Method and device for adjusting a vehicle component

Abstract

Device (101) for adjusting a component (102, 104, 105) of a motor vehicle (100); wherein the device (101) is configured, - To determine disability data relating to a physical disability of a user (110), in particular a driver, of the vehicle (100); and - to automatically adjust at least one component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) depending on the determined disability data; wherein the component (102, 104, 105) comprises an accelerator pedal (102) of the vehicle (100) for controlling a drive torque of a drive motor of the vehicle (100); and wherein the automatic adjustment of the component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) comprises deactivating the accelerator pedal (102) and / or reconfiguring the accelerator pedal (102) into a brake pedal for controlling a brake of the vehicle (100), depending on the disability data.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device which make it possible to adjust a component of a motor vehicle in order to increase the comfort of a vehicle user, in particular a user with a physical and / or bodily disability.

[0002] A vehicle can be used by a person with a disability.

[0003] DE 10 2019 220 205 A1 describes a method for adaptively adjusting an optical output to a user's visual acuity. US 2003 / 0 127 261 A1 describes a system for assisting a vehicle occupant with a hearing impairment. US 2020 / 0 066 070 A1 describes a system for mobilizing a wheelchair. WO 2020 / 256 025 A1 describes a driver assistance system.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of increasing the comfort and / or safety of vehicle use for a person with disabilities in an efficient and reliable manner.

[0005] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim can form a separate invention, independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, which invention can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device for adjusting a component of a motor vehicle is described. Examples of components include: an accelerator pedal, a steering wheel, a control element (e.g., a button or a shift paddle), an output unit (e.g., an audio playback device), a driving function for automated longitudinal and / or lateral guidance of the vehicle, etc. The device can be configured to automatically adjust one or more operating parameters of the respective component and / or a function associated with the respective component.

[0007] The device is configured to determine disability data relating to a physical disability of a user, in particular the driver, of the vehicle. The device can, for example, be configured to detect that a user has sat in the driver's position of the vehicle. Furthermore, the device can be configured to detect that the user has a physical disability. Furthermore, the type of disability of the user can be determined. The disability data can indicate the type of physical disability of the user (e.g., a walking disability, a hearing impairment, a visual impairment, etc.).

[0008] The vehicle may include a sensor (e.g., a radio receiver and / or a camera) configured to capture sensor data relating to the user, in particular relating to the user's physical disability. The disability data can then be precisely determined based on the sensor data from the sensor.

[0009] The device can be configured to detect that the user is using and / or carrying an assistive device related to their physical disability. Examples of assistive devices include a prosthesis, a hearing aid, and / or glasses.

[0010] The device can be configured to determine assistive device data relating to the assistive device. The assistive device data can indicate, for example, the type of assistive device, and / or one or more properties of the assistive device, and / or a type or nature of the physical disability for which the assistive device is used by the user.

[0011] The aid can be configured to transmit a radio signal, in particular an RFID signal and / or a Bluetooth signal, with the aid data. Furthermore, the vehicle can include a sensor for detecting the radio signal.

[0012] The disability data can then be determined in a particularly reliable and precise manner based on the assistive device data.

[0013] The device can be configured to receive a data message from a user device, in particular a smartphone, of the user via a wireless communication connection, e.g., via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The disability data, in particular the assistive device data relating to the assistive device that the user uses and / or carries in relation to their physical disability, can then be determined in a particularly efficient and precise manner based on the data message. For example, the user and / or a manufacturer of the assistive device can have stored the assistive device data on the user device, for example, in a software app of the user device.

[0014] The device is further configured to automatically adjust at least one component of the vehicle depending on the determined obstruction data. By automatically considering obstruction data when configuring one or more vehicle components, the comfort and safety of the vehicle can be increased efficiently and reliably.

