Safety system for a motor vehicle and method for operating a safety system

Abstract

Safety system (1) for a motor vehicle (10) with a driver assistance system (2) and a display unit (4) arranged in a cockpit (3) for displaying operating parameters of the vehicle (10) and with a sensor device (5) for detecting the heart rate of a person driving the vehicle (10). A value (24) of the detected heart rate is displayed on a display section (14) of the display unit (4) and / or, depending on the detected heart rate, at least one assistance function of the driver assistance system (2) that was previously deactivated by the driver is automatically reactivated.

Description

The present invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle and, more particularly, for a sport utility vehicle. The safety system comprises at least one driver assistance system and at least one display unit arranged in a cockpit for displaying operating parameters of the vehicle and at least one sensor device for detecting a heart rate of a person driving the vehicle.Certain passenger cars and in particular sports cars are sometimes designed such that they can be used not only in road traffic but also on racing tracks in the amateur motor sport or also in the semiprofessional or even professional motor sport. A decisive feature of such vehicles is, in addition to a correspondingly high performance, also the possibility of being able to at least partially deactivate the driver assistance system. Due to the deactivated driver assistance system, however, no assistance is available for the driver in critical situations and, for example, in the case of a wrong assessment of a curve or chicane.In addition to the deactivation of the driver assistance system, operating modes for particularly sports driving can be provided. During sports modes or on a track, the driver should be provided with especially those information and parameters which are decisive for safe control of the vehicle in this performance range and can be easily recognized in the cockpit. In the case of electrically driven vehicles, it is also often difficult, owing to the lack of characteristic engine noise, to be able to correctly estimate the actual driving state or not to underestimate it emotionally.Furthermore, the physical and seeli sensing of the driver also has a considerable influence on the safety when controlling the vehicle. Therefore, DE 10 2018 207 333 A1 has disclosed a system which contains sensors for detecting the vital functions (e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen content in the blood, conductivity of the skin, electrocardiogram) of the driver. By comparing the detected values with stored references, the physical and seeliac sensing of the driver is to be determined, which can then be displayed by changing the color and brightness or by pulsing light. If defined limit values are exceeded, the ignition of the vehicle can be blocked or an emergency call can be initiated.Further approaches for detecting the heart activity or using data relating to the heart activity of a person controlling the motor vehicle are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 008 563 A1, DE 10 2019 210 796 A1, WO 2018 009 219 A1 and DE 10 2016 226 146 A1 and DE 10 2018 103 396 A1.In contrast, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved safety system which enables a passenger car to be used particularly safely in the motor sport sector and at the same time also in road traffic.This object is achieved by a safety system having the features of claim 1. a method according to the invention is the subject matter of claim 12. Further advantages and features of the present invention are evident from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment.The safety system according to the invention is provided for a motor vehicle (passenger car) and in particular for a sport car and / or for a racing sport vehicle. The safety system comprises at least one driver assistance system, in particular for assisting a driver in defined driving situations. The safety system comprises at least one display unit for displaying operating parameters of the vehicle and in particular also user information. The display unit is arranged in particular in a cockpit. The safety system comprises at least one sensor device for detecting a heart rate of a person or a driver driving the vehicle. In this case, it is provided that a (numerical) value of the (currently) detected heart rate is displayed or can be displayed on a display section of the display unit and / or that at least one assistance function of the driver assistance system previously deactivated (by the driver) is automatically reactivated or can be reactivated as a function of the detected heart rate.The security system according to the invention offers many advantages. A considerable advantage is offered by displaying the current heart rate in the display section. As a result, the driver receives very specific information about his physical and seelial state, which information is easily recognizable at a glance. A subjective underestimate of the real driving situation in an at least partially electrically driven vehicle without known engine noise is also reliably counteracted as a result. It is likewise advantageous to reactivation the previously deactivated assistance function as a function of the detected heart rate. As a result, the driver is again provided with the assistance of the driver assistance system in situations in which he is very heavily loaded physically and seelially. In this case, the safety is improved considerably both on a track and in road traffic.In a development, the safety system according to the invention or the safety system defined in the preamble of claim 1 can be designed such that at least one retrievable vehicle power and preferably drive power and / or an achievable vehicle speed is reduced as a function of the detected heart rate. In particular, the vehicle power and / or the vehicle speed are each reduced to a defined value. In particular, this measure is taken when the