Setting device for recording a driving request for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and procedure for operating

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustment device (10) for detecting a driving request for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a control element (2) that can be actuated by a driver of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the control element (2) is assigned at least one first sensor 7() for detecting an actuation acting on the control element (2), and wherein the control element (2) is arranged to be displaceable into different rest positions by means of a bearing device. It is provided that the control element (2) is assigned a second sensor (11) for detecting the current orientation of the control element (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment device for detecting a driving request for a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element operable by a driver of the motor vehicle, wherein the operating element is assigned at least one first sensor for detecting at least one actuation acting on the operating element.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with such an adjustment device and a method for operating the adjustment device or the motor vehicle. State of the art

[0003] Conventional motor vehicles typically have a hydraulic braking system that includes a brake pedal, which serves as a control element and can be operated by a driver, and a master cylinder mechanically coupled to the brake pedal. Pressing the brake pedal activates the master cylinder, or a hydraulic piston in the master cylinder is displaced by the brake pedal, generating hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder and distributing it to one or more brake circuits of the braking system. The hydraulic pressure buildup is thus at least partially achieved directly by operating the brake pedal. In more modern motor vehicles, this pressure buildup is supported by a brake booster.

[0004] In newer vehicles, particularly in the context of increasing electrification, plans are being made to dispense with the mechanical connection between the control element and the actuator, especially the master brake cylinder. So-called brake-by-wire braking systems detect the desired actuation or driver input using a sensor assigned to the control element and, depending on the sensor signal, control one or more actuators to fulfill the driving requirement. A corresponding braking system is known, for example, from published patent application EP 1 459 928 A2.

[0005] It is also known to associate a controllable actuator with the control element, which can provide the driver with haptic feedback when the control element is operated. For example, it is known that the driver is alerted to certain events, such as the activation of ABS braking control, by a tactile impulse exerted on the control element by the actuator.

[0006] From the published patent application DE 10 2012 024 846 A1, an adjustable motor vehicle pedal arrangement with an adjusting device and a pedal is also known, wherein the pedal can be adjusted in its position and / or orientation by the adjusting device and can thus be adapted to the needs of the user or driver and can be locked in a selected position by the locking device. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The adjustment device according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that, regardless of the orientation or position of the displaceable operating element, actuation of the operating element can be reliably and precisely detected. According to the invention, the operating element is arranged so that it can be displaced into different rest positions by means of a bearing device, and a second sensor is assigned to the operating element to detect the current orientation of the operating element. Monitoring or detecting the current orientation of the operating element ensures that the orientation or position of the operating element can be reliably determined when determining the driver's input by actuating the operating element. For example, an inclined orientation or inclined position and the resulting reduced actuation force can be compensated for by knowing the inclined position.This means that regardless of the orientation and position of the control element, the driver's request can be implemented precisely and in a way that is understandable for the driver at all times.

[0008] Preferably, the second sensor is an acceleration sensor. Using the acceleration sensor, the orientation, and in particular a change in the orientation, of the control element can be determined cost-effectively and precisely.

[0009] Preferably, at least one controllable actuator is assigned to the operating element, which can be controlled, in particular, to exert a force pulse on the operating element for verifying the current orientation detected by the second sensor. The operating element can thus be excited or moved by the actuator, thereby exciting the second sensor, in particular the acceleration sensor, and thus enabling it to determine or verify the orientation of the operating element with particular precision. For this purpose, for example, the sensor signal detected by the sensor is compared with a stored sensor signal, which was determined as a function of a predetermined orientation of the operating element, in order to determine the current orientation of the operating element.Preferably, a plurality of expected sensor signals depending on different orientations of the control element are stored in a non-volatile memory to be compared with the currently detected sensor signal of the sensor after the control element has been excited by the actuator, in order to determine the current orientation of the control element based on the comparison. In particular, a characteristic map is stored for this purpose, which is used by an advantageous control unit during the comparison.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the actuator is designed as a vibration actuator, which applies not a single, but a plurality of force pulses to the control element to excite it. By controlling the actuator and detecting the sensor signal from the second sensor determined in response thereto, the functionality of the adjustment device can also be advantageously tested. Preferably, the above-mentioned control unit is designed to control the actuator and detect the sensor signal in order to test the functionality of the adjustment device.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the control unit is specifically configured to detect a current orientation of the control element, depending on the sensor signal from the second sensor, when used as intended. In particular, the control unit is specifically configured to control the actuator to perform the orientation detection and to evaluate the sensor signal detected in response to the control, as described above.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the control unit is specifically configured to correct, during intended use, an actuation force detected by the first sensor or an actuation travel detected by the first sensor as the actuation of the control element depending on the orientation of the control element detected by the second sensor. As already mentioned above, this ensures that, regardless of the actual orientation of the control element, reliable detection of the driver's input is always guaranteed. The driver can thus optimally adapt the control element's adjustment device to their ergonomic requirements.

