Motor vehicle and method for operating a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) with an actuating device (3) arranged in a footwell (2) of the motor vehicle (1) and operable by a driver for detecting a driving request from the driver, wherein the actuating device (3) is designed to detect a movement of at least one foot (F1, F2) or at least one hand of the driver and to control the motor vehicle (2) depending on the detected movement. It is provided that the actuating device (3) is designed to detect a relative movement of two feet (F1, F2), two hands or two fingers of the driver to one another and to control the motor vehicle (1) depending on the relative movement.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an actuating device arranged in a footwell of a motor vehicle and operable by a driver for detecting a driving request of the driver, wherein the actuating device is designed to detect a movement of at least one foot or at least one hand of the driver and to control the motor vehicle depending on the detected movement.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the above-mentioned motor vehicle.

[0003] Motor vehicles of the type mentioned above are already known from the state of the art. State of the art

[0004] Conventional motor vehicles typically have a hydraulic braking system that includes a brake pedal as an operating element, actuated by a driver, and a master cylinder mechanically coupled to the brake pedal. Pressing the brake pedal actuates 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 actuating the brake pedal. In more modern motor vehicles, this pressure buildup is supported by a brake booster.

[0005] In newer vehicles, particularly in the context of increasing electrification, plans are being made to eliminate 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. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] The motor vehicle according to the invention with the features of claim 1 has the advantage that the driver of the motor vehicle can specify a driver request using the simplest means. In particular, the motor vehicle according to the invention enables the driver to indicate both an acceleration or deceleration request and a steering request with the actuating device, which is then implemented by the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the actuating device is designed to detect a relative movement of two feet, two hands, or two fingers of the driver to one another and to control the motor vehicle depending on the detected relative movement. In contrast to conventional actuating devices, the invention therefore monitors relative movements of two input devices of the driver, such as two feet, two hands, or two fingers, in order to clearly detect a driver request.This allows the control system of the motor vehicle, which usually comprises a steering wheel and foot pedal, to be reduced to a single actuating device, thus saving installation space in the vehicle, reducing manufacturing costs and increasing driving comfort.

[0007] Preferably, the actuating device is configured to control an automated steering device of the motor vehicle depending on the detected relative movement. This allows the motor vehicle to detect and implement a driver's steering request by means of one actuating device depending on the detected relative movement. Preferably, a detected relative movement is stored in a non-volatile memory of the actuating device or the motor vehicle and compared with the relative movement in order to detect the relative movement and its underlying driving request. This allows for a simple and quick response to the driver's request.

[0008] Preferably, the actuating device is configured to determine a braking request, an acceleration request, and / or a steering request for the motor vehicle as a driving request based on the detected relative movement, and to control the motor vehicle based on the detected driving request. In this case, the actuating device is thus configured not only to detect a steering request, but also a braking request and / or an acceleration request. This provides the advantage that all driving requests of a motor vehicle driver are reliably detected by means of the one actuating device.

[0009] Preferably, the actuating device is designed to increase the driving demand as the distance between the feet, hands, or fingers increases due to the relative movement and to reduce it as the distance between them decreases, or to increase the driving demand as the distance between the feet, hands, or fingers decreases due to the relative movement and to reduce it as the distance between them increases. Depending on whether the feet are moved apart or towards each other, or the fingers are moved towards or away from each other, or the hands are moved towards or away from each other, the intensity of a driving demand corresponding to the relative movement is increased or reduced. This allows the driver of the motor vehicle, for example, to continuously increase a braking request or increase acceleration, as well as adjust a steering angle.As a result, the motor vehicle according to the invention offers the driver a high degree of freedom when controlling the motor vehicle with the one actuating device. In particular, a distinction is made between different driver requests or driving commands depending on the direction of the relative movement. If, for example, the feet are moved sideways away from each other, an acceleration or deceleration request is detected. If the feet are moved towards or away from each other in the direction of travel, a steering request is detected, for example. If, for example, the right foot is moved in front of the left foot, a steering request to the left is detected. If the feet are moved towards each other, a braking request is detected; if the feet are moved away from each other, an acceleration request is detected. The same applies if, for example, the left foot is moved in front of the right foot, a steering request to the right is detected.Depending on the distance between the feet, the steering input of the deceleration torque or the acceleration torque is increased or reduced.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating device comprises a touch-sensitive sensor plate. The driver can touch the sensor plate with two feet, hands, or fingers, depending on where the sensor plate is located in the motor vehicle. The sensor plate is preferably arranged in the footwell of the motor vehicle so that the driver can actuate the sensor plate or the actuating device with their feet. Alternatively, the sensor plate is arranged on the center console or in the area of ​​the dashboard so that the driver can operate the sensor plate or the actuating device with their hands and / or fingers.