[0015] The adjustable component may comprise the vehicle's accelerator pedal for controlling the drive torque of the vehicle's drive motor. The device may be configured to deactivate the accelerator pedal and / or reconfigure the accelerator pedal into a brake pedal for controlling a vehicle brake depending on the disability data, particularly if the disability data indicate a disability of a leg and / or a foot of the user.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the component can comprise an operating element, in particular a rocker switch and / or a button, which can be actuated by the user with one or more fingers while driving the vehicle. The operating element can be arranged, for example, on the steering wheel of the vehicle. The device can be configured to assign a function for controlling the drive torque of a drive motor of the vehicle to the operating element depending on the disability data, in particular if the disability data indicate a disability of a leg and / or a foot of the user.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the component may comprise an acoustic, optical, and / or haptic output unit (e.g., an audio playback system) of the vehicle's user interface. The device may be configured to configure the output unit depending on the disability data, particularly if the disability data indicate that the user has a hearing and / or visual impairment as a physical disability.

[0018] The device can in particular be configured to cause the output unit to effect an output of the vehicle (e.g. the reproduction of an audio signal) directly on the aid (e.g. on the hearing aid) that the user uses in relation to his physical disability, if the disability data indicate that the user has a hearing and / or visual impairment as a physical disability.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of the driving function for automated longitudinal and / or lateral guidance of the vehicle depending on the obstruction data. Examples of operating parameters include: the degree of automation (e.g., the SAE level) of the driving function, the maximum permissible operating time of the driving function for the user, and / or the maximum permissible driving speed of the vehicle when operating the driving function.

[0020] One or more of the above-mentioned measures can significantly increase the comfort and safety of the vehicle.

[0021] According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which comprises the device described in this document.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a system is described that includes a vehicle with a device configured as described in this document. The system may further include an assistive device that a user of the vehicle uses and / or carries with them in relation to their physical disability, and which may be configured to provide assistive device data. The device may be configured to automatically adjust at least one component of the vehicle depending on the assistive device data.

[0023] According to a further aspect, a method for adjusting a component of a motor vehicle is described. The method comprises determining disability data relating to a physical disability of a user, in particular the driver, of the vehicle. Furthermore, the method comprises automatically adjusting at least one component of the vehicle depending on the determined disability data.

[0024] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to be executed on a processor (e.g., on a vehicle control unit) and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0025] According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0026] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

[0027] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 an exemplary vehicle with one or more adjustable components; and Fig. 2 a flowchart of an exemplary method for adjusting a component of a vehicle.

[0028] As stated at the beginning, this document deals with increasing the comfort and / or safety of a motor vehicle. In this context, Fig. 1 an exemplary vehicle 100 having different adjustable components 102, 104, 105, such as • a brake and / or accelerator pedal 102 of the vehicle 100, the position of which is adjustable and / or which can be deactivated; • one or more control elements 105 on the steering wheel of the vehicle 100, which are configurable for one or more functions of the vehicle 100, e.g., to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle 100; and / or • a user interface 104 of the vehicle 100 with one or more input elements and / or one or more output elements, in which, for example, the form of the output of an audio signal produced by the vehicle 100 is configurable.

[0029] The vehicle 100 may be used by a user 110 who has a physical disability. The user 110 may be the driver or a passenger of the vehicle 100. The user 110 may have an assistive device 111 related to the physical disability of the user 110. Examples of assistive devices 111 include: • a prosthesis, e.g. a prosthetic leg, a prosthetic hand, a prosthetic hip, etc.; • a hearing aid; and / or • glasses.

[0030] The vehicle 100 may include at least one sensor 103 configured to capture sensor data relating to the physical disability, in particular relating to the assistive device 111, of the user 110 of the vehicle 100. The assistive device 111 may, for example, be configured to transmit assistive device data 112 relating to the assistive device 111, which may be captured by the sensor 103 of the vehicle 100. For example, the assistive device 111 may have an RFID (radio frequency identification) chip configured to transmit a radio signal containing the assistive device data 112. The assistive device data 112 may, for example, indicate • the fact that the user 110 has an aid 111; • the type of aid 111; and / or • one or more properties of the tool 111.

