Motor vehicle comprising a warning system and method for securing accident sites or breakdown sites

Abstract

In order to provide a motor vehicle with a warning system with which accident or breakdown sites can be secured quickly and reliably, in particular also during semi-autonomous or autonomous driving, a motor vehicle (100) comprising a warning system (10) is proposed, wherein the warning system (10) comprises a flying object (25) arranged in or on the motor vehicle (100), wherein the flying object (25) is designed to set up a warning device or to function as a warning device, wherein the warning system (10) is designed to launch the flying object (25) to secure accident or breakdown sites, wherein it is provided that the warning system (10) is designed such that no vehicle door (12), no tailgate, and no front flap (13) have to be opened to launch the flying object (25).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a warning system, wherein the warning system comprises a flying object arranged in or on the motor vehicle, wherein the flying object is configured to deploy a warning device or to function as a warning device, wherein the warning system is configured to launch the flying object to secure accident or breakdown sites. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for securing accident or breakdown sites using a motor vehicle.

[0002] According to road traffic regulations, accident or breakdown sites must be secured. This can be achieved by setting up a warning triangle at a sufficient distance from the accident or breakdown site. For motor vehicles involved in a serious accident, a corresponding warning triangle must be set up as quickly as possible. The requirement to secure accident or breakdown sites also applies to semi-autonomous or autonomous motor vehicles. In such vehicles, often none of the vehicle occupants is also the driver. Furthermore, the vehicle occupants are usually unaware of the location of the warning triangle in the vehicle.

[0003] In order to ensure, particularly in the case of semi-autonomous or autonomous motor vehicles, that a warning triangle is deployed in the event of an accident or breakdown, it is known to provide flying objects in or on the motor vehicle which independently deploy a warning device, such as a warning triangle.

[0004] DE 10 2017 011 569 A1 discloses a device for issuing a warning in the event of a vehicle breakdown. A breakdown assistance unit is configured as a drone, wherein the drone is networked with the vehicle and comprises a ring buffer for storing vehicle-specific and / or environment-specific data, as well as a computing unit for processing the stored data. The computing unit controls the movement of the drone depending on the data.

[0005] Furthermore, from DE 10 2023 102 522 A1, a vehicle is known, comprising at least one drone platform and one drone arranged therein, a central processing unit and crash sensors, an environment detection sensor system and a wireless communication interface, which are connected to the central processing unit, wherein the drone has at least one camera and is configured to be launched in the event of an accident detected by the crash sensors and to take aerial photographs of the accident scene, wherein the drone further has a lighting device for illuminating the accident scene, wherein the drone further has a wireless communication interface for transmitting the aerial photographs to authorities and / or to an operator of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is further equipped with a safety system and at least one assistance system and / or a prediction unit, wherein the safety system is configured toto trigger a timely launch of the drone if an impending accident has been detected by the assistance system or the prediction unit.

[0006] It is known in the art to transport a drone in a trunk or on a vehicle roof. In the event of an accident, the trunk and any drones mounted therein can be damaged, rendering them unable to fulfill their function of deploying the warning triangle. Furthermore, concepts in which drones are mounted in the trunk or on the roof of the vehicle are not suitable for autonomous driving because the seating configurations eliminate the need for a trunk, and sensors require space on the vehicle roof.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a motor vehicle with a warning system with which accident or breakdown sites can be secured quickly and reliably, in particular during semi-autonomous or autonomous driving.

[0008] To achieve the object underlying the invention, a motor vehicle comprising a warning system is proposed, wherein the warning system comprises a flying object arranged in or on the motor vehicle, wherein the flying object is designed to set up a warning device or to function as a warning device, wherein the warning system is designed to launch the flying object to secure accident sites or breakdown sites, wherein it is further provided that the warning system is designed such that no vehicle door, no tailgate and no front flap have to be opened to launch the flying object.