[0013] The operating element is preferably designed as a foot pedal, in particular a brake pedal, or as a manually operated handle.

[0014] Particularly preferably, the control unit is designed to check the plausibility of the orientation of the control element detected by the second sensor depending on the sensor signal from at least one further sensor. Particularly preferably, the further sensor is part of the adjustment device. Optionally, the further sensor is, for example, a sensor that is permanently attached or attachable to the motor vehicle and that monitors the orientation of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the further sensor is also designed, for example, as an acceleration sensor or inertial sensor. Alternatively, the control unit is connected to a further sensor of the motor vehicle, which is already provided for monitoring the position and / or orientation of the motor vehicle. In this case, an existing further sensor can be used and no further sensor needs to be added.

[0015] The motor vehicle according to the invention with the features of claim 10 is characterized by the adjustment device according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0016] The method according to the invention with the features of claim 11 is characterized in that a current orientation of the control element is determined depending on a sensor signal from the second sensor. This results in the above-mentioned advantages.

[0017] Particularly preferably, a driving request from a driver of the motor vehicle is determined based on the determined orientation and a sensor signal from the first sensor. In particular, the procedure for this is as described above.

[0018] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and from the claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with an advantageous adjustment device in a simplified representation, Fig. 2 a control element of the setting device in a simplified representation and Fig. 3A to C different orientations of the control element.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a simplified representation of the footwell of a motor vehicle 1 (not shown in detail here), in which a control element 2 of a braking system 3 is arranged. The control element 2 is a brake pedal in the present case, or alternatively an accelerator pedal, which the driver of the motor vehicle 1 can actuate with his foot. Alternatively, the control element 2 is designed or configured as an accelerator pedal. The brake pedal 2 is displaceably held on a bearing device 4, which is fastened in the footwell, in particular in such a way that it can be pivoted about a pivot axis 5 by the driver, as indicated by an arrow 6 in Fig. 1. This allows the driver to adjust the control element to an orientation that best meets their ergonomic or comfort requirements.

[0020] A sensor 7 is assigned to the operating element 2, by means of which an actuating force acting on the operating element 2 and / or an actuating travel set by the actuation of the operating element 2 can be detected according to arrow 6 of the operating element 2. Thus, actuation of the brake pedal or the actuating lever 2 can be monitored by means of the sensor 7.

[0021] The sensor 7 is connected at least in terms of signaling to a control unit 8, which monitors and evaluates the sensor signal of the sensor 7 in order to determine a driver request, in particular a braking torque request, depending on a detected actuating force and / or a detected actuating path, and in order to control at least one actuator of a braking system of the motor vehicle 1 in order to adjust a braking force depending on the determined braking request.

[0022] Furthermore, a controllable actuator 9 is assigned to the control element 2. This actuator 9 is also connected to the control unit 8, at least in terms of signaling, and is designed to exert haptic feedback on the control element 2. The actuator 9 is designed and controllable, for example, to exert a force pulse on the control element 2, which can be perceived by the driver as the haptic feedback. The control unit 8 is designed, in particular, to control the actuator 9 to generate a single force pulse or multiple force pulses in the form of a vibration that act on the control element 2.

[0023] At least the control element 2 and the sensor 7 together form an advantageous setting device 10 for detecting a driver's request, in the present case a braking request from the driver.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows a simplified top view of the control element 2. In addition to the sensor 7, the control element 2 is also assigned a further sensor 11, which is designed to detect the current orientation or position of the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal. In particular, the sensor 11 is arranged and attached directly on or to the control element 2. The control unit 8 is connected to the sensor 7 and the sensor 11 in order to evaluate their sensor signals.

[0025] Fig. 3A to 3C show different orientations of the control element 2. Shown is the sensor 11, which is designed as an acceleration sensor and shown in a simplified manner. The sensor 11 has a movably mounted sensor element 12, which is located, for example, between two spring elements 13, 14, which are compressed or stretched depending on the position of the sensor element 12 and accordingly exert a compressive or tensile force on the sensor element 12. In a neutral position, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 3C, when the sensor 11 is aligned horizontally, the sensor element 12 is moved by the spring elements 13, 14 into a central position within a housing 15 of the sensor 11. From this neutral position, the sensor element 12 can be moved the same distance in both directions along the longitudinal extension of the sensor 11. If the sensor 11 is erected, i.e. tilted out of the horizontal, as in Fig. 3B, into an inclined position of approximately 45° to the horizontal, the sensor element 12 is moved by the acceleration of gravity or its weight against the spring force of the spring element 14 which is then located below and thus comes closer to the lower end of the housing 15. If the sensor 11 is further erected so that it is in a vertical orientation, as in Fig. 3A, i.e. at an angle of 90° to the horizontal, the sensor element 12 is moved downwards to its maximum extent by its weight or by the acceleration due to gravity against the spring force of the spring element 14.

