Method for the targeted adjustment of a motor vehicle's chassis level

Abstract

Method for targeted adjustment of a chassis level (F) of a motor vehicle (80), comprising the steps of acquiring (100) data to determine a height difference (H) between a lower edge (4) of a driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and a lower edge (8) of an interaction point (10) arranged laterally to the driver's window (6) by means of a sensor unit (22), determining (200) the height difference (H) between the lower edge (4) of the driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and the lower edge (8) of the interaction point (10) arranged laterally to the driver's window (6) by means of a processing unit (24) on the basis of the acquired data, and targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the determined height difference (H) to minimize the height difference (H) by means of a control unit (26).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a system.

[0002] It is known that drivers of a motor vehicle interact with interaction points from the window of a vehicle, for example, to pay a ticket at a ticket counter, pay the toll at a toll plaza, request a parking ticket, present an ID, and the like.

[0003] Depending on the height of the vehicle and the height of the respective interaction point around the vehicle, this can disadvantageously lead to restrictions in comfort when the driver needs to interact out of the window. This is particularly true if, for example, a very low vehicle such as a sports car is parked at an interaction point such as a toll station to pay the toll and the driver has to stretch extremely upwards out of the window in order to reach or operate the relevant payment terminal from the low sports car. Likewise, it can be uncomfortable to have to stretch extremely downwards out of the window in tall vehicles in order to reach the relevant payment terminal.Systems are known from EP 4 071 510 A1 which at least partially solve the problems mentioned, but the known systems are either not sufficiently comfortable or are structurally complex and cost-intensive to manufacture and maintain.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system that enables the most convenient interaction possible between a driver and an interaction point in a simple, fast, and cost-effective manner.

[0005] The above object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, a system according to claim 9, and a motor vehicle according to claim 11. Further features and details emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Technical features disclosed for the method according to the invention also apply in connection with the system according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, a method is provided for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of a motor vehicle. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of acquiring data for determining a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window using a sensor unit, determining the height difference between the lower edge of the driver's window of the motor vehicle and the lower edge of the interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window using a processing unit based on the acquired data, and specifically adjusting the chassis level of the motor vehicle based on the determined height difference to minimize the height difference using a control unit.

[0007] According to the invention, a method is provided for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of a motor vehicle. This method enables the most comfortable interaction between a driver and an interaction point in a simple, fast, and cost-effective manner by determining the height difference between the lower edge of the driver's window of the motor vehicle and the lower edge of the interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window, and by specifically adjusting the chassis level of the motor vehicle based on the determined height difference. In addition to a corresponding increase in driving comfort, the method and system according to the invention prevent incorrect operation during such an interaction and prevent damage to the driver's door due to the need to open the driver's door for interaction.

[0008] The present method can preferably be used in a motor vehicle, such as a car or truck. A lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle can preferably be understood as the lower frame edge of the driver's window, on which the driver's arm can be placed when the window is fully lowered. Within the scope of the invention, an interaction point can be understood in particular as a toll switch, a parking switch, a drive-in switch, a parking barrier, or the like. The lower edge of an interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window can accordingly be understood as the lower edge of a toll switch, a parking switch, or a drive-in switch.It is understood, however, that the lower edge of an interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window can be variable given the infrastructure and preferably defines the height of an interaction point that guarantees the most comfortable possible interaction of the driver from a driver's window of a motor vehicle with the interaction point.

[0009] With a view to a particularly fast and precise determination of a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window in order to ensure a particularly comfortable interaction between a driver of a motor vehicle and an interaction point, it can advantageously be provided that the data for determining a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window are in the form of image data and are recorded by means of a sensor unit in the form of an image sensor or a camera, preferably by means of a sensor unit in the form of a plurality of image sensors or cameras.

[0010] As an alternative to the use of image sensors or cameras, ultrasonic sensors and / or infrared sensors and / or radar sensors and / or lidar and / or ToF sensors and / or GPS can also be used to collect the data for determining a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window.

[0011] Within the scope of a particularly precise determination of a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window to ensure particularly comfortable interaction between a driver of a motor vehicle and an interaction point, it can advantageously be further provided that the determination of the height difference between the lower edge of the driver's window of the motor vehicle and the lower edge of the interaction point arranged to the side of the driver's window comprises the use of a plurality of data, wherein the data for determining the height difference are preferably averaged and / or weighted. The data can preferably be acquired by different sensors or sensor units and then weighted accordingly, for example, based on the accuracy of the sensor types.

