Method for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, data processing device and motor vehicle

Abstract

A method for a motor vehicle for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination comprising the motor vehicle and a trailer, wherein the method comprises: acquiring sensor data from a gyro, tilt and / or height sensor of the motor vehicle; determining, based on the sensor data, an event characterizing the uncoupling and / or removal of the trailer; and outputting an information signal to an terminal device configured for communication with the motor vehicle; wherein the aforementioned steps of the method are carried out while the motor vehicle is parked.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination comprising the motor vehicle and a trailer. The disclosure also relates to a computer program and / or computer-readable medium, a data processing device, and a motor vehicle.

[0002] Such methods for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination or a trailer coupled to a motor vehicle are known from the prior art. For example, monitoring can make it possible to detect trailer characteristics.

[0003] DE 10 2019 112 002 A1 discloses methods and devices for the automatic detection of trailer characteristics. An exemplary vehicle comprises a vehicle-to-vehicle communication module and an infotainment head unit. The infotainment head unit is configured to detect the presence of a coupled trailer. The infotainment head unit is also configured, in response to a determination that the coupled trailer is an undetected trailer, to send an image request via the vehicle-to-vehicle communication module, to perform semantic segmentation of the images, to generate a three-dimensional point cloud using the segmented images, and to estimate a characteristic of the coupled trailer based on the three-dimensional point cloud.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the prior art to sensing a trailer weight and / or to check whether a trailer is coupled to the vehicle in order, for example, to adjust an electronic braking system to a vehicle combination comprising the motor vehicle and, if applicable, the trailer.

[0005] DE 10 2015 221 833 A1 discloses a method for determining whether a trailer is coupled to a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has front and rear axles, the method comprising the following steps: determining, in a device, the unladen weight of a vehicle; determining, in a device, the combined total operating weight assigned to the vehicle; determining, in a device, the load on the front and rear axles or on the front and rear wheels; calculating, in a device, the weight distribution on the vehicle; and determining, in a device, whether a trailer is coupled to the vehicle, and if a trailer is coupled to the vehicle, calculating the weight of the trailer and calculating a trailer load. For this purpose, for example, a so-called smart tire sensor, pressure sensors in the suspension air springs, or a ride height sensor for determining the deflection of a mechanical suspension spring can be used.

[0006] DE 10 2018 120 145 A1 discloses a method and a device for the capacitive monitoring of vehicle trailer couplings. An exemplary vehicle includes a trailer coupling comprising a body, a ball head, and a sleeve that electrically insulates the ball head from the body. The exemplary vehicle further includes a trailer coupling module containing a capacitive switch that is electrically coupled to the ball head. The trailer coupling module is intended to wirelessly transmit a warning that a trailer has become detached from the trailer coupling in response to the capacitive switch detecting a predetermined increase in capacitance via the ball head.

[0007] However, the aforementioned methods are less suitable for, for example, parked motor vehicles, such as to determine whether the towing vehicle or trailer might be stolen.

[0008] DE 10 2020 110 921 A1 relates to an anti-theft warning system for a trailer or carrier attached to a motor vehicle, wherein the anti-theft warning system comprises a test device, a first test unit and a second test unit, wherein the second test unit is configured to be coupled to or is coupled with the trailer or carrier, the first test unit is configured to transmit at least one test signal to the second test unit, and the test device is configured to determine whether the at least one test signal has been received by the second test unit, wherein the anti-theft warning system further comprises an acceleration sensor which is coupled to the test device and is configured to be arranged on or is arranged on the motor vehicle or the trailer or carrier, and the test device is configured in such a way thatthat the first test unit sends at least one test signal to the second test unit when the accelerometer measures an acceleration.

[0009] EP 3 179 457 A1 discloses an alarm system for a vehicle trailer, wherein the vehicle trailer includes an accelerometer capable of detecting vibrations in at least one part of the vehicle trailer. The alarm system comprises a sensing module for acquiring sensor signals from the accelerometer and an analysis module for analyzing the acquired sensor signals in order to detect entry into or unloading of the vehicle trailer and to enable an alarm to be triggered by generating an output signal.

