Method for safely moving a vehicle with an attachment connected to the vehicle for transporting an object

Abstract

Method for safely moving a vehicle (400) with an attachment (300) connected to the vehicle (400) for transporting an object, wherein: a. in a first step (I) it is determined by means of sensors whether the attachment (300) is connected to the vehicle (400) and the result is transmitted to a control arrangement (100), b. in a second step (II) it is determined by means of sensors whether the attachment (300) is in a ready-to-drive situation, namely closed and / or locked, or in a non-ready-to-drive situation, namely open, and the result is transmitted to the control arrangement (100), c. in a third step (III) the control arrangement (100) generates a warning signal for the situation of the attachment (300) when the attachment (300) is in the non-driving-ready situation, wherein the attachment (300) is a two-wheel carrier which is detachably connected to a rear or to an outside of a tailgate (410) of the vehicle (400).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for safely moving a vehicle with an attachment connected to the vehicle, wherein, in a first step, sensors determine whether the attachment is connected to the vehicle and / or the tailgate, and the result is transmitted to a control arrangement; in a second step, sensors determine whether the attachment is in a ready-to-drive or non-ready-to-drive state, and the result is transmitted to the control arrangement; and in a third step, the control arrangement generates a warning signal if the attachment is in a non-ready-to-drive state. The invention further relates to a control arrangement for carrying out the method and a vehicle with a corresponding control arrangement.

[0002] Increasingly, when traveling with vehicles such as cars, SUVs, or minibuses, attachments are being connected to the vehicle to carry additional loads, such as skis or bicycles. The number of vehicle-trailer combinations is also on the rise. This often leads to damage to the vehicle or the attachment if the attachment is not secured to the vehicle and / or if the load being transported in the attachment is not properly secured. Another problem is that when a vehicle's tailgate opens automatically, it can collide with an obstacle, potentially causing damage to the obstacle and / or the vehicle. An obstacle could be, for example, the attachment itself, a wall, a caravan, or a person standing in the tailgate's opening area.

[0003] German patent application DE 10 2012 013 065 A1 discloses a method in which a control arrangement detects the current situation in the vicinity of a vehicle and allows or disables the automatic opening of, for example, the vehicle's tailgate depending on the situation. Disabling occurs, for example, if the vehicle is so close to an obstacle that the tailgate could collide with the obstacle when opening, or if an attachment, such as a bicycle carrier, is connected to the rear of the vehicle. German patent application DE 10 2005 055 002 A1 relates to a method in which automatic opening of a vehicle's tailgate is generally disabled when a load is connected to the vehicle's trailer hitch.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2017 200 257 A1 relates to a method for the remote operation of a motor vehicle's tailgate. The automatic opening mechanism includes a proximity sensor that slows down and stops the closing or opening movement of the tailgate if it detects the risk of an imminent collision between the tailgate and its surroundings.

[0005] EP 4 032 731 A1 further discloses a method for detecting a trailer properly connected to a towing vehicle.

[0006] DE 10 2016 012 708 A1 discloses a method for controlling at least one vehicle function of a vehicle arrangement comprising a vehicle and a roof rack mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, DE 10 2017 213 774 A1 discloses a method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein a control unit of the motor vehicle activates and / or deactivates at least one light source of a trailer coupled to the motor vehicle depending on an operating input detected via a mobile communication device separately designed from the motor vehicle, and / or wherein the communication device outputs information provided by the control unit relating to the light source and / or a coupling state and / or a vertical load of the trailer.

[0008] Furthermore, DE 10 2012 209 048 A1 discloses a method for detecting obstacles in the opening area of ​​at least one tailgate of the vehicle.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method by which the vehicle user is warned when safe driving with a vehicle with an attachment for transporting an object is not possible.

[0010] This task is fulfilled by the method disclosed in claim 1, the control arrangement according to claim 13 and the vehicle according to claim 14.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for safely moving a vehicle with an attachment, preferably detachably mounted on the vehicle, for transporting an object.

