Emergency equipment for a vehicle storage compartment and control procedures

Abstract

The proposed solution relates in particular to an emergency equipment for a vehicle (F), with - an actuating element (1) for installation in a storage compartment (S) of the vehicle (F), which can be closed by at least one locking element (H), and - an electronic control unit (2), wherein the actuating element (1) is provided for signaling an emergency by a person located in the locked storage space (S) and the electronic control unit (2) is configured to emit at least one emergency signal (s) in response to an actuation of the actuating element (1). N to generate. The electronic control unit (2) is further configured to trigger a ventilation measure in response to an actuation of the actuating element (1), through which additional air enters the storage space (S) which is still closed by the at least one closing element (H).

Description

[0001] The proposed solution concerns an emergency device for a vehicle and a procedure for controlling an emergency device on a vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles can have storage compartments at the rear or at the front, which can be closed by at least one locking element. For example, in a rear storage compartment, the locking element is a tailgate or trunk lid. In a front storage compartment, also known as a "frunk" in electric vehicles, the locking element is a hood. Since a person, especially a child, could be trapped in such a storage compartment, it is known to install an operating element in the vehicle's storage compartment to signal an emergency.

[0003] If a person is trapped inside a storage compartment secured by at least one locking element, they can generate an emergency signal using the operating element accessible within the compartment. This emergency signal triggers an emergency response, such as placing an emergency call to an emergency call center. By placing an emergency call, a person who cannot free themselves from the locked compartment can draw attention to their situation and, for example, communicate with the emergency call center via voice or transmit an alarm with GPS coordinates via a silent emergency call.

[0004] Alternatively, it is known to trigger an emergency signal via an actuating element inside a rear storage compartment. This signal, as an emergency measure, allows the locking mechanism of at least one locking element to be released from the inside, thus moving the locking element into an open position. However, in the case of storage compartments located at the front or rear of a vehicle, opening at least one locking element, especially while the vehicle is in motion, can pose a significant risk. Therefore, additional safety measures are particularly necessary for so-called frunks in the event of a person being trapped inside.

[0005] Against this background, the proposed solution is based on the task of providing an emergency device and a control system for the emergency device for a vehicle, with which the aforementioned disadvantages can at least be reduced.

[0006] This problem is solved in particular by an emergency device of claim 1.

[0007] A proposed emergency device comprises an electronic control unit that, in response to the activation of an actuating element accessible inside a vehicle storage compartment, can generate at least one emergency signal for an emergency measure. The electronic control unit is additionally configured to trigger a ventilation measure in response to the actuating element, thereby introducing additional air into the storage compartment, which is still sealed by at least one locking element.

[0008] A proposed emergency device allows for the electronically controlled introduction of additional air into the storage compartment, which is still sealed by at least one locking element, before, after, or simultaneously with the generation of an emergency signal. This ventilation measure ensures the physical safety of a person trapped in the storage compartment without requiring the immediate and complete opening of at least one locking element, which could pose an additional risk, potentially due to the vehicle's current driving condition.

[0009] For example, the electronic control unit of the emergency equipment can be configured to activate a ventilation device to introduce additional air into the storage compartment. This includes, for instance, electronically controlling the opening of a ventilation opening to allow outside air to flow into the storage compartment, perhaps via a cover that can be adjusted independently of the locking element on an air inlet leading into the storage compartment. Alternatively or additionally, at least one fan can be activated via the electronic control unit to actively supply additional air to the storage compartment when the operating element accessible inside the storage compartment has been activated.

[0010] In one embodiment, it can alternatively or additionally be provided that the at least one locking element is held in a closed position by a lock, and the electronic control unit is configured to actuate the lock for ventilation purposes, thus allowing the at least one locking element to be moved from the closed position along an opening direction into a pre-latched position. In this pre-latched position, the at least one locking element continues to close the storage compartment and is therefore held in an at least partially closed position. However, at least a gap is left open through the locking element in the pre-latched position, allowing additional air to enter the storage compartment. Consequently, in such an embodiment, actuation of the actuating element does not immediately result in the complete opening of the locking element.Rather, the locking element is only released to an adjustment in the opening direction, for example due to a spring load, to such an extent that the locking element assumes the pre-lock position in which the locking element remains locked against further adjustment in the opening direction by at least one lock.

