Motor vehicle and methods for operating such a motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle (2) with a frame-like roof structure (4), with a control unit (6) which, when the motor vehicle (2) is stationary, can be switched to a receive mode upon detection that a user-portable transmitter unit is within a certain maximum distance of the vehicle, with a sunroof device (8) which is fixed to the frame-like roof structure (4), which has at least one planar sunroof (10) forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle (2) and which has at least one sunroof drive (12) associated with the sunroof (10), which can be controlled by the control unit (6) and by which the sunroof (10) can be switched or is switched in the receive mode of the control unit (6) to at least one receive sunroof position in which an opening (14) of the roof structure (4) to form a receive opening (16) is fully or partially opened by the sunroof (10), and with at least one acoustic sensor means (18),which is arranged in or adjacent to the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) and through which, at least in the receiving position of the sunroof (10), acoustic signals from outside a vehicle interior (20) can be received unhindered through the receiving opening (16) and transmitted to the control unit (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle and a method for operating such a motor vehicle.

[0002] In motor vehicles, acoustic sensors, such as microphones, are an important component for capturing sounds, for example, speech inside the vehicle. These acoustic sensors allow for making phone calls or giving voice commands to voice assistants to perform functions such as navigation or music control.

[0003] The development of true speech and text processing using AI is increasing the importance of acoustic sensors, for example, for use in the exterior of motor vehicles to open doors, close windows or take notes using voice commands.

[0004] The requirements for automotive-grade acoustic sensors used outdoors are challenging, as these sensors are exposed to environmental influences such as wind, moisture, and dirt. Furthermore, such acoustic sensors must be resistant to environmental factors to ensure clear and intelligible transmission. Technical implementation is expensive and complex. Integrating them into the complex cavities and openings within the vehicle also presents difficulties due to aesthetic considerations and aerodynamic drag.

[0005] Motor vehicles with a sunroof device are known from DE 10 2022 103 526 A1, DE 10 2019 106 853 A1, DE 10 2018 007 582 A1 and DE 11 2018 004 023 T5, in which the respective sunroof can neither be moved into a receiving sunroof position, nor can an acoustic sensor device in the receiving sunroof position receive signals from outside a vehicle interior and supply them to a control unit.

[0006] Motor vehicles without a sunroof device are known from DE 10 2017 218 542 A1, DE 10 2023 121 226 A1, DE 10 2021 114 256 A1 and US 2015 / 0 247 352 A1.

[0007] One object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a motor vehicle and a method for operating such a motor vehicle in which acoustic signals can be detected outside the motor vehicle and at the same time the acoustic sensor means used are effectively protected against environmental influences.

[0008] This problem is solved by a motor vehicle with a frame-like roof structure, with a control unit which, when the motor vehicle is stationary, in particular when the motor vehicle's drive is inactive, can be switched to a receive mode upon detecting that a maximum distance between a user-portable transmitter unit and the vehicle has been undershot, with a sunroof device which is fixed to the frame-like roof structure, which has at least one planar sunroof forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle and which has at least one sunroof drive associated with the sunroof, which can be controlled by the control unit and by which the sunroof can be switched or is switched in the control unit's receive mode to at least one receive sunroof position in which an opening in the roof structure to form a receive opening is fully or partially released by the sunroof, and with at least one acoustic sensor means.which is located in or adjacent to the opening of the roof structure and through which, at least in the receiving position of the sunroof, acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside a vehicle interior can be received unhindered through the receiving opening and transmitted to the control unit.

[0009] Because at least one acoustic sensor can be detected from outside the vehicle interior when a user-worn transmitter falls below a maximum distance to the vehicle, the acoustic sensor can detect voice commands from a vehicle user as they approach the vehicle. This allows an acoustic sensor located inside the vehicle to be used to detect acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside the vehicle and transmit them to the control unit.

[0010] Because the sunroof is moved into the receiving sunroof position when the control unit is switched to receive mode, allowing the acoustic sensor to detect from outside the vehicle interior, it is not necessary to place an acoustic sensor on an external surface of the vehicle.