[0031] A (control) device 101 of the vehicle 100 can be configured to automatically adjust and / or configure one or more components 102, 104, 105 of the vehicle 100 based on the assistive device data 112. For example, an output unit of the user interface 104 can be adjusted such that an audio signal reproduced by the output unit can be perceived particularly reliably by the hearing aid 111 of the user 100. In a further example, the accelerator pedal 102 of the vehicle 100 can be deactivated, and a control element 105 on the steering wheel of the vehicle 100 can be configured to adjust the drive torque of the vehicle 100 if it is detected based on the assistive device data 112 that the user 110 has a leg prosthesis 111. This can increase the comfort and safety of the vehicle 100 for people with disabilities.

[0032] The vehicle 100 and the aid 111 can be part of a higher-level system 120.

[0033] Functions and / or actions can thus be programmed for specific adaptations for people 110 with disabilities. In this context, the extent of the automated longitudinal and / or lateral guidance of the vehicle 100 can be adjusted if necessary.

[0034] The vehicle 100 can be used, for example, by a person 110 who has a leg prosthesis as an aid 111. Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle 100 can be used, for example, by a person 110 who has a hearing aid as an aid 111.

[0035] The device 101 of the vehicle 100 can be configured to detect that the person 110 with the hearing aid is sitting in the driver's seat. A communication connection (e.g., via Bluetooth) can be automatically established between the vehicle's user interface 104 and the hearing aid 111, if necessary. Acoustic warnings and / or outputs from the navigation system and / or music playback can then be transmitted directly to the hearing aid 111 (possibly in addition to playback via one or more speakers of the vehicle 100). Furthermore, autonomous driving of the vehicle 100 can be enabled (e.g., upon request).

[0036] The device 101 can be configured to detect that a person 110 with a leg prosthesis 111 is entering the vehicle 100 (as a driver). This can be detected, for example, based on Bluetooth communication between the vehicle 100 and the prosthesis 111 and / or based on RFID / NFC (Near Field Communication). The accelerator pedal 102 of the vehicle 100 can then be automatically deactivated. If necessary, the accelerator pedal 102 can be configured as an additional brake pedal to make braking easier for the person 110. Furthermore, it can be ensured that a rocker switch 105 on the steering wheel can be used to control the acceleration of the vehicle 100. If necessary, a restriction of the autonomous driving function of the vehicle 100 can be effected (e.g., to a certain maximum speed and / or to a certain usage time).

[0037] Fig.2 shows an exemplary (possibly computer-implemented) method 200 for adjusting a component 102, 104, 105 of a motor vehicle 100. The method 200 includes determining 201 disability data relating to a physical disability of a user 110, in particular the driver, of the vehicle 100. The disability data may indicate the type of disability of the user 110, e.g., a disability of a leg and / or foot, a hearing impairment, a visual impairment, a disability of an arm and / or hand, etc.

[0038] The user 110 may, if appropriate, use an assistive device 111 related to the physical disability. The assistive device 111 may be configured to transmit a radio signal containing assistive device data 112 related to the assistive device 111 used, in particular worn, by the user 110. The disability data may be determined based on the assistive device data 112. In particular, the disability data may correspond to the assistive device data 112.

[0039] The method 200 further includes automatically adjusting 202 at least one component 102, 104, 105 of the vehicle 100 depending on the determined obstruction data. Examples of components 102, 104, 105 include: an accelerator pedal 102, a steering wheel, a user interface 104, a control element 105, etc.