[0011] In principle, the control unit can be configured to make the activation of the ventilation measure dependent on at least one speed signal indicative of the vehicle's speed. This includes, for example, the possibility that the ventilation measure is only activated when the vehicle's speed reaches a certain threshold. Thus, for instance, the activation of the control element—possibly for the first time—may only allow additional air to enter the sealed storage compartment if the vehicle is already traveling at a speed above a certain threshold. In this case, an immediate and complete opening of the storage compartment could pose an additional hazard to any person inside.Similarly, an immediate opening of the storage compartment can be dangerous for other road users, especially if it is a front-mounted storage compartment and the hood is fully opened while the vehicle is moving. This can be avoided with the described design variant.

[0012] In this context, it may also be provided that the control device is configured to actuate the lock, which secures the at least one locking element in a closed position, to release the at least one locking element when the vehicle's speed is below the threshold. The actuation of the lock is carried out to allow the at least one locking element to be moved from the closed position along the opening direction to an open position in which the at least one locking element no longer closes the storage compartment, but only if the vehicle's speed has not reached the threshold.Depending on the vehicle's speed and with at least one speed signal evaluated for this purpose by the control unit, the actuation of the control element inside the locked storage compartment either triggers the ventilation measure (if the vehicle is moving at a speed exceeding a threshold) or directly moves the locking element into its open position (if the vehicle is moving at a speed below the threshold or is stationary).

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, actuation of the actuator always triggers the ventilation measure first, and only in response to a subsequent, further actuation of the actuator is a decision made regarding the complete opening of at least one closure element. The electronic control unit is configured, for example, to trigger the ventilation measure in response to a first actuation of the actuator and to generate the at least one emergency signal (for the emergency measure following the ventilation measure) only in response to a subsequent, second actuation of the actuator.

[0014] Such an emergency measure could, for example, involve the actuation of a lock, releasing the locking mechanism of the locking element held in the closed position. The actuation of the lock in response to a second actuation of the operating element could be dependent on at least one speed signal indicative of the vehicle's speed. To trigger the emergency signal, and in particular to fully open the at least one locking element, a (possibly repeated) speed check can be performed to determine whether the at least one locking element may actually be moved into an open position.This, in conjunction with the aforementioned design variant, includes the possibility that, after an initial actuation of the actuator, only the ventilation measure is triggered because the vehicle's speed is (still) too high. However, if the vehicle speed falls below a threshold during the second actuation of the actuator, at least one locking element can be released and opened to its maximum extent. Alternatively, the speed check is performed exclusively after a second actuation of the actuator.

[0015] The at least one emergency signal can be provided as an alternative or supplement to triggering other emergency measures. For example, the at least one emergency signal can be used to transmit an emergency call, in particular a silent emergency call or an emergency call with a voice connection to an emergency call center. In one embodiment, the at least one emergency signal is provided as an alternative or supplement to generating an alarm that is audibly and / or visually perceptible to a person in the vicinity of the vehicle. This includes, for example, the possibility that the emergency signal activates a vehicle horn and / or hazard warning lights to indicate a position trapped in the storage compartment. Alternatively or supplementarily, the at least one emergency signal can be used to influence the vehicle's current driving behavior.Based on the generated emergency signal, for example, targeted braking of the moving vehicle can be triggered, particularly in the case of a vehicle that is at least partially or fully autonomous. Here, the emergency signal can be used to electronically influence the vehicle's steering, so that the vehicle is automatically steered to the side of the road, into a parking space, or another designated area and brought to a stop if a person trapped in the storage compartment has indicated their emergency by activating the control element within the compartment.

[0016] Influencing the vehicle's current driving behavior may depend on an emergency call center verifying the actual emergency and thus authorizing and / or controlling the intervention in the vehicle's driving behavior.