detected heart rate reaches a defined value. This also offers a considerable improvement in the safety of the motor vehicle both on a track, i.e. in road traffic.It is possible and advantageous for at least one symbol to flash on with a defined frequency in the display section. In this case, the frequency of the flashing symbol corresponds to the currently detected heart rate. In particular, the symbol is heart-like and preferably a heart. Specifically, the icon is disposed adjacent to the value of the heart rate in the display section. The display section for displaying the symbol and the value of the heart rate may also be referred to as a pulse meter.Preferably, the display portion is disposed in an instrument panel and preferably adjacent the tachometer and / or adjacent the tachometer. It is also possible and advantageous for the display section to be arranged adjacent to a display of at least one lap time. This enables a clear and compact arrangement of operating parameters which are decisive for the motor port. In particular, the display section is arranged in the fitting region or adjacent to the fitting region. The instrument panel can be designed as a dashboard or can be referred to as such. The instrument panel may include at least one head-up display. The display portion may be disposed in the head-up display.In a development of the safety system according to the invention or of the safety system according to the preamble of claim 1, at least one driving mode system having a plurality of driving modes which can be activated by the driver is provided. At least one of the driving modes is a track mode. In particular, the race track mode can only be activated below a defined limit value for the detected heart rate. Thereby, it can be reliably prevented that the race track mode is activated by a driver with an adverse physical condition.In particular, above a defined limit value for the detected heart rate, the race track mode is automatically at least partially deactivated. Thus, it can be reliably prevented that the race track mode is used with critical physical condition. In particular, this disables a previously enabled race track mode. During the at least partial deactivation of the track mode, in particular a different driving mode is activated. In particular, a safe or less performance-oriented driving mode is provided. It is also possible that the at least partial deactivation of the track mode comprises an activation of at least one assistance function of the driver assistance system. The at least partial deactivation of the track mode may also include a reduction in vehicle performance and / or maximum vehicle speed. It is possible for at least one driving mode to be provided in which the automatic reactivation of the assistance function can be deactivated.In particular, the track mode is suitable and designed for driving with increased and preferably maximum vehicle power and in particular drive power. Additionally or alternatively, the track mode can also be suitable and designed for driving at maximum vehicle speed and / or with reduced assistance by the driver assistance system. In particular, in the track mode, a limitation is canceled, which limits the vehicle speed that can be reached by the driver to a speed below the maximum vehicle speed. The track mode can also be referred to as track mode or racing mode or competition mode or sport plus mode or be designed as such. In the race track mode, a display section for displaying a lap time is activated, in particular. In particular, the lap time is displayed adjacent to the heart rate.The sensor device preferably comprises at least one sensor unit. The at least one sensor unit is preferably arranged on a steering wheel and / or on a seat belt and / or on a vehicle seat. It is also possible for the at least one sensor unit to be designed as a camera device. In this case, the heart rate can be detected in particular by means of an image evaluation from the data of the camera device. The at least one sensor unit can also be arranged in a smart watch and / or on another item of clothing of the person. In particular, the sensor device is suitable and designed to be operatively connected to at least one external sensor means of a mobile terminal (mobile device or smart device) and, for example, a smartphone or a smart watch or the like. In particular, the sensor means then provides at least one sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit.In an advantageous development, the detected heart rate can be converted into haptically perceptible pulses by means of an actuator device. In particular, the pulses are output at a frequency which corresponds to the detected heart rate. In particular, the actuator device comprises at least one actuator unit which is assigned to a steering wheel and / or a vehicle seat and is in particular fastened thereto. The pulses perceptible on the steering wheel or on the vehicle seat give the driver particularly easily perceptible feedback of his physical or seeli state. In particular, the safety system comprises at least one actuator device.It is possible and advantageous that the detected heart rate can be visualized by means of an ambient lighting system. In particular, the ambient lighting pulses at a frequency corresponding to the detected heart rate. In particular, the ambient lighting emits a colored light, wherein the color is adjusted depending on the detected heart rate. In particular, it is provided that the ambient lighting emits a red light above a defined heart rate and / or a green light below a defined heart rate. For example, a red light is provided in the region of an increased heart rate (for example, a value greater than 120). For example, a green light is provided in the region of a non-elevated heart rate (for example, a value of less than 85). In the transitions between these values, other colors and / or different green tones or different red tones can be emitted. In particular, the security system comprises at least one ambient lighting.In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the