Method for autonomous parking of an Ego commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for autonomously parking an ego-commercial vehicle, wherein an autonomous parking assistant is activated in the ego-commercial vehicle when a driver of the ego-commercial vehicle needs a break, wherein the ego-commercial vehicle uses an environment sensing sensor system to detect its surroundings during parking, wherein when the environment sensing sensor system detects that a vehicle parked in front of the ego-commercial vehicle leaves its position, the autonomous parking assistant moves the ego-commercial vehicle forward to the vacated position, wherein the driver's rest period remains uninterrupted during the reparking process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for autonomously parking an Ego commercial vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] There is a shortage of truck parking spaces in Europe, and particularly in Germany. The number of trucks is expected to continue rising, so the problem will most likely worsen. Expanding the infrastructure is expensive, cannot keep pace with demand, and is not feasible in the short term. The development of autonomous driving at SAE Level 3 or higher offers the technological possibilities for semi-autonomous truck operation.

[0003] All previous approaches and solutions (convoy parking, intelligent compact truck parking) focus on the infrastructure of the parking environment to optimize the parking situation, rather than the vehicles or trucks themselves. These infrastructure measures are costly and cannot be implemented at every (highway) rest area. Many approaches rely on so-called convoy parking or intelligent parking guidance systems, see, for example, https: / / www.scitepress.org / papers / 2014 / 51490 / 51490.pdf. This involves equipping parking spaces with additional technology, which is expensive, to enable optimal parking space utilization. Arrival and departure times are registered via a portal or V2X communication, and the parking position is then communicated to the truck driver. This solution can only be implemented to a limited extent due to the high infrastructure costs.These costs are passed on by the operator to the driver or the transport company, further reducing their already slim margins. Therefore, such intelligent parking guidance systems have not yet become widespread and remain the exception.

[0004] US 11,441,916 B1 describes methods and systems for route guidance for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. The suitability of the roadway for autonomous operation is assessed to facilitate its use in route determination. Maps of roads suitable for various levels of autonomous operation can be created. Such map data can be used by autonomous vehicles or other computer devices for route determination based on vehicle driving criteria. These routes can be automatically updated based on changes in road conditions, vehicle conditions, operator conditions, or environmental conditions. Emergency route planning using such map data is described, for example, automatic route planning and travel when a passenger experiences a medical emergency.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of specifying a novel method for the autonomous parking of an Ego commercial vehicle.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by a method for autonomously parking an Ego commercial vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A method for the autonomous parking of an ego-commercial vehicle is proposed, wherein an autonomous parking assistant is activated in the ego-commercial vehicle when the driver of the ego-commercial vehicle requires a break, wherein the ego-commercial vehicle uses environmental sensors to perceive its surroundings during parking, and wherein, when the environmental sensors detect that a vehicle parked in front of the ego-commercial vehicle leaves its position, the autonomous parking assistant moves the ego-commercial vehicle forward to the vacated position. According to the invention, the driver's rest period remains uninterrupted during the reparking process.

[0009] The invention relates to an autonomous driving function that allows commercial vehicles to move at low speeds (e.g., rolling below 3 km / h) over short distances (e.g., the length of a commercial vehicle (truck) including trailer, i.e., approximately 25 m) without the need for a human driver. Autonomous trucks with SAE Level 3+ are equipped with the necessary technologies, so the intelligent parking function according to the invention can be easily implemented.

[0010] Autonomous trucks of SAE Level 3 or higher already possess all the necessary technical equipment (e.g., sensors, actuators) to perform the proposed parking function according to the invention. Therefore, the invention represents a new vehicle function that can be implemented without costly additional vehicle equipment. This offers time and cost advantages for the driver, owner, or freight forwarder, as the effort required to implement rest periods is reduced. Furthermore, commercial vehicles become safer because traffic-critical parking situations are reduced. This makes road freight transport overall, and traffic in general, safer, reducing accidents and thus damage to people and / or property.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0012] This shows: Fig. 1: Schematic representation of an intelligent autonomous parking function for an Ego commercial vehicle

[0013] The only Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates an intelligent autonomous parking function for an Ego commercial vehicle, in particular an Ego commercial vehicle trained for automated driving according to SAE Level 3+.

[0014] In step S1, an autonomous parking assistant is activated in the Ego commercial vehicle, particularly when the driver needs a break. Driving time monitoring and / or driver fatigue detection can be used in the Ego commercial vehicle to detect whether the driver needs a break. The driver can also drive to a rest area and park the Ego commercial vehicle behind another commercial vehicle. This parking action can also signal that the driver needs a break.

[0015] In step S2, the Ego commercial vehicle uses environmental sensors to detect its surroundings while parking.

[0016] If the environmental sensors detect in step S3 that the commercial vehicle parked in front is leaving the parking space, then the Ego commercial vehicle can autonomously drive forward to the next parking position. Meanwhile, the driver can remain during their rest period.

[0017] In a typical application, several commercial vehicles can be parked one behind the other in a truck stop or rest area, for example, along a highway. As soon as one of the vehicles, parked in the first position in the direction of travel, starts moving again after a break, the following vehicles, provided they are equipped with the parking function described here, can automatically and autonomously unlock the space, thus freeing up space for newly arriving vehicles. In this way, the FIFO (First In - First Out) principle is implemented for parking commercial vehicles. The parking spaces are filled from the rear, following the direction of travel. This prevents congestion and parking area blockages.

[0018] In one embodiment, if the commercial vehicles are configured for V2X / V2V communication (for example, vehicle to vehicle), the commercial vehicles can be automatically positioned according to their planned departure time. Reference symbol list S1 to S3 step QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 11 441 916 B1

[0004] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / www.scitepress.org / papers / 2014 / 51490 / 51490.pdf

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method for autonomously parking an ego commercial vehicle, wherein an autonomous parking assistant is activated in the ego commercial vehicle when a driver of the ego commercial vehicle needs a break, wherein the ego commercial vehicle uses an environment sensing sensor system to detect its surroundings while parking, wherein when the environment sensing sensor system detects that a vehicle parked in front of the ego commercial vehicle leaves its position, the autonomous parking assistant moves the ego commercial vehicle forward to the vacated position, characterized by that the driver's rest period remains uninterrupted during the reparking process. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that to detect whether the driver needs a break, driving time monitoring and / or fatigue detection is used in the Ego commercial vehicle, or that parking of the Ego commercial vehicle at a rest area is detected. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the Ego commercial vehicle communicates with an infrastructure and / or with other commercial vehicles via V2X / V2V communication to exchange planned departure times and is automatically positioned by the autonomous parking assistant in a row of parked commercial vehicles according to the planned departure time. [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the Ego commercial vehicle is an Ego commercial vehicle trained for automated driving according to SAE Level 3+.

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