Method for operating a motor vehicle when passing through a tunnel

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle when passing through a tunnel, wherein - an upcoming tunnel passage is detected on a motor vehicle's route, - when an imminent tunnel passage is detected, a visual and / or acoustic notification is generated for the driver, so that the driver can activate or not activate a first tunnel operating mode (100) or a second tunnel operating mode (101) from at least two available tunnel operating modes (100, 101) of the vehicle, - when the first or second tunnel operating mode (100, 101) is activated, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is automatically changed when passing through the tunnel, and - after passing through the tunnel, the tunnel operating mode (100, 101) is deactivated.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle when passing through a tunnel.

[0002] Typical driving scenarios for a motor vehicle include, in particular, driving through tunnels. Some vehicle occupants enjoy the distinctive soundscape of a vehicle driving through a tunnel. Others, however, find such noise disturbing.

[0003] DE 10 2020 103 163 A1 discloses a method for generating synthetic engine noise, which also takes into account tunnel passages in particular.

[0004] German patent DE 10 2016 012 168 A1 describes a method for operating a vehicle assistance system. Based on image data captured by the vehicle's image acquisition unit, the system detects when the vehicle is entering a tunnel, automatically closing any open windows and automatically activating the recirculation function of the vehicle's interior climate control system. The assistance system can preferably be manually activated and deactivated, allowing the driver to decide whether the vehicle windows should close automatically upon detection of a tunnel entrance and / or whether the recirculation function should be automatically activated.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2022 103 057 B3 discloses a method for providing a noise suppression function in a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: - Recording opening data that describes whether at least one window, convertible top and / or sunroof of a motor vehicle is in a position that is at least partially open; if the opening data was recorded: - Determining noise source data that describe at least one noise source located outside the motor vehicle for a noise in a vehicle interior; and, if the determined noise source data describe a noise whose volume in the vehicle interior is greater than or equal to a specified volume limit: - Activating a noise reduction function in the vehicle interior, by means of which the volume in the vehicle interior is set to a volume level that is lower than the specified volume limit.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a motor vehicle during a tunnel passage which makes it possible to specifically adapt the driving experience of the vehicle occupants during a tunnel passage.

[0007] The solution to this problem is provided by a method for operating a motor vehicle during a tunnel passage with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0008] In an inventive method for operating a motor vehicle during tunnel passage, it is provided that - an upcoming tunnel passage is detected on a motor vehicle's route, - when an imminent tunnel passage is detected, a visual and / or acoustic notification is generated for the driver, so that the driver can activate or not activate a first tunnel operating mode or a second tunnel operating mode from at least two available tunnel operating modes of the vehicle, - when the first or second tunnel operating mode is activated, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is automatically changed when passing through the tunnel, and - after passing through the tunnel, the tunnel operating mode is deactivated, whereby after selecting the first tunnel operating mode in dry weather, the vehicle's side windows are automatically lowered upon entry into or shortly before entering the tunnel, and in cold outside temperatures, the vehicle's air conditioning system is automatically set to a high temperature and / or seat heating is automatically activated.

[0009] The invention advantageously enables a driver of a motor vehicle to select either a preferred tunnel operating mode from at least two available tunnel operating modes, which differ in their characteristics, or none of the available tunnel operating modes, when the motor vehicle approaches a tunnel. This creates the possibility of specifically adapting the driving experience of the vehicle occupants when passing through a tunnel and thus tailoring it to the needs of the vehicle occupants. For tunnel detection, route information and / or signals from a navigation device, in particular GPS signals, can be used in the method presented here. Alternatively or additionally, a camera-based traffic sign recognition system of the motor vehicle can also be used to detect traffic signs indicating an upcoming tunnel passage.

[0010] Furthermore, it is provided that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode in dry weather, the vehicle's side windows will automatically lower upon or shortly before entering the tunnel. In cold outside temperatures, the vehicle's air conditioning system will automatically be set to a high temperature and / or seat heating will be automatically activated. This will intensify the acoustic experience for the vehicle occupants during the tunnel passage.

