Method for operating a footrest device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a footrest device (10) for a motor vehicle (12) comprising a footplate (14) attached to one end of a movable bracket (16), the bracket (16) being fixed at another end in a mounted state to a vehicle component (18), a drive (20) by means of which the bracket (16) is movable, thereby allowing the footplate (14) to move between a non-use position and at least one use position, and a control device (22) configured to detect a person in an environment by means of at least one sensor unit (24) and, depending on a characterization of the detected person, to provide a control signal for the drive (20) to move the footplate (14) into the at least one use position and / or into the non-use position. The invention further relates to a method for operating a footrest device (10) and a motor vehicle (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a footrest device for a motor vehicle, which has a footplate for resting the feet, according to claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a footrest device configured for carrying out a method, according to claim 5.

[0002] In motor vehicles, especially passenger cars or trucks, children must, depending on the law, but generally until they are 12 years old and / or have reached a height of 1.50 m, sit in a child seat on a booster seat. Sometimes, the children's legs dangle in the air because the distance to the footwell or floor is too great, especially due to the raised position of the booster seat or child seat. Children therefore cannot rest their legs on the floor. This can lead to their legs falling asleep and / or their bottoms hurting. Furthermore, it can also cause strain on their knees.

[0003] Especially on long car journeys, the seating position is uncomfortable. Due to the aforementioned issues, children often brace their legs by pushing them into the front seat, which can cause the person sitting there to feel uncomfortable kicks. Furthermore, the back of the front seat can become heavily soiled and potentially damaged. In addition to these comfort problems, there are also safety concerns, as the uncomfortable seating position can cause the child's body to slump, pushing the pelvis forward and making it difficult for the seatbelt to be properly positioned. In the worst-case scenario, a child might not be adequately restrained.

[0004] Furthermore, younger children in particular have difficulty getting into and into the child car seat because there is no entry aid. The gap between the floor and the car seat is too large. Therefore, children need assistance from their parents or another adult to get into their car seat. This can be frustrating, especially for children in the independence phase.

[0005] JP 2005-297629A discloses a foldable vehicle footrest structure with a foot-bearing surface that is tilted from a normal state into a working position by rotating it. The footrest is configured such that one end of the footrest body, with the foot-bearing surface, is fixed to the floor, and the other end can be rotated. By immersing the other end in a concave storage space recessed in the floor, the foot-bearing surface is brought into a tilted working position.

[0006] Further relevant state of the art, which relates to a corresponding footrest device and its application in a vehicle, can be found in the documents JP 2013 - 162 873 A, JP 2013 - 95 176 A and DE 10 2014 223 629 A1.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a footrest device or a footrest and a motor vehicle by which children in the vehicle and children who want to use the vehicle are advantageously automatically detected and a footplate for supporting their feet is provided for them correspondingly with each seat.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 5. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject matter of dependent claims 2 to 4, the description, and the drawings.

[0009] The inventive method for operating a footrest device uses a footrest device for a motor vehicle with a footplate attached to one end of a movable bracket, and the bracket being fixed at another end, in particular at the opposite end, to a vehicle component, such as a floor, when mounted or in a suitable arrangement in the motor vehicle. The footrest device comprises a drive, in particular for example an actuator or an electric motor, by means of which the bracket is movable, whereby the footplate is movable between a non-use position and at least one use position, wherein several use positions are provided, and each use position is characterized by a respective height of the footplate, in particular above the floor.Furthermore, the footrest device includes a control device designed to detect a person in an environment by means of at least one sensor unit and, depending on a characterization of the detected person, i.e., in particular whether it is a child or not, to provide a control signal for the drive to move the footplate into at least one working position or into the non-working position.