[0010] For example, communication between the vehicle and its trailer requires a comparatively high standby current, making monitoring while parked neither economically nor energetically feasible. When analyzing data, particularly from pneumatic suspension systems, it's important to consider that the vehicle's inclination can change due to the evaporation of a leveling gas within the pneumatic system. This would need to be accounted for, and / or the inclination would need to be kept constant, which also requires energy. For battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in particular, energy consumption is a decisive factor.

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, one objective of the present disclosure is to provide a device and a method, each of which is suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the aforementioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the objective of the disclosure is to monitor a motor vehicle-trailer combination cost-effectively while the motor vehicle is parked.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0013] The problem is then solved according to one aspect of the disclosure by a method for a motor vehicle for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination comprising the motor vehicle and a trailer, wherein the method comprises: acquiring sensor data from a gyro, tilt and / or height sensor of the motor vehicle; determining, based on the sensor data, an event characterizing a decoupling and / or removal of the trailer; and outputting an information signal to an terminal configured for communication with the motor vehicle; wherein the aforementioned steps of the method are carried out while the motor vehicle is parked.

[0014] It was recognized that a motor vehicle can already be equipped with a gyroscope, tilt sensor, and / or level sensor, which can be used to monitor the vehicle-trailer combination. Such a sensor can, for example, be used to detect a tilt of the vehicle in the event of wheel theft and / or towing. It was determined that, therefore, theft detection—that is, identifying an event in which the trailer is uncoupled from the vehicle and / or removed from the vehicle—can be implemented effectively and with little or no financial investment using the gyroscope, tilt sensor, and / or level sensor. Furthermore, monitoring can be ensured cost-effectively while the vehicle is parked using the gyroscope, tilt sensor, and / or level sensor.Uncoupling and / or removing the trailer from the vehicle would, for example, be noticeable in a change in the vehicle's tilt and / or wheel or axle load and could be detected via the gyroscope, tilt, and / or height sensor. This can be used to output an information signal. The information signal is output to inform, for example, a user of the vehicle, the vehicle's owner, a person responsible for the vehicle, a security service, and / or an authority about the event via the end device.

[0015] The system can access sensor data solely from the gyroscope, tilt sensor, and / or height sensor, making it applicable regardless of the type and / or equipment of the trailer. Communication between the vehicle and the trailer is therefore unnecessary. This makes the system universally applicable and cost-effective, particularly for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and / or agricultural vehicles with trailers, especially when combined with an anti-theft alarm system.

[0016] Optionally, the procedure includes: detection of the vehicle's resting position using the gyro, tilt, and / or altitude sensor. This makes it possible to use the resting position as a reference for determining the event.

[0017] Optionally, the resting position is recorded at the beginning of the vehicle's parking period. This allows the resting position to be linked to each individual parking session, thus reflecting the specific characteristics of the vehicle-trailer combination and the surface on which it is parked.

[0018] Optionally, the sensor data can be analyzed relative to the resting position to determine the event. This allows deviations from the resting position in the sensor data to be used to determine when to remove and / or uncouple the trailer.

[0019] Optionally, event detection depends on a change in sensor data. A change in sensor data can indicate the removal and / or uncoupling of the trailer. For this purpose, the change in sensor data can be compared to a threshold condition, for example, to determine a critical change in the sensor data that indicates the event.

[0020] Optionally, determining the event depends on a time derivative of the sensor data. This involves examining the temporal evolution of the sensor data. Without the event, the sensor data typically remain constant over a longer period, whereby a change in the sensor data within a relatively short timeframe, for example, within minutes and / or seconds, can indicate the event. Alternatively or additionally, determining the event depends on a difference in the sensor data between two points in time. The sensor data can, for example, be evaluated at a predetermined frequency, with the difference between temporally adjacent sensor data points being determined each time. If the difference exceeds a threshold, the event has occurred. Otherwise, i.e., if the difference falls below the threshold, the event has not occurred.