[0017] As explained above, the emergency device can be designed for a storage compartment at the front of the vehicle. This includes, in particular, the possibility that the emergency device is designed for a so-called frunk in an electric vehicle. A locking element in this case is formed, for example, by a front cover at the front of the vehicle. However, a proposed emergency device can also be used in a rear trunk.

[0018] The proposed solution also concerns a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, with a variant design of a proposed emergency device.

[0019] One embodiment of such a vehicle therefore comprises a storage compartment closed by at least one locking element and a locking element held in a closed position by a vehicle lock. The lock can be operated via the electronic control unit of the emergency device.

[0020] Furthermore, the vehicle may be equipped with a radio interface through which a control signal can be wirelessly received from an emergency call center. This signal can be used to alternatively or additionally activate the lock to release at least one locking element, allowing it to be moved from a closed position along an opening direction to a (maximum possible) open position in which the at least one locking element no longer closes the storage compartment. Thus, the emergency device allows the lock on a corresponding vehicle to be operated remotely in response to at least one emergency signal.

[0021] The proposed solution further relates to a method for controlling an emergency device in a vehicle. In this proposed method, an emergency is signaled by a person inside a storage compartment closed by at least one locking element by actuating an actuator located inside the compartment. In response to the actuation of the actuator, at least one emergency signal is generated. In response to the actuation of the actuator, a ventilation measure is triggered within the proposed method, allowing additional air to enter the storage compartment, which remains closed by the at least one locking element.

[0022] A variant implementation of a proposed procedure can therefore be implemented by using a variant implementation of a proposed emergency device. The features and advantages of variant implementations of a proposed emergency device explained above and below thus also apply to variant implementations of a proposed control procedure, and vice versa.

[0023] In one embodiment of a proposed method, it may be provided, for example, that in response to the at least one emergency signal, at least one control signal is received from an emergency call center, via which the lock is controlled to release the at least one locking element in order to allow the at least one locking element to be moved from a closed position along an opening direction to an open position in which the at least one locking element no longer closes the storage space.In this context, it may also be provided that, upon initial activation of the operating element (provided the vehicle is not moving or the moving vehicle does not exceed a speed threshold), a ventilation measure is triggered, for example, by electronically controlling a ventilation device and / or by the at least one locking element assuming a pre-locked position. Upon a further, second activation of the operating element, the emergency signal can then be used to contact an emergency call center, which, after verifying the emergency situation, will remotely open the locking element in contact with the person trapped in the storage compartment.

[0024] The attached figures illustrate possible implementation variants of the proposed solution.

[0025] This shows: Fig. 1. Excerpt of a vehicle with a variant design of a proposed emergency equipment for a front storage compartment of the vehicle; Fig. 2. A flowchart for one implementation variant of a proposed control method.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a vehicle F with a front storage compartment S, which in electric vehicles is typically also referred to as a "frunk". The storage compartment S can be closed by a locking element in the form of a pivotally mounted front cover H. When the front cover H is open, the interior of the storage compartment S is accessible. Conversely, when the front cover H is closed and thus in a locked position, the front cover H can be locked by a lock 3, so that the front cover H cannot be opened without actuating the lock 3.

[0027] The storage compartment S in the depicted vehicle F is dimensioned such that a person, particularly a child, could fit inside and thus be accidentally trapped, for example, due to the retracting hood H. To enable someone inside the storage compartment S to attract attention and / or free themselves in such an emergency, an actuating element in the form of an emergency button 1 is located inside the compartment. The emergency button 1 is connected to an electronic control unit 2 (e.g., a control module) of an emergency device that includes the emergency button 1. When the actuating element 1, which for this purpose includes, for example, an adjustable button or a touch panel, is activated, an actuation signal is sent to the electronic control unit 2.

[0028] In principle, an emergency signal can be sent immediately in response to such a (first) activation of the emergency button 1 via the electronic control unit 2. N be triggered. For example, such an emergency signal is... N Designed for transmitting an emergency call. Accordingly, a person located in storage compartment S can, if necessary, contact an emergency call center by pressing emergency button 1 to report their emergency situation and request assistance.