detected heart rate can be output by means of an audio system. Preferably, for this purpose, heartbeat-like sounds and in particular heartbeat sounds are output at a frequency which corresponds to the detected heart rate. In particular, the security system comprises at least one audio system. In particular, the audio system is used, which also serves for listening to music in the vehicle.The method according to the invention serves for operating the safety system described in the present case. In particular, the method is designed such that the security system according to the invention or its embodiments can be operated thereafter. In particular, the safety system is suitable and designed to carry out the method according to the invention and / or the method-like steps formulated in the present case.In particular, the safety system can issue an emergency call depending on the heart rate. In particular, at a heart rate above a limit value, an emergency call can be made preventively and preferably already before the person is donned. In particular, the detected heart rate and / or further data of the heart rate measurement can be transmitted to a network and thereby provided to a person of the medical care.It is possible that the sensor device can capture at least one further parameter characteristic of the heart activity (for example blood pressure, electrocardiogram) and / or at least one further other vital parameter (for example body temperature or breathing rate). It is possible and advantageous that the safety system is suitable and designed to detect heart problems by means of the sensor device and to carry out at least one action as a function of the detected heart problems. The action comprises, in particular, the making of an emergency call and / or the initiation of braking by means of an emergency braking assistant. In particular, for this purpose, the data recorded by means of the sensor device are registered and evaluated over a defined time. In particular, at least one acute cardiac arrest is recognizable.The driver assistance system may include at least one emergency braking assistant. In particular, the emergency braking assistant can be activated as a function of the detected heart rate, so that emergency braking of the vehicle is initiated. In particular, further functions of the driver assistance system are active during emergency braking, so that, for example, the lane is held and obstacles are detected.It is possible and preferred that the detected heart rate can be transmitted to at least one network. In particular, the detected heart rate can be divided into the social media. It is also possible that the detected heart rate is transmitted to a medical care and / or an emergency station and / or a trainer.The driver assistance system comprises in particular at least one assistance function that can be deactivated by the driver. The (automatically reactivatable) assistance function comprises, in particular, at least one ESP (electronic stability program) or ESC (electronic stability control) and / or a lane keeping assistant and / or a brake assistant and / or a driving dynamics control. Other suitable assistance functions are also possible.In particular, a deactivation possibility of the at least one assistance function is suspended as a function of the detected heart rate. In particular, the deactivation possibility is suspended at least until the heart rate reaches a limit value again and is in particular below it. In particular, as a function of the heart rate, there is forced activation of the at least one assistance function of the driver assistance system and in particular of the entire driver assistance system. In particular, above a defined heart rate, only operation of the vehicle with a definedly active driver assistance system is possible. It can be provided that the forced activation can be deactivated under certain conditions.Within the scope of the present invention, the heart rate can also be a pulse rate. In particular, heart rate and pulse rate can then be used interchangeably. If, within the scope of the present invention, a reaching of a limit value is mentioned, it is provided in particular that the limit value must be present for a specific duration. In particular, reaching the limit value can comprise exceeding or falling below depending on the limit value definition.The motor vehicle is in particular at least partially and preferably completely electrically driven. The motor vehicle is in particular a battery-electric vehicle (BV). The motor vehicle may also be a hybrid vehicle. The applicant reserves the right to claim a motor vehicle with a safety system according to the invention.The safety system may comprise at least one cockpit. In particular, the control of the vehicle can be carried out from the cockpit. In particular, the steering wheel is arranged in the cockpit. The safety system can comprise at least one steering wheel and / or at least one driver seat and / or at least one seat belt.The safety system comprises in particular at least one control device which is suitable and designed to carry out the steps (formulated here in the manner of a method) for the operation of the safety system. In particular, the control device comprises at least one algorithm stored in a storage device. In particular, the control device is operatively connected to the corresponding components of the safety system and in particular at least to the sensor device and the driver assistance system and the display unit.Further advantages and features of the present invention result from the exemplary embodiments which are explained below with reference to the attached figures.The figure shows: FIG. 1 shows a purely schematic illustration of a motor vehicle having a safety system according to the invention.FIG. 1 shows a detail of a motor vehicle 10 with a safety system 1 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 10 is designed here as a sport car which can be used not only in road traffic but also on racing tracks for the exertion of motor sports. The motor