[0021] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the method according to the disclosure and / or steps thereof. Optionally, the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the process steps described as advantageous or optional in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0022] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a data processing device is provided for a motor vehicle. The data processing device is configured to perform the procedure described above. Optionally, the data processing device is configured to perform a procedure step described as advantageous or optional and / or to implement a procedure feature in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0023] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a motor vehicle comprising a gyroscope, tilt and / or altitude sensor and the data processing device described above is provided. Optionally, the data processing device of the motor vehicle and / or the motor vehicle is configured to perform a process step described as advantageous or optional and / or to implement a process feature in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0024] One embodiment of each is described below with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle according to one aspect of the revelation; Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure according to one aspect of the revelation; and Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium according to one aspect of the revelation.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 50 according to one aspect of the revelation. Fig. Figure 1 also shows a trailer 48 or a trailer. Thus, it shows Fig. 1. A motor vehicle-trailer combination 49, wherein the motor vehicle-trailer combination 49 comprises the motor vehicle 50 and the trailer 48. The motor vehicle 50 is a land vehicle. The motor vehicle 50 is a passenger car, but may also be another type of land vehicle.

[0026] Fig. Figure 1 is divided into two sections separated by a horizontally arranged, dashed line. An upper section, marked t1, shows the motor vehicle-trailer combination 49 at a first time t1. A lower section, marked t2, shows the motor vehicle 50 and the trailer 48 at a second time t2, which differs from the first time t1.

[0027] According to the first section of the Fig. At time t1, the motor vehicle 50 and the trailer 48 are coupled together. The motor vehicle 50 and the trailer 48 thus form the motor vehicle-trailer combination 49. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 50 has, for example, a trailer hitch (not shown).

[0028] The motor vehicle 50 includes a data processing device 51. The motor vehicle 50, or rather the data processing device 51, is configured to process the data relating to Fig. 2 described procedures to be carried out 100 times.

[0029] For this purpose, the motor vehicle comprises 50 according to Fig. 1. A gyro, tilt, and / or height sensor 55. The gyro, tilt, and / or height sensor 55 is configured to acquire sensor data 60. The gyro, tilt, and / or height sensor 55 may, for example, include a chassis sensor that pneumatically, hydraulically, and / or mechanically senses the height and / or tilt of the motor vehicle 50 as sensor data 60. The gyro, tilt, and / or height sensor 55 may also include a gyroscope that, in particular, senses a change in the orientation, height, and / or tilt of the motor vehicle 50 as sensor data 60. The gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor 55 and the data processing device 51 are connected to each other by means of communication technology so that the gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor 55 can transmit the sensor data 60 to the data processing device 51.

[0030] The data processing device 51 is configured to detect the rest position 52 of the motor vehicle 50 using the gyro, tilt, and / or height sensor 55. The motor vehicle 50, or the motor vehicle-trailer combination 49, is parked or in a parked state. Therefore, the rest position 52 of the motor vehicle 50, or the motor vehicle-trailer combination 49, is largely constant without external influence. The rest position 52 is detected at the beginning of the parking process of the motor vehicle 50.

[0031] The data processing device 51 is configured to determine, based on the sensor data 60, an event 90 characterizing the uncoupling and / or removal of the trailer 48. The event 90 is defined by the transition from the section marked t1 of the Fig. 1 or the first time point t1 to the section marked t2 of the Fig. 1 or the second time point t2 is illustrated. The trailer 48 was removed from the motor vehicle 50 by an external influence, for example a theft, during event 90. The sensor data 60 are used to determine event 90 relative to the rest position 52 according to the section marked t1 of the Fig. 1. The determination of event 90 depends on a change in the sensor data 60, for example, a difference in the sensor data 60 between two times t1, t2. The determination of event 90 can also depend on a time derivative of the sensor data 60.

[0032] Furthermore, it shows Fig. 1. A terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 is configured for communication with the motor vehicle 50. The data processing device 51 is configured to output an information signal 65 to the terminal device 20. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 50 and / or the data processing device 51 have a communication interface (not shown). The communication interface is configured to facilitate the exchange of data or information between the motor vehicle 50 and / or the data processing device 51 and the terminal device 20. The communication interface is configured, for example, for communication via a wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB) communication, and / or a mobile network. This allows the motor vehicle 50 and / or the data processing device 51 to transmit the information signal 65 to the terminal device 20.This could trigger an alarm and / or a push notification on device 20 concerning event 90. Device 20 could be, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a smart device, or similar, such as the vehicle owner's smartphone.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a procedure 100 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The procedure 100 according to Fig. 2 is a method 100 for a motor vehicle 50 for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer combination 49 comprising the motor vehicle 50 and a trailer 48. Such a motor vehicle 50 or such a motor vehicle-trailer combination 49 is with reference to Fig. 1 described. Fig. 2 is referred to Fig. 1 described.