[0011] The sensor plate is, in particular, permanently mounted in the footwell of the motor vehicle or itself forms a floor section of the motor vehicle or the footwell of the motor vehicle. This advantageously integrates the actuating device into the vehicle.

[0012] Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is preferably provided that the actuating device comprises two carriages that can be displaced by the driver, with each carriage being assigned at least one sensor for detecting a carriage movement and / or a carriage position. The carriages can be displaced, for example, on a transverse rail and a longitudinal rail in such a way that they are freely movable in a plane, with the above-mentioned driver requests being detected depending on their position and their movement relative to one another.

[0013] Preferably, at least one return spring is assigned to each respective slide, which is urged into a rest position. The slides thus reach their rest position when they are not being operated or actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle. This creates a starting position or rest position from which relative movements are detected and evaluated. Preferably, such a rest position is also provided for the sensor plate in order to determine a starting point for detecting the relative movement. Optionally, the actuating device has marking means, in particular lighting means, preferably LEDs, which indicate the starting position on the sensor plate for the feet, hands or fingers so that the driver can easily orient themselves.

[0014] The method according to the invention with the features of claim 9 is characterized in that a relative movement of two feet, two hands, or two fingers of the driver is detected by means of the actuating device and, depending on the detected relative movement, a driving request for the motor vehicle is determined and the motor vehicle is controlled depending on the determined driving request. The actuating device thus monitors the position of the two feet, the two hands, or the two fingers relative to one another and, depending on a movement of the feet, hands, or fingers relative to one another, determines a relative movement between them, as already described above. If such a relative movement is detected, the relative movement is evaluated to determine a driving request.For example, the direction of the relative movement, the speed of the relative movement and / or the position of the feet, hands or fingers at the end of the relative movement relative to each other and / or absolutely are recorded, and the driving requirement is determined depending on these parameters, for example as described above.

[0015] Preferably, depending on the detected relative movement, a braking request, an acceleration request, and / or a steering request are detected as a driving request. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0016] Particularly preferably, depending on the direction of movement of the relative movement, a distinction is made between a braking request, an acceleration request, and / or a steering request. The direction of movement serves as the criterion for detecting the type of driver request. For example, if the feet are moved apart or toward each other laterally or transversely to the direction of travel, an acceleration or braking request is detected. If the feet are moved away from each other in the direction of travel or walking, a steering request is detected, as already described above.

[0017] Preferably, a driving request is determined as a function of the speed of the relative movement. In particular, the intensity of the driving request, for example, the magnitude of the requested acceleration torque and / or a requested deceleration torque, is determined or adjusted. In particular, the driving request is increased with increasing speed of movement and reduced with decreasing mobility.

[0018] Particularly preferably, a driving request is only determined when the detected relative movement begins at a predetermined rest position, which is indicated to the driver, in particular, visually or haptically. As already mentioned above, the actuating device preferably indicates a rest position or initial position to the driver, either visually or mechanically (via the return spring), which facilitates orientation. In particular, the driver's wish or driving request is only determined and implemented when the relative movement originates from the rest position. This prevents the driver from inadvertently indicating a driving request.

