Driver assistance system for displaying a departure maneuver and trucks

Abstract

Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) for indicating a vehicle's departure maneuver, comprising a turn signal indicator to indicate an immediately upcoming departure, characterized in that a road guidance recognition module is provided for the manual or automated detection of an upcoming departure maneuver and for generating a communication signal upon detection of a departure maneuver, and in addition to the turn signal indicator, a display device arranged on the vehicle, which is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, is provided, wherein the display device is designed to indicate the departure maneuver to following vehicles upon receipt of the communication signal, so that the display by the display device can be accomplished independently of the indication of departure by the turn signal indicator, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to detect a rural road.and furthermore is designed to generate the communication signal only when driving on a rural road during an upcoming exit maneuver, and wherein the display device is designed to accomplish the display by the display device both temporally and spatially before the exit is indicated by the direction indicator, wherein spatially it is subdivided into distance-based and exit-based.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a driver assistance system for indicating a vehicle's exit maneuver, comprising a turn indicator to indicate an immediately upcoming exit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a truck.

[0002] In road traffic, especially on multi-lane highways such as those commonly found in Germany, overtaking maneuvers between two trucks traveling at similar speeds often occur. This, however, results in massive traffic disruptions, the so-called "elephant races" of trucks.

[0003] An "elephant race" is a colloquial term for a situation in which one truck overtakes another on a multi-lane road with a small speed difference. This results in long overtaking distances and long overtaking times. This creates a traffic jam, especially on two-lane highways.

[0004] In many cases, however, these risky overtaking maneuvers are simply due to the enormous pressure placed on the drivers. This increasing pressure, coupled with the almost daily increase in the number of transport vehicles on the road, is leading to an increase in these elephant races, which are not only annoying for the following vehicles but also encourage them to make risky overtaking maneuvers.

[0005] DE 10 2011 014 081 A1 discloses a driver assistance system and a method for detecting a turning maneuver of a vehicle traveling ahead of an observing vehicle, comprising the steps of: identifying at least a first and a second reference point of the vehicle traveling ahead in images of the vehicle traveling ahead successively captured by a camera, wherein the reference points are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the vehicle traveling ahead; determining the distance between the images of the reference points in the images; and detecting a turning maneuver if a reduction in the distance is detected.

[0006] DE 10 2005 036 049 A1 discloses a driver assistance system and a method for a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: checking whether a turning possibility exists, using a digital map of a navigation system and, if a turning possibility exists, evaluating the dynamic data of a preceding vehicle measured by a positioning system and calculating a turning probability for the preceding vehicle based on this data.

[0007] DE 10 2017 202 722 A1 discloses an early warning device for a driver-controlled motor vehicle, wherein the early warning device is configured to receive, from a sensor device of the motor vehicle, sensor data of at least one vehicle component that is relevant for vehicle control and is to be operated by a driver of the motor vehicle, to detect a respective change in state of the at least one vehicle component based on the sensor data before the change in state causes an externally visible and / or measurable change in a current driving state of the motor vehicle, and to transmit state change data describing the change in state via a transmitting device of the motor vehicle to at least one automated guided other vehicle in an environment of the motor vehicle and / or to a stationary infrastructure component that coordinates traffic in the environment.

[0008] EP 2 169 649 B1 discloses a method for providing a recommendation to perform an overtaking maneuver.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means by which such risky overtaking maneuvers can be reduced or avoided.

[0010] The problem is solved by a driver assistance system having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a truck having the features of claim 12.

[0011] Advantageous further developments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are specified in the dependent claims and in the description.

[0012] The object is achieved by a driver assistance system for displaying a departure manoeuvre of a vehicle comprising a direction indicator to display a departure immediately ahead, where a road guidance recognition module is provided for the manual or automated detection of an upcoming departure maneuver and for generating a communication signal upon detection of an departure maneuver, and in addition to the direction indicator, a display device is provided on the vehicle, which is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, wherein the display device is designed to display the departure maneuver for following vehicles upon receipt of the communication signal, so that the display by the display device can be effected independently of the display of the departure by the direction indicator, the road guidance recognition module is designed to detect a rural road, and is further designed to generate the communication signal in the event of an upcoming departure maneuver only when driving on a rural road, and wherein the display device is designed tothe indication by the display device is to be carried out both temporally and spatially before the departure is indicated by the direction indicator, whereby locally is divided into distance-based and exit-based.