[0034] Procedure 100 according to Fig. 2 indicates: Detection 105, by the gyro, tilt and / or height sensor 55, of a rest position 52 of the motor vehicle 50. The rest position 52 is detected at the beginning of the parking of the motor vehicle 50.

[0035] The procedure 100 involves: Acquiring 110 sensor data 60 from a gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor 55 of the motor vehicle 50.

[0036] Procedure 100 comprises: Determining, based on sensor data 60, an event 90 characterizing the uncoupling and / or removal of the trailer 48. The sensor data 60 are analyzed relative to the rest position 52 to determine event 90. Determining event 90 depends on a change in sensor data 60. Determining event 90 depends on a time derivative of sensor data 60 and / or a difference in sensor data 60 between two time points t1 and t2.

[0037] The procedure 100 involves: outputting 130 an information signal 65 to an end device 20 configured for communication with the motor vehicle 50.

[0038] The aforementioned steps 110, 120, 130 of procedure 100 are carried out while the motor vehicle 50 is parked.

[0039] The expert recognizes that the procedure 100 according to Fig. 2. The procedure can also be carried out in a different order than shown. In particular, it is possible to swap, shift, and / or perform steps of procedure 100 simultaneously.

[0040] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 comprises instructions 201 which, when the program or instructions 201 are executed by a data processing device 51, cause it to execute the method 100 and / or the steps of the method 100 according to Fig. 2 to be carried out.

[0041] The commands 201 can be in the form of program code in any code or language, in particular code suitable for controlling and / or monitoring motor vehicles 50. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 can be or comprise any digital data storage device, such as a USB flash drive, hard drive, CD-ROM, SD card, or SSD card. The computer program need not necessarily be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium, but can also be accessed via the Internet or otherwise. Reference symbol (part of the description) 20 terminal devices 48 trailer 49 Motor vehicle-trailer combination 50 motor vehicles 51 Data processing device 52 Resting position 55 Gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor 60 sensor data 65 Information signal 90 events 100 procedures 105 Determining a resting position 110 Acquiring sensor data 120 Determine Spend 130 200 computer program and / or computer-readable medium 201 commands t1 time point, first time point t2 time point, second time point

Claims

[1] Method (100) for a motor vehicle (50) for monitoring a motor vehicle-trailer vehicle combination (49) comprising the motor vehicle (50) and a trailer (48), wherein the method (100) comprises: - Acquisition (110) of sensor data (60) of a gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor (55) of the motor vehicle (50); - Determine (120), based on the sensor data (60), an event (90) characterizing a decoupling and / or removal of the trailer (48); and - Output (130) of an information signal (65) to an end device (20) configured for communication with the motor vehicle (50); wherein - the aforementioned steps (110, 120, 130) of the procedure (100) are carried out while the motor vehicle (50) is parked. [2] Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the method (100) comprises: - Detect (105) a rest position (52) of the motor vehicle (50) by the gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor (55). [3] Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein the rest position (52) is detected at a temporal beginning of the parking of the motor vehicle (50). [4] Method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the sensor data (60) are analyzed to determine the event (90) relative to the rest position (52). [5] Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determination (120) of the event (90) depends on a change in the sensor data (60). [6] Method (100) according to claim 5, wherein the determination (120) of the event (90) depends on a temporal derivative of the sensor data (60) and / or a difference of the sensor data (60) between two time points (t1, t2). [7] Computer program and / or computer-readable medium (200) comprising instructions (201) which, when the program or instructions (201) are executed by a data processing device (51), cause the device to perform the method (100) and / or the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Data processing device (51) for a motor vehicle (50), wherein the data processing device (51) is configured to perform the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [9] Motor vehicle (50) comprising a gyro, tilt and / or altitude sensor (55) and the data processing device (51) according to claim 8.

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