[0012] In the first step of the process, sensors determine whether a preferably removable attachment is connected to the vehicle and / or the tailgate. The result, "attachment connected to vehicle" or "no attachment connected to vehicle," is transmitted to a control unit in the vehicle.

[0013] In a second step of the process, sensors determine whether the add-on part is in a ready-to-drive state (i.e., closed and / or locked) or in a non-ready-to-drive state (i.e., open). The result is transmitted to the control unit.

[0014] In a third step of the procedure, the control arrangement generates a warning signal for the situation of the attachment if the attachment is in a non-driving-ready state.

[0015] According to the invention, the attachment is a two-wheel carrier that is detachably connected to a rear or to an outside of a tailgate of a vehicle.

[0016] This means that, based on the results transmitted in steps one and two, the control system assesses whether a vehicle user can safely operate the vehicle with the attachment in road traffic. If this is not the case, the control system can activate an immobilizer in a fourth step, thus preventing the vehicle from being started and / or driven when the attachment is in a non-operational state.

[0017] The add-on part can be connected to the rear or the outer surface of the vehicle's tailgate. In a fifth step, sensors can be used to check whether the add-on part, in both the vehicle's ready-to-drive and / or non-ready-to-drive situations, blocks or restricts the opening of the tailgate. The result is then transmitted to the control unit.

[0018] In a sixth step, the control arrangement can generate a warning signal to restrict the opening movement if the tailgate cannot be opened automatically without the risk of collision with the attachment.

[0019] This means that the control system, for example, completely disables the drive for the opening movement of the tailgate or restricts the opening movement to a predetermined or determined opening angle, thus preventing damage to the tailgate and / or its attachments. If partial opening of the tailgate is permitted, the control system can additionally reduce the opening speed and / or stop the opening movement before damage occurs to the vehicle, the tailgate, or its attachments via a proximity switch (e.g., on the vehicle) or a pressure sensor (e.g., on the tailgate).

[0020] The automatic opening of the tailgate via a switch on the cockpit from inside the vehicle, via remote control, or via an externally mounted, foot-operated opening switch is blocked by the control unit, or the opening angle of the tailgate is restricted, if the control unit detects an obstruction to the opening movement caused by an attached component. Advantageously, the control unit can also react if the surroundings, such as a caravan attached to the vehicle or a wall, present an obstacle to the free opening movement of the tailgate.

[0021] The attachment connected to the vehicle and / or tailgate can be moved from a first position, in which it can be loaded and unloaded, to a second position, in which the load is secured in or on the attachment. In the first position, the attachment is not ready for driving, as the load could come loose uncontrollably while driving and thus pose a danger to other road users. In the second position, the attachment is ready for driving. The attachment can be opened and closed manually or using a supplied operating device.

[0022] The fifth step can advantageously be performed directly after the first step if no attachment is connected to the vehicle. This means that steps two, three, and four are not prerequisites for performing the fifth step. An obstruction of the tailgate by another object, such as a wall or a caravan attached to the vehicle, can thus be detected, and damage to the tailgate and / or the object can be prevented.

[0023] The warning signal indicating that the add-on is not ready for use or that its opening movement is blocked and / or restricted can be visual, haptic, or audible. The signal indicating restricted opening movement can be the same as, or different from, the signal indicating the add-on's status.

[0024] The term "sensor system" refers to an arrangement of one or more sensors capable of detecting, for example, the position, distance to the vehicle, and / or weight of the attached component. The sensor(s) are preferably connected to the control system via a wireless data link, enabling the control system to receive and process signals from the sensors. The sensor system may, for example, include at least one pressure sensor and / or one distance sensor.

[0025] The control unit can be connected via wires or wireless data transmission to an actuator, a switch, a sound generator, an optical output device, etc., which can receive the signals from the control unit and convert them into a movement, an action, a sound, or a visual display. In addition to sensor signals, the control unit can also receive and process signals from, for example, a switch installed in the vehicle or a manual input device.