[0019] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a motor vehicle with an advantageous actuating device, Fig. 2A and B an embodiment for specifying a braking request, Fig. 3A and B an embodiment for specifying an acceleration request, Fig. 4A to D combined examples of combined driving requirements, and Fig. 5A to C show another embodiment of the actuating device.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a simplified side view of a motor vehicle 1 in the area of ​​a footwell 2. In the footwell 2, an actuating device 3 is arranged, which is designed to detect a driver's wish or a driving request by a relative movement of the driver's feet to one another and, depending on the detected driving request, to control one or more actuators of the motor vehicle to implement the driving request.

[0021] For this purpose, the actuating device 3 has a sensor plate 4, which is fixedly arranged in the footwell 2 of the motor vehicle 1. After taking a seat in the driver's seat, the driver can place his feet on the sensor plate 4. Preferably, a marking device 5, which has, for example, one or more illuminating means 6, preferably in the form of LED lights, indicates to the driver a starting position or resting position on which he should initially place his feet.

[0022] The sensor plate 4 is designed, for example, as a capacitive or resistive sensor plate 4 in order to detect the position of the feet placed on the sensor plate 4 and also to monitor foot movements. In particular, the sensor plate 3 is designed in the manner of a touchpad.

[0023] As soon as the driver has positioned their feet in the starting or resting position, the actuating device 3 begins monitoring the foot positions and movements. For this purpose, the actuating device 3 also has a control unit 7, which is connected to the sensor plate 4 for detecting the foot position and movement and optionally to the marking device 5. Furthermore, the control unit 7 is connected to one or more controllable actuators of the motor vehicle in order to implement the detected driver command.

[0024] Fig. 2A and B show a first embodiment of the actuating device in a simplified plan view of the sensor plate 4. The rest position, which is indicated by the marking device 5, is shown in the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, and also in the following Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, each indicated by dashed lines.

[0025] The Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B show the detection of a braking request from the driver. For this purpose, the movement of feet F1 and F2 relative to each other is monitored. In particular, the feet are monitored by the control unit 7 to determine whether they are moving towards each other, as in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B by arrows. According to the embodiment of Fig. 2A, the feet are moved slightly towards each other, according to the embodiment of Fig. 2B the feet are compared to Fig. 2A are moved closer or further towards each other. The control unit 7 thus first determines whether the feet F1, F2 are moved transversely to the direction of travel or laterally towards each other. Next, the control unit 7 checks whether the feet are moved towards or away from each other. If the feet F1, F2 are moved towards each other, a braking request is detected. Thus, in both embodiments of Fig. 2 detects a braking request and, depending on this, a braking system of the motor vehicle 1 is activated in order to decelerate the motor vehicle in accordance with the driver's request.

[0026] The two embodiments differ from each other in that according to Fig. 2A due to the only slight movement of the feet F1, F2 towards each other, a low deceleration request is indicated by the driver and determined by the control unit 7, while in the embodiment of Fig. 2B, an increased deceleration request or a strong braking action is detected. The closer the feet F1, F2 are moved toward each other, the further the deceleration request is increased. Thus, the actuating device 3 not only detects the driver's deceleration request, but also determines the desired intensity of the deceleration.

[0027] Fig. 3A and B show a further embodiment for operating the actuating device 3, which differs from the previous embodiment in that it is not a deceleration that is determined, but rather a driver's acceleration request. The actuating device 3 detects a driver's acceleration request when the feet are moved laterally away from each other starting from the starting position. Starting from the resting position, also shown here with dashed lines, the driver has moved his feet away from each other or outwards, as indicated by arrows. In the case of Fig. 3A the feet have been moved slightly apart, in the case of Fig. 3B further apart. Analogously to the above-described detection of the intensity of the braking deceleration by the actuating device 3, the intensity of a requested acceleration is determined as a function of the distance between the feet on F1, F2.

[0028] Fig. 4A to D show a further embodiment of the actuating direction 3, each showing a view of the sensor plate 4.