[0026] By monitoring the position and displacement of the sensor element 12, the orientation of the control element 2 or a change in the orientation can be determined using the sensor 11.

[0027] The bearing device is designed to allow the user to set a home position for the control element 2 and, for this purpose, to relocate the control element 2. The user can also change the orientation of the control element 2 and optimally adapt it to their ergonomic or comfort requirements. Using sensor 11, the control unit 8 detects the initial position or home position of the control element 2 set by the user. Using sensor 7, the control unit 8 detects an operation or actuation of the control element 2, which can be used to relocate the control element 2 during operation and / or apply an actuation force.

[0028] The control unit 8 is particularly designed to adapt a braking characteristic curve depending on the detected orientation in the initial position of the control element 2 in order to optimally determine a braking request depending on the detected actuation of the control element 2 by the driver. For example, if the control element is positioned in an ergonomically unfavorable manner or is poorly aligned, the actuation force detected by the sensor 7 is increased or reduced by the control unit 8 to achieve optimal braking results. The precise orientation of the control element 2 can also be used for other purposes, such as adapting an acceleration characteristic curve.

[0029] The control unit 8 is also preferably connected to the actuator 9 in order to control the actuator 9 so that it exerts one or more force pulses on the control element 2. Normally, the actuator 9 is controlled to output haptic feedback to the driver in order to inform him about driving situations, such as the initiation of ABS control or the like. Preferably, the control unit 8 also controls the actuator 9 to apply one or more force pulses, in particular in the form of a predetermined vibration, to the control element 2 during a calibration of the control device 10 in order to precisely determine the orientation of the control element 2. The force pulse(s) cause the sensor element 12 to be moved from its rest position, as indicated by a double arrow 16 in Fig.3A to 3C, which stimulates the sensor 11 and thus allows the orientation of the control element 2 to be reliably and precisely detected. In particular, by applying one or more force pulses to the control element 2, measurement errors in determining the orientation of the control element are eliminated.

[0030] Preferably, the detected orientation is checked for plausibility using information from the motor vehicle, which in particular is already available in the motor vehicle, such as information about the orientation of the motor vehicle in relation to a horizontal plane. For example, an inclined position of the motor vehicle as a whole can be taken into account when checking the plausibility of the orientation of the control element 2 and compensated for accordingly. In particular, an inertial sensor system is used for this purpose, which is usually installed in the motor vehicle anyway and serves as an additional sensor or reference sensor. The result is that the orientation of the control element 2 detected by the sensor 11 is compensated by the actual orientation of the motor vehicle 1 and thus the orientation of the control element 2 in relation to the motor vehicle 1 is reliably determined.

[0031] Optionally, the control unit 8 is also configured to determine a braking request not only based on the orientation of the control element 2 in its initial position and the detected actuation, but also based on additional information, such as a seat setting, a steering wheel setting, the weight of a driver of the motor vehicle, images from an interior camera, or a driver profile. This allows a braking characteristic and / or an acceleration characteristic to be advantageously adjusted. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 459 928 A2

[0004] DE 10 2012 024 846 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Adjustment device (10) for detecting a driving request for a motor vehicle (1), with an operating element (2) operable by a driver of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the operating element (2) is assigned at least one first sensor 7() for detecting an actuation acting on the operating element (2), wherein the operating element (2) is arranged displaceably into different rest positions by means of a bearing device, characterized by that the control element (2) is assigned a second sensor (11) for detecting a current orientation of the control element (2). [2] Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized by that the second sensor (11) is an acceleration sensor. [3] Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the operating element (2) is assigned at least one controllable actuator (9) which can be controlled to exert a force on the operating element (2), in particular for carrying out a verification of the current orientation detected by the second sensor (11). [4] Adjustment device according to claim 3, characterized by that the actuator (9) is designed as a vibration actuator. [5] Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device (8) which is specially designed to detect a current orientation of the control element (2) in accordance with a signal from the second sensor (11) when used as intended. [6] Adjustment device according to claim 5, characterized by that the control unit (8) is specially designed to control the actuator (9) to carry out a verification of the detected alignment when used as intended. [7] Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device (8) is specially designed to correct, when used as intended, an actuating force detected by the first sensor (7) or an actuating path detected by the first sensor (7) as a function of an orientation of the operating element (2) detected by the second sensor (11). [8] Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the operating element (2) is designed as a foot pedal or handle. [9] Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control unit (8) is designed to check the plausibility of the orientation of the operating element (2) detected by the second sensor (11) as a function of the sensor signal of at least one further sensor (11). [10] Motor vehicle (1) with an adjusting device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Method for operating an adjustment device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a motor vehicle (1) according to claim 10, characterized by that a current orientation of the control element (2) is determined as a function of a sensor signal from the second sensor (11). [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized by that a driving request of a driver of the motor vehicle (1) is determined as a function of the determined orientation and a sensor signal of the first sensor ().

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