Method for transferring a vehicle into a rolling state

Abstract

In order to provide a method for bringing a vehicle into a rolling state which is designed to be carried out primarily by specialist personnel and in particular not by the driver of the vehicle or which does not include any operating actions intuitive for the driver, a method for bringing a vehicle (100) into a rolling state with the ignition deactivated or the vehicle's electrical system deactivated is proposed, wherein the rolling state is established by inputting a safety feature into a control unit (10) of the vehicle (100), connecting an external control device (15) to the control unit (10) of the vehicle (100) and inputting a control command into the control unit by means of the external control device (15) and / or performing a characteristic sequence of operating actions by actuating at least one drive control element (11a, 11b, 12) of the vehicle (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for transferring a vehicle into a rolling state, a vehicle designed for carrying out such a method, a control device designed for use in such a method, and a computer program product.

[0002] In various situations, vehicles require a rolling state, e.g., during transport with (single-track) conveyor technology in production, during towing, in the customer service workshop, etc.

[0003] Electric vehicles and combustion engine vehicles are automatically secured against rolling when switched off, in order to meet the increased level of vehicle automation and the associated customer expectations. To eliminate potential hazards, modern vehicles cannot be parked without this roll-away protection. To counteract high investment costs in production plants, a method must be developed to allow vehicles to be put into a rolling-capable state.

[0004] DE 10 2017 200 849 A1 discloses a method and a corresponding control unit for transferring a vehicle, in particular a vehicle with an automatic transmission, into a parking mode.

[0005] DE 10 2017 214 569 A1 discloses a control unit of a vehicle comprising an electronic computing device which receives data, which characterizes at least part of a current environment of the motor vehicle, from at least one device external to the motor vehicle and thus different from the motor vehicle, and adjusts the rolling capability of the motor vehicle depending on the data received.

[0006] DE 10 2017 201 066 A1 discloses a system in which, after the automatic activation of the parking brake, a current vehicle and / or environmental situation is determined and the determined current vehicle and / or environmental situation is compared with stored vehicle and / or environmental situations for which a rolling capability of the vehicle in standstill and / or with the ignition switched off is provided.

[0007] WO 2023 / 066 766 A1 discloses a control system, a vehicle, a method, and computer software for releasing a vehicle's parking lock for maintenance or repair purposes. The control system comprises one or more control units. The control system is configured to detect when an entry condition for releasing the parking lock has been met.Determining the entry condition involves: determining whether the vehicle's accelerator pedal is pressed at a first time while the vehicle is substantially stationary, while the vehicle's brake pedal is pressed, and while a torque source is in a non-activated state to output torque based on the depressing of the accelerator pedal; and determining whether the vehicle's accelerator pedal is pressed a second time while the vehicle is substantially stationary, while the brake pedal is depressed, and while the torque source is in the non-activated state.

[0008] DE 10 2016 223 953 A1 relates to a device for controlling an emergency release of a parking lock of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle which is operated by an electric motor, which has a vehicle-external control unit which is connected or connectable to an electrical energy source integrated into the control unit or to an external electrical energy source, wherein the electric motor can be supplied with energy and the engagement and disengagement of the parking lock can be controlled via an interface through the control unit connected to the integrated or external electrical energy source.

[0009] DE 10 2005 014 242 A1 relates to a method for the emergency release of an automatic parking brake in the event of a malfunction during the automatic release process. To perform an emergency release procedure, a control element is actuated according to a predefined sequence, and this sequence is detected by a control unit, which initiates an emergency release procedure in which the control unit activates at least one locking device of the parking brake in order to release the parking brake.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for bringing a vehicle into a rolling state, which is designed in such a way that it can be carried out primarily by skilled personnel and, in particular, not by the driver of the vehicle, or does not involve any intuitive operating steps for the driver. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing a simple and cost-effective method for bringing a vehicle into a rolling state.

[0011] This problem is solved by the method according to claim 1.

[0012] The method according to the invention comprises three embodiments or possibilities for bringing the vehicle into a rolling state, wherein the vehicle can be designed to carry out only one, two, or all embodiments. It can also be provided that the process steps of several embodiments are combined, for example, carried out sequentially, in order to bring the vehicle into a rolling state.