[0029] In addition to the lateral movement of the feet, the actuation direction 3 or the control unit 7 also monitors a movement of the feet in the direction of travel or walking in relation to each other in order to detect a steering request from the driver. If it is determined that the right foot F2 is moved forward and the left foot F1 is moved backward relative to it, as in Fig. 4A or Fig. 4D, for example, a steering request to the left is detected. However, if it is detected that the left foot F1 is moved forward and the right foot F2 is moved backward, as in Fig. 4B or Fig. 4C, a steering request to the right of the driver is detected. In accordance with the detected steering request, the control unit 7 controls a steering system of the motor vehicle 1 in order to implement the steering request. It is not important whether both feet are moved or only one. Preferably, the actuating device 3 only detects the relative movement, regardless of which of the feet or whether both feet are moved. According to an alternative embodiment, the control unit only detects a steering request when both feet F1, F2 are moved away from the starting position in order to avoid detecting unwanted driving requests. The same applies to the embodiments of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 to determine a desired acceleration or deceleration.

[0030] At the same time, the actuating device 3 preferably monitors whether the feet F1, F2 are also moved laterally towards each other, as in the previous embodiment of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. This allows a superimposed movement to be detected, which is characterized by both a lateral movement and a movement in the direction of travel. Since, as shown in Fig. 4A and B, the feet F1 and F2 are not only moved in the direction of travel, but also laterally in relation to the rest position, which is also shown here by dashed lines, the actuating device 3 detects in addition to the steering request, in the case of Fig. 4A, also a braking request because the feet were moved towards each other, or an acceleration request, in the case of Fig. 4 B, because there the feet were moved away from each other, analogous to the previous embodiments.

[0031] Since the movement of the feet is monitored both forwards and backwards, i.e. in the direction of travel, and to the left and right, i.e. sideways, it is possible to detect a steering request and a deceleration or acceleration request as well as their respective intensity, even if there is a superimposed movement.

[0032] While in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B that the feet are moved slightly towards or away from each other, in the embodiments of Fig. 4C and D showed that the feet were moved further away from each other, so that there was an increased intensity of the braking demand ( Fig. 4C) or an increased intensity of the acceleration requirement ( Fig. 4D) can be displayed and recognized.

[0033] The same applies to the steering request: with increasing distance between the feet F1, F2 in the direction of travel, an increased steering angle or an increased steering request of the driver is detected and implemented by the control unit 7.

[0034] Optionally, the control unit 7 is also designed to detect and evaluate not only the position and the relative movement of the feet to one another but also a movement speed of the feet in order to detect an emergency situation, for example in the case of a particularly high movement speed, and to carry out an assisted emergency braking, for example.

[0035] As an alternative to detecting a steering request based on the relative movement of the feet to each other in the direction of travel, the distance of the feet from the sensor plate 4, i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the sensor plate 4, is monitored. If, for example, the distance of the right foot F2 from the sensor plate 4 increases, a steering request to the left is detected. If, however, the distance of the left foot increases, a steering request to the right is detected.

[0036] According to a further alternative embodiment, the sensor plate 4 is not arranged in the footwell 2, but in the area of ​​a dashboard or a center console of the motor vehicle, so that the driver can make a driver request by touching or actuating the sensor plate 4 using his hands or fingers.

[0037] In any case, the advantageous motor vehicle 1 achieves the creation of additional space in the motor vehicle by potentially eliminating the steering wheel. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the driver's intention or driving request without the driver having to use their hands, which can result in further comfort advantages. If a steering wheel remains, for example, one designed as a steer-by-wire steering wheel, i.e., one with no mechanical coupling to the wheels of the motor vehicle, the advantageous actuating device 3 can be used as a fallback link to the steering wheel.

[0038] Fig. 5A to C show another embodiment of the actuating device. Fig. 5A and B each show a top view of the actuating device 3 and Fig. 5C a simplified side view.

[0039] In contrast to the previous examples, the actuating device 3 does not have a touch-sensitive sensor plate 4, but rather an advantageous carriage system 8. The carriage system 8 has two carriages 9, 10, wherein the carriages 9, 10 are designed in the present case to each accommodate a foot F1, F2 of a user.