[0009] According to the invention, it is thus provided that no vehicle door, tailgate, or front hatch need to be opened to launch the flying object. In the event of an accident, vehicle doors, tailgates, and front hatches in particular are at high risk of being damaged and thus cannot be opened. There is then a risk that the flying object will no longer be able to take off in order to fulfill the required securing of the accident site by setting up the warning device or by acting as a warning device. Accordingly, in the present invention, the flying object is arranged on the motor vehicle in such a way that no vehicle door, tailgate, or front hatch of the motor vehicle need to be opened to launch the flying object.

[0010] The motor vehicle is preferably designed as a semi-autonomous or autonomous motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can, in particular, be designed as a so-called "people mover." The motor vehicle can be a battery-electric motor vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the motor vehicle can be equipped with suitable breakdown or accident sensors or crash sensors, the data from which can be used to determine whether an accident or breakdown has occurred. The warning system can also have an electronic processing unit that controls the warning system's functions and, in particular, can be used to launch the flying object.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, it is therefore provided that, optionally using data from breakdown or accident sensors or crash sensors of the motor vehicle, the preferably provided electronic processing unit determines that an accident or breakdown has occurred and instructs the flying object to take off. The flying object then takes off to deploy a warning device at a suitable distance from the motor vehicle or to function as a warning device at a suitable distance.

[0013] Preferably, the warning system is designed such that no trunk lid, no trunk hood, no frunk lid, no frunk hood, no engine compartment lid, no engine compartment hood, and / or no side door has to be opened to launch the flying object.

[0014] A so-called frunk is particularly common in battery-electric vehicles. Since these no longer have an internal combustion engine, in addition to a trunk at the rear, additional storage space can often be provided at the front where the internal combustion engine would otherwise be located. This storage space, which can be closed off via the front flap, is also called a frunk.

[0015] Preferably, the flying object is a drone.

[0016] In principle, however, the flying object can also be designed as any other suitable flying object, for example, a helicopter, in particular a remote-controlled one, a balloon, a glider, or a device comprising a parachute. If the flying object is a balloon, the warning system can comprise a device for filling the balloon with a gas, for example, hydrogen or helium.

[0017] It can be further advantageous for the warning device to be a warning triangle or a warning light.

[0018] Furthermore, it can be provided that the flying object is a side mirror and / or is integrated into a side mirror, wherein the launching of the flying object comprises separating or releasing the side mirror from the motor vehicle.

[0019] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the side mirror of the motor vehicle itself is the flying object. The side mirror or the flying object is then attached to the body or passenger compartment of the motor vehicle via a corresponding mounting device. To launch the flying object, the warning system, preferably the electronic processing unit, is designed to detach or release the side mirror from the motor vehicle by controlling the mounting device. The side mirror preferably comprises the rotors of the flying object, which can be extended from the side mirror if necessary when the latter is detachable.

[0020] It is preferably provided that the warning system comprises a receiving space, wherein the flying object is arranged in the receiving space, and wherein the launching of the flying object comprises releasing the flying object from the receiving space.

[0021] Within the containment chamber, the flying object is protected from environmental influences. The containment chamber is preferably closed and can be opened for launching and releasing the flying object, preferably by the warning system, and more preferably by the electronic processing unit.

[0022] Advantageously, it is provided that the warning system comprises a plurality of flying objects and / or that the warning system comprises a plurality of receiving spaces, wherein a flying object is arranged in each receiving space.

[0023] One advantage of providing multiple aircraft or multiple containment spaces with aircraft arranged within them is that if one aircraft is damaged, or if the circumstances of the accident make it impossible to launch an aircraft, additional aircraft are available to perform their tasks. This provides increased safety and redundancy.

[0024] The above and following statements apply equally to each of the multiple flying objects or to each of the multiple recording rooms. In particular, some or all of the flying objects may be drones.

[0025] Preferably, it can be provided that the receiving space is integrated into the motor vehicle, in particular into the passenger compartment or the body.