[0013] "Timely" means both before the actual signaling and before the exit. "Local" means, for example, a few kilometers before the exit or, if driving on a motorway, immediately after passing the exit immediately before the exit to be taken.

[0014] Locally, the system is divided into distance-based and exit-based. Distance-based means that, for example, an additional light is switched on at a predefined distance before the exit, while exit-based means that, for example, the additional light is displayed as soon as the vehicle passes the exit preceding the actual exit.

[0015] The display device arranged on the vehicle also includes an arrangement of the display device in the vehicle.

[0016] The invention recognizes that there are no systems that allow following traffic to anticipate the intention of the vehicle ahead in advance. This does not mean simply signaling shortly before the exit, but rather early detection of the intention to leave the lane, some time before the actual signaling by the turn signal.

[0017] The driver assistance system according to the invention allows the driver in front to communicate their intention to leave the lane at the next exit to the following vehicles. For example, if the truck in front intends to take the upcoming exit in the foreseeable future, the following vehicle / truck can reconsider the overtaking maneuver and possibly forgo it. In many cases, this can prevent a lengthy overtaking maneuver.

[0018] With the driver assistance system according to the invention, following traffic has the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming situation and react accordingly (e.g., avoid attempting an overtaking maneuver in the first place). This can prevent overtaking maneuvers by following vehicles, especially trucks. This prevents obstruction of following traffic and reduces the risk of accidents and fuel consumption.

[0019] The same applies, for example, to slow-moving vehicles or older road users who are unsure about overtaking. Likewise, vehicles that also have to take the same exit can avoid overtaking, thus preventing them from potentially missing an exit.

[0020] In particular, the indication by the indicator device occurs both temporally and spatially before the turn signal indicates the departure. "Temporarily and spatially" means that an indication is displayed well before the actual flashing, with "well" meaning both temporally and spatially (i.e., well before the departure).

[0021] In a further embodiment, the road guidance recognition module is designed as a manually operable control element for manually detecting the upcoming exit maneuver. The road guidance recognition module can be designed as a control element in the driver's cab. This can be, for example, a switch, control, lever, or a screen with an input interface. This allows the driver to manually determine when to display the signal.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, a navigation system with navigation data can be installed in the vehicle, and the road guidance recognition module can be configured to automatically detect an upcoming exit maneuver using the navigation system's navigation data. This allows the road guidance recognition module to be designed as a pure software module, for example, integrated into the control unit / control device. In this case, the display is automatically generated based on the navigation data, with the software detecting an exit or an exit maneuver based on the route from the navigation system.

[0023] In a further development, the indicator device is designed as an auxiliary light. This can flash differently and change depending on the distance to the exit. For example, the auxiliary light can initially glow dimly and then become increasingly brighter as the exit decreases. Such an auxiliary light can be visually or optically detected by any truck / lorry or vehicle without any additional equipment, even at night.

[0024] Furthermore, the auxiliary light can preferably be arranged in the upper area of ​​the rear of the vehicle. This makes it visible even to other vehicles that are not directly following. This arrangement is particularly advantageous if the vehicle is a truck.

[0025] Furthermore, the auxiliary light can preferably be arranged in a lower area of ​​the rear of the vehicle. This can be, for example, next to the turn signal, i.e., the direction indicator, so that both can be visually detected simultaneously.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the indicator device can be implemented using a rear third brake light. This eliminates the need for a separate additional light, and allows for the use of existing components. The third brake light can, for example, flash to indicate that no braking is taking place. Furthermore, differently colored light elements can be incorporated into the third brake light, so that the third brake light illuminates in a different color to create a distinction from the brake light and thus indicate the approaching departure.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the road guidance recognition module is designed to recognize a rural road and is further designed to generate the communication signal in the event of an upcoming exit maneuver only when driving on a rural road.

