Vehicle comprising a body with at least one vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle (10) comprising a body (12) with at least one vehicle door (22, 24, 26), at least one detection device (14) for detecting at least one object in at least one external environmental area around the body (12), at least one height adjustment device (16) for the body (12), at least one locking device (18) for the vehicle door (22, 24, 26), and at least one control device (20) which is signal-connected at least to the detection device (14), the height adjustment device (16), and the locking device (18), wherein the control device (20) is designed at least to provide a lifting signal for the height adjustment device (16) when the detection device (14) detects an object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) for the body (12) during a movement of the vehicle (10), characterized in thatthat the control device (20) is further configured to provide a locking signal when the detection device (14) detects an object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) to movement of the vehicle door (22, 24, 26). The invention provides a vehicle (10) in which the probability of damage to the vehicle (10) is further reduced.

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a body with at least one vehicle door.In order to be able to set vehicles to specific driving and / or parking situations, some vehicles have adjusting devices for adjusting the ground clearance of the vehicles. The entire body can thus be adjusted to a certain height level above the ground.For this purpose, it is known, for example, from DE 100 53 316 A1 to detect obstacles on the floor area in an external environment of the vehicle and to set the height level of the body in such a way that a risk of collision of the body with the obstacles is avoided during the movement of the vehicle.It is an object of the invention to provide a vehicle in which the probability of damage to the vehicle is further reduced.The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the following description.According to a first aspect, a vehicle comprising a body with at least one vehicle door is provided, wherein the vehicle is configured to at least one detection device for detecting at least one object in at least one outer surrounding region around the body, at least one height adjustment device for the body, at least one locking device for the vehicle door and at least one control device which is connected by signal technology at least to the detection device, the height adjustment device and the locking device, wherein the control device is configured to at least provide a lifting signal for the height adjustment device if the detection device detects an object as a potential obstacle during a movement of the vehicle for the body, wherein it is provided according to the invention that the control device is further configured to provide a locking signal if the detection device detects an object as a potential obstacle for a movement of the vehicle door.This provides a vehicle in which a probability of the at least one vehicle door colliding with potential obstacles is reduced. For this purpose, the at least one vehicle door is locked if an object is detected as a potential obstacle, for example a wall, a garage roof or a mast or another object, which are arranged in an area over which the vehicle door would pass or come into collision during opening. The vehicle door cannot then be opened as long as the locking device is active, so that a collision with the potential obstacle is avoided. Only after deactivation of the locking device or when the vehicle is lifted can the vehicle door be opened. The detection of the potential obstacle can be carried out with a detection device which can also detect, for example, potential obstacles for the rest of the vehicle body, in particular front and / or rear spoilers or bumper rods and / or sub-floors with low road clearance. The locking of the vehicle door can be effected by means of the locking device which can lock the vehicle door on receipt of a locking signal. The lock signal may be provided by a controller. The control device can further be used for controlling a height adjustment device for the body, wherein the control device can provide a lifting signal or a lowering signal for the height adjustment device. In particular, the control device can then provide a lifting signal if the detection device detects a potential obstacle for the body, for example a high curbstone or a low wall. The invention thus provides a vehicle in which the probability of damage to a vehicle, in particular its doors, front spoilers and / or rear spoilers or bumper rods and / or sub-floors with low road clearance, is reduced.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the vehicle door can be a side door or a trunk door.The at least one vehicle door can be, for example, a driver's door, a passenger's door or a vehicle door belonging to a rear bench. Likewise, the at least one vehicle door can be a door for a trunk, wherein the door can be folded open laterally, upwards or downwards, for example. The same applies analogously to the other embodiments of the vehicle door mentioned above.The locking by means of the locking device or an automatic extension as an additional protection device of the vehicle or an automatic child protection device can be effected individually for each vehicle door. That is, only the vehicle door in which opening would cause collision with an obstacle can be locked.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the body can have at least one front spoiler, at least one rear spoiler, at least one bumper and / or at least one underbody section with low road clearance.The height adjustment device can thus raise the front spoiler or the rear spoiler in order to avoid a collision with a low wall or a high curb during the movement of the vehicle.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the recognition device on the body can have at least one camera, at least one distance sensor, in particular GPS or map data.The distance sensors may also be referred to as parking sensors. The detection device can be used to monitor an external environment of the vehicle. The distance sensors can be designed in such a way that, alternatively or in addition to the distance from an object, they can also detect its height from the ground. In this way, for example, high curbstones or low walls can be detected. When using cameras, an image processing unit of the detection device can examine the image data recorded by the cameras for potential obstacles. If the detection device detects a potential obstacle during a movement of the vehicle or during a standstill of the vehicle for an opening of the doors, the detection device can provide a warning signal. The warning signal can be received by the control device, for example. The control device can then provide the lifting signal for the vehicle or for the chassis or the locking signal.