[0011] The term "unobstructed reception" means, in particular, that there is no sunroof between the acoustic sensor and the vehicle's surroundings. This allows acoustic signals to reach the sensor directly and immediately, without having to penetrate the sunroof or be reflected once or multiple times by various components of the vehicle. This improves the recording quality.

[0012] Because the acoustic sensor is located inside the vehicle, it is shielded from environmental influences during operation, thus increasing the service life of the acoustic sensor and ensuring high quality over its lifetime.

[0013] The acoustic sensor may include a microphone. The maximum distance may be a maximum of 50 m, in particular a maximum of 30 m, in particular a maximum of 10 m.

[0014] The control unit can switch to receive mode when it detects that the maximum distance to a user-worn transmitter unit has been breached. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the control unit will end receive mode when a minimum distance between the user-worn transmitter unit and the vehicle is detected. This could occur, for example, if a user of the vehicle, who is wearing the user-worn transmitter unit, is seated inside the vehicle.

[0015] The user-portable transmitter can, for example, include a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or similar device, or a key for starting the vehicle. Furthermore, the user-portable transmitter can include any transmission device, as long as the technical functionality ensures that the control unit can detect when an authorized person approaches the vehicle.

[0016] The user-worn transmitter can communicate with the control unit via electromagnetic waves, for example, via radio. For this purpose, the control unit can include a receiver through which the electromagnetic waves of the transmitter can be received and detected and evaluated by the control unit.

[0017] Moving the sunroof into the receiving sunroof position proves particularly advantageous if, prior to moving it into the receiving sunroof position, the sunroof can be arranged in a closed position in which the opening of the roof structure is completely closed by the sunroof and / or if at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means is arranged in the opening of the roof structure or adjacent to the opening of the roof structure when the sunroof is closed.

[0018] By allowing the sunroof to be in a closed position before being moved to the receiving sunroof position, it is ensured that when a fall below the maximum distance is detected, the opening in the roof structure is released to form the receiving opening.

[0019] By arranging at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means in or adjacent to the opening of the roof structure, good detection of acoustic signals outside the motor vehicle can be ensured when the sunroof is in the receiving sunroof position.

[0020] The maximum distance of the user-portable transmitter unit can, for example, be a maximum of 30 m, a maximum of 15 m, or a maximum of 10 m. The receiving sunroof position can, for example, include an opening of at least 2 cm, in particular at least 5 cm, or in particular at least 10 cm, relative to the closed sunroof position.

[0021] To reduce the risk of faulty voice input, it proves advantageous if at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means is switched from an active operating state to an inactive operating state when the sunroof is in the open position, in particular when the sunroof is in the receiving position, and when the control unit detects that the vehicle has reached or exceeded a certain speed.

[0022] The specified speed of the vehicle may, for example, be a maximum of 60 km / h, in particular a maximum of 40 km / h, in particular a maximum of 20 km / h, in particular a maximum of 10 km / h.

[0023] This ensures that as the vehicle's speed increases, and noise levels are also amplified when the sunroof is open, voice commands from a vehicle user are no longer detected, thus reducing the risk of incorrect inputs.

[0024] In order to better position the acoustic sensor means in the opening of the roof structure, it proves advantageous if the motor vehicle includes at least one sensor drive controllable by the control unit, by which the acoustic sensor means can be arranged in an ambient receiving position in the receiving position of the sunroof, in which the at least one acoustic sensor means is freely accessible from outside the vehicle interior through the opening of the frame structure, and / or by which the acoustic sensor means can be arranged in a front seat receiving position when the sunroof is closed, in which the at least one acoustic sensor means is located in the front seat area of ​​the vehicle interior, or in a rear seat receiving position, in which the at least one acoustic sensor means is located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle interior.

[0025] The acoustic sensor element can be better positioned in the receiving position of the sunroof thanks to the sensor drive, which can be controlled by the control unit.