vehicle 10 is equipped here with a cockpit 3 with a steering wheel 33 and an instrument panel 13. The instrument panel 13 here comprises, for example, a tachometer 23. In addition, a display unit 4 for displaying further operating parameters of the vehicle 10 and user information is arranged in the cockpit 3.The safety system 1 comprises a driver assistance system 2 for assistance in defined driving situations and has assistance functions such as ESP or ESC, driving dynamics control and the like. The safety system 1 is equipped here with a control device 11 which is operatively connected to the corresponding components and performs the steps and functions of the safety system 1 presented here.The motor vehicle 10 is equipped here with a driving mode system 6 having a plurality of driving modes. By means of an operating element 16 arranged here on the steering wheel 33, the desired driving mode can be selected and activated. A driving mode here is designed as a track mode, which enables driving with maximum vehicle performance and maximum vehicle speed. In addition, by activating the track mode, the assistance by the driver assistance system 2 is significantly reduced. For example, certain assistance functions such as ESP or the like are deactivated. It can be provided that in the display unit 4 and for example in the instrument panel 13 a display for lap times is visible when the track mode is active.The safety system 1 is equipped with a sensor device 5 with one or more sensor units 15 for detecting a heart rate of the driver. Here, for example, a sensor unit 15 is integrated into the steering wheel 33. Alternatively or additionally, a sensor unit 15 can be arranged on the seat belt or on the vehicle seat or can be designed as a smart watch or camera device.The currently detected heart rate is displayed on a display section 14 of the display unit 4 as a numerical value 24. In addition, in the display section 14, a heart-shaped symbol 24 flashes on. This occurs upon flashing at the heart rate. The display portion 14 having the numerical value 24 and the symbol 34 may also be referred to herein as a pulse meter and is disposed adjacent to the tachometer 23 in the instrument panel 13.When the heart rate reaches a defined limit value, a previously deactivated assistance function of the driver assistance system 2 is automatically reactivated by the control device 11. In addition, the possibility of deactivation for one or more assistance functions is deactivated if the detected heart rate reaches the limit value. The control device 11 thus carries out a forced activation of one or more assistance functions of the driver assistance system 2 as a function of the detected heart rate. In addition, the retrievable vehicle performance and the achievable vehicle speed are each reduced to a defined value when the detected heart rate reaches the limit value.The safety system 1 shown here is designed such that the track mode can only be activated if the detected heart rate is below a defined limit value. In addition, the track mode is automatically at least partially or even completely deactivated when the detected heart rate reaches a defined limit value.The safety system 1 is equipped here with an actuator device 7, by means of which the detected heart rate can be converted into haptically perceptible pulses.For this purpose, the actuator device 7 comprises one or more actuator units 17 here. An actuator unit 17 is here integrated purely by way of example into the steering wheel 33.The control device 11 of the safety system 1 is operatively connected here to an ambient lighting 8 for the interior of the motor vehicle 10. As a result, the detected heart rate can be visualized by means of the ambient lighting 8. For this purpose, the ambient lighting 8 can, for example, pulse with the detected heart rate. Alternatively or additionally, the ambient lighting 8 can emit a red light at an increased heart rate. At a lower or non-increased heart rate, a green light can be emitted, for example.The control device 11 is operatively connected here to an audio system 9 for reproducing, for example, music. In this case, the detected heart rate can be output by means of the audio system. For example, heartbeats are output with the detected heart rate.The sensed heart rate can be shared over social media with friends, kids, and sponsors, if desired. In addition, the safety system 1 can place an emergency call preventively already before the attention at a correspondingly high heart rate. In addition, the data of the heart rate measurement can be forwarded, so that an emergency doctor or emergency vehicle can already analyze this information when driving on. If the detected heart rate indicates cardiac arrest or another heart problem, the safety system 1 can issue an emergency call and activate an emergency braking function of the driver assistance system 2.With the safety system 1 presented here, the safety of the driver on the track, but also outside the track or in road traffic, can be significantly increased. Overall, the invention presented here enables a considerable improvement in the safety of vehicles 10 in which the driver assistance system can be at least partially deactivated. The invention can be used particularly advantageously in vehicles 10 which are driven at least partially electrically and preferably purely electrically. Because of the lack of characteristic engine noise, considerable deviations can occur here between the subjective feeling of the driver and the real driving situations or the performance state of the vehicle 10. The invention presented here reliably counteracts this problem.List of reference numbers:1 Safety system 2 Driver assistance system 3 Cockpit 4 Display unit 5 Sensor device 6 Driving mode system 7 Actuator device 8 Ambient lighting 9 Audio system 10 Motor vehicle 11 Control device 13 Instrument panel 14 Display section 15 Sensor unit 16 Operating element 17 Actuator unit 23 Tachometer 24 Value 33 Steering wheel 34 SymbolReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2018 207 333 A1