[0026] If the receiving compartment is integrated into the passenger compartment, it can be formed from the passenger compartment. The passenger compartment is the most stable area in the vehicle, which is subject to the least deformation in the event of an accident. Accordingly, by arranging the receiving compartment or integrating it into the passenger compartment, increased safety can be provided, ensuring that the aircraft can be launched and fulfill its intended purpose in the event of an accident or breakdown.

[0027] It can be further advantageously provided that the receiving space is formed in a protective container, wherein the protective container is arranged in or on the motor vehicle or is integrated into the motor vehicle.

[0028] The protective container is preferably part of the warning system.

[0029] The protective container can, in particular, be a separate element or component that is mounted on or in the motor vehicle together with the flying object contained therein, or is integrated into the vehicle. The protective container serves to protect the flying object from environmental influences and from damage in the event of an accident.

[0030] Preferably, it can be provided that the protective container is a capsule, and / or that the protective container is designed to be shock-resistant or break-resistant, and / or that the protective container comprises carbon fibers and / or steel and / or composite materials and / or plastic.

[0031] It can also be provided that a shock-absorbing, in particular an elastic and / or plastic, material, preferably a foamed plastic material, is arranged in the receiving space.

[0032] The shock-absorbing material preferably provided within the containment compartment protects the aircraft contained within it from impacts and damage. This ensures that even in the event of a serious accident, the aircraft will survive the accident unscathed and can be released from the protective container or the containment compartment to deploy a warning device, particularly a warning triangle, or to function as such.

[0033] It can further be advantageously provided that the receiving space and / or the protective container is arranged in, or on the passenger compartment side and / or on the body side behind and / or below, an emblem or a towing device or a fuel tank cap and / or loading lid, or that the receiving space and / or the protective container is arranged between an engine compartment hood and a windshield, preferably next to windshield wipers, or below a sill.

[0034] For example, the receiving compartment and / or the protective container can be arranged beneath the front manufacturer's emblem. In the event of an accident, the emblem can be detached. Electrically triggered spring elements or similar devices can be provided for this purpose. With or after the emblem is detached, the receiving compartment and / or the protective container located beneath it on the body side are opened, allowing the flying object to be released from the receiving compartment or the protective container and fulfill its intended purpose.

[0035] In this case, it is particularly preferred that several flying objects are provided, which are arranged in several of the aforementioned or in other areas of the motor vehicle.

[0036] In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the receiving space and / or the protective container is arranged in, or on the passenger compartment side and / or on the body side behind and / or below, a side mirror.

[0037] It can be provided that the warning system is set up to fold or tilt the side mirror to release the flying object from the receiving area, so that the receiving area is opened

[0038] The receiving compartment and / or the protective container can be integrated into the passenger compartment and located below or behind the side mirror. This places the flying object in one of the most stable areas of the vehicle. After folding or, if necessary, detaching the side mirror, the flying object can be released from the receiving compartment. However, it is equally possible for the flying object to be located on the body side, for example, in a vehicle door below or behind the side mirror.

[0039] Advantageously, the motor vehicle can further comprise an environment detection sensor system and a prediction device, wherein the prediction device is configured to determine, using environment data determined by means of the environment detection sensor system, whether an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle will occur and, if an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle will occur, to instruct the warning system to launch the flying object.

[0040] Based on the environmental data acquired by the environment detection sensors, the prediction device evaluates the motor vehicle in relation to its surroundings and the driving behavior of other road users and calculates whether an accident is no longer avoidable. For this purpose, the prediction device can determine the probability of an impending accident, and classify an accident as no longer avoidable if the probability is above a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be between 50% and 100%, preferably between 90% and 100%, or even above 95%.

[0041] If it is determined that an accident or breakdown can no longer be avoided, the flying object is launched by the warning system, in particular by the electronic processing unit.

[0042] This allows the aircraft to be launched preferentially, before the accident or breakdown occurs. This protects the aircraft from damage. It also ensures that the aircraft can take off even in the event of a serious accident. Furthermore, the time until the warning device is deployed, or until the aircraft functions as a warning device, is shortened.