[0011] In one embodiment, after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, a sport operating mode is activated for the vehicle upon or shortly before entering the tunnel. In this sport mode, for example, the responsiveness of an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, the steering response, and the chassis behavior can be made more sporty. Furthermore, the flaps of a flap exhaust system can be opened to make the acoustic driving experience during tunnel passage more engaging.

[0012] In one embodiment, after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, the vehicle's transmission may downshift at least one gear upon entering or shortly before entering the tunnel. This enhances the acoustic driving experience during tunnel passage. This automatic downshifting of the transmission can also be part of the vehicle's sport operating mode.

[0013] In one embodiment, it is proposed that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, a synthetic noise, in particular a synthetic engine noise, is generated during tunnel passage if the motor vehicle is a battery-electric vehicle.

[0014] In one embodiment, it is provided that, after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, the driver is given a recommendation to stop at a parking space or rest area available before the tunnel in order to open a convertible top before entering the tunnel, if the motor vehicle is a convertible.

[0015] In one embodiment, it is possible that, after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, an acoustic reverberation is synthetically generated when driving through the tunnel based on a current driving profile of the motor vehicle.

[0016] In one embodiment, it is proposed that when the second tunnel operating mode is selected, external noise is actively suppressed while the vehicle is passing through the tunnel. The second tunnel operating mode is thus designed for particularly high acoustic comfort by actively suppressing disturbing external noise during tunnel passage.

[0017] In one embodiment, acoustic sensors are used to detect external noise during tunnel passage, and an inverted acoustic signal is generated which is out of phase with the measured acoustic signal. This allows disruptive external noise to be suppressed very effectively during the vehicle's passage through the tunnel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the deactivation of the tunnel operating mode after passing through a tunnel is suppressed if another tunnel follows shortly after the vehicle exits the first tunnel. This embodiment is particularly advantageous from a comfort perspective, as the selected tunnel operating mode is not alternately activated and deactivated.

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed Fig. 1, which shows the procedural steps of a procedure for operating a motor vehicle during a tunnel passage in a highly simplified schematic form.

[0020] In a first step (S1), an upcoming tunnel passage is detected on the vehicle's route. Route information and / or signals from a navigation device, particularly GPS signals, can be used for this tunnel detection. Alternatively or additionally, a camera-based traffic sign recognition system in the vehicle can be used to detect traffic signs indicating an upcoming tunnel passage.

[0021] When an impending tunnel passage is detected, the next step (S2) is to generate a visual and / or audible notification for the driver inside the vehicle. This notification alerts the driver that a tunnel passage is imminent. The vehicle has a first tunnel operating mode (100) and a second tunnel operating mode (101), which differ from each other and whose characteristics are explained in more detail below. For example, the visual and / or audible notification can be generated for the driver when the vehicle is approximately 500 m before entering the tunnel.

[0022] After the driver has received the visual and / or acoustic notification, he can decide in step S3 whether he wants to activate one of the two available tunnel operating modes 100, 101 by means of a corresponding user input into an input device or not.

[0023] If so, in step S4, depending on the driver's selection, either the first tunnel operating mode 100 or the second tunnel operating mode 101 of the vehicle is activated. The driver's preferred tunnel operating mode 100 or 101 can be saved as a favorite, allowing it to be selected, for example, via a quick-select button or a defined voice command.

[0024] In the first tunnel operating mode 100, for example, the following operating parameters of the vehicle can be changed automatically: - Lowering the vehicle side windows in dry weather, whereby in cold outside temperatures the vehicle's air conditioning system is automatically set to a high temperature and preferably also a seat heater is activated to compensate for the cold outside temperatures, and / or - Activating a sport operating mode of the vehicle, and / or - Downshifting a vehicle transmission by at least one gear to change the operating noise of the engine, provided that the vehicle's drive motor allows it and that this downshifting is safe in the current driving situation.

[0025] The first tunnel operating mode 100 thus provides an overall emotional acoustic driving experience for the vehicle occupants during the tunnel passage.