[0029] At least one emergency signal s N can be provided as an alternative or supplement to generating an alarm that is perceptible acoustically and / or visually to a person in the vicinity of the vehicle F.

[0030] If necessary, the generated emergency signal can be used to… NThe current driving behavior of vehicle F can also be influenced, for example to deliberately brake vehicle F and, if necessary, to bring it to a controlled stop at the edge of the road, in a parking lot or on another parking area.

[0031] In the present case, it is intended that a first activation of emergency button 1 does not immediately generate the emergency signal s. N triggers. Rather, the emergency device shown implements at least a two-stage process to reduce the potential danger both for a person trapped in the storage space S and for other road users in the vicinity of the vehicle 11, and to enable a more reliable, injury-free release from the storage space S for a person trapped in the storage space S.

[0032] In the emergency device shown, for example, the current speed of the vehicle F is checked in response to the first activation of the emergency button 1. For this purpose, the electronic control unit 2 evaluates a speed signal s. V from which the current speed of the vehicle F is indicative. For example, via the speed signal s VWhen a signal indicates that the current speed of the vehicle F is below a predefined threshold, for example 5 km / h, the electronic control unit 2 immediately actuates the lock 3 to release the locking mechanism of the front hood H, which is in a closed position. The front hood H, which is elastically pre-tensioned towards an open position by at least one spring element, is then automatically moved to its maximum possible open position after the lock 3 releases the locking mechanism, thus opening the storage compartment S. A person inside the storage compartment S can therefore immediately free themselves by pressing the emergency button 1 once.

[0033] However, if the speed signal s VIf the system indicates that vehicle F is already traveling at a higher speed, the automatic opening of the front hood H to its maximum possible opening position can endanger other road users and also the person located in the storage compartment S. For example, the fully opened front hood H can significantly restrict the driver's field of vision. Furthermore, for a person located in the storage compartment S while the vehicle is moving, exiting the compartment S can be extremely dangerous.

[0034] Accordingly, after the emergency button 1 is activated for the first time, the electronic control unit 2 will, based on the speed signal s, VIf it is determined that the current speed of the vehicle F has reached or even exceeded a threshold, the electronic control unit 2 initially only triggers a ventilation measure to provide additional air to a person located in the storage compartment S in order to ensure the physical safety of the person located in the storage compartment S.

[0035] Such a ventilation measure can, for example, include the electronic control unit 2 electronically controlling a ventilation device to allow additional air to flow into the storage compartment S. For instance, this could involve opening one or more ventilation openings to the storage compartment S and / or activating one or more fans to blow additional air into the storage compartment S. Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control unit 2 can actuate the lock 3 to allow the front hood H to be moved into a pre-locked position.Actuating the lock 3 in this way only partially releases the locking mechanism of the front cover H, so that the front cover H is moved from a fully closed position to a pre-latched position. In this pre-latched position, at least a gap is opened through the front cover H, allowing air to flow into the storage compartment S. In this pre-latched position, the storage compartment S remains closed via the front cover H. However, the lock 3 holds the front cover H in a position where air can flow into the storage compartment S from the outside through one or more gaps between the upper surface of a wall bordering the storage compartment S and the front cover H. In this pre-latched position, the front cover H remains locked in the partially closed pre-latched position by a locking element of the lock 3 in the form of a pre-latch.

[0036] If, after the ventilation measure has been triggered, the emergency button 1 is pressed again by a person located in storage compartment S, and thus at least a second time, the emergency signal s will be triggered. N This emergency signal is generated. N This can now lead in particular to the fact that - an emergency call is transmitted to an emergency call center and / or - a vehicle horn and / or hazard warning lights of vehicle F are activated to audibly and / or visually indicate in and / or on vehicle F the person located in the storage compartment S, and / or - the current driving behavior of vehicle F is influenced in such a way that vehicle F is deliberately braked and steered to a possible stopping point.

[0037] In principle, a transmitted emergency call can be a silent emergency call transmitting GPS data to indicate the current position of vehicle F in which a person is trapped in storage compartment S. However, in this context, an emergency call is specifically understood to be a call to an emergency call center establishing a voice connection, enabling communication between a person located in storage compartment S and the emergency call center via at least one microphone and one loudspeaker.