[0043] Furthermore, it can preferably be provided that the flying object is released by the warning system when a vehicle other than the motor vehicle has an accident or a breakdown.

[0044] A further solution to the problem underlying the invention consists in a method for securing accident sites or breakdown sites carried out with a motor vehicle as described above, comprising the steps of determining whether an accident or breakdown will occur or whether an accident or breakdown has occurred, and, if an accident or breakdown will occur or if an accident or breakdown has occurred, launching the flying object by the warning system.

[0045] All of the features, functions and configurations of the motor vehicle explained above can also be applied to the method in an analogous manner.

[0046] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a motor vehicle in a half-section with a warning system, Fig. 2 the motor vehicle in a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a flowchart of a procedure for securing accident or breakdown sites.

[0047] Fig. Figure 1 shows a front view of a motor vehicle 100. The right side of the vehicle is shown in a half-section. Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle 100 in a longitudinal section. The motor vehicle 100 comprises a warning system 10 with flying objects 25 arranged in or on the motor vehicle 100, which are designed as drones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The drones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are configured to deploy a warning device designed as a warning triangle to secure the accident or breakdown scene at a sufficient distance from the motor vehicle 100 in the event of an accident or breakdown of the motor vehicle 100. Therefore, the drones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged on or in the motor vehicle 100 in such a way that no vehicle door 12, no tailgate, no front flap 13 needs to be opened. In particular, no engine compartment hood 13a, no trunk lid, and no side door 12a need to be opened. The warning system 10 comprises an electronic computing unit 14 to control its functionality.

[0048] A first drone 11a is configured as a side mirror 15a of the motor vehicle 100. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the warning system 10, in particular the electronic processing unit 14, instructs the detachment or release of the side mirror 15a. Integrated into the side mirror 15a are rotors of the drone 11a (not shown here), which are then extended.

[0049] The motor vehicle 100 further comprises a receiving space 16a, wherein a second drone 11b is arranged in the receiving space 16a. To launch the second drone 11b, it is released from the receiving space 16a. The receiving space 16a is integrated into the passenger compartment 17 and arranged below or behind the side mirror 15b. In the event of an accident or breakdown, the side mirror 15b is folded, tilted, or blown off at the instruction of the warning system 10, in particular the electronic processing unit 14, so that the receiving space 16a is opened and the drone 11b can leave the receiving space 16a. A shock-absorbing material 18 is also arranged in the receiving space 16a. This protects the drone 11b from damage in the event of an accident.

[0050] A third drone 11c is arranged in the body 19 behind or below the emblem 20. To release and launch the third drone 11c, the emblem 20 is detached. The third drone 11c is arranged in a protective container 21, which is designed as a capsule 22 and forms a receiving space 16b. The protective container 21 or capsule 22 is arranged in a corresponding space below or behind the emblem 20. The capsule 22 or protective container 21 can consist of or comprise carbon fibers. This provides additional protection for the drone 11c.

[0051] A fourth drone 11d is, as particularly in the Fig. 2, is arranged in a further receiving space 16c. The further receiving space 16c is located between the engine compartment hood 13a and the windshield 26, preferably next to windshield wipers 27. To release and launch the fourth drone 11d, the receiving space 16c is opened. The drone 11d can slide or roll up the windshield 26, particularly if the motor vehicle 100 is still moving.

