Procedures for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicles

Abstract

Method for operating a motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1), a drive train (5) and a brake system (6), in which a signal is received by means of a control device (7) and at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle is changed depending on the signal, wherein in the event of an impending accident of the motor vehicle at least one operating parameter of the drive train (5) of the motor vehicle is changed depending on the signal, characterized in that opposing moments are applied to the front axle and to the rear axle depending on the signal, thereby initiating a lifting of the chassis (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle comprising a chassis, a drive train and a braking system according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a chassis, a drive train and a braking system according to the preamble of claim 5.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2021 006 523 B3 discloses a method for protecting vehicle occupants. This method detects an impending rear-end collision and initiates a pitching motion of the vehicle. Accordingly, the patent discloses a modification of the vehicle in response to a signal, thereby changing an operating parameter of the powertrain.

[0003] From DE 10 2015 006 675 A1, a motor vehicle with a navigation system for displaying navigation instructions and with an active chassis, by means of which the movement of the vehicle body about a longitudinal axis and / or a transverse axis can be effected, is already known. By controlling at least one actuator of the active chassis by means of a control device through which a signal from the navigation system is received, the movement of the vehicle body about the longitudinal axis and / or the transverse axis can be effected depending on the signal from the navigation system.

[0004] Finally, further motor vehicles that take measures in the event of impending collisions are revealed from DE 10 2006 042 666 A1, from DE 10 2016 100 327 A1, from DE 10 2014 218 208 A1 and from DE 10 2012 220 355 A1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a method and a motor vehicle by means of which the accident characteristics of the vehicle, in particular in the case of a side collision, can be improved in a simple manner.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 5. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] An inventive method for operating a motor vehicle comprising a chassis, a drive train and a braking system provides that a signal is received by means of a control device and at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle is changed depending on the signal.

[0008] In the event of an impending accident involving the motor vehicle, at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle's drivetrain is changed depending on the signal.

[0009] It is intended that, depending on the signal, opposing moments will be applied to the front axle and the rear axle, thereby initiating a lifting of the chassis.

[0010] According to the invention, it is therefore provided, for example, in one variant of the method, that the moments acting on the respective vehicle axle are changed by intervening in the drive train in order to cause, for example, a lifting of the chassis as a result of the change in torque.

[0011] It has been shown that, particularly in side collisions, but also potentially in collisions of other directions, it is highly advantageous if the loads can be absorbed by the correspondingly higher positioning of side sills, pillars, or other body-in-white and stiffness structures. Especially in new vehicle architectures, the side sill is often positioned too low, for example, due to the weight of the electrical energy storage system. The measures according to the invention thus allow the side sill to be raised to a more favorable position. For example, in an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the front and rear axles can be actively controlled, and opposing moments can be applied to the front and rear axles, which, for example, due to the geometry of the suspension links, leads to a lifting of the vehicle.

[0012] In another variation, the vehicle can also be accelerated or decelerated by selectively controlling the drivetrain and / or the braking system so that, in the event of a side collision, or possibly also in collisions of other directions, the vehicle can be brought into a desired position in which, in an unavoidable accident, the obstacle or the other vehicle involved will strike it. For example, the vehicle can be accelerated so that the obstacle or the other vehicle involved strikes a door pillar and not, for instance, the center of a side door.

[0013] The present invention can be used in particular in electrically powered vehicles, since their electric motors can generate a particularly high torque to act on the corresponding drive axle.

[0014] In particular, a predictive technology is used to detect an impending, especially unavoidable, accident. For example, the control unit can receive an internal sensor signal or an external V2X signal. The internal sensor signal can be generated by suitable cameras, lidar, or similar devices when an imminent collision is detected. The external signal can be transmitted by other vehicles, external roadside infrastructure (RSUs), or by other means from a location outside the vehicle. This allows for the early detection of hazardous situations.

[0015] The invention also includes a motor vehicle with the features of claim 5. This motor vehicle comprises a chassis, a drive train, a braking system, and a control device configured to receive a signal and, depending on the signal, to modify at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle. In the event of an impending accident, the control device is configured to modify at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle's drive train, depending on the signal. It is provided that, depending on the signal, opposing torques can be applied to the front axle and the rear axle to initiate a lifting of the chassis. The advantages of the motor vehicle according to the invention can be derived from the advantages described in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0016] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0017] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawing.