[0026] The control arrangement can include a memory in which data is stored, such as the opening movement of the moving vehicle part, a computer on which a program with an algorithm runs to evaluate, weight and combine received sensor data, and other electronic components, such as a receiver unit and a transmitter unit.

[0027] The attachment is, in particular, a load carrier, a caravan, or other device. The attachment can, for example, be detachably connected to the rear of a vehicle, a trailer hitch projecting rearward in the direction of travel, or the rear door of the vehicle.

[0028] The sensor system can consist of one or more sensors that detect the relative position or status, such as open or closed, of the add-on part or individual parts of the add-on part to the vehicle and / or the position of the tailgate. The sensors can include at least one contact switch, camera, distance sensor, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, and weight sensor. Other known sensor types, not specifically mentioned, that can contribute to fulfilling the sensor system's function are also included.

[0029] In one embodiment, the attachment can be connected to the vehicle's trailer hitch. The connection between the trailer hitch and the attachment can preferably be detected, for example, by means of an existing reversing camera of the vehicle and / or by means of a trailer plug connection, in which a plug of the attachment is inserted into the corresponding mating plug of the trailer hitch, and / or by means of a weight sensor on the trailer hitch and / or another known detection arrangement.

[0030] The ready-to-drive state of the add-on part, that is, a state or configuration of the add-on part connected to the vehicle in which the vehicle can be moved safely in traffic, and the unready-to-drive state of the add-on part, that is, a state or configuration of the add-on part on the vehicle in which a danger to other road users may arise during driving, is detected via sensors such as contact switches and / or a distance measurement between the vehicle and at least one part of the add-on part via camera, radar or ultrasound.

[0031] In one embodiment of a vehicle with a vertically or horizontally split tailgate, at least one first sensor detects the position of the component attached to the first tailgate section and / or at least one second sensor detects the position of the component attached to the second tailgate section. Depending on the results transmitted by the at least one first sensor and / or the at least second sensor, the control arrangement can then enable either one or none of the tailgate sections for at least partially automatic opening.

[0032] If the tailgate is vertically or horizontally split, the vehicle user can enter at least one dimension, such as the height or width of the add-on part, into the computer or control system via a generic input device installed in the vehicle or via a manufacturer's app with a remote input device, such as a smartphone.

[0033] A second aspect of the invention relates to a control arrangement for carrying out the method described in the first aspect. The control arrangement comprises at least one computer, a memory, a receiving device for receiving signals from at least one sensor, and a transmitting device with which signals can be sent to a unit, such as a motor, a sound generator, or an optical output device.

[0034] A program runs on the computer that processes the data received from the receiver and converts it into signals for the output unit. The memory may contain manufacturer-stored data relating to the opening movement of, for example, the trunk lid or tailgate. This could include the opening angle or maximum opening angle, the opening speed or maximum opening speed, and similar information. The control system can then, for example, adjust the opening speed and / or the opening angle of the tailgate to the current configuration of the vehicle and its attachment.

[0035] A third aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a control arrangement according to the second aspect.

[0036] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show, in detail: Fig. 1: a block diagram of the procedure; Fig. 2: a sketch of the control arrangement; Fig. 3: a vehicle with an attachment and built-in control arrangement.

[0037] The Fig. Figure 1 shows in a block diagram an embodiment of a method for situationally locking or unlocking a journey with a vehicle 400 with an attachment 300 and optionally for situationally locking or restricting an opening movement of a tailgate 410 of a vehicle 400 ( Fig. 3), such as a car, an SUV or a minibus ( Fig. 3).

[0038] In the first process step I, a sensor system is used ( Fig. 2) determined whether an attachment 300 ( Fig. 3) is connected to the vehicle 400. If no attachment 300 is connected to the vehicle 400 (minus sign), the procedure ends here. If an attachment 300 is connected to the vehicle 400 (plus sign), a second procedure step II determines whether the attachment 300 is in a roadworthy or non-roadworthy state.

