrastructure element. The infrastructure element, for example, the server system, would then generate the safety signal and provide it to the other vehicle.

[0027] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the safety system, the infrastructure facility may include infrastructure sensors that—similar to the environmental sensors of the safety system—can detect the surroundings of the self-driving vehicle, at least when the vehicle is parked near the infrastructure facility. This ensures particularly high-quality environmental data by detecting the vehicle's surroundings, for example, by means of the environmental sensors of the safety system and the infrastructure sensors of the infrastructure facility—especially simultaneously. This allows, for instance, the plausibility of the environmental data to be verified by comparing the respective sensor data from the infrastructure sensors and the environmental sensors of the safety system.

[0028] Another advantageous embodiment of the safety system provides that the communication unit includes a lighting system, in particular the exterior lighting system of the self-driving vehicle, whereby the safety signal can be provided to the other vehicle as an optical signal via the lighting system. This means that the safety system, by including the communication unit and consequently the lighting system, includes, for example, the exterior lighting system of the self-driving vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the lighting system of the safety system includes at least one headlight that is exclusively assigned to the safety system. Since the self-driving vehicle is approved for participation in public road traffic, it has the exterior lighting system.According to known regulations, the external lighting system of the Ego motor vehicle has a front lighting system, a rear lighting system, and a direction indicator lighting system, using a variety of differently designed headlights.

[0029] To provide the other vehicle, which is currently performing a maneuver that threatens a collision with the ego-vehicle, with the safety signal (designated as an optical signal) during the operation of the safety system, the ego-vehicle's exterior lighting system is used. Due to the detected imminent collision, the ego-vehicle generates the safety signal by switching at least one headlight into active illumination mode. In this active illumination mode, the respective headlight is supplied with electrical current and voltage, for example, via an electrical energy storage device in the ego-vehicle, so that the headlight actively emits light.This light, actively emitted by the headlight and serving as a visual safety signal, is made available to other vehicles, particularly its drivers, by the active illumination of the corresponding headlight in the vehicle's lighting system. This means that the driver of the other vehicle perceives the visual safety signal, for example, through their eyes. Especially in darkness, such as during overcast weather, precipitation, or at night, the visual safety signal is particularly noticeable, thus further enhancing road safety for both the vehicle being driven and the other vehicle.Because the self-driving vehicle, by actively operating at least part of its external lighting system, indicates the impending collision particularly efficiently, so that it can be advantageously averted by the driver of the other vehicle.

[0030] If another vehicle approaches the front of the self-driving vehicle, the headlights of the vehicle's exterior lighting system are used to indicate the impending collision. This means that the safety signal, designed as a visual warning, is then provided via the front headlights. Similarly, if another vehicle approaches the rear of the self-driving vehicle, i.e., from behind, the safety signal, designed as a visual warning, is provided to the other vehicle, and especially its driver, via the rear lights of the self-driving vehicle's exterior lighting system.

[0031] The safety signal provided by the exterior lighting system can, for example, be a flashing or continuous illumination of the corresponding headlight. It is particularly advantageous to combine the provision of the visual safety signal with the automatic or autonomous movement of the self-driving vehicle. Visibility, and consequently the conspicuousness, of the visual signal can be enhanced by using the drive unit to raise the self-driving vehicle to a maximum height along its vertical axis, thereby also moving the vehicle's exterior lighting system along this axis. The movement itself increases the visibility and / or prominence of the safety signal.The conspicuousness of the visual safety signal is improved by positioning the exterior lighting system of the ego vehicle particularly high, for example, at the maximum height of the ego vehicle. This makes the exterior lighting system, and consequently the safety signal designed as the visual signal, especially easily recognizable to the driver of the other vehicle. The exterior lighting system is known to be designed to emit light of different colors, i.e., wavelengths, so that the conspicuousness of the safety signal designed as the visual signal can be further enhanced by providing different colors of light, particularly alternately, to display the safety signal.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, for example in a further advantageous embodiment of the safety system, the communication unit includes an acoustic signaling system, in particular an acoustic signaling system of the self-driving vehicle, whereby the safety signal can be provided to the other vehicle as an acoustic signal by means of the acoustic signaling system. In this respect, the safety system includes the acoustic signaling system, which, for example, incorporates an acoustic element already present in the self-driving vehicle. For example, the acoustic signaling system can include a horn of the self-driving vehicle, a driving noise generator, a loudspeaker of a vehicle infotainment system of the self-driving vehicle, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the acoustic signaling system of the safety system can include an acoustic element exclusively assigned to the safety system.The safety system is designed to automatically emit a safety signal, designed as an acoustic signal, as soon as the system, and in particular its control unit, detects an impending collision between another motor vehicle and the self-driving vehicle. It is particularly preferred that the system minimizes noise disturbance to people in the vicinity of the self-driving vehicle, for example, by reducing the volume of the acoustic signal at certain times of day, especially at night, to avoid disturbing sleep. Furthermore, the system may use its environmental sensors and / or the sensors of the self-driving vehicle to monitor the surroundings to determine whether a pedestrian, cyclist, or other vulnerable road user is within earshot of the self-driving vehicle.The acoustic signaling system is designed to reduce or dampen the volume of the visual signal so as not to startle this vulnerable road user. This means that the acoustic signal may be emitted at a reduced volume or not at all, depending on the time of day and / or whether another person is in the vicinity of the vehicle.