[0010] The motor vehicle in question is, in particular, a passenger car or truck. The footplate is, in particular, a footrest or the part of the footrest device on which the feet are placed. This can be made, for example, of a solid material and / or a grid, and in particular of a metallic material or a plastic material. The bracket is, in particular, a bracket which, for example, has a folding mechanism that provides mobility. Mobility is understood to mean that the bracket is pivotable, movable, and / or extendable so that the end to which the footplate is fixed can be moved away from and towards the end to which the bracket is mounted. In particular, the ends can be brought together, thereby advantageously creating the non-use position.The bracket is designed in such a way, or the drive is connected via the bracket by means of, for example, a kinematic system, that several operating positions, but at least one operating position, can be formed, with each operating position corresponding to the respective height of the base plate.

[0011] The control unit is, in particular, a control device and advantageously includes at least a simple electronic computing unit, such as a microcontroller. The sensor unit is, for example, a camera. Thus, using, for example, computer vision or image recognition software executed by the control unit, a person in an environment—which is, in particular, the vehicle interior, but can also be the area around the vehicle—can be detected during a recording and, for example, characterized as a child using a suitable evaluation unit. Depending on the type of person detected, i.e., whether it is a child or an adult, the control signal is provided, which moves the drive to at least one operating position or to the non-operating position.Advantageously, it is detected that a child is approaching and, based on the control signal, the footplate is moved from the non-use position to the use position.

[0012] In other words, an automatically deployable and, in particular, height-adjustable footrest for a child is provided. This device can be placed, for example, on the underside of the rear seat, on the floor of the footwell, or on a front seat. The footrest comprises a footplate, the associated mechanical bracket, kinematic components, and a drive unit, such as an electric motor and / or an electro-hydraulic element. Furthermore, the footrest includes a system, such as the control unit, for the automatic detection of children. In addition, the child's size and / or needs can be determined, particularly through machine learning methods such as a self-learning algorithm and / or an artificial neural network. Thus, the footrest can be automatically adjusted and extended to the child's height, based on the individual's needs and requirements.

[0013] This results in the advantage that a beneficial technical solution for a footrest is combined with a smart application or an intelligent system for increasing comfort, which makes it particularly advantageous to transport children by motor vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, the inventive method for operating a footrest device uses at least one sensor unit, wherein the at least one sensor unit comprises a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, a UWB (ultrawideband) sensor, a weight sensor, a near-field sensor, and / or a contact sensor. In other words, the sensor unit can have one sensor for a specific measuring range or quantity, or several of these quantities. For example, radar, ultrawideband, and cameras can cover different areas of the electromagnetic spectrum. Sound can also be detected using an ultrasonic sensor. In addition, near-field sensors, such as NFC sensors, scale sensors, or contact sensors, are suitable.For example, the Doppler effect and radar sensors can detect subtle movements, even capturing a child's breathing. A weight sensor, integrated into the vehicle seat and corresponding footrest, can determine whether a person is a child or not based on their weight. This offers the advantage of a particularly useful way to characterize the person and, furthermore, to determine the condition of the person and / or the vehicle interior.

[0015] Furthermore, the footplate is positioned on or against the interior floor when not in use. Additionally or alternatively, if the footrest is designed for a rear seat, the footplate can be positioned against the end of the rear seat or against a front seat located in front of the front seat in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when not in use. In other words, options for mounting the footplate when not in use can be provided, which are oriented towards a rear seat or the rear bench and / or directly on the floor, for example, in a recess in the floor, or against a front seat. This offers the advantage that, depending on the available installation space and / or for aesthetic reasons, different mounting options for the footrest can be selected in the vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, a control element is provided for supplying the control signal or another control signal, which, when mounted on a vehicle door, is made available as a vehicle key, via a mobile application, and / or a user device. In other words, for example, a button in the form of a control element with a memory function is provided on the driver's door so that the driver can extend the footrest for the child. Additionally, buttons can be located in the side doors of the rear seats or on the passenger side, which can be locked, in particular by means of a child safety lock, so that the children can extend the footrest themselves.Furthermore, a dedicated user device, such as a mobile system and an application running on it, and thus a Customer Owned Device (COD), enables activation and switching between the use and non-use positions. Additionally, corresponding profiles can be stored in a vehicle key. Voice control is also possible, for example. This offers the advantage of particularly convenient operation.