[0052] Furthermore, the motor vehicle 100 comprises an environment detection sensor system 23 and a prediction device 24. The prediction device 24 is configured to determine, using environmental data acquired by the environment detection sensor system 23, whether an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle 100 will occur and, if an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle 100 will occur, to instruct the warning system 10 to launch the drones 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart for a method 200 for securing accident sites or breakdown sites, which is carried out with a motor vehicle 100 according to Fig. 1 can be performed. In a first step S1, it is determined whether an accident or breakdown will occur, or whether an accident or breakdown has occurred. In a second step S2, if an accident or breakdown will occur, or if an accident or breakdown has occurred, the drone 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d is launched by the warning system 10. List of reference symbols 100 motor vehicles 200 procedures 10 Warning system 11a First drone 11b Second drone 11c Third drone 11d Fourth drone 12 vehicle door 12a Side door 13 Front flap 13a Engine compartment hood 14 Electronic computing unit 15a Side mirror 15b Side mirror 16a Recording room 16b Recording room 16c Recording Room 17 Passenger compartment 18 Shock-absorbing material 19 Body 20 Emblem 21 protective containers 22 capsules 23 Environment detection sensors 24 Prediction device 25 flying object 26 Windshield 27 windshield wipers S1 Process step S2 process step QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2017 011 569 A1

[0004] DE 10 2023 102 522 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (100) comprising a warning system (10), wherein the warning system (10) comprises a flying object (25) arranged in or on the motor vehicle (100), wherein the flying object (25) is designed to set up a warning device or to function as a warning device, wherein the warning system (10) is designed to launch the flying object (25) to secure accident sites or breakdown sites, characterized by that the warning system (10) is designed in such a way that no vehicle door (12), no tailgate and no front flap (13) have to be opened to launch the flying object (25). [2] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the warning system (10) is designed such that no trunk lid, no trunk hood, no frunk lid, no frunk hood, no engine compartment lid, no engine compartment hood, and / or no side door (12a) has to be opened to launch the flying object (25). [3] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the flying object (25) is a drone (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), and / or that the warning device is a warning triangle or a warning light. [4] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flying object (25) is a side mirror (15a) and / or is integrated into a side mirror (15a), wherein the launching of the flying object (25) comprises separating or releasing the side mirror (15a) from the motor vehicle. [5] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the warning system (10) comprises a receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein the flying object (25) is arranged in the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c), and wherein the launching of the flying object (25) comprises releasing the flying object (25) from the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c). [6] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the warning system (10) comprises a plurality of flying objects (25), and / or that the warning system (10) comprises a plurality of receiving spaces (16a, 16b, 16c), wherein a flying object (25) is arranged in each receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c). [7] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) is integrated into the motor vehicle, in particular into the passenger compartment (17) or the body (19). [8] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by that the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) is formed in a protective container (21), wherein the protective container (21) is arranged in or on the motor vehicle or is integrated into the motor vehicle. [9] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 8, characterized bythat the protective container (21) is a capsule (22), and / or that the protective container (21) is designed to be shock-resistant or break-resistant, and / or that the protective container (21) consists of carbon fibers and / or steel and / or composite materials and / or plastic. [10] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized by that a shock-absorbing, in particular an elastic and / or plastic, material (18), preferably a foamed plastic material, is arranged in the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c). [11] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized bythat the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) and / or the protective container (21) is arranged in, or on the passenger compartment side and / or on the body side behind and / or below, an emblem (20) or a towing device or a tank cap and / or loading lid, or that the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) and / or the protective container (21) is arranged between an engine compartment hood (13a) and a windscreen (26), preferably next to windscreen wipers (27), or below a sill. [12] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized by that the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) and / or the protective container (21) is arranged in, or on the passenger cell side and / or on the body side behind and / or below, a side mirror (15b). [13] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 12, characterized bythat the warning system (10) is designed to fold or tilt the side mirror (15) in order to release the flying object (25) from the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) so that the receiving space (16a, 16b, 16c) is opened. [14] Motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an environment detection sensor system (23) and a prediction device (24), wherein the prediction device (24) is configured to determine, using environment data determined by means of the environment detection sensor system (23), whether an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle (100) will occur, and, if an accident or a breakdown of the motor vehicle will occur, to instruct the warning system (10) to launch the flying object (25). [15] Method (200) for securing accident sites or breakdown sites, carried out with a motor vehicle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of determining whether an accident or breakdown will occur, or whether an accident or breakdown has occurred, and, if an accident or breakdown will occur or if an accident or breakdown has occurred, launching the flying object (25) by the warning system (10).

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