[0033] The acoustic signaling system provides an additional transmission path through which the safety signal can be made available to the other vehicle, and especially its driver. This significantly reduces the risk of the other vehicle's driver misinterpreting or failing to adequately perceive the safety signal, thus improving road safety for both the first vehicle and the other vehicle. Upon receiving the safety signal, the driver of the other vehicle can adjust their current trajectory—for example, by braking or steering—to prevent a collision with the first vehicle.

[0034] In connection with the safety signal provided to the other vehicle in the event of an impending collision, wherein this safety signal is configured as a data signal and / or as an optical signal and / or as an acoustic signal, it has proven effective according to a further advantageous embodiment of the safety system if the communication unit, i.e., the data communication element, the further data communication element, the lighting system and / or the acoustic signaling system, is configured to provide a multitude of different safety signals. In other words, the communication unit is configured to modify the safety signal it outputs or can output, particularly during its output, and / or to provide several different safety signals. It is provided that the respective safety signal or...The respective modified safety signal corresponds to at least one movement parameter characterizing the approach of the other vehicle. The movement of the other vehicle towards the ego-vehicle is characterized in particular by a multitude of movement parameters. These include, for example, the acceleration of the other vehicle, which changes, in particular increases, its speed in the direction of the ego-vehicle. Another movement parameter is the speed at which the other vehicle travels towards the ego-vehicle. Furthermore, the movement parameters include the distance between the other vehicle and the ego-vehicle that the other vehicle still has to travel to collide with the ego-vehicle.

[0035] For example, the data communication element and / or the additional data communication element are configured to provide a respective data signal based on one or more of the motion parameters, corresponding to the motion parameter(s). Alternatively or additionally, the data communication element and / or the additional data communication element are configured to modify the data signal representing the safety signal depending on one or more of the motion parameters.

[0036] Furthermore, the exterior lighting system is specifically designed to provide a variety of different light or optical signals and / or to modify the optical signal representing the safety signal based on one or more of the motion parameters. This includes the possibility of different optical signals and / or modifications to the corresponding optical signal, affecting aspects such as flashing frequency, light color, duration, and intensity.

[0037] Similarly, the acoustic signaling system is designed to provide a variety of different acoustic signals and / or to modify the acoustic signal representing the safety signal based on one or more of the movement parameters. This includes the ability to generate individual acoustic signals and / or modify the acoustic signal with respect to pitch, tone sequence or frequency, sound type, volume, etc.

[0038] As another vehicle approaches the self-driving vehicle, an initial safety signal can be provided or emitted by the safety system, particularly via the communication unit, if the distance between the other vehicle and the self-driving vehicle is still small. As the distance between the other vehicle and the self-driving vehicle decreases, at least one further safety signal can be provided and / or the safety signal modified so that the subsequently emitted or provided safety signal differs from the first safety signal. For example, the intensity of the safety signal can be influenced, such as by controlling a headlight of the lighting system so that it shines brighter or changes its direction.Furthermore, an acoustic element of the acoustic signaling system can be controlled in such a way that the acoustic signal is louder or becomes louder. Additionally, a different or modified data signal can be provided by means of at least one or both of the data communication elements to generate a more intense warning for the driver of the other vehicle. Similarly, the respective safety signal and / or the modified safety signal can be provided depending on the current acceleration of the other vehicle in the direction of the first vehicle and / or how quickly the other vehicle is approaching the first vehicle.

[0039] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the multitude of safety signals, or the correspondingly modified safety signal, is / are output in such a way that the safety signal(s) are provided to the driver of the other vehicle in a manner similar to the signals of a Park Distance Control (PDC). This results in a particularly intuitive perception of the safety signal(s), so that the driver of the other vehicle is not negatively surprised by the safety signal.