[0004] DE 10 20196 563 A1

[0005] DE 10 2019 210 796 A1

[0005] WO 2018 009 219 A1

[0005] DE 10 2016 226 146 A1

[0005] DE 10 2018 103 396 A1

[0005]

Claims

Safety system (1) for a motor vehicle (10), in particular a sport car or racing sport vehicle, comprising at least one driver assistance system (2) and at least one display unit (4) arranged in a cockpit (3) for displaying operating parameters of the vehicle (10) and at least one sensor device (5) for detecting a heart rate of a person driving the vehicle (10), characterized in that a value (24) of the detected heart rate is displayed on a display section (14) of the display unit (4) and / or in that at least one assistance function of the driver assistance system (2) previously deactivated by the driver is automatically reactivated as a function of the detected heart rate.Safety system (1), in particular according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein at least one retrievable vehicle performance and / or achievable vehicle speed is reduced as a function of the detected heart rate.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the display section (14) a symbol (24) flashes on at a defined frequency and wherein the frequency corresponds to the detected heart rate.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display portion (14) is arranged in an instrument panel (13) and preferably adjacent to the tachometer (23) and / or tachometer.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims or according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a driving mode system (6) having a plurality of activatable driving modes, wherein at least one of the driving modes is a track mode and wherein the track mode is activatable only below a defined limit value for the detected heart rate.The safety system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the race track mode is automatically at least partially deactivated above a defined threshold for the detected heart rate.Safety system (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the track mode is suitable and designed for driving with increased and preferably maximum vehicle power and / or with maximum vehicle speed and / or with reduced assistance by the driver assistance system (2).Safety system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (5) comprises at least one sensor unit (15) and wherein the at least one sensor unit (15) is arranged on a steering wheel (33) and / or seat belt and / or vehicle seat and / or smart watch and / or is designed as a camera device.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detected heart rate can be converted into haptically perceptible pulses by means of an actuator device (7) and wherein the pulses are output at a frequency which corresponds to the detected heart rate and wherein the actuator device (7) comprises at least one actuator unit (17) and wherein the at least one actuator unit (17) is assigned to a steering wheel (33) and / or a vehicle seat.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detected heart rate is visualizable by means of an ambient lighting (8), and wherein the ambient lighting (8) pulses at a frequency that corresponds to the detected heart rate and / or wherein the ambient lighting (8) emits a red light above a defined heart rate and a green light below a defined heart rate.The safety system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detected heart rate can be output by means of an audio system (9) and wherein, for this purpose, preferably heart beat tones are output at a frequency which corresponds to the detected heart rate.Method for operating a safety system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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