[0017] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a footrest device for a motor vehicle, comprising a footplate attached to one end of a movable bracket, the bracket being fixed at the other end in a mounted state to a vehicle component, and a drive by means of which the bracket is moved, thereby moving the footplate between a non-use position and at least one use position, wherein a person in an environment, in particular around the vehicle or its interior, is detected by means of a control device and at least one sensor unit, and depending on a characterization of the detected person, a control signal is provided for the drive, which is used to move the footplate into the at least one use position or into the non-use position.

[0018] According to the invention, the control signal is varied depending on information from a vehicle system and / or information for varying the control signal is provided by machine learning methods. In other words, a learning algorithm can use information present in the vehicle to create associations and recognize habits. For example, the footrest can be extended based on information from the navigation system, depending on the journey time. Furthermore, the footrest can be automatically extended when approaching a destination, for example, to facilitate exiting the vehicle. This offers the advantage that the footrest can be used particularly effectively by the child.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the person is detected by evaluating a sensor signal from at least one sensor unit, whereby at least one characteristic, such as size, weight, proportions, and / or voice of the person, is determined, by which the person is characterized, and in particular whether the person is a child. In other words, the control device is designed such that it can process and evaluate sensor signals in order to extract at least one characteristic by which a person can be characterized. This characteristic is, in particular, a characteristic that is suitable for distinguishing whether the person is a child or not. This has the advantage that the method can be carried out particularly efficiently.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a pressure signal from a pressure sensor in the sensor unit and / or a further sensor unit, which is attached to the footplate and / or the bracket, predefines at least one operating position and / or varies the control signal. In other words, the adjustable height is automatically detected by a pressure sensor, thus ensuring individual adjustment. As soon as the pressure sensor detects resistance, which is caused in particular by the child's feet on the footplate, the footrest automatically stops or the corresponding operating position is reached, thereby providing a particularly advantageous height. This offers the advantage that the operating position can be advantageously adjusted to a child's leg length.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, in addition to characterizing the person, their state is detected, and the control signal is varied depending on this state. In other words, for example, the child's well-being is detected, and the footrest is extended accordingly. If, for example, the child becomes restless, the footrest can extend automatically. If, for example, it is detected that the child is asleep and could therefore slip in the seat, the footrest can also be extended or raised further for stabilization. Furthermore, kicks can be detected, or, for example, speech recognition can be used to detect the needs of parents, such as when it is detected that the child should stop kicking the seat or when the child vocalizes pain due to poor posture.This offers the advantage that the footrest device can be automatically adapted to the needs of a user in a particularly advantageous way.

[0022] A second aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a footrest device designed to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the first aspect of the invention, are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as advantages of the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0024] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0025] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a motor vehicle with a footrest device in a first embodiment with a footplate in a use position; Fig. 2 the footrest device according to the embodiment of the Fig. 1 with the footplate in the non-use position; Fig. 3 a schematic view of the foot support device in a second embodiment with footplate in a use position; Fig. 4 a schematic view of the footrest device according to Fig. 3 with the footplate in the non-use position; Fig. 5 a schematic view of a third embodiment of the foot support device with the footplate in a use position; and Fig. 6 a schematic view of the footrest device according to Fig. 5 in the non-use position.