[0040] By linking the output of the safety signal to the movement parameter(s), traffic safety for the ego-motor vehicle and / or the other motor vehicle is further improved, since the other motor vehicle, and especially its driver, is provided with the multiple safety signals or the changing safety signal. This allows the driver of the other motor vehicle, for example, to advantageously influence the trajectory or movement parameters of the approaching motor vehicle. By changing the signal type and / or signal intensity based on the movement parameter(s), unintentional overlooking and / or disregard of the safety signal(s) is advantageously prevented.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, equipped with a safety system designed according to the preceding description. The motor vehicle, which is the "ego-motor vehicle," has sensors that at least partially form an environmental sensing system for the safety system. Furthermore, the "ego-motor vehicle" has a control unit, which is a control unit for the safety system. At least one safety function of the "ego-motor vehicle" can be activated by means of the safety system, such that, during operation of the safety system, the "ego-motor vehicle" is automatically moved by activating the safety function when the safety system detects that a collision between another motor vehicle and the "ego-motor vehicle" is imminent.

[0042] Furthermore, the present description outlines a method for avoiding a collision between a motor vehicle and the ego-motor vehicle.

[0043] The invention also includes further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, which have features as already described in connection with the further developments of the safety system according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention are not described again here.

[0044] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0045] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The single figure shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle equipped with a safety system.

[0046] The embodiment described below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another. Each of these features further develops the invention independently and can therefore be considered part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0047] In the figure, functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference symbols.

[0048] The single figure schematically depicts a motor vehicle 2 equipped with a safety system 1, hereinafter referred to as the ego-vehicle 2. A traffic situation depicted in the figure is as follows: The ego-vehicle 2 is parked, i.e., stopped, and, in particular, driverless. In other words, a driver of the ego-vehicle 2 has driven it into a parking space and switched it to a parking mode. Adjacent to the ego-vehicle 2, in this case in front of it, is an empty parking space 3, and in front of that is an object 4, for example, another motor vehicle.Accordingly, a parking space is formed between object 4 and the ego vehicle 2, whereby in the depicted traffic situation it is intended to drive another motor vehicle 5 into the parking space and into / onto parking space 3 and there switch the other motor vehicle 5 into a parking mode or at least wait.

[0049] The other vehicle 5, for example, drives forwards or backwards, in this case backwards, along a parking trajectory 6 towards parking space 3 and consequently towards the self-driving vehicle 2. There is a risk that when entering the parking space 3, the other vehicle 5 will collide with the self-driving vehicle 2, for example at an accident site 7. This means that there is a risk that the other vehicle 5 will cause a parking accident (for example, a minor parking collision), which would damage the self-driving vehicle 2 and / or the other vehicle 5.If the other vehicle 5 is driven by a human driver along the parking trajectory 6 to enter parking space 3, such a parking accident can occur due to the driver's incompetence. It should be noted that reversing is a particularly complex maneuver, especially if visibility is restricted, for example, by elements of the other vehicle 5 and / or its load. It is also conceivable that the other vehicle 5 has a control unit that provides at least a semi-automatic driving mode, in particular a parking mode, for the other vehicle 5. In this case, the parking accident at the accident site 7 could be caused, for example, by a malfunction of the control unit.

[0050] To prevent such parking accidents and consequently improve traffic safety for the self-driving vehicle 2 and / or the other vehicle 5, the self-driving vehicle 2 has the safety system 1, which includes environmental sensing sensors 8. In this example, these sensors 9 of the self-driving vehicle 2 are either integrated into or at least partially comprised of sensors 9. The self-driving vehicle 2 is equipped with sensors 9 regardless of whether it has the safety system 1 or not. This allows the sensors of sensor 9 to be used particularly efficiently to provide functionality for the safety system 1. Sensor 9, and consequently the environmental sensing sensors 8, include, for example, a radar sensor, lidar sensor, laser sensor, camera sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc.These sensors of sensor system 9 are used, for example, in a driving operation of the Egokraftfahrzeug 2 to provide at least one further functionality, in particular several functionalities, of the Egokraftfahrzeug 2, such as a park distance control (PDC: Park Distance Control), a lane keeping assist, a lane departure warning, a distance and / or speed control system, etc.