[0028] A non-urban road is defined as a highway such as a motorway or a European route, but also a country road. This can prevent the display device from being used frequently or almost continuously in urban areas (on built-up roads). Detection can be achieved, for example, by a sensor system or a navigation system.

[0029] In a further embodiment, a navigation system with navigation data is provided, with the road guidance recognition module recognizing the out-of-town road based on the navigation data. Thus, for example, the exit maneuver can be recognized based on the navigation data, and the recognition of an out-of-town road can be achieved based on the navigation data. Furthermore, the out-of-town road can be reliably recognized.

[0030] Furthermore, the road routing recognition module can be configured to detect a highway and further configured to generate the communication signal for an upcoming exit maneuver only when a highway is present. Thus, such a communication signal is only generated for federal highways or motorways.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the road guidance recognition module is configured to transmit the communication signal either distance-based or exit-based. Distance-based means that the display / communication signal is transmitted starting at a predefined distance value before the exit, and exit-based means that the display is displayed as soon as the vehicle passes the exit preceding the actual exit.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the vehicle comprises a transceiver unit as a display device, wherein the transceiver unit is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, and the road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a V2V communication signal, wherein the V2V communication signal comprises at least the location data and the route data about the departure maneuver, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to transmit the V2V communication signal for transmission to the transceiver unit as a display device.

[0033] This allows following vehicles with appropriate equipment to receive the V2V communication signal, and a message can be generated on the on-board navigation system in the following vehicle. For example, using only a low transmission power ensures that the receiver radius is not too large and, if necessary, only the directly following vehicles can receive the V2V communication signal. The location data and route data of the following vehicle can be compared with the location data and route data received in the following vehicle. If relevant, a navigation system in the following vehicle can be configured to output this information on a display or acoustically.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle comprises a transceiver unit as a display device, wherein the transceiver unit is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, and the road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal, wherein the radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal comprises at least the location data and the route data about the departure maneuver, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to transmit the radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal for transmission to the transceiver unit as a display device.

[0035] For example, traffic disruptions in the inaudible range of the FM signal are transmitted digitally via a TMC (Traffic Message Channel). The receiving vehicle typically requires a navigation system. A wireless connection, such as a Wi-Fi connection, can also be used.

[0036] The location and route data of the following vehicle can be compared with the location and route data received in the following vehicle. If relevant, a navigation system in the following vehicle can be configured to output this information on a display or acoustically.

[0037] The task is further solved by a truck with a driver assistance system as described above.

[0038] Further features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. Variations may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

[0039] The figures show schematically: Fig. 1: a driver assistance system according to the invention in a first embodiment, and Fig. 2: a driver assistance system according to the invention in a second embodiment, and Fig. 3: a driver assistance system according to the invention in a third embodiment.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a driver assistance system 1a according to the invention for displaying a departure maneuver of a vehicle in a first embodiment.

[0041] The driver assistance system 1a according to the invention comprises a road guidance recognition module and a direction indicator, which is usually configured as a turn signal 7. The direction indicator (turn signal 7) is designed to indicate an immediately upcoming exit. It is activated, as required, shortly before the exit.

[0042] The road guidance recognition module is designed, for example, as a manually operable control element 2 for manually detecting the upcoming exit maneuver. The manual control element 2 is configured, for example, as a gearshift lever, controller, or switch. An input interface in a display can also be provided as the control element 2.

[0043] The control element 2 is preferably arranged in the driver's cab, for example on the cockpit, so that it can be easily operated by the driver.

[0044] The driver operates control element 2 manually. This means that, for example, he or she can do without it when the highway is clear.

[0045] When operated, the manual control element 2 generates a communication signal. This signal is received and activated by a display device located on the vehicle, which is connected to the control element 2 for communication purposes. The display device can be designed, for example, as an additional rear light 4.