[0038] In the latter case in particular, it may also be provided that the electronic control unit 2 receives at least one control signal s from the emergency call center and via a receiving interface of the vehicle F connected to the electronic control unit 2. E can be received from the emergency call center. Via at least one control signal s EThe electronic control unit 2 or directly the electronically controlled lock 3 is then signaled that the locking mechanism of the front hood H can be fully released, and thus the front hood H can be moved from the pre-locked position to the maximum possible opening position, or is moved automatically. At least one control signal s E For example, the complete release of the front hood H is only generated and sent to the vehicle F from a spatially distant emergency call center when an emergency for a person located in the storage compartment S has actually been verified and, if necessary, it has also been ensured that the vehicle F has come to an almost or completely standstill.

[0039] The at least one received control signal s EAlternatively, it can also lead to an electronic lock being deactivated to prevent unlocking of lock 3. While with an active lock, further activation of the emergency button 1 does not result in the complete unlocking of lock 3 and thus the adjustment of the front hood H to its fully open position, this is possible when the electronic lock is deactivated. A person in the storage compartment S can therefore only unlock the compartment after receiving at least one control signal s. E On vehicle F, a complete unlocking of the front hood H can be triggered by pressing the emergency button 1 again.

[0040] In another scenario, a second activation of emergency button 1 may not be necessary. It may also be possible that, after a single activation of emergency button 1, depending on the speed signal s, further action may be taken. VWhen the vehicle is in motion, the ventilation measure is always triggered first, thus, for example, moving the hood H into a pre-locked position. Furthermore, the emergency signal s N A signal is generated, which transmits an emergency call to an emergency call center. If the emergency call center then verifies – possibly by speaking with the person located in storage compartment S – that there is indeed an emergency involving vehicle F, at least one control signal s is generated. E transferred to vehicle F to allow or trigger a full opening of the front hood H.

[0041] The Fig. Figure 2 illustrates, based on the above explanations, a possible implementation variant of a proposed control method for an emergency device on vehicle F.

[0042] In the Fig. In the procedure described in 2, the first step 20 involves a person located in the storage compartment S pressing the emergency call button 1 for the first time. In response, a subsequent step 21 checks whether a speed signal s has been received. V signaled driving speed v F of the vehicle F a speed threshold V stored in a memory of the electronic control unit 2 G This corresponds to or exceeds this value. Is the current driving speed V F smaller than the stored threshold value V GFor the vehicle speed, in process step 23, the lock 3 is electronically actuated via the control unit 2, thus releasing the front hood H to adjust to a fully open position. In contrast, process step 23 initially only provides for the triggering of a ventilation measure if the vehicle F is traveling too fast.

[0043] If vehicle F is traveling too fast, at least a two-stage process is provided to allow a person located in storage compartment S to exit. In the first stage, the activation of the ventilation measure ensures that the person in storage compartment S has sufficient air available. Subsequently, in a further stage, e.g., in a further process step 25 according to the Fig. 2. It is intended that an emergency measure is initiated and, for example, an emergency call is transmitted to an emergency call center. Only when at least one further criterion is fulfilled will the front hood H be released and fully opened via the lock 3, for example, by transmitting at least one control signal s. E and / or after an audible and / or visual alarm has been triggered in and / or on vehicle F and / or vehicle F has come to a stop.

[0044] In a possible further training, the triggering of the ventilation measure in procedure step 23 and the initiation of the emergency measure in procedure step 24 are distinguished. Fig. 2, as explained above, additionally a further activation of the emergency call button 1 in the storage compartment S and / or a release of the lock 3 via remote access and thus via at least one control signal s sent from an emergency call center Enecessary. Reference symbol list 1 Emergency button (actuator) 2 Control unit 3 Locking System 4 Ventilation system F vehicle H Front hood (closing element) Storage space / Frunk s E control signal s N Emergency signal s V Speed ​​signal