[0051] In the parking mode of the self-driving vehicle 2, the same sensors 9 can be used to detect or sensing the environment 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2. The environment 10 is delimited from other surroundings of the self-driving vehicle 2 not belonging to the environment 10 by a boundary 11, where the boundary 11 is characterized, for example, by the environment detection sensors 8 or by the sensors 9. The figure shows that within the environment 10, i.e., within the sensor range of the environment detection sensors 8 or 9, the parking space 3, the object 4, and the other vehicle 5 are each located – at least partially. This means that in an operation of the safety system 1 in which the environment 10 is detected by means of the environment detection sensors 8, the parking space 3, the object 4, and the other vehicle 5 are each detected at least partially.Since the other motor vehicle 5 moves along the parking trajectory 6 in the direction of the ego-motor vehicle 2 when parking, the movement of the other motor vehicle 5, in particular the movement parameters characterizing the movement, is recorded by means of the environment sensing sensors 8 while detecting the environment 10.

[0052] The safety system 1, and consequently the self-driving vehicle 2 equipped with the safety system 1, further comprises a control unit 12, which is configured, for example, as a data processing unit and accepts sensor data from the environmental sensing sensors 8 or sensors 9 as input data. This means that environmental data, i.e., sensor data characterizing the environment 10 and, if applicable, the other vehicle 5, can be provided to the control unit 12, which can then be processed or further processed by the control unit 12. The control unit 12 is further configured to activate at least one safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2, or several safety functions of the self-driving vehicle 2, depending on the other vehicle 5, in particular depending on its movement or its parking trajectory 6.This means that if the environmental sensors 8 detect that a parking accident is imminent, the control unit 12 controls or activates a device of the self-driving vehicle 2 in accordance with at least one safety function(s). The control of the relevant device of the self-driving vehicle 2 is carried out with the aim of avoiding the parking accident or at least preventing its severity.

[0053] In this example, a first safety function includes the automatic movement of the ego-vehicle 2. This means that the ego-vehicle 2 moves automatically when the safety system 1, in particular the control unit 12, detects that the impact of the other vehicle 5 on the ego-vehicle 2 is imminent. For this purpose, the ego-vehicle 2 has a drive unit 13, which is coupled or can be coupled to the safety system 1. Alternatively or additionally, the safety system 1 has the drive unit 13, whereby it is specifically provided that the drive unit 13 provides functionalities for both the safety system 1 and for the driving operation of the ego-vehicle 2.

[0054] If the imminent or impending collision of the other vehicle 5 with the ego-vehicle 2 is detected by the safety system 1, the (e.g., first) safety function is activated by the control unit 12, causing the ego-vehicle 2 to move automatically or autonomously, for example, along a longitudinal axis x (see figure: The coordinate system is assigned to the ego-vehicle 2). In other words, the ego-vehicle 2 is moved by the drive unit 13 along the longitudinal axis x by performing small and harmless vehicle movements, such as briefly moving forward and / or backward, in order to prevent or at least mitigate the collision of the other vehicle 5 with the ego-vehicle 2. The safety system 1 ensures that the automatic or autonomous movement is carried out correctly.The autonomous movement of the self-driving vehicle 2 along its longitudinal axis x is and remains safe for other road users (such as pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, etc.) by detecting these other road users using the environmental sensors 8 when they are in the vicinity 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2. Depending on the road users potentially present in the vicinity 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2, a degree of automatic or autonomous movement of the self-driving vehicle 2 along its longitudinal axis x is then selected so that the movement of the self-driving vehicle 2 does not endanger the other road user(s).

[0055] The safety function, which is triggered or activated by the safety system 1, in particular the control unit 12, due to the imminent collision of the other motor vehicle 5 with the ego-vehicle 2, can further include automatic or autonomous movement of the ego-vehicle 2 along a vertical axis z. Furthermore, it can be provided that this automatic or autonomous movement of the ego-vehicle 2 along the vertical axis z is represented by a further, for example, a second, safety function. During operation of the safety system 1, when the imminent collision of the other motor vehicle is detected or has been detected, the height of the ego-vehicle 2 above the ground, i.e., for example, the ground clearance of the ego-vehicle 2, is therefore adjustable.Adjustable, so that, for example, an impact element of the ego vehicle 2 can be positioned at a height that corresponds to the height of an impact element of the other vehicle 5. In other words, the impact element, such as a bumper, of the ego vehicle 2 can be adjusted in height by the drive unit 13 in such a way that – especially if the impact of the other vehicle 5 on the ego vehicle 2 can no longer be prevented – the severity of damage is reduced or, ideally, damage is completely avoided.