[0040] The measures described in this document can increase the comfort and safety of a vehicle 100 for people 110 with disabilities in an efficient and reliable manner.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

[1] Device (101) for adjusting a component (102, 104, 105) of a motor vehicle (100); wherein the device (101) is configured - to determine disability data relating to a physical disability of a user (110), in particular a driver, of the vehicle (100); and - to automatically adjust at least one component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) depending on the determined obstruction data; wherein the component (102, 104, 105) comprises an accelerator pedal (102) of the vehicle (100) for controlling a drive torque of a drive motor of the vehicle (100); and wherein the automatic adjustment of the component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) comprises deactivating the accelerator pedal (102) and / or reconfiguring the accelerator pedal (102) into a brake pedal for controlling a brake of the vehicle (100), depending on the obstruction data. [2] Device (101) according to claim 1, wherein - the vehicle (100) comprises a sensor (103) configured to acquire sensor data relating to the user (110), in particular relating to the physical disability of the user (110); and - to determine the obstruction data based on the sensor data of the sensor (103). [3] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is arranged - to determine aid data (112) relating to an aid (111) that the user (110) uses and / or carries in relation to his physical disability; and - to determine the disability data based on the assistive device data. [4] Device (101) according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary means (111) comprises - a prosthesis; - a hearing aid; and / or - glasses. [5] Device (101) according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein - the aid (111) is designed to transmit a radio signal, in particular an RFID signal and / or a Bluetooth signal, with the aid data (112); and - the vehicle (100) comprises a sensor (103) for detecting the radio signal. [6] Device (101) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the resource data (112) indicate - a type of aid (111); and / or - one or more properties of the aid (111); and / or - a type of physical disability for which the aid (111) is used by the user (110). [7] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is arranged - to receive a data message from a user device, in particular from a smartphone, of the user (110) via a wireless communication connection; and - to determine the disability data, in particular aid data (112) relating to an aid (111) that the user (110) uses and / or carries with him in relation to his physical disability, on the basis of the data message. [8] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to deactivate the accelerator pedal (102) and / or to reconfigure the accelerator pedal (102) into a brake pedal for controlling a brake of the vehicle (100) when the disability data indicate a disability of a leg and / or a foot of the user (110). [9] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the component (102, 104, 105) comprises an operating element (105), in particular a rocker switch, which can be actuated by the user (110) with one or more fingers when driving the vehicle (100); and - the device (101) is configured to assign the control element (105) a function for controlling a drive torque of a drive motor of the vehicle (100) depending on the disability data, in particular when the disability data indicate a disability of a leg and / or a foot of the user (110). [10] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the component (102, 104, 105) comprises an acoustic, optical and / or haptic output unit of a user interface (104) of the vehicle (100); and - the device (101) is configured to configure the output unit depending on the disability data, in particular when the disability data indicate that the user (110) has a hearing and / or visual impairment as a physical disability. [11] Device (101) according to claim 10, wherein the device (101) is configured to cause the output unit to effect an output of the vehicle (100) directly to an aid (111) that the user (110) uses in relation to his physical disability, if the disability data indicates that the user (110) has a hearing and / or visual impairment as a physical disability. [12] Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the device (101) is configured to adjust one or more operating parameters of a driving function for automated longitudinal and / or transverse guidance of the vehicle (100) depending on the obstruction data; and - which include one or more operating parameters in particular, - a degree of automation of the driving function; - a maximum permissible operating time of the driving function; and / or - a maximum permissible driving speed of the vehicle (100) when operating the driving function. [13] System (120) comprising - a vehicle (100) with a device (101) designed according to one of the preceding claims; and - an aid (111) that a user (110) of the vehicle (110) uses and / or carries with him in relation to his physical disability, and that is configured to provide aid data (112); wherein the device (101) is configured to automatically adjust at least one component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) depending on the aid data (112). [14] Method (200) for adjusting a component (102, 104, 105) of a motor vehicle (100); the method (200) comprising - determining (201) disability data relating to a physical disability of a user (110), in particular a driver, of the vehicle (100); and - automatically adjusting (202) at least one component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) depending on the determined obstruction data; wherein the component (102, 104, 105) comprises an accelerator pedal (102) of the vehicle (100) for controlling a drive torque of a drive motor of the vehicle (100); and wherein the automatic adjusting (202) of the component (102, 104, 105) of the vehicle (100) comprises deactivating the accelerator pedal (102) and / or reconfiguring the accelerator pedal (102) into a brake pedal for controlling a brake of the vehicle (100), depending on the obstruction data.

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