Claims

[1] Emergency device for a vehicle (F), with - an actuating element (1) for installation in a storage space (S) of the vehicle (F), which can be closed by at least one closure element (H), and - an electronic control unit (2), wherein the actuating element (1) is provided for signaling an emergency by a person located in the locked storage space (S) and the electronic control unit (2) is arranged to emit at least one emergency signal (s N ) to generate characterized by , that the electronic control unit (2) is configured to trigger a ventilation measure in response to an actuation of the actuating element (1), via which additional air enters the storage space (S) still closed by the at least one closure element (H). [2] Emergency device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the electronic control unit (2) is designed to control a ventilation device (4) for the ventilation measure, via which additional air is introduced into the storage space (S). [3] Emergency device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the at least one closure element (H) is held in a closed position by means of a lock (3) and the electronic control device (2) is configured to actuate the lock (3) for the ventilation measure in order to permit an adjustment of the at least one closure element (H) from the closed position along an opening direction into a pre-locking position in which the at least one closure element (H) continues to close the storage space (S) but opens up at least one gap through which additional air can enter the storage space (S). [4] Emergency device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the control device (2) is arranged to trigger the ventilation measure from at least one speed signal (s V ) dependent on a driving speed (v F ) of the vehicle (F) is indicative. [5] Emergency device according to claim 4, characterized by that the control device (2) is designed to trigger the ventilation measure only when a driving speed (v F ) of the vehicle (F) a threshold value (V G ) has been reached. [6] Emergency device according to claims 3 and 5, characterized bythat the control device (2) is designed to actuate the lock (3) to release the at least one closure element (H) in order to allow an adjustment of the at least one closure element (H) from the closed position along the opening direction into an opening position in which the at least one closure element (H) no longer closes the storage space (S) when the driving speed (v F ) of the vehicle (F) exceeds the threshold value (V G ) has not been reached. [7] Emergency device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic control unit (2) is designed to trigger the ventilation measure in response to a first actuation of the actuating element (1) and only in response to a subsequent second actuation of the actuating element (1) to trigger the at least one emergency signal (s N ) to generate. [8] Emergency device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the control unit (2) is arranged to initiate the generation of the emergency signal (s N ) of at least one speed signal (s V ) dependent on a driving speed (v F ) of the vehicle (F) is indicative. [9] Emergency device according to claim 8, characterized by that the at least one closure element (H) is held in a closed position via a lock (3) and the control device (2) is arranged to transmit the emergency signal (s N ) in response to the second actuation of the actuating element (1) only if a driving speed (v F ) of the vehicle (F) a threshold value (V G) and otherwise actuate the lock (3) to allow adjustment of the at least one closure element (H) from the closed position along the opening direction into an opening position in which the at least one closure element (H) no longer closes the storage space (S). [10] Emergency device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one emergency signal (s N ) is intended to transmit an emergency call. [11] Emergency device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one emergency signal (s N ) is provided for generating an alarm that can be perceived acoustically and / or visually by a person in the vicinity of the vehicle (F). [12] Emergency device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one emergency signal (s N) is intended to influence the current driving behaviour of the vehicle (F). [13] Emergency device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the emergency device is provided for a storage space (S) at a front of the vehicle (F). [14] Vehicle with an emergency device according to one of the preceding claims. [15] Method for controlling an emergency device on a vehicle (F), wherein an emergency is signalled by a person located in the locked storage space (S) by actuating an actuating element (1) which is provided inside a storage space (S) closed by at least one closure element (H), and in response to the actuation of the actuating element (1) at least one emergency signal (s N ) is generated, characterized bythat in response to an actuation of the actuating element (1) a ventilation measure is triggered, via which additional air enters the storage space (S) which is still closed by the at least one closure element (H). [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that an emergency device according to one of claims 1 to 13 is used. [17] Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by that in response to at least one emergency signal (s N ) at least one control signal (s E ) is received from an emergency call point, via which the lock is controlled to release the at least one locking element (H) in order to allow an adjustment of the at least one locking element (H) from a closed position along an opening direction into an open position in which the at least one locking element (H) no longer closes the storage space (S).

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