[0056] The automatic or autonomous movement of the ego vehicle 2 is visually particularly noticeable to a driver of the other vehicle 5, so it can be assumed that the driver of the other vehicle 5 influences the movement of the other vehicle 5 in such a way as to prevent the collision.

[0057] The drive unit 13 of the safety system 1 is, in particular, a drive unit of the ego-vehicle 2. For example, the drive unit 13, or the drive unit of the ego-vehicle 2, is designed to propel the ego-vehicle 2. Thus, the drive unit 13, or the drive unit of the ego-vehicle 2, comprises, for example, a motor acting on the wheels of the ego-vehicle 2, such that at least one driving mode of the ego-vehicle 2 can be provided by the drive unit 13, or the drive unit of the ego-vehicle 2. In the present example, the drive unit 13 also has at least one actuator that acts on a chassis of the ego-vehicle 2.For example, this actuator of the drive unit 13 can include an air suspension and / or hydraulic vibration damper, wherein the ground clearance of the Egokraftfahrzeug 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the air suspension and / or the hydraulic vibration dampers when the (second) safety function is triggered.

[0058] The safety system 1 also includes a communication unit 14, which can be activated by the control unit 12 when the safety system 1 detects that a collision between the other vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent or imminent. Specifically, the communication unit 14 is activated by triggering another, for example, a third, safety function of the self-driving vehicle. The communication unit 14 is designed to provide the other vehicle 5 – directly and / or indirectly – with a safety signal 15, which is then provided or transmitted to the driver of the other vehicle 5, in particular via the other vehicle 5. Accordingly, the driver of the other vehicle 5 is able to react to the safety signal 15 in order to prevent the collision.

[0059] The communication unit 14 comprises a (first) data communication element 16, which is configured as a first data transceiver for vehicle-to-vehicle data communication. Thus, if the safety system 1 detects that the impact of the other vehicle 5 on the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent, the safety system 1, in particular the control unit 12, generates the safety signal 15, which is configured, for example, as a data signal 17, because the (third) safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2 is activated. The safety signal 15, configured as data signal 17, is then directly provided to the other vehicle 5, whereby the data signal 17, or the corresponding safety signal 15, can be received, for example, by means of a data communication element 18 corresponding to the first data communication element 16.The safety signal 15, designed as the data signal 17, can therefore be made available to the driver of the other motor vehicle 5, for example via an output unit (not shown) of the other motor vehicle 5.

[0060] The self-driving vehicle 2, in particular the communication unit 14, further comprises another, for example, a second, data communication element 19, which in this case has a second data transceiver for vehicle-to-infrastructure data communication. This means that the safety system 1 and / or the self-driving vehicle 2 are configured to establish data communication between the self-driving vehicle 2 and an infrastructure facility 20, thus enabling data communication between the self-driving vehicle 2 and the infrastructure facility 20. Upon activation or as a result of the activation of another, for example, fourth, safety function, the safety signal 15, configured as the data signal 17, is then provided to the infrastructure facility 20 by means of the communication unit 14 during the operation of the safety system 1. The infrastructure facility 20 is, in particular, a backend, a server facility, etc., which is trained externally by the Egokraftfahrzeug 2.

[0061] The infrastructure facility 20 also includes infrastructure sensors 21, which, at least as long as the self-driving vehicle 2 is within range of the infrastructure sensors 21, can form part of the safety system 1, in particular the environment sensing sensors 8. This is because it is conceivable that the environment 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2 is detected by means of the infrastructure sensors 21 if the environment 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2 and the sensor range of the infrastructure sensors 21 coincide at least partially. In other words, it is conceivable that the infrastructure facility 20, in particular the infrastructure sensors 21, at least supports a functionality of the safety system 1. This is because the vehicle-to-infrastructure data communication is bidirectional, so that data can be transmitted from the self-driving vehicle 2 towards the infrastructure facility 20 and vice versa. It is also conceivable that sensor results or...The environmental data generated by the environmental detection sensors 8 and provided to the control unit 12 are validated using sensor data from the infrastructure sensors 21, which, for example, makes it possible to detect a malfunction of the safety system 1 in a particularly efficient manner, if one exists.