[0013] According to the first design variant, the vehicle's rolling state is established by selecting the corresponding function in the vehicle's control unit and activating the function by entering a safety code, or by the control unit initiating the vehicle's rolling capability. Entering the safety code advantageously ensures that only a select group of people, particularly qualified personnel in workshops or production facilities, can put the vehicle into a rolling state. Furthermore, this design variant can be easily implemented in the vehicle's control unit.

[0014] According to the second design variant, the vehicle's rolling capability can be activated by inputting a control command via an external control device, which in turn forwards the control command to the vehicle's control unit. Here, too, it can be advantageously ensured that only a select group of people who possess the corresponding external control device can put the vehicle into a rolling state.

[0015] According to the third embodiment, a characteristic sequence of operating actions, involving the activation of at least one drive control element of the vehicle, results in the vehicle being brought into a rolling state. This characteristic sequence is specifically chosen to differ from the operating actions a driver uses to operate the vehicle and is not readily apparent or deducible to the driver. Therefore, a user must first be aware of the characteristic sequence in order to bring the vehicle into a rolling state. Specifically, only qualified personnel are aware of the characteristic sequence.

[0016] According to the invention, the security feature is a sequence of characters, in particular a password or a PIN. The security feature is made available exclusively to a limited group of people, in particular specialist personnel.

[0017] The security feature is preferably retrieved from an external system, particularly a remote database, especially wirelessly. For example, the external system could be an external server, a database, and / or a cloud service where the security feature is stored and, when needed, accessible only to a specific group of people, particularly specialists. Access to the external system can be appropriately restricted.

[0018] Preferably, the safety feature is entered into the vehicle's control unit via an input device, in particular via the vehicle's infotainment system. The input device can be, in particular, an input device already present in the vehicle and also used to control other vehicle functions, such as the infotainment system. Alternatively, a separate input device can be provided, which serves essentially exclusively for entering the safety feature or the control signal to bring the vehicle into a rolling state.

[0019] The required entry of the security feature prevents a driver from using this functionality.

[0020] Preferably, the vehicle's drive control element is an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, or a selector lever for a drive mode or transmission gear. To bring the vehicle into a rolling state, one or more of the drive control elements can be used, particularly sequentially. Using the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, or selector lever allows for the advantageous use of components already present in the vehicle.

[0021] According to the invention, the characteristic sequence of operating actions comprises the following steps: - Shifting the vehicle into neutral, - Operation of an accelerator pedal and / or a brake pedal, and - after the vehicle has been brought into neutral and while the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal is being operated, deactivating the ignition and / or the vehicle's electrical system, whereby the vehicle is brought into a rolling state after deactivation of the ignition and / or the electrical system.

[0022] Preferably, the method is applicable to vehicles with both an electric drive and an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the vehicle can have a manual or an automatic transmission. In the case of an electric vehicle or an automatic transmission, neutral corresponds to selecting gear N. In the case of a manual transmission, neutral is engaged by moving the gear selector lever to the neutral position. A deactivated electrical system in a vehicle with an electric drive means, in particular, that the high-voltage side no longer supports the low-voltage side, or that they are disconnected.

[0023] In particular, the ignition or the vehicle's electrical system must be activated before the procedure.

[0024] Preferably, one or more sensor devices may be provided which detect the idling state of the vehicle or the actuation of the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal and send a corresponding control signal to the control unit of the vehicle, so that the control unit brings the vehicle into a rolling state upon detection of the aforementioned actions.

[0025] The aforementioned operating procedures are advantageously chosen such that, although they can be easily performed using existing vehicle components, knowledge of this specific sequence of actions is required to bring the vehicle into a rolling state. In particular, this sequence does not consist of steps that a driver would perform in an obvious way, so the function usually remains undiscovered by the driver.

[0026] Preferably, the accelerator pedal and / or the brake pedal is actuated by at least 5% of the maximum actuation travel of the accelerator pedal or brake pedal, respectively. Reaching the predetermined actuation travel can be detected, in particular, by means of the aforementioned sensor device.