[0026] Furthermore, when the sunroof is closed, the acoustic sensor can be positioned inside the vehicle, either near the front seat or the rear bench. This allows for improved detection of voice commands from the driver, front passenger, or passengers in the rear.

[0027] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the motor vehicle, at least one planar glare shield can be provided that is arranged in or on the opening of the roof structure on the side facing the vehicle interior with respect to the sunroof and on which at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means is arranged fixedly on or movable relative to the glare shield.

[0028] The surface-sized glare shield prevents or at least reduces sunlight from outside the vehicle entering the vehicle interior through the opening and the sunroof.

[0029] By having at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means arranged in a fixed position on or movable relative to the aperture means, the acoustic sensor means can be easily arranged in or on the opening in the roof structure.

[0030] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves advantageous if the aperture means can be moved by an aperture drive of the sunroof device from a closed aperture position, in which the opening of the roof structure is completely closed by the aperture means, to at least one open aperture position, in which the opening of the roof structure is completely or partially released by the aperture means.

[0031] The aperture element can be moved independently of and relative to the sunroof by means of an aperture drive that can be controlled by the control unit.

[0032] Even in the embodiment in which the aperture means includes its own aperture drive, at least one of the at least one sensor means that is movably arranged on the aperture means can include its own sensor drive.

[0033] Alternatively, in a further development of the latter embodiment of the motor vehicle, it can be provided that at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means is fixedly arranged on a receiving area of ​​the aperture means and that the sensor drive is formed by the aperture drive, wherein the acoustic sensor means together with the aperture means can be arranged by the aperture drive in the receiving position of the sunroof in the ambient reception position, and / or can be arranged by the aperture drive in the front seat reception position or in the rear seat reception position when the sunroof is closed.

[0034] In such a case, the acoustic sensor means is moved into the ambient reception position, the front seat reception position and / or the rear seat reception position by moving the aperture means.

[0035] This allows the vehicle to be designed with fewer components, namely by integrating the sensor drive and the aperture drive into a single component.

[0036] To improve the reception of acoustic signals, in particular voice commands, from outside the vehicle interior, an embodiment of the motor vehicle may include at least one window device that is fixed to a vehicle frame on a side wall, which has at least one planar side window forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle and at least one side window drive associated with the side window, which can be controlled by the control unit and by which the side window can be moved or is moved in the receive mode of the control unit into at least one receive side window position in which the side window is fully or partially open and acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside the vehicle interior can be received unhindered by the acoustic sensor means and supplied to the control unit.

[0037] This allows the acoustic sensor to receive the acoustic signals of a vehicle user as they approach the vehicle, not only through the open sunroof but also through at least one open side window. This improved reception ensures better intelligibility of voice commands.

[0038] Furthermore, embodiments of the motor vehicle are conceivable in which at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means, upon detection of a fall below a maximum distance between the vehicle user and the vehicle, is moved out of the vehicle interior and positioned outside the vehicle interior. This can be easily achieved in one embodiment of the motor vehicle if the vehicle includes at least one wind deflector that, in the closed sunroof position, is arranged between the sunroof and the frame-like roof structure, is released in the receiving sunroof position, and projects outwards beyond the frame-like roof structure in a wind deflection position, and on which at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means is arranged.

[0039] When the sunroof is moved from the closed position to the open position, the wind deflector is moved into the wind deflector position. The wind deflector may be pre-tensioned in the wind deflector position and, when the sunroof is moved from the open position to the closed position, it is returned to its original position between the sunroof and the frame-like roof structure.

[0040] If at least one acoustic sensor is arranged on the wind deflector, it is positioned so that it projects outwards beyond the vehicle when the wind deflector is moved into the deflecting position. This improves the reception of acoustic signals, especially voice commands.

[0041] Finally, the problem is solved by a method for operating a motor vehicle with at least one of the aforementioned characteristics, comprising the following steps: a. Detection by the control unit of a fall below a maximum distance of a user-portable transmitter to the vehicle and switching the control unit to receive mode; b. Moving the sunroof into the receiving sunroof position using the sunroof drive; c. Receiving acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside the vehicle interior by the acoustic sensor and feeding them to the control unit.