[0062] As already explained, as soon as the safety system 1 detects that the collision of the other vehicle 5 with the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent or imminent, the safety signal 15, configured as data signal 17, is delivered to the infrastructure facility 20. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a different data signal 22 is delivered to the infrastructure facility 20 via the communication unit 14, whereupon the infrastructure facility 20, for example, the server facility, generates the safety signal 15, configured as data signal 17, based on the other data signal 22 and delivers it to the other vehicle 5. Regardless of whether the infrastructure facility 20 receives the other data signal 22 or the safety signal 15 already configured as data signal 17, the infrastructure facility 20 serves as an intermediary between the self-driving vehicle 2 and the other vehicle 5.This means that the safety signal 15, designed as the data signal 17, is provided indirectly to the other motor vehicle 5 - namely via the infrastructure facility 20.

[0063] The safety system 1 further comprises a lighting system 23, which includes a front lighting unit 24 and a rear lighting unit 25, comprising a plurality of headlights 26 that can be operated independently of one another. The lighting system 23, formed by the front lighting unit 24 and the rear lighting unit 25, is in particular an external lighting system 27 of the self-driving vehicle 2, which means that the external lighting system 27 and consequently the lighting system 23 of the safety system 1 are already present in the self-driving vehicle 2, regardless of whether the self-driving vehicle 2 is equipped with the safety system 1 or not.Since the communication unit includes the lighting system 23, which is configured to provide an optical signal 28, the safety system 1 is able to provide the safety signal 15, configured as the optical signal 28, to the other motor vehicle 5 by means of the lighting system 23. In other words, the safety signal 15 is provided to the other motor vehicle 5 as the optical signal 28 by means of the lighting system 23, in particular by means of the front lighting device 24 and / or by means of the rear lighting device 25, which constitutes a further, for example fifth, safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2. Furthermore, at least one safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2 can include providing the safety signal 15 configured as the optical signal 28.The provision of the safety signal 15, designed as the optical signal 28, occurs when the control unit 12 has detected, based on the environmental data, that the other motor vehicle 5 is in danger of colliding with the self-driving vehicle 2.

[0064] Firstly, it is conceivable that the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5 is configured to accept the optical signal 28, or the safety signal 15 configured as optical signal 28, as an input signal, so that vehicle-to-vehicle data communication takes place via the lighting system 23 of the safety system 1 and the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5 has an optical sensor by means of which the safety signal 15 configured as optical signal 28 can be detected. This means that the optical sensor of the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5 corresponds to the lighting system 23 of the safety system 1.

[0065] Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the optical signal 28 is designed to be detected by the driver of the other motor vehicle 5 using their visual apparatus, meaning that the optical signal 28 is seen by the driver of the other motor vehicle 5. If the driver of the other motor vehicle 5 sees the safety signal 15 designed as optical signal 28, they have the opportunity to change the parking trajectory 6, i.e., the parking mode of the other motor vehicle 5, in such a way that the imminent collision of the other motor vehicle 5 with the self-driving vehicle 2 is prevented. This is because – as already explained – the safety signal 15 indicates that a collision between the other motor vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent. Accordingly, the optical signal 28 indicates that a collision between the other motor vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent.

[0066] As shown in the single figure, the other motor vehicle 5 approaches the front of the ego-motor vehicle 2 along the parking trajectory 6. Since the front lighting unit 24 of the lighting system 23 is located on the front of the ego-motor vehicle 2, it is advantageous that the safety signal 15, designed as optical signal 28, is generated or emitted as a light signal by means of the front lighting unit 24, as the front of the ego-motor vehicle 24 is directed towards the approaching ego-motor vehicle 2. The headlights 26 of the front lighting unit 24, which are used to generate or provide the safety signal 15, designed as optical signal 28, can be, for example, side marker lights, vehicle outline lights, low beam headlights, high beam headlights, fog lights, turn signals, daytime running lights, etc.The operation involves one or more of the aforementioned headlights 26 being used to generate the safety signal 15. Furthermore, it is conceivable that several of the aforementioned headlights 26 may illuminate or flash sequentially or simultaneously to emit the safety signal 15, which is designed as the optical signal 28.

[0067] Similarly, it is provided that when the other motor vehicle 5 approaches the rear of the self-driving vehicle 2, the safety signal 15, designed as optical signal 28, is provided by means of the rear light assembly 25. The headlights 26 of the rear light assembly 25 used to generate or provide the safety signal 15, designed as optical signal 28, can be, for example, side marker lights, vehicle outline lights, reversing lights, brake lights, rear fog lights, turn signals, daytime running lights, etc., whereby one or more of the aforementioned headlights 26 can be used to generate the safety signal 15. Furthermore, it is conceivable that several of the aforementioned headlights 26 illuminate or flash sequentially or simultaneously to emit the safety signal 15, designed as optical signal 28.