[0026] If the motor vehicle is a battery-electric vehicle, it is possible that a synthetic sound, in particular a synthetic engine sound, is generated during tunnel passage in the first tunnel operating mode 100. Preferably, the driver can select a preferred synthetic sound from a plurality of available synthetic sounds. This selection can be stored in a memory device for retrieval.

[0027] If the vehicle is a convertible, after selecting the first tunnel operating mode 100, the driver may be advised, particularly via a display device, to stop at a parking area or rest stop available before the tunnel to open the convertible top before entering the tunnel, provided current weather conditions permit. After exiting the tunnel, the user may then be advised, preferably, of another parking area or rest stop along their route where they can close the convertible top.

[0028] If the driving conditions are not optimal to safely activate the operating states of the motor vehicle in the first tunnel operating mode 100, an acoustic reverberation when driving through a tunnel can preferably also be generated synthetically based on the driving profile (speed, gear selection, combustion / electric engine).

[0029] The second tunnel operating mode, 101, aims to minimize noise levels during tunnel passage as much as possible. This mode is designed for vehicle occupants who dislike the acoustics of tunnels and thus increases driving comfort. Acoustic sensors are used to detect external noise during tunnel passage. An inverted acoustic signal, out of phase with the measured acoustic signal, is then generated to actively suppress noise within the vehicle interior, thereby largely eliminating external noise during tunnel passage.

[0030] Upon exiting the tunnel, the vehicle is automatically returned to its normal driving mode in step S5 by deactivating the previously selected tunnel operating mode 100, 101.

[0031] If the vehicle's route includes several tunnels at short distances, for example, approximately 1 km apart, the deactivation of the selected tunnel operating mode 100, 101 in process step S5 may be suppressed until the last tunnel has been traversed. This possible suppression of the deactivation of tunnel operating mode 100, 101 particularly increases the comfort of the vehicle occupants, as it avoids the alternating activation and deactivation of the selected tunnel operating mode 100, 101.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a motor vehicle when passing through a tunnel, wherein - an upcoming tunnel passage is detected on a motor vehicle's route, - when an imminent tunnel passage is detected, a visual and / or acoustic notification is generated for the driver, so that the driver can activate or not activate a first tunnel operating mode (100) or a second tunnel operating mode (101) from at least two available tunnel operating modes (100, 101) of the vehicle, - when the first or second tunnel operating mode (100, 101) is activated, at least one operating parameter of the vehicle is automatically changed when passing through the tunnel, and - after passing through the tunnel, the tunnel operating mode (100, 101) is deactivated, whereby after selecting the first tunnel operating mode (100) in dry weather, the vehicle side windows are automatically lowered upon entry into or shortly before entering the tunnel, and in cold outside temperatures, the vehicle's air conditioning system is automatically set to a high temperature and / or seat heating is automatically activated. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode (100) upon entering or shortly before entering the tunnel, a sport operating mode of the vehicle is activated. [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode (100) upon entering or shortly before entering the tunnel, the vehicle's transmission will be downshifted by at least one gear. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode (100) during tunnel passage a synthetic noise, in particular a synthetic engine noise, is generated if the motor vehicle is a battery electric motor vehicle. [5] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode, the driver will be advised to stop at a parking area or rest area available before the tunnel in order to open a convertible top before entering the tunnel, if the motor vehicle is a convertible. [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, that after selecting the first tunnel operating mode (100), an acoustic reverberation is synthetically generated when driving through the tunnel based on a current driving profile of the motor vehicle. [7] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that after selecting the second tunnel operating mode (101) external noise is actively suppressed during the vehicle's passage through the tunnel. [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by , that acoustic sensors are used to detect external noise during tunnel passage, and an inverted acoustic signal is generated which is out of phase with the measured acoustic signal. [9] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the deactivation of the tunnel operating mode after passing through the tunnel is suppressed if another tunnel follows shortly after leaving the tunnel on the vehicle's route.

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