[0039] If the add-on part 300 is in the non-driving-ready position (x-sign), in a third step III, the control arrangement 100 ( Fig. 2) A warning signal is generated to alert the driver or user that the add-on part 300 is in a non-driving-ready state (x symbol). If the add-on part 300 is in a driving-ready state, the procedure ends (check mark).

[0040] In an optional fourth step IV, the control arrangement 100 activates an immobilizer that prevents the vehicle 400 with the attachment 300 from being started or moved in the non-driving position. This forces the user to put the attachment 300 into the driving position in order to release the immobilizer.

[0041] A situation or condition in which the attachment 300, that is, all parts of the attachment 300, is directly or indirectly connected to the vehicle 400 and securely fastened to the vehicle 400, and any load connected to or in the attachment 300 is also securely fastened to or in the attachment 300, is considered ready for driving. A situation in which the attachment 300 or the load is not securely connected and fastened to the vehicle 400 or the attachment 300, respectively, is considered unreadable for driving. The procedure ends when the attachment 300 is in the ready-to-drive condition.

[0042] The attachment 300 can be connected to the vehicle 400, particularly in the area of ​​a vehicle rear or via a tailgate 410 or a trailer hitch 200 ( Fig. 3) preferably be detachably or removablely connected. The attachment 300 can preferably be manually adjusted between the ready-to-drive and the non-ready-to-drive situations. In a fifth step V, sensors can be used to determine whether the attachment 300 blocks the opening of the tailgate 410 or restricts its opening movement in the ready-to-drive and / or non-ready-to-drive situations.

[0043] The process ends when the control arrangement 100 determines that opening the tailgate 410 is possible without any problems. If the control arrangement 100 determines that the tailgate 410 cannot be opened, or cannot be opened fully, due to the attachment 300 connected to the vehicle 400, the control arrangement 100 generates a warning signal in a sixth step VI and preferably simultaneously blocks automatic opening of the tailgate 410 from the vehicle, by remote control, or by means of the opening sensor on the vehicle 400, for example, to allow the tailgate 410 to be opened by approaching it with a foot.

[0044] The warning signal indicating that the add-on part 300 is not ready for driving and the warning signal indicating that the opening movement of the tailgate 410 is locked or restricted when the add-on part 300 is connected to the vehicle 400 can be identical. Preferably, they are distinguishable warning signals. The warning signal can be haptic and / or acoustic and / or visual.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the sketch of a control arrangement 100 for a vehicle 400 ( Fig. 3), with which the procedure of Fig. 1. The control arrangement 100 comprises a controller 10 with a computer 20 and at least one memory 30, a receiver 40, a transmitter 50, at least one sensor 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 that sends signals to the controller 10, and at least one actuator 70, 71, 72 that receives signals from the controller 10. A program runs on the computer 20 that receives and processes the signals from the at least one sensor 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 via the receiver 40. The processed signals can then be sent or routed via the transmitter 50 of the control arrangement 100 to the actuators 70, 71, 72, for example, to activate or deactivate the actuators 70, 71, 72.

[0046] Sensor 62 can be a weight sensor that, for example, detects when a load is attached to the vehicle's trailer hitch (200) (400). Fig. 3) is connected. The weight sensor can be connected to the receiver unit 40 of the control arrangement 100 via a line LE1. A sensor 63 can be a camera, for example, the reversing camera of the vehicle 400 or another camera that measures the distance of the attachment 300 from the rear of the vehicle and / or detects the status of the attachment 300. The camera is connected to the control arrangement 100 via a line LE2. Other sensors 60, 61, 64, such as an infrared sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a proximity sensor, or a pressure switch, are connected to the receiver unit 40 of the control arrangement 100 via lines LE3, LE4, LE5. Furthermore, an optical output device 90 and a switch 80, which are located in the area of ​​the cockpit of the vehicle 400 or on the attachment 300, are connected to the receiver unit 40.All or at least one of the sensors 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 can be connected to the receiver unit 40 via radio or via a cable connection.