[0046] If the vehicle is a lorry, this rear additional light 4 can consist of several light elements which are arranged in the upper area and / or in the lower area of ​​the rear of the vehicle, in particular a lorry.

[0047] This rear additional light 4 thus provides additional visual information for following vehicles by attaching the rear additional light 4 as a marker to the existing vehicle lighting at the end of the vehicle.

[0048] The light of the rear additional light 4 is preferably kept discreet, ie no frequency flashing, so that following vehicles cannot confuse it.

[0049] The additional light 4 is operated temporally and locally before the exit and before the actual flashing.

[0050] "Timely" means both before the actual signaling and before the exit. "Local" means, for example, a few kilometers before the exit or, if driving on a motorway, immediately after passing the exit immediately before the exit to be taken.

[0051] Locally, it can be divided into distance-based and exit-based. Distance-based means that the additional light 4 is switched on from a predefined distance value before the exit, and exit-based means that that the additional light 4 is displayed as soon as the vehicle passes the exit preceding the actual exit.

[0052] The following vehicle can thus perceive the additional light 4 visually (optically) in time and place before the direction indicator as well as independently of the direction indicator (turn signal).

[0053] This indicates to following vehicles that the next exit is approaching and, for example, overtaking is no longer worthwhile. Furthermore, the following vehicle can anticipate that the turning vehicle, especially a truck, will slow down before the exit and can therefore maintain a greater distance. This also increases road safety.

[0054] Alternatively or in addition to the auxiliary light 4, the rear third brake light can also be used as an indicator. This can, for example, illuminate in a different color, flash, or glow dimly to distinguish itself from the brake light.

[0055] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a driver assistance system 1b according to the invention for indicating an exit maneuver. The driver assistance system 1b according to the invention has a road guidance recognition module and a direction indicator, which is usually configured as a turn signal 7. The direction indicator (turn signal 7) is designed to indicate an immediately upcoming exit. It is activated shortly before the exit, as required.

[0056] Furthermore, a navigation system 6 with navigation data is provided. The navigation system 6 is designed for the automated detection of an upcoming departure maneuver.

[0057] Furthermore, the road guidance recognition module is designed for the automated detection of an upcoming exit maneuver using the navigation data of the navigation system 6 and, for this purpose, accesses the existing navigation system 6. For this purpose, the road guidance recognition module can be designed as a software module and installed, for example, in a control unit 3.

[0058] Furthermore, the road guidance recognition module, here the software module, is configured to generate a communication signal.

[0059] Furthermore, the vehicle comprises a transmitting-receiving unit 5 as a display device, which is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication and is thus designed to receive the communication signal generated by the road guidance recognition module.

[0060] The road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a V2V communication signal. This contains at least the location data, for example, as GPS data, and the route data regarding the exit maneuver. The V2V communication signal is transmitted to the transceiver unit 5, which transmits it.

[0061] Following vehicles that can receive this information can, for example, compare the GPS data with their current position. If this position essentially matches (e.g., within a small radius), this information is relevant to the departure maneuver and can be output, for example, as an acoustic (loudspeaker) or visual (screen, instrument cluster) display.

[0062] Both the road guidance recognition module and the display device are designed to carry out the display independently, in particular in terms of time and location, before the direction indicator indicates the departure.

[0063] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a driver assistance system 1c according to the invention.

[0064] The driver assistance system 1c according to the invention comprises a road guidance recognition module and a direction indicator, which is usually configured as a turn signal 7. The direction indicator (turn signal 7) is designed to indicate an immediately upcoming exit. It is operated as prescribed.

[0065] Furthermore, a navigation system 6 with navigation data is provided. The navigation system 6 is designed for the automated detection of an upcoming departure maneuver.

[0066] Furthermore, the road guidance recognition module is designed for the automated detection of an upcoming exit maneuver using the navigation data of the navigation system 6 and, for this purpose, accesses the existing navigation system 6. For this purpose, the road guidance recognition module can also be designed as a software module and installed, for example, in a control unit 3.