[0042] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the attached patent claims, the graphic representation and the following description of two preferred embodiments of the motor vehicle and the method.

[0043] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A schematic side view of a first embodiment of the motor vehicle; Fig. 2 A schematic top view of a second embodiment of the motor vehicle; Fig. 3 A schematic flowchart of a method according to the invention.

[0044] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 each shows a motor vehicle, complete with the reference numeral 2. The motor vehicle 2 each includes a frame-like roof structure 4.

[0045] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 2 includes a control unit 6 which, when the motor vehicle 2 is stationary, in particular when the motor vehicle 2 is inactive, can be switched to a receive mode when it detects that a maximum distance between a user-portable transmitter unit and the vehicle 2 has been undershot.

[0046] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 2 includes a sunroof device 8, which is fixed to the frame-like roof structure 4. The sunroof device 8 comprises a planar sunroof 10 forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle 2 and a sunroof drive 12 associated with the sunroof 10 (shown only schematically in the figures), which can be controlled by the control unit 6 and by which the sunroof 10 can be moved or is moved into at least one receiving sunroof position in the receive mode of the control unit 6 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), in which an opening 14 of the roof structure 4 is partially released through the sliding roof 10 to form a receiving opening 16.

[0047] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in the figures, the motor vehicle 2 comprises several acoustic sensor means 18, which are arranged in or adjacent to the opening 14 of the roof structure 4 and through which, at least in the receiving position of the sunroof 10, acoustic signals, such as voice commands, can be received unhindered outside a vehicle interior 20 through the receiving opening 16 and supplied to the control unit 6.

[0048] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows exemplary embodiments of the motor vehicle 2, in which the sunroof device 8 comprises a planar louvre element 22 and a louvre drive 24 that moves the planar louvre element 22. The louvre drive 24 allows the louvre element 22 to be moved from a closed position, in which the opening 14 of the roof structure 4 is closed by the louvre element 22, to at least one open position, in which the opening 14 of the roof structure 4 is completely or partially uncovered by the louvre element 22. Acoustic sensor means 18 are arranged on each of the louvre elements 22.

[0049] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the motor vehicle 2, in which the sunroof device 8 comprises a wind deflector 26 on which an acoustic sensor means 18 is arranged. In the closed sunroof position, the wind deflector 26 is arranged between the sunroof 10 and the frame-like roof structure 4, and in the receiving sunroof position, it is released and projects outwards beyond the frame-like roof structure 4 in a wind-deflecting position.

[0050] Both embodiments according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is common in that the acoustic sensor means 18 are arranged on a receiving area of ​​the aperture means 22 and are arranged in the receiving sunroof position such that acoustic signals, such as voice commands, can be received unhindered from outside the vehicle interior 20 through the receiving opening 16 and can be supplied to the control unit 6.

[0051] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to the invention. Using the exemplary embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The procedure is discussed below: In a first step 100, the control unit 6 detects when a user-portable transmitter unit falls below a maximum distance to the vehicle and switches the control unit 6 to receive mode. In receive mode, the control unit 6 transfers the sunroof 10 into the receive sunroof position by controlling the sunroof drive 12. In a subsequent step 102, acoustic signals, such as voice commands, are received from outside the vehicle interior 20 by the acoustic sensor device 18 and fed to the control unit 6.