[0047] The actuator 70, 71, 72 can be, for example, a motor for opening and / or closing the tailgate, a switch or an immobilizer, which are connected to the transmitter unit 50 of the control arrangement 100 via corresponding transmission lines LS1, LS2, LS3.

[0048] The computer 20 receives data from the sensors or, for example, from a remote control for opening the tailgate 410 via the receiver unit 40 and has access to the contents of at least one memory 30. A program runs on the computer 20 that generates control signals for at least one actuator 70, 71, 72 from the received data and / or data stored in memory 30. The signals are transmitted by the control arrangement 100 via the transmitter unit 50 to the corresponding actuator 70, 71, 72.

[0049] The Fig. Figure 3 shows two side views of a vehicle 400 with a tailgate 410 and an attachment 300, as well as parts of the control arrangement 100. Fig. 2.

[0050] In Figure a), the attachment 300 is a bicycle carrier connected to the vehicle 400 and / or a trailer hitch 200 of the vehicle 400 and secured to the vehicle 400 or the trailer hitch 200. In Figure a), a bicycle 500 is arranged and secured in the attachment 300. This means that the bicycle 500 is connected to the vehicle 400 via the attachment 300 and secured within the attachment 300 in such a way that the vehicle 400 is ready to drive. Therefore, there is no risk that the bicycle 500 will detach from the attachment 300 or the attachment 300 will detach from the vehicle 400 while driving, thereby creating a hazard for other road users.

[0051] Several sensors 62, 63, 64 and the actuators 71, 72 of the control arrangement 100 are shown, with reference to the drawing of the transmission lines ( Fig. 2) was omitted. Also indicated are an optical output device 90, a sound generator 95, and the steering wheel 420 of the vehicle 400. The sensors 62, 63, and 64 are the reversing camera of the vehicle 400, a weight force sensor on the trailer hitch 200, and a distance sensor. The actuators 71 and 72 are the actuator 72 for activating and deactivating an immobilizer for the vehicle 400 and the actuator 71 for opening and closing the tailgate 410.

[0052] A switch 80 or contact switch on the attachment 300 is closed and sends, for example via a plug connection of the attachment 300 with the trailer coupling 200, a signal to the control arrangement 100 that the attachment 300 is closed and thus in the ready-to-drive situation in which the vehicle 400 with the attachment 300 poses no danger to other road users.

[0053] In Figure b), the attachment 300, or bicycle carrier, is in an open position, allowing the bicycle 500 to be removed from or placed into the attachment 300. Switch 80 is not closed. This means that the attachment 300 is not closed and therefore not secured against unintentional opening. The combination of vehicle 400 and attachment 300 is in a non-roadworthy position, as the bicycle 500 is not yet securely fastened in the attachment 300. This means that the bicycle 500 could detach from the attachment 300 while driving, or damage the attachment 300 to such an extent that it detaches from the vehicle 400 and moves uncontrollably, or detaches from the vehicle 400 and falls onto the road. Using the method of Fig.1. The driver can be informed by a warning signal, and / or an immobilizer is activated which prevents the vehicle 400 from being moved as long as the non-drivable state of the attachment 300 exists. Reference symbol list Step 1, procedural step Step II, procedural step Step III, procedural step Step IV, procedural step Step V, procedure step Step VI, procedural step 10 Control 20 computers 30 storage 40 receiver units 50 transmitter units 60 Sensor 61 Sensor 62 Sensor 63 Sensor 64 Sensor 70 Actuator 71 Actuator 72 Actuator 80 switches 90 optical output device 95 Sound generator 100 Control arrangement 200 trailer hitch 300 attachment 400 vehicles 410 tailgate 420 steering wheel 500 bicycle LE1 line LE2 line LE3 line LE4 line LE5 line LS1 line LS2 line LS3 line