[0068] It is particularly advantageous if the headlights 26 of the self-driving vehicle 2, which are not intended to flash during operation, flash to provide the safety signal 15, designed as the optical signal 28. This further increases the conspicuousness of the safety signal 15 in a beneficial way.

[0069] The safety system 1, in particular the communication unit 14, further comprises an acoustic signaling system 29, which in this example is an acoustic signaling system of the ego-vehicle 2. This means that the acoustic signaling system 29 includes, for example, a horn, a driving sound generator, a loudspeaker system of a vehicle infotainment system, etc., of the ego-vehicle 2. Furthermore, the acoustic signaling system 29 may include at least one loudspeaker element that is exclusively assigned to the safety system 1. The acoustic signaling system 29 is designed to provide an acoustic signal 30, which—as is generally provided for in the safety system 1, i.e., like the data signals 17, 22 and / or the optical signal 28—is provided to the environment 10 of the ego-vehicle 2.The acoustic signal 30 is provided in particular when a collision between the other motor vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent. This constitutes a further, for example sixth, safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2. Furthermore, at least one safety function of the self-driving vehicle 2 can include the provision of the safety signal 15, which is designed as the acoustic signal 30.

[0070] If, by means of the safety system 1, in particular by means of the control unit 12, it is determined by evaluating the environmental data that a collision between the other motor vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 is imminent, the acoustic signal 30 is generated by the acoustic signaling system 29 and made available to the surroundings 10 of the self-driving vehicle 2, whereby the acoustic signal 30 then constitutes the safety signal 15. For this purpose, at least one loudspeaker of the acoustic signaling system 29 is used to generate the safety signal 15, which is designed as the acoustic signal 30, and in particular to make it available to the other motor vehicle 5. For example, it may be provided that the horn of the self-driving vehicle 2 is sounded to make the safety signal 15, which is designed as the acoustic signal 30, available to the other motor vehicle 5, in particular to its driver.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the loudspeaker system of the vehicle infotainment system of the other motor vehicle 5 and / or the driving noise generator of the other motor vehicle 5 may be used to provide the safety signal 15 designed as the acoustic signal 30.

[0071] As already described in connection with the optical signal 28, the acoustic signal 30 may be provided for in that the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5 has a sensor that corresponds to the acoustic signaling system 29. This means that the sensor of the data communication element 18 of the other vehicle 5, corresponding to the acoustic signaling system 29, is configured, for example, to accept the acoustic signal 30 as an input signal. In other words, the acoustic sensor of the other vehicle 5 is configured to detect the safety signal 15, configured as the acoustic signal 30, as an input signal, for example, to provide the driver of the other vehicle 5 with the safety signal 15. In other words, it is conceivable that the acoustic signaling system 29 is used to carry out vehicle-to-vehicle data communication.Furthermore, it may be provided that light of a wavelength is used which is not perceptible to the human visual system, for example light from an infrared spotlight of lighting system 23.

[0072] In the present example, the communication unit 14 is configured to provide a variety of different safety signals 15, each corresponding to at least one motion parameter characterizing the approach of the other vehicle 5. This is because the approach of the other vehicle 5 to the self-driving vehicle 2 is characterized by an acceleration of the other vehicle 5, a speed of the other vehicle 5, and / or a distance between the other vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2. This means that the acceleration, speed, and / or distance each constitute a motion parameter of the approach of the other vehicle 5 to the self-driving vehicle 2.If the approach of the other vehicle 5 to the self-driving vehicle 2 is characterized by its motion parameters in such a way that a collision between the other vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2 can be prevented relatively easily or with minimal effort, the respective safety signal 15 may have only a low intensity. However, if the safety system 1 determines that a particularly rapid reaction is required to prevent the collision of the other vehicle 5 and the self-driving vehicle 2, the respective safety signal 15 is designed to have a particularly high intensity.

[0073] In particular, the optical signal 28 and / or the acoustic signal 30 are especially well-suited for providing a multitude of different safety signals 15. For example, the communication unit 14, which includes the lighting system 23 or the external lighting system 27, is designed to provide a multitude of different light signals, with at least some of these different light signals being a respective optical signal 28, i.e., a respective safety signal 15. Each of the possible optical signals 28 then corresponds to the movement parameters of the other motor vehicle 5, so that, for example, a flashing frequency, brightness, light color, etc., of the optical signal 28 are or will be configured depending on the intensity of the corresponding safety signal 15.