[0052] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing can be essential, both individually and in any combination, in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of protection of the following claims. Reference symbol list 2 motor vehicles 4 Roof structure 6 Control unit 8. Sunroof device 10 Sunroof 12 Sunroof drive 14 Opening 16 Reception opening 18 acoustic sensor devices 20 Vehicle interior 22 Aperture media 24 aperture drive 26 wind deflectors 100 - 102 process steps

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (2) with a frame-like roof structure (4), with a control unit (6) which, when the motor vehicle (2) is stationary, can be switched to a receive mode when it detects that a maximum distance between a user-portable transmitter unit and the vehicle is undershot, with a sunroof device (8) which is fixed to the frame-like roof structure (4), which has at least one planar sunroof (10) forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle (2) and which has at least one sunroof drive (12) associated with the sunroof (10), which can be controlled by the control unit (6) and by which the sunroof (10) can be switched or is switched in the receive mode of the control unit (6) to at least one receive sunroof position in which an opening (14) of the roof structure (4) to form a receive opening (16) is fully or partially opened by the sunroof (10), and with at least one acoustic sensor means (18),which is arranged in or adjacent to the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) and through which, at least in the receiving position of the sunroof (10), acoustic signals from outside a vehicle interior (20) can be received unhindered through the receiving opening (16) and transmitted to the control unit (6). [2] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the sunroof (10) can be arranged in a closed sunroof position before being transferred to the receiving sunroof position, in which the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) is completely closed by the sunroof (10) and / or that at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is arranged in the opening (14) or adjacent to the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) when the sunroof is in the closed position between the sunroof (10) and a vehicle interior (20). [3] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is switched from an active operating state to an inactive operating state when the sunroof is in the open position, in particular when the sunroof is in the receiving position, and when the control unit (6) detects that the vehicle has reached or exceeded a certain speed. [4] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one sensor drive controllable by the control unit (6), by which the acoustic sensor means (18) can be arranged in an ambient receiving position in the receiving position of the sunroof (10), in which the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is freely accessible from outside the vehicle interior (20) through the opening (14) of the frame structure, and / or by which the acoustic sensor means (18) can be arranged in a front seat receiving position when the sunroof (10) is in the closed position, in which the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is located in the front seat area of ​​the vehicle interior (20) or in a rear seat receiving position, in which the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is located in the rear seat area of ​​the vehicle interior (20). [5] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the sunroof device (8) has at least one planar diaphragm (22) which is arranged in or on the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) on the side facing the vehicle interior (20) with respect to the sunroof (10) and on which at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is arranged fixedly on or movable relative to the diaphragm (22). [6] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the aperture means (22) can be moved by an aperture drive (24) of the sunroof device (8) from a closed aperture position, in which the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) is completely closed by the aperture means (22), to at least one open aperture position, in which the opening (14) of the roof structure (4) is completely or partially released by the aperture means (22). [7] Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 6, characterized by, that at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is fixedly arranged on a receiving area of ​​the aperture means (22) and that the sensor drive is formed by the aperture drive (24), wherein the acoustic sensor means (18) together with the aperture means (22) can be arranged by the aperture drive (24) in the receiving position of the sunroof (10) in the ambient receiving position, and / or can be arranged by the aperture drive (24) in the front seat receiving position or in the rear seat receiving position when the sunroof (10) is closed. [8] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one window device which is fixed to a vehicle frame on a side wall, which has at least one planar side window forming an outer skin of the motor vehicle (2) and which has at least one side window drive associated with the side window, which can be controlled by the control unit (6) and by which the side window can be or is transferred in the receive mode of the control unit (6) into at least one receive side window position in which the side window is fully or partially open and acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside the vehicle interior (20) can be received unhindered by the acoustic sensor means (18) and supplied to the control unit (6). [9] Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the sliding roof device (8) comprises at least one wind deflector (26) which is arranged in the closed sliding roof position between the sliding roof (10) and the frame-like roof structure (4), which is released in the receiving sliding roof position and projects outwards beyond the frame-like roof structure (4) in a wind deflection position and on which at least one of the at least one acoustic sensor means (18) is arranged. [10] Method for operating a motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising the steps: a. Detecting when a user-portable transmitter falls below a maximum distance to the vehicle by the control unit (6) and switching the control unit (6) to receive mode; b. Transferring the sunroof (10) by the sunroof drive (12) into the receiving sunroof position; c. Receiving acoustic signals, such as voice commands, from outside the vehicle interior (20) by the acoustic sensor means (18) and supplying them to the control unit (6).

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