[0026] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a footrest device 10 as a component of a motor vehicle 12, with a footplate 14 that is mounted in a movable, pivotable bracket 16. The bracket 16 is fixed at another end, in the mounted state shown here, to a vehicle component 18. The footrest device 10 includes a drive 20 by means of which the bracket 16 can be moved, thereby allowing the footplate 14 to move between at least one of the shown operating positions and into a position shown in Fig. The footrest 10 shown in Figure 2 can be moved into the non-use position. In particular, several use positions for different heights are possible. Furthermore, the footrest 10, and thus the motor vehicle 12, comprises a control device 22, which is designed to detect a person in an environment, especially in the interior, by means of at least one sensor unit 24, and, depending on a characterization of the detected person, to provide a control signal for the drive 20 to move the footplate 14 into at least one use position and / or the non-use position.

[0028] The at least one sensor unit 24 can, in particular, comprise a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrawide sensor, a weight sensor, a near-field sensor and / or a contact sensor. The footrest device is, in particular, assigned to a rear seat 26 and serves to enable a child or a correspondingly small person to comfortably rest their legs or feet on the footplate 14.

[0029] The figures show three different designs or mounting methods for the bracket 16 to support the base plate 14, particularly in the non-use position: Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows the first embodiment in which the foot plate 14 is arranged on an end face 28 of the rear seat 26 in the non-use position.

[0030] Thus, vehicle component 18 is the front face 28 or a front wall of the rear seat 26.

[0031] Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment in which the footplate 14 is placed on or against an interior floor 30 in the non-use position, wherein the bracket is also mounted on the interior floor 30 at its other end, so that in this case the interior floor 30 is the vehicle component 18. The Fig. 3 the embodiment in the operating position and the Fig. 4 the second embodiment in the non-use position.

[0032] The Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows the third embodiment of the footrest device 10, wherein this time the vehicle component 18 is designed as the backrest 32 of a front seat, so that the in the Fig. In the non-use position shown in Figure 6, the footplate 14 nestles against the backrest 32 of the front seat 34.

[0033] In addition to the motor vehicle 12 and the footrest device 10 presented here, a method for operating the latter is to be shown, in which the evaluation carried out by the control device 22, which in particular includes an electronic computing device, is used to characterize the person, especially depending on sensor signals from at least one sensor unit 24. In this process, at least one characteristic of the person, such as size, weight, or the like, is determined based on the sensor signal(s) in order to characterize or determine whether the person is a child or a person with child-like proportions.

[0034] In addition to or as an alternative to the control signal from the control unit 22, the system can also be controlled or operated by a user. This can be done, for example, via buttons or controls in a driver's door, including a memory function, so that the driver and / or a front passenger can extend the footrest for the child. Further controls in the side doors of the rear seats, including child safety locks, are possible so that children can extend the footrest themselves. Furthermore, control via customer-owned devices, vehicle keys, and / or, for example, a voice assistant is possible, each of which can initiate, vary, or output a control signal.

[0035] The process involves the detection and classification of vehicle occupants and the determination of whether or not the footrest is needed. Child detection is achieved through existing systems such as seat occupancy detection, child presence detection, or the detection of children by cameras in the vehicle, for example, in the rear for video conferencing or driver monitoring cameras. Particularly when combined with machine learning, child detection can be highly reliable.

[0036] Furthermore, children can be classified into age groups, for example via UWB (Ultra-Wideband) and radar. It is also possible to distinguish whether an infant car seat is being used, for example via the contact sensor, which would eliminate the need for the footplate 14. Additionally, if adults and / or larger children are detected, the footplate 14 can automatically retract into its unused position. Control via weight detection on the rear seats or the rear seat 26 is also possible.

[0037] Advantageously, detection can be achieved through sensor fusion of multiple sensors from sensor unit 24 and / or other sensor units. This increases the robustness of the detection process. The detection and classification of occupants supports the intelligent or automatic system shown here for the intelligent control of the footrest and in deciding whether or not a footrest is necessary based on the occupant's age, proportions, and / or emotional state.

[0038] If the presence of a person in the vehicle is detected and classified as a child, the system or footrest device 10 is activated. The following list is intended to illustrate, by way of example, necessities, needs and habits that make the footplate 14 advantageous in a particular usage position, and which can be individually adapted, for example, to the size of the user or child: Automated detection of the entry height via pressure sensors and guarantee of individual adjustment: as soon as the pressure sensor detects resistance, the footrest automatically stops at the corresponding height.