[0074] Similarly, the acoustic signaling system 29 is designed to provide a variety of different acoustic signals, at least some of which are a specific acoustic signal 30, i.e., a specific safety signal 15. The specific acoustic signal 30 that constitutes one of the safety signals 15 corresponds to the movement parameters of the other vehicle 5. For example, if the other vehicle 5 is to be provided with an acoustic signal 30 of particularly high intensity, the volume of the safety signal 15 designed as the acoustic signal 30 may be particularly loud, a frequency may be particularly high or conspicuous (within the perceptible frequency range of the human ear), a tone sequence or melody may be particularly conspicuous, etc.

[0075] Furthermore, it is provided that the respective safety signal 15 of the multitude of different safety signals 15 is issued depending on how close the other motor vehicle 5 is to the ego-motor vehicle 2 and / or how fast the other motor vehicle 5 is moving towards the ego-motor vehicle 2. In other words, for example, it is provided that the acoustic signal 30 and / or the optical signal 28 is changed as the other motor vehicle 5 approaches the ego-motor vehicle 2, in a manner similar to a parking distance control (PDC). In this way, the safety system 1 is particularly intuitive and unsurprising for the (human) driver of the other motor vehicle 5, since parking distance control is generally familiar to drivers today.Furthermore, the driver of the other motor vehicle 5 is aware of how to react to corresponding signals from the parking distance control - and consequently to signals from the safety system 1 - in order to avoid damage to the other motor vehicle 5 and / or to other motor vehicles, in particular to the self-driving vehicle 2. Reference symbol list 1 Security system 2 Egokraftfahrzeug 3 parking spaces 4 objects 5 additional motor vehicles 6 Parking trajectory 7 Accident site 8 Environmental sensing sensors 9 Sensors 10 Environment 11 border 12 Control unit 13 Drive unit 14 Communication unit 15 Safety signal 16 Data communication element 17 Data signal 18 Data communication element 19 Data communication element 20 Infrastructure facilities 21 Infrastructure sensors 22 Data signal 23 Lighting system 24 Front lighting system 25 Rear light assembly 26 headlights 27 Exterior lighting system 28 Optical signal 29 Acoustic signaling system 30 Acoustic signal

Claims

[1] Security system (1) for a parked motor vehicle (2), comprising an environment detection sensor (8) by means of which another motor vehicle (5) can be detected which is approaching the parked motor vehicle (2) in an environment (10), and a control unit (12) to which environment data can be provided by means of the environment detection sensor (8), wherein a security function of the motor vehicle (2) can be activated by means of the control unit (12) depending on the other motor vehicle (5), wherein the motor vehicle (2) can be moved automatically by activating the security function depending on the other motor vehicle (5), in that the activation of the security function includes activating a drive unit (13) of the motor vehicle (2). characterized by , that - by activating the safety function, a communication unit (14) of the motor vehicle (2) can be activated in order to provide a safety signal (15, 17, 22, 28, 30) to the other motor vehicle (5) via the communication unit (14), - the communication unit (14) has a data communication element (16) for vehicle-to-vehicle data communication, whereby the safety signal (15) can be provided to the other motor vehicle (5) by means of the data communication element (16) as a data signal (17), and - the motor vehicle (2) can be moved translationally along a motor vehicle vertical axis (z) by activating the safety function by means of the drive unit (13). [2] Security system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the motor vehicle (2) can be moved translationally automatically along a motor vehicle longitudinal axis (x) by activating the safety function by means of the drive unit (13). [3] Security system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the communication unit (14) has a further data communication element (19) for vehicle-to-infrastructure data communication, whereby the safety signal (15) can be provided as a data signal (17, 22) to an infrastructure facility (20) and via this to the further motor vehicle (5) by means of the further data communication element (19). [4] Security system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the communication unit (14) includes a lighting system (23), whereby the safety signal (15) can be provided to the other motor vehicle (5) by means of the lighting system (23) as an optical signal (28). [5] Security system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the communication unit (14) includes an acoustic signaling system (29), whereby the safety signal (15) can be provided to the other motor vehicle (5) by means of the acoustic signaling system (29) as an acoustic signal (0). [6] Security system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the communication unit (14) is designed to provide a variety of different safety signals (15, 17, 22, 28, 30), wherein the respective safety signal (15, 17, 22, 28, 30) corresponds to a movement parameter characterizing the approach of the other motor vehicle (5). [7] Motor vehicle (2) with a safety system (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims.

Citation Information

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