[0012] With a view to an advantageous application of the present method, it may be provided, for example, that the interaction point is a ticket booth or a parking barrier or a drive-in counter or a gatehouse or a toll station.

[0013] To ensure particularly high driving comfort, the invention can also advantageously provide for the targeted adjustment of the vehicle's chassis level to be carried out continuously based on the determined height difference. Adjustment of the chassis level can be achieved via air suspension, pneumatic (e.g., hydropneumatic) suspension, or via an electronically controlled chassis. It is understood that, in addition to a continuous adjustment, a chassis level adjustment can also be provided in stages, particularly in predefined stages.

[0014] With regard to a stable and particularly comfortable adjustment of the chassis level of a motor vehicle, it can also be advantageous if the targeted adjustment of the chassis level of the motor vehicle takes place in the form of a synchronous height adjustment on all wheels of the chassis. Such synchronous height adjustment on all wheels of the chassis can be understood in particular as all four suspension points of a vehicle being raised or lowered synchronously by the same height.

[0015] Likewise, with a view to energy-efficient and rapid adjustment of the chassis level of a motor vehicle, the targeted adjustment of the chassis level of the motor vehicle can be carried out in the form of an asynchronous height adjustment at the wheels of one side of the chassis. An asynchronous height adjustment at the wheels of one side of the chassis can be understood in particular as meaning that only two suspension points of the vehicle located on the same side of the vehicle are synchronously raised or lowered by the same height, while the opposite suspension points remain in their position.

[0016] In order to reliably avoid damage to the vehicle, in order to determine a maximum or minimum chassis level, it may further be provided that a maximum height adjustment difference is determined and set in advance for the targeted adjustment of the chassis level of the motor vehicle, wherein the maximum height adjustment difference is preferably determined and set depending on one of the following parameters: - A minimum ceiling height, - a flat floor and / or - a current vehicle load.

[0017] For example, raising the chassis level can sometimes be critical with regard to the maximum height of parking garages or the like. Likewise, a minimum height of a vehicle can be critical with regard to the arrangement of speed bumps or the like. It is also understood in the present case that individual, several or all of the mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out in the proposed order, but also deviating from the proposed order. In this case, individual, several or all of the mandatory and / or optional steps of the method according to the invention can be carried out repeatedly, for example cyclically. It is further understood that individual, several or all of the mandatory and optional steps of the method according to the invention can also be carried out automatically or automated, in particular via a computer.

[0018] The invention furthermore relates to a system for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of a motor vehicle, in particular for carrying out a method described above. The system according to the invention comprises a sensor unit for acquiring data for determining a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window, a processing unit for determining the height difference between the lower edge of the driver's window of the motor vehicle and the lower edge of the interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window based on the acquired data, and a control unit for the targeted adjustment of the chassis level of the motor vehicle based on the determined height difference in order to minimize the height difference.Thus, the system according to the invention has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method described above. It is understood that the components of a sensor unit, a processing unit, and a control unit can also be integrated into a control unit or the like.

[0019] With a view to particularly fast and precise determination of a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window, in order to ensure particularly comfortable interaction between a driver of a motor vehicle and an interaction point, it can advantageously be provided that the sensor unit comprises an image sensor or a camera, preferably a plurality of image sensors or cameras. As an alternative to the use of image sensors or cameras, the sensor unit can also comprise ultrasonic sensors and / or infrared sensors and / or radar sensors and / or lidar and / or ToF sensors and / or GPS for acquiring the data for determining a height difference between a lower edge of a driver's window of the motor vehicle and a lower edge of an interaction point arranged laterally of the driver's window.

[0020] The invention furthermore relates to a motor vehicle with an adjustable chassis, comprising a system as described above. Thus, the motor vehicle according to the invention has the same advantages as those already described in detail with regard to the method and system according to the invention described above.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0022] They show schematically: Fig. 1 the individual steps of a method according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 a motor vehicle with a system according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of the motor vehicle according to a first embodiment and Fig. 3 a motor vehicle with a system according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level of the motor vehicle according to a second embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows the individual steps of a method according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level F of a motor vehicle 80.

[0024] As per Fig. 1, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of acquiring 100 data for determining a height difference H between a lower edge 4 of a driver's window 6 of the motor vehicle 80 and a lower edge 8 of an interaction point 10 arranged laterally of the driver's window 6 by means of a sensor unit 22, determining 200 the height difference H between the lower edge 4 of the driver's window 6 of the motor vehicle 80 and the lower edge 8 of the interaction point 10 arranged laterally of the driver's window 6 by means of a processing unit 24 on the basis of the acquired data, and targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 on the basis of the determined height difference H in order to minimize the height difference H by means of a control unit 26.