[0040] For this purpose, the slides, as shown in the side view of Fig. 5C, a receiving shell 10 in which the user can place their foot. Due to the shell shape, the respective carriage 9, 10 has side walls that limit the displaceability of a foot F1, F2 within the carriage 9, 10, so that when the user moves their foot sideways or forwards or backwards, the carriage is moved along by positive engagement. Alternatively, the positive connection is omitted and the respective carriage only has a receiving plate, so that actuation occurs by frictional engagement. In the present case, the carriages 9, 10 are each mounted on guide rails 11, 12, with the guide rails 11 being aligned in the direction of travel and the guide rails 12 transversely to the direction of travel. The guide rails 11, 12 are also each mounted so as to be displaceable, in each case transversely to their own longitudinal extent.As a result, the slides 9, 10 can be freely moved by the user in the area of ​​the actuating device 3 in one plane, i.e. forwards and backwards as well as sideways, or in the direction of travel and transversely thereto.

[0041] Each carriage 9, 10 is assigned at least one sensor 13, 14, by means of which the position and / or movement of the respective carriage 9, 10 can be monitored. Thus, the positions and movements of the carriages 9, 10 are monitored by the control unit 7, and, depending on the respective movement, the driver's request is recorded and evaluated analogously to the procedure described above with the sensor plate 4.

[0042] As in Fig.5B, the carriages 9, 10 are advantageously assigned one or more return springs 15, by which the respective carriage 9, 10 is displaced or urged into a rest position or starting position analogous to the starting or rest positions described in the previous embodiments. This allows the user to easily detect the rest position and, based on this, express their driving wishes by moving their feet.

[0043] Alternatively, instead of slides 9, 10, which in the present case are designed to receive feet, the actuating device 3 has slides 9, 10 which are each designed to receive one or more fingers or one hand of a user. 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

[0005]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with an actuating device (3) arranged in a footwell (2) of the motor vehicle (1) and operable by a driver for detecting a driving request of the driver, wherein the actuating device (3) is designed to detect a movement of at least one foot (F1, F2) or at least one hand of the driver and to control the motor vehicle (2) depending on the detected movement, characterized by that the actuating device (3) is designed to detect a relative movement of two feet (F1, F2), two hands or two fingers of the driver to each other and to control the motor vehicle (1) depending on the relative movement. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuating device (3) is designed to control a controllable steering device of the motor vehicle (1) as a function of the detected relative movement. [3] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (3) is designed to determine a braking request, an acceleration request and / or a steering request for the motor vehicle (1) as a function of the detected relative movement as a driving request and to control the motor vehicle (1) as a function of the detected driving request. [4] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (3) is designed to increase the driving requirement with an increasing distance between the feet (F1, F2), hands or fingers caused by the relative movement and to reduce it with decreasing distance from one another, or to increase the driving requirement with a decreasing distance between the feet, hands or fingers caused by the relative movement and to reduce it with increasing distance from one another. [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (3) has a touch-sensitive sensor plate (4). [6] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor plate (4) is fixedly arranged in the motor vehicle (1), in particular in a footwell (2) of the motor vehicle (1) or forms a floor section of the motor vehicle (1). [7] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the actuating device (3) has two carriages (9, 10) which can be moved by the driver, each carriage (9, 10) being assigned at least one sensor (13, 14) for detecting a carriage movement and / or carriage position. [8] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one return spring (15) is assigned to each of the slides (9, 10), by means of which the respective slide (9, 10) is urged into a rest position. [9] Method for operating a motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that a relative movement of two feet (F1, F2), two hands or two fingers of the driver is detected by means of the actuating device (3) and, depending on the detected relative movement, a driving request for the motor vehicle (1) is determined and the motor vehicle (1) is controlled depending on the determined driving request. [10] Method according to claim 9, characterized by that, depending on the detected relative movement, a braking request, an acceleration request and / or a steering request are detected as a driving request. [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized bythat, depending on the direction of movement of the relative movement, a distinction is made between a braking request, an acceleration request and a steering request. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a travel request is determined depending on a movement speed of the relative movement. [13] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a driving request is only determined when the detected relative movement begins at a predetermined rest position, which is indicated to the driver in particular visually or haptically.

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