[0018] The single figure shows a schematic perspective view of an electrically powered motor vehicle with a chassis, a drive train, a braking system and a control device designed to receive a signal and, depending on the signal, to change at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to the single figure, an electrically powered motor vehicle is provided with a chassis 1, which, in the area of ​​its front axle 2 and its rear axle 3, includes, among other things, respective control arms by means of which the respective wheel carriers together with the associated wheels 4 are mounted. Furthermore, the motor vehicle comprises a drive train 5 with at least one electric motor by means of which the front axle 2 and / or the rear axle 3 can be subjected to a torque. Finally, the vehicle comprises a braking system 6 with brakes provided for each vehicle axle 2, 3, by means of which the corresponding vehicle axle 2, 3 can be subjected to a negative torque or braking torque and thus be braked.

[0020] A control device 7, shown schematically, can receive a signal from either outside or inside the vehicle. This employs a predictive technology that can detect an impending, and especially an unavoidable, accident.

[0021] For example, the control unit 7 can receive an internal vehicle sensor signal, generated by suitable cameras, lidar, or similar devices, when an impending collision is detected. Such sensors will be present in large numbers in or on vehicles in the future, particularly to enable autonomous driving. Thus, a signal indicating an impending collision can be generated, especially in autonomous vehicles.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 7 can also use an external V2X signal or the like to detect an impending accident or hazardous situation. The external signal can be transmitted to the control unit 7 from other vehicles, external roadside infrastructure (RSUs), or in some other way from a location outside the vehicle. This allows, for example, a hazardous situation to be detected particularly early.

[0023] Depending on the signal, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle's drivetrain 5 is subsequently changed by means of the control unit 7. In particular, a change in the torque acting on the front axle 2 and / or rear axle 3 is generated.

[0024] This change in moment is intended, in particular, to achieve at least a partial lifting of the vehicle. It has been shown that, especially in a side collision, but also potentially in collisions of other directions, it is highly advantageous if the applied loads can be absorbed by the correspondingly higher-positioned side sills, pillars, or other body-in-white and stiffness structures. Particularly in new vehicle architectures, the side sill is often positioned too low, for example, due to the weight of the electrical energy storage system. The measures according to the invention thus allow the side sill to be raised to a more favorable position.

[0025] For example, in an all-wheel-drive vehicle, the front and rear axles can be actively controlled, and opposing torques can be applied to the front axle (2) and rear axle (3). This can lead to the vehicle being lifted, for instance, due to the geometry of the suspension links (1). Similarly, with wheel hub motors, it is conceivable to apply a drive torque to the motors on one side of the vehicle based on the received signal, which differs from the drive torque of the wheel hub motors on the other side. This could, for example, lift the vehicle on the side facing the accident.

[0026] The change in drive torque to the front axle 2 or the rear axle 3, or to their wheels 4, depending on a detected impending accident or similar event, causes, for example, the steering arms, stabilizers, or similar chassis components of the chassis 1 to be shifted accordingly, resulting in the vehicle being lifted. The steering arms, stabilizers, or similar chassis components can also be controlled by the control unit 7, if necessary.

[0027] In another variant, the vehicle can also be accelerated or decelerated, for example, by selectively controlling the drivetrain 5 and / or the braking system 6, so that in the event of a side collision, or possibly also in collisions of other directions, the vehicle can be brought into a desired position in which, in the event of an unavoidable accident, the obstacle or the other vehicle involved will strike it. For example, the vehicle can be accelerated so that the obstacle or the other vehicle involved strikes a door pillar and not, for instance, the center of a side door. Reference symbol list 1 Chassis 2 Front axle 3 Rear axle 4 wheels 5 Powertrain 6 Brake system 7 Control unit

Claims

[1] Method for operating a motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1), a drive train (5) and a braking system (6), in which a signal is received by means of a control device (7) and at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle is changed depending on the signal, wherein in the event of an impending accident of the motor vehicle at least one operating parameter of the drive train (5) of the motor vehicle is changed depending on the signal, characterized by , that depending on the signal, opposing moments are applied to the front axle and the rear axle, thereby initiating a lifting of the chassis (1). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that depending on the signal the motor vehicle is accelerated and / or decelerated by means of the drive train (5) and / or by means of the braking system (6). [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that depending on the at least one changing drive torque of the drive train (5) respective control arms of the chassis (1) are displaced. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an internal sensor signal or an external V2X signal is received by means of the control device (7). [5] Motor vehicle comprising a chassis (1), a drive train (5), a braking system (6) and a control device (7) which is configured to receive a signal in the event of an impending accident of the motor vehicle and to change at least one operating parameter of the motor vehicle depending on the signal, wherein the control device (7) is configured to change at least one operating parameter of the drive train (5) of the motor vehicle depending on the signal characterized by, that depending on the signal, opposing moments can be applied to the front axle and to the rear axle to initiate a lifting of the chassis (1). [6] Motor vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by that the motor vehicle has an electric powertrain (5) with at least one electric drive motor.

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