[0039] Cameras in the vehicle can monitor the child's well-being, and based on the emotional state determined, the footrest can be extended; for example, if the child becomes restless, the footrest or footplate 14 can be extended.

[0040] Through machine learning, or a learning algorithm, 12 pieces of information already present in the vehicle can be linked to recognize habits. If a destination with a long travel time is entered into the navigation system, the footrest can be raised after a certain period. Habits are learned when people consistently raise the footrest at the same time, for example. If, according to the navigation system, a gas station or the destination is approaching, the footrest can automatically extend to assist the child when exiting the vehicle.

[0041] The child's emotional state can be analyzed. If the child is asleep and slides down in the seat, the footrest can be extended for stabilization. If kicks against the front seat are detected, the footrest can be extended automatically. Similarly, if speech is detected, such as saying "Stop kicking the seat" or "Everything hurts," the footrest can also be extended accordingly.

[0042] If a child is automatically detected by a sensor in sensor unit 24, the footrest is activated and, for example, slowly raised. The optimal footrest position can be determined and adjusted using the camera and / or resistance detection. This can be activated, deactivated, and / or configured, for example, via a user interface on an infotainment system.

[0043] In addition, the footrest can be manually extended and its height adjusted to a suitable operating position using the aforementioned controls, such as the button.

[0044] Machine learning methods are used to recognize needs and / or habits, enabling the vehicle 12 to operate with increasing automation. A control signal can be omitted or assigned to a non-use position if, for example, a baby car seat is detected, so that the footrest does not need to be extended despite the presence of a child. Furthermore, if the camera detects bags or similar items in the footwell that prevent the footrest from being extended, it can also be prevented from extending. If no child is detected in the vehicle 10 and / or a taller person does not require a footrest, the vehicle can also be set to the non-use position.

[0045] Furthermore, the person can be detected not only inside the vehicle but also in an environment such as the exterior. Thus, when passengers approach the vehicle 12, they can already be identified or characterized, so that if a child is detected, the footrest or footplate 14 is automatically extended when the door is opened to assist with boarding.

[0046] Furthermore, a safety mechanism, such as anti-pinch protection, can be implemented via the corresponding sensor unit 24. This mechanism can be designed analogously to the anti-pinch protection of a tailgate and enables the detection of fingers and feet. The pressure sensor can, for example, detect the stop point. The corresponding position can also be displayed on the infotainment system.

[0047] The footrest device 10 presented here is an automatically extendable and adjustable footrest for children.

Claims

[1] A method for operating a footrest device (10) for a motor vehicle (12), comprising a footplate (14) attached to one end of a movable bracket (16), the bracket (16) being fixed at the other end in a mounted state to a vehicle component (18), and a drive (20) by means of which the bracket (16) is moved, thereby moving the footplate (14) between a non-use position and at least one use position, wherein a person in an environment is detected by means of a control device (22) and at least one sensor unit (24), and depending on a characterization of the detected person, a control signal is provided for the drive (20), which is used to move the footplate (14) into the at least one use position or into the non-use position, characterized bythat the control signal is varied depending on information from a vehicle system and / or that information for varying the control signal is provided by machine learning methods. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that the person is detected by evaluating a sensor signal from at least one sensor unit (24), whereby at least one characteristic of the person is determined by which he or she is characterized, in particular determining whether he or she is a child. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one operating position is specified and / or the control signal is varied by a pressure signal from a pressure sensor of the sensor unit (24) and / or another sensor unit which is attached in the base plate (14) and / or the holder. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that in addition to characterization, a state of the person is recorded and the control signal is varied depending on the state. [5] Motor vehicle (12) with a footrest device (10) designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 4.

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