[0027] According to the invention, connecting an external control device to the vehicle's control unit and inputting a control command into the control unit comprises the following steps: - Establishing a connection between a vehicle control unit and an external control device designed to control and / or analyze the vehicle control unit, and - Transmission of a control signal from the external control device to the vehicle, wherein the vehicle control unit brings the vehicle into a rolling state after receiving the control signal.

[0028] Preferably, the external control device is a diagnostic tool for reading and writing data to the vehicle's control unit. In particular, the diagnostic tool is one used in workshops for diagnosing and configuring the vehicle's control unit. The diagnostic tool allows the vehicle to be put into a special operating mode.

[0029] Preferably, the external control device is connected to a connection point in the vehicle, in particular a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus. The connection point is, in particular, one already present in the vehicle for diagnostic purposes, so that the provision of a further connection point can be advantageously dispensed with.

[0030] Preferably, the vehicle's rolling capability is achieved by sending a control signal from the vehicle's control unit to at least one component of the vehicle's drivetrain, in particular a brake. Furthermore, other components, especially of the drivetrain, which influence the vehicle's rolling capability, can receive the control signal to bring the vehicle into a rolling state.

[0031] Preferably, the ignition or the vehicle electrical system is activated before the vehicle (100) is moved into a rolling state.

[0032] The problem according to the invention is further solved by a vehicle designed for carrying out a method with the aforementioned features or designed for use in a method with the aforementioned features. In particular, the vehicle is designed or has corresponding means such that the three previously described embodiment variants, by means of which the vehicle is brought into a rolling state, can be selectively implemented.

[0033] Furthermore, the problem according to the invention is solved by a control device of a vehicle, in particular the aforementioned vehicle, designed for use in a method with the aforementioned features.

[0034] Furthermore, the problem according to the invention is solved by a computer program product comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a control device with the aforementioned features, cause it to bring a vehicle into a rolling state according to the method with the aforementioned features. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. These are shown in a purely schematic representation: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a flowchart of a method according to a second embodiment, Fig. 3 a flowchart of a method according to a third embodiment, and Fig. 4 a vehicle trained to carry out the procedure.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates the sequence of a method according to a first embodiment for bringing a vehicle 100 into a rolling state with the ignition deactivated or the vehicle's electrical system deactivated. In a first method step A1, the vehicle is brought into neutral. While the vehicle 100 is in neutral, in a next method step B1 the accelerator pedal 11a or the brake pedal 11b is actuated, the actuation being at least 5% of the maximum actuation travel of the respective pedal. While the vehicle 100 is in neutral and the accelerator pedal 11a or the brake pedal 11b is actuated, in method step C1 the ignition of the vehicle 100 is deactivated or the vehicle's electrical system is deactivated.If the control unit 10 of the vehicle 100 detects in process step D1 that the vehicle 100 is idling, that the accelerator pedal 11a or the brake pedal 11b is being actuated by at least 5%, and that the ignition or the vehicle electrical system is deactivated, the control unit 10 sends a control signal to the components of the drive train, for example the brakes 14, so that in process step E1 the vehicle 100 is brought into a rolling state, in which, for example, the brakes 14 are released.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the method for bringing a vehicle 100 into a rolling state with the ignition or the vehicle's electrical system deactivated. In a first process step A2, an external control device 15, for example a diagnostic device, is connected to a corresponding connection point of the vehicle 100. Subsequently, in process step B2, a command is entered into the external control device 15, which generates a control signal. The control signal is then transmitted in process step C2 to the control unit 10 of the vehicle 100. In process step D2, the vehicle 100 is brought into a rolling state by means of an action initiated by the control unit 10, analogous to process step E1 of the first embodiment, in which, for example, the brakes 14 are released.

[0038] Fig. Figure 3 schematically illustrates the sequence of a procedure according to a third embodiment for bringing a vehicle 100 into a rolling state with the ignition deactivated or with the vehicle's electrical system deactivated. In a first procedure step A3, a security feature, for example a password or PIN, is entered into an input device 13 of the vehicle 13. The entry of the security feature causes a control signal to be transmitted to the control unit 10 of the vehicle in procedure step B3. In procedure step C3, initiated by the control unit 10, and analogous to procedure step E1 of the first embodiment and procedure step D2 of the second embodiment, the vehicle 100 is brought into a rolling state, in which, for example, the brakes 14 are released.