[0067] Furthermore, the road guidance recognition module is designed to recognize a highway based on the navigation data.

[0068] Furthermore, the road guidance recognition module is designed to generate the communication signal only when driving on a highway in the event of an upcoming exit maneuver.

[0069] The road guidance recognition module can be configured to generate the communication signal either distance-based or exit-based. Distance-based means that the display is triggered starting at a predefined distance before the exit, and exit-based means that the display is displayed as soon as the vehicle passes the exit preceding the actual exit.

[0070] Furthermore, the vehicle comprises a transmitting-receiving unit 5 as a display device, which is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication and is thus designed to receive the communication signal generated by the road guidance recognition module.

[0071] The road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a V2V communication signal. This contains at least the location data, for example, as GPS data, and the route data regarding the exit maneuver. The V2V communication signal is transmitted to the transceiver unit 5, which transmits it.

[0072] Following vehicles that can receive this information can, for example, compare the GPS data with their current position. If this position essentially matches (e.g., within a small radius), this information is relevant to the departure maneuver and can be output, for example, as an acoustic (loudspeaker) or visual (screen, instrument cluster) display.

[0073] Both the road guidance recognition module and the display device are designed to carry out the display independently of the indication of departure by the direction indicator. Reference symbol 1a,1b,1c Driver assistance system 2 control element 3 Control unit 4 additional lights 5 Transceiver unit 6 Navigation system 7 indicators

Claims

[1] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) for indicating a departure manoeuvre of a vehicle, comprising a direction indicator to indicate an immediately preceding departure, characterized bythat a road guidance recognition module is provided for the manual or automated detection of an upcoming departure maneuver and for generating a communication signal upon detection of an departure maneuver, and in addition to the direction indicator, a display device is provided on the vehicle, which is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, wherein the display device is designed to display the departure maneuver for following vehicles upon receipt of the communication signal, so that the display by the display device can be effected independently of the display of the departure by the direction indicator, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to detect a rural road and is further designed to generate the communication signal in the event of an upcoming departure maneuver only when driving on a rural road,and wherein the display device is designed to provide the display by the display device both temporally and spatially before the departure is indicated by the direction indicator, wherein spatially is subdivided into distance-based and exit-based. [2] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to claim 1, characterized by that the road guidance recognition module is designed as a manually operable control element (2) for manually recognizing the upcoming departure maneuver. [3] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to claim 1, characterized by that a navigation system (6) with navigation data is provided and the road guidance recognition module is designed for the automated recognition of an upcoming departure maneuver by means of the navigation data of the navigation system (6). [4] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the display device is designed as an additional light (4). [5] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to claim 4, characterized by that the additional light (4) is arranged in an upper area of ​​a rear side of the vehicle. [6] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to claim 4, characterized by that the additional light (4) is arranged in a lower area of ​​a rear side of the vehicle. [7] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the display device is formed by using a rear third brake light. [8] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a navigation system (6) with navigation data is provided and the road guidance recognition module is designed to carry out the recognition of the rural road on the basis of the navigation data. [9] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the road guidance recognition module is designed to recognize a highway and is further designed to generate the communication signal in the event of an upcoming departure maneuver only if a highway is present. [10] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the vehicle comprises a transceiver unit (5) as a display device, wherein the transceiver unit (5) is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, and the road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a V2V communication signal, wherein the V2V communication signal comprises at least the location data and the route data about the departure maneuver, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to transmit the V2V communication signal for transmission to the transceiver unit (5) as a display device. [11] Driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized byin that the vehicle comprises a transceiver unit (5) as a display device, wherein the transceiver unit (5) is connected to the road guidance recognition module for communication, and the road guidance recognition module is designed to generate a radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal, wherein the radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal comprises at least the location data and the route data about the departure maneuver, and wherein the road guidance recognition module is designed to transmit the radio or TMC (Traffic Message Channel) communication signal for transmission to the transceiver unit (5) as a display device. [12] Truck with a driver assistance system (1a, 1b, 1c) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images