[0025] The data for determining the height difference H can preferably be in the form of image data and can be recorded by means of a sensor unit 22 in the form of an image sensor or a camera.

[0026] The determination 200 of the height difference H can advantageously comprise the use of a plurality of data, wherein the data for determining the height difference H can preferably be averaged and / or weighted.

[0027] The interaction point 10 can be, for example, a ticket booth or a parking barrier or a drive-in counter or a gatehouse or a toll booth.

[0028] The targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 on the basis of the determined height difference H can preferably be carried out continuously.

[0029] Likewise, the targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 can take place in the form of a synchronous height adjustment on all wheels of the chassis or in the form of an asynchronous height adjustment on the wheels of one side of the chassis.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a motor vehicle 80 with a system 2 according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0031] As per Fig. 2, the system 2 according to the invention comprises a sensor unit 22 for recording 100 data for determining a height difference H between a lower edge 4 of a driver's window 6 of the motor vehicle 80 and a lower edge 8 of an interaction point 10 arranged laterally from the driver's window 6, a processing unit 24 for determining 200 the height difference H between the lower edge 4 of the driver's window 6 of the motor vehicle 80 and the lower edge 8 of the interaction point 10 arranged laterally from the driver's window 6 on the basis of the recorded data and a control unit 26 for the targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 on the basis of the determined height difference H in order to minimize the height difference H.

[0032] As per Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the interaction point 10 is in the form of a payment counter. In the illustration on the left, a height difference H between the lower edge 4 of the driver's window 6 of the motor vehicle 80 and the lower edge 8 of the interaction point 10 arranged to the side of the driver's window 6 is detected or determined, whereupon a targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 takes place, which is completed in the illustration on the right.

[0033] The targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 takes place in the embodiment according to Fig. 2 in the form of a synchronous height adjustment on all wheels of the chassis.

[0034] Fig.3 shows a motor vehicle with a system 2 according to the invention for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 according to a second exemplary embodiment, according to which the interaction point 10 is designed in the form of a food distribution point and the targeted adjustment 300 of the chassis level F of the motor vehicle 80 takes place in the form of an asynchronous height adjustment on the wheels of one side of the chassis.

[0035] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Method for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level (F) of a motor vehicle (80), comprising the steps: - detecting (100) data for determining a height difference (H) between a lower edge (4) of a driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and a lower edge (8) of an interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6) by means of a sensor unit (22), - determining (200) the height difference (H) between the lower edge (4) of the driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and the lower edge (8) of the interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6) by means of a processing unit (24) on the basis of the acquired data and - Targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the determined height difference (H) in order to minimize the height difference (H) by means of a control unit (26). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the data for determining a height difference (H) between a lower edge (4) of a driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and a lower edge (8) of an interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6) are in the form of image data and are recorded by means of a sensor unit (22) in the form of an image sensor or a camera. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that determining (200) the height difference (H) between the lower edge (4) of the driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and the lower edge (8) of the interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6) comprises the use of a plurality of data, wherein the data for determining the height difference (H) are averaged and / or weighted. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the interaction point (10) is a ticket booth or a parking barrier or a drive-in counter or a gatehouse or a toll booth. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) is carried out continuously on the basis of the determined height difference (H). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) takes place in the form of a synchronous height adjustment on all wheels of the chassis. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) takes place in the form of an asynchronous height adjustment on the wheels of one side of the chassis. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat for the targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80), a maximum height adjustment difference is determined and set in advance, wherein the maximum height adjustment difference is determined and set depending on one of the following parameters: - A minimum ceiling height, - a flat floor and / or - a current vehicle load. [9] System (2) for the targeted adjustment of a chassis level (F) of a motor vehicle (80) for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a sensor unit (22) for detecting (100) data for determining a height difference (H) between a lower edge (4) of a driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and a lower edge (8) of an interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6), - a processing unit (24) for determining (200) the height difference (H) between the lower edge (4) of the driver's window (6) of the motor vehicle (80) and the lower edge (8) of the interaction point (10) arranged laterally of the driver's window (6) on the basis of the recorded data and - a control unit (26) for the targeted adjustment (300) of the chassis level (F) of the motor vehicle (80) on the basis of the determined height difference (H) in order to minimize the height difference (H). [10] System (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the sensor unit (22) comprises an image sensor or a camera. [11] Motor vehicle (80) with adjustable chassis, comprising a system according to one of claims 9 or 10.

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