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the detection device can have a blind spot assistance system and / or a cross traffic detection system for detecting at least one object in the external environment of the body and / or of the vehicle door.In this way, objects can be detected, in particular when the vehicle is stationary, which objects can move to the external environment of the vehicle and become a potential obstacle when the vehicle door is opened. A locking signal can then also be transmitted to the corresponding doors or an additional protection device of the vehicle or a child protection device can be automatically activated in order to reduce the probability of collision with these objects.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the height adjustment device can have at least one pneumatic, at least one hydraulic and / or at least one electric actuating element.For example, the vehicle may have an aircraft landing gear. Alternatively or additionally, hydraulic and / or electrical height adjustment can be effected.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the height adjustment device can be designed to raise the body via the potential obstacle upon receiving the lifting signal if the potential obstacle has a height which is less than or equal to a maximum height adjustability by the height adjustment device.The height adjustment device can thus adjust the vehicle body upwards to such an extent that the vehicle's ride height is higher than the potential obstacle. The height adjustment device can be designed such that it only carries out an adjustment if the height of the potential obstacle can be overcome by increasing the ground clearance.In other exemplary embodiments, an adjustment can also take place when the obstacle is greater than the maximum adjustment height of the height adjustment device. Furthermore, a corresponding warning signal can be transmitted to the driver when the driver opens the door or deactivates the locking mechanism. In these exemplary embodiments, damage can be at least minimized in the event of a collision if the driver does not react to the warning signal.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the locking device can have a child safety device or an automatic activation of the additional safety device of the vehicle or an automatic child safety device.For locking the corresponding travel doors, the locking device can activate the child safety device automatically or in a configurable manner in order to prevent the corresponding door from opening or to allow it only after release by the driver.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the locking device can be further designed for locking the vehicle door on receipt of a stop signal of the vehicle.The stop signal of the vehicle can be provided when the vehicle is at a standstill. Alternatively or additionally, the stop signal can be provided when wheels of the vehicle are locked, for example with a parking brake. It can thus be avoided that an opening of the vehicle door takes place immediately after the standstill of the vehicle without the user of the vehicle door checking whether an obstacle is present in the movement range of the door or could move into this movement range.According to a second aspect, a method for controlling vehicle functions of a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle has at least one body with at least one vehicle door, comprising at least the following steps: moving the vehicle; detecting at least one object in at least one outer surrounding region around the body during the movement of the vehicle by means of a detection device; providing a lifting signal for a height adjustment device of the body by means of a control device if the detection device detects an object as a potential obstacle during a movement of the vehicle for the body; providing a locking signal by means of the control device if the detection device detects an object as a potential obstacle for a movement of the vehicle door.Advantages and effects and refinements of the method result from the advantages and effects and refinements of the vehicle described above. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is therefore made in this respect to the preceding description.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the locking device locks the vehicle doors as an additional protection device and / or child safety device upon receipt of a stop signal.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that the locking device is configured in particular as a function of the detected potential obstacles.According to some exemplary embodiments, it is conceivable that an unlocking signal can be transmitted to the driver by a driver only after a warning signal has been output, if the height adjustment device has raised the body to the maximum and the recognition device continues to recognize the at least one object as a potential obstacle.The invention will be described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment by means of the attached drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle; FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the vehicle; FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the method.The vehicle is hereinafter referred to in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 having at least one vehicle door 22, 24, 26 or door. In this example, the body 12 includes two vehicle doors 22 forward, two vehicle doors 24 rearward, and a trunk door 26. However, the vehicle doors 24 at the rear as well as the trunk door 26 are optional. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 has at least one detection device 14, at least one height adjustment device 16, at least one locking device 18 for at least one of the vehicle doors 22, 24, 26 and at least one control device 20.The detection device 14 is designed to detect at least one object in at least one surrounding area of the vehicle 10. The surrounding region extends here outside around the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the surrounding area may extend around the vehicle 10 with a viewing area of the detection device 14. The field of view can be defined by the field of view of the recognition device 14. Alternatively, an area around the vehicle 10 may be defined as a surrounding area, the boundaries of which extend a predefined distance from the vehicle 10.Furthermore, the detection device 14 can have at least one camera 32 and / or at least one distance sensor 34. For example, a camera 32 of the detection device 14 may be mounted on a side mirror of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, a distance sensor 34 can be fastened, for example, in the region of a front spoiler 28 and / or a rear spoiler 30 or a bumper and / or an underbody with a low floor clearance of the body 12.Alternatively or additionally, the detection device 14 may include a blind spot assist system 38 and / or a cross traffic detection system 36, as shown in FIG. 2. These two systems 36, 38 may also include cameras 32 and / or alternative devices that can be used to detect objects in the environment of the vehicle 10.The detection device 14 is designed to detect potential obstacles 40, 42, 44 in the external environment of the vehicle 10. Potential obstacles 40, 42, 44 can be classified as, for example, objects in the external environment of the vehicle 10 that would be subject to a collision with the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 is moving and / or would be subject to a collision with the vehicle doors 22, 24, 26 when the vehicle is at a standstill when one of the vehicle doors 22, 24, 26 is opened.For example, a cyclist 40 moving towards an area 46 that will be swept by a vehicle door 22, 24, 26 upon opening of the vehicle door 22, 24, 26 may present a potential obstacle. Furthermore, for example, a high curb 42 or a low wall and / or a mast 44 or a pillar may be a potential obstacle to a movement of the vehicle and or an opening of a vehicle door 22, 24, 26.In the case of a trunk door 26 that swings up, the potential obstacle may also be located above the vehicle 10. If the potential obstacle 40, 42, 44 is arranged in an area 46 over which the trunk door 26 would pass during opening, the trunk door 26 can remain locked at least temporarily. The locking can be designed in such a way that a user of the trunk can cause manual unlocking of the locking device 18, if necessary after a warning signal. This applies analogously to the other vehicle doors 22, 24 explained above, provided that an automatic activation of an additional protection device of the vehicle, which can be provided for example by the locking device, or an automatic child safety device is active.To detect the potential obstacles 40, 42, 44, the detection device 14 can have, for example, an image processing unit which can examine images of a camera for potential obstacles. If an object has been classified as a potential obstacle 40, 42, 44, the detection device 14 can provide a warning signal.The height adjustment device 16 can be fastened to the vehicle axles, for example, and can be designed to change the distance between the body 12 and the vehicle axles. The ground clearance of the vehicle 10 can be changed at the same time. For this purpose, the height adjustment device 16 can have, for example, a lift function and or an aircraft landing gear. Alternatively or additionally, the height adjustment device 16 can provide a pneumatic adjustment function and / or an electrical adjustment function.The locking device 18 is designed for locking a vehicle door 22, 24, 26. For this purpose, the locking device 18 can have, for example, an automatic activation of the additional protection device of the vehicle, which can be provided, for example, by the locking device, or an automatic child protection device, which can be arranged on the rear vehicle doors 24. Further, the locking device 18 may be configured to lock the corresponding vehicle door 22, 24, 26 when the locking device 18 receives a locking signal.The control device 20 can be connected via signal connections 48 to the detection device 14, the height adjustment device 16 and the locking device 18. The signal connections 48 can be configured to be cableless or cable-bound. Signals can be transmitted via the signal connections 48 between the control device 20 and the detection device 14, the height adjustment device 16 and / or the locking device 18.Thus, for example, the detection device 14 can transmit a warning signal to the control device 20 if a potential obstacle has been detected by the detection device 14. The warning signal can have information about the position, the dimensions and, if appropriate, the direction of movement of the potential obstacle 40, 42, 44.Thereafter, the controller 20 may transmit a lift signal to the height adjuster 16 to initiate lifting of the body 12. Further, the signaling device 20 may transmit a locking signal to a locking device 18 of at least one of the vehicle doors 22, 24, 26 to lock the corresponding vehicle door 22, 24, 26. The locking signal may be encoded for a locking device 18 of a specific vehicle door 22, 24, 26, such that only that vehicle door 22, 24, 26 effects a locking of the corresponding vehicle door 22, 24, 26.When the height adjustment device 16 receives a lift signal, the height adjustment device 16 lifts the body 12. The raising may be performed until a ride height of the vehicle 10 overcomes a height of the potential obstacle. The body 12 can be raised up to a maximum adjustment height of the height adjustment device 16. Furthermore, the automatic locking of the vehicle door 22, 24, 26 can then be deactivated, for example.If the maximum displacement height of the height adjustment device 16 is not sufficient to overcome the height of the potential obstacle, an acoustic, visual and / or haptic warning signal can be output to a vehicle driver in order to reduce the probability of collision with the potential obstacle. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the adjustment of the body 12 up to the maximum adjustment height can take place in order to reduce potential damage in the event of a collision if the vehicle driver does not react to the warning signal.The locking device 18 may be further configured to lock the vehicle door 22, 24, 26 when it receives a stop signal of the vehicle 10. The stop signal may be provided, for example, when the vehicle 10 has come to a standstill and the wheels of the vehicle 10 are locked, for example by a parking brake.FIG. 3 shows a method 100 for controlling vehicle function of the vehicle 10.In a first step 102, the vehicle 10 can be moved. During the movement, in a further step 104, a recognition of the environment can be carried out by a recognition device 14. Objects in an outer surrounding area around the body 12 may be detected during the movement of the vehicle 10.The detection of at least one object in step 104 can be carried out, for example, by evaluating image data by means of an image detection system. The vision system may be executed, for example, on a computer that may be integrated with the vehicle 10.If the detection device 14 detects an object as a potential obstacle during a movement of the vehicle, a lifting signal can be provided for the height adjustment device 16 in a further step 106.If the detection device 14 detects an object as a potential obstacle during an opening or movement of the vehicle door 22, 24, 26, a locking signal can be provided by the control device 20 in a further step 108.Steps 106 and 108 may be performed in parallel with each other.In further steps, for example, the height of a potential obstacle can be determined in order to produce a height above the potential obstacle for the ride height of the vehicle with the height adjustment device, including the control of the locking mechanism or the automatic additional protection device or child safety device.In a further step, for example, a stop signal can be provided which causes the locking device 18 to effect locking of the corresponding vehicle door.Furthermore, in a further step, a warning signal can be transmitted to the driver, for example, if the potential obstacles 40, 42, 44 are still recognized as potential obstacles after the maximum raising of the body of the vehicle. The driver can then, for example, confirm the warning signal and then trigger a manual unlocking signal. Upon receiving the unlock signal, the locking device may unlock the corresponding vehicle doors.The above example is not intended to limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention may be modified in many ways. All the features of the invention described above, alone or in combination with one another, can be essential for the invention.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 100 53 316 A1

[0003]

Claims

Vehicle (10) comprising a body (12) having at least one vehicle door (22, 24, 26), at least one detection device (14) for detecting at least one object in at least one outer surrounding region around the body (12), at least one height adjustment device (16) for the body (12), at least one locking device (18) for the vehicle door (22, 24, 26) and at least one control device (20) which is connected in terms of signal technology at least to the detection device (14), the height adjustment device (16) and the locking device (18), wherein the control device (20) is designed at least for providing a lifting signal for the height adjustment device (16) when the detection device (14) detects an object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) during a movement of the vehicle (10) for the body (12), characterized in that the control device (20) is further designed for providing a locking signal, when the detection device (14) detects an object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) for a movement of the vehicle door (22, 24, 26).The vehicle (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the vehicle door (22, 24, 26) is a side door or a trunk door.Vehicle (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the body (12) has at least one front spoiler (28), at least one rear spoiler (30), at least one bumper and / or at least one underbody section with low road clearance.Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (14) on the body (12) has at least one camera (32), at least one distance sensor (34), other surroundings sensor and / or a position determination.Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (14) has a blind spot assistance system (38) and / or a cross traffic detection system (36) for detecting at least one object in the external environment of the body (12) and / or of the vehicle door (22, 24, 26).Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device (16) has at least one pneumatic, at least one hydraulic and / or at least one electric actuating element.Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height adjustment device (16) is designed, upon receipt of the lifting signal, to lift the body (12) via the potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) if the potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) has a height which is less than or equal to a maximum height adjustability by the height adjustment device (16).Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (18) has an automatic additional protection device for the vehicle door (22, 24, 26) and / or an automatic child protection device.Vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (18) is further designed for locking the vehicle door (22, 24, 26) on receipt of a stop signal of the vehicle (10).Method (100) for controlling vehicle functions of a vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle (10) has at least one body (12) with at least one vehicle door (22, 24, 26), comprising at least the following steps: a. moving (102) the vehicle (10); b. detecting (104) at least one object in at least one outer surrounding area around the body (12) during the movement of the vehicle (10) by means of a detection device (14); c. providing (106) a lifting signal to a height adjustment device (16) of the body (12) by means of a control device (20) if the detection device (14) detects an object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) during a movement of the vehicle (10) for the body (12); d. providing (108) a locking signal to a locking device (18) by means of the control device (20) when the detection device (14) detects at least one object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44) for a movement of the vehicle door (22, 24, 26).Method (100) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the locking device locks the vehicle doors as an additional protection device and / or child safety device on receipt of a stop signal.Method (100) according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the locking device is configured in particular on the basis of the detected potential obstacles (40, 42, 44).Method (100) according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that an unlocking signal can be transmitted to the driver by a driver only after a warning signal has been output, if the height adjustment device (16) has raised the body (12) to the maximum and the recognition device (14) continues to recognize the at least one object as a potential obstacle (40, 42, 44).

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