Claims

[1] Method for safely moving a vehicle (400) with an attachment (300) connected to the vehicle (400) for transporting an object, wherein: a. in a first step (I) it is determined by means of sensors whether the attachment (300) is connected to the vehicle (400) and the result is transmitted to a control arrangement (100), b. in a second step (II) it is determined by means of sensors whether the attachment (300) is in a ready-to-drive situation, namely closed and / or locked, or in a non-ready-to-drive situation, namely open, and the result is transmitted to the control arrangement (100), c. in a third step (III) the control arrangement (100) generates a warning signal for the situation of the attachment (300) when the attachment (300) is in the non-driving-ready situation, wherein the attachment (300) is a two-wheel carrier which is detachably connected to a rear or to an outside of a tailgate (410) of the vehicle (400). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein in a fourth step (IV) the control arrangement (100) prevents the vehicle (400) from starting and / or moving forward when the attachment (300) is in the non-ready-to-drive state. [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein the attachment part (300) is connected to the rear or tailgate (410) of the vehicle (400) and in a fifth step (V) it is determined by means of sensors whether the attachment part (300) blocks the opening of the tailgate (410) or restricts an opening movement of the tailgate (410) in the ready-to-drive situation and / or in the not-ready-to-drive situation and the result is transmitted to the control arrangement (100). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment part (300) connected to the vehicle (400) can be moved by hand from a first position or the non-driving situation in which it can be loaded and unloaded, for example, into at least a second position or the driving situation in which it is securely connected to the vehicle (400). [5] Method according to claim 3, wherein in a sixth step (VI) the control arrangement (100) generates a warning signal for the restriction of the opening movement if the tailgate (410) cannot be opened automatically. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the control arrangement (100) generates an optical, acoustic or haptic warning signal, wherein the warning signal to indicate the non-driving state of the add-on part (300) and the warning signal to indicate the restriction of the opening of the tailgate (410) are identical or distinguishable. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the signals transmitted to the control arrangement (100) are combined in a computer (20) encompassed by the control arrangement (100) and evaluated by means of a program running on the computer (20). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor technology comprises sensors (60, 61, 62, 63, 64), namely contact switches, camera, distance meter, ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor and / or weight sensor. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment part (300) is connected to a trailer coupling (200) of the vehicle (400) and the connection is detected by means of a reversing camera of the vehicle (400) and / or by means of a trailer plug connection and / or by means of a weight sensor on the trailer coupling (200) and / or another communication connection. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ready-to-drive situation and the not-ready-to-drive situation of the attachment (300) is detected by means of a switch (80) and / or a distance between the vehicle (400) and the attachment (300) is measured via the sensors (60, 61, 62, 63, 64), such as camera, radar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and sent to the control arrangement (100). [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the case of a vertically or horizontally divided tailgate (410), at least one first sensor detects the situation of the attachment (300) to the first tailgate part and at least one second sensor detects the situation of the attachment (300) to the second tailgate part, and the control arrangement (100) releases only one of the tailgate parts for automatic opening depending on the results transmitted by the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the case of a vertically or horizontally split tailgate (410), at least one dimension, such as the height or width of the attachment (300), is manually entered into the control arrangement (100) via a generic control element of the vehicle (400) or a remote control element. [13] Control arrangement (100) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control arrangement (100) comprises at least the following: a memory (30) in which data relating to the opening movement of the tailgate (410) are stored and / or can be entered, a receiving unit (40) with which the control arrangement (100) receives signals from the sensors (60, 61, 62, 63, 64), a computer (20) on which a program with an algorithm runs with which the received data from the sensors (60, 61, 62, 63, 64) are evaluated, weighted and combined and can be converted into a control or switching signal for at least one actuator (70, 71, 72), and a transmitting unit (50) for sending the control or switching signal. [14] Vehicle (400) with a control arrangement (100) according to claim 13.

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