[0039] Fig.Figure 4 schematically shows the structure of a vehicle 100, which is designed to carry out a method according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments. The vehicle 100 comprises a control unit 10 by means of which the vehicle 100 can be brought into a rolling state. For this purpose, the control unit 10 is connected to other components of the vehicle 100, in particular the accelerator pedal 11a, the brake pedal 11b, and the selector lever 12 for selecting the driving mode or neutral.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 10 is connected to an input device 13 of the vehicle 100. The input device 13 can, for example, be a display of an infotainment system of the vehicle 100. The security feature can be entered via the input device 13 and transmitted to the control unit 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 10 can be connected to an external control device, which may be a diagnostic device, by means of a connection device 15a of the vehicle 100.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 10 is connected to components of the vehicle 100's drive train, in particular to brakes 14, which can be released by means of the control unit 10 in order to bring the vehicle into a rolling state. Reference symbol list 100 vehicles 10 Control unit 11a Accelerator pedal 11b Brake pedal 12 Selector levers 13 Input device 14 brakes 15 external control device 15a Connection device A1 to E1 Procedure steps A2 to D2 Procedure steps A3 to C3 process steps

Claims

[1] A method for transferring a vehicle (100) into a rolling state when the ignition of the vehicle (100) is deactivated or the vehicle's electrical system (100) is deactivated to such an extent that the high-voltage side no longer supports the low-voltage side or they are separated, wherein the rolling state is established by entering a security feature into a control device (10) of the vehicle (100), wherein the security feature is a character sequence, in particular a password or a PIN, connecting an external control device (15) to the control device (10) of the vehicle (100) and entering a control command into the control device by means of the external control device (15), wherein the connection of an external control device (15) to the control device (10) of the vehicle (100) and entering a control command into the control device (10) comprises the following steps: - establishing a connection between the control device (10) of the vehicle (100) and the external control device (15) which is designed to control and / or analyze the control device (10), and - transmitting a control signal from the external control device (15) to the vehicle (100), wherein the control device (10) transfers the vehicle (100) into a rolling state after receiving the control signal, and / or performing a characteristic sequence of operating actions by actuating at least one drive control element (11a, 11b, 12) of the vehicle (100), wherein the characteristic sequence of operating actions comprises the following steps: - putting the vehicle (100) into neutral, - actuation of an accelerator pedal (11a) and / or a brake pedal (11b), and - after the vehicle (100) has been put into neutral and during the actuation of the accelerator pedal (11a) and / or the brake pedal (11b), deactivating an ignition and / or an on-board electrical system of the vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) is transferred into a rolling state after deactivation of the ignition and / or the on-board electrical system. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the security feature is retrieved from an external device, in particular a remote database, in particular wirelessly. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input of the security feature into the control device (10) of the vehicle (100) takes place by means of an input device (13), in particular by means of an infotainment system of the vehicle (100). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive control element of the vehicle is an accelerator pedal (11a), a brake pedal (11b) or a selector lever (12) for a driving position or a transmission gear. [5] Method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an actuation of the accelerator pedal (11a) and / or the brake pedal (11b) takes place by at least 5% of a maximum actuation travel of the accelerator pedal (11a) or brake pedal (11b). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the external control device (15) is a diagnostic device for reading and writing data into the control device (10) of the vehicle (100). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the external control device (15) is connected to a connection device (15a) of the vehicle (100), in particular a CAN bus. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolling capability is established by sending a control signal from the control device (10) of the vehicle to at least one component of the drive train of the vehicle, in particular a brake (14). [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ignition or the vehicle electrical system is activated before the vehicle (100) is transferred into the rolling state. [10] Vehicle (100) designed to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims. [11] Control device (10) of a vehicle (100), designed for use in a method according to one of claims 1 to 9. [12] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control device (10) according to claim 11, cause the control device (10) to transfer a vehicle (100) into a rolling state according to the method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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