Method for operating a collision avoidance or collision mitigation system of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system of a vehicle (10), wherein an existing driving space between the vehicle (10) and a potential collision partner (11, 20) is detected and a first warning function and / or information function is activated when a first threshold value (12) is reached. It is proposed that when a second threshold value (13) is reached, a system intervention with autonomous partial braking in combination with at least one further safety measure takes place. Furthermore, the invention relates to a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system for a vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system of a vehicle and to a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system according to the preambles of the independent claim.

[0002] There are many known distance and speed control systems that not only intervene in braking maneuvers in cases of doubt, but can even anticipate rear-end collisions and thus reduce the danger to passengers to a minimum. With this so-called "Collision Mitigation System" (CMS), all necessary countermeasures are automatically initiated before a possible collision with a potential collision partner. The well-known CMS calculates the probability of a collision based on driving conditions, the distance to the vehicle in front, and the relative speed. If necessary, the CMS then intervenes independently to prevent collisions. The time for this system intervention is based on the required target deceleration and the driver's reaction time. Before the system intervenes, the well-known CMS activates a visual and / or acoustic warning function.However, this does not provide any additional safety function for the driver. US 2003 / 0 149 530 A1 discloses a method for operating a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system of a vehicle, wherein an existing driving space between the vehicle and a potential collision partner is detected. Upon reaching a first threshold, a first warning function and / or information function is activated, and upon reaching a second threshold, a system intervention occurs with autonomous partial braking in combination with at least one further safety measure.

[0003] DE 102 58 617 A1 describes the consideration of vehicle speeds with the "relative partial braking deceleration." Adjusting the deceleration as a function of speed is not described.

[0004] For example, patent DE 44 11 184 C2 discloses a controllable belt tensioner as a safety function against a potential collision between a vehicle and a collision partner. This pre-tensioner is designed as a pre-tensioner and is only effective up to a certain pre-tensioning force before the collision. In the event of an actual collision, a second belt tensioner with an increased tensioning force is provided.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a further developed method for operating a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system of a vehicle.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by the feature of the independent claim.

[0007] In the method according to the invention, in which an existing driving space between a vehicle and a potential collision partner is detected and a first warning function and / or information function is activated upon reaching a first threshold value, a system intervention with autonomous partial braking in combination with at least one further safety measure occurs upon reaching a second threshold value. Advantageously, this significantly increases the safety of the collision avoidance system because, in addition to the already known warning functions, partial braking is provided according to the invention before the actual system intervention. At the same time, in a more time-critical situation, the active safety function combined with partial braking provides the driver with an additional warning.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention can be gathered from the description and the further claims. As a first warning function and / or information function, for example, acoustic warning signals (e.g. conspicuous tones / sounds, voice outputs or recommendations for action) or optical warning signals (e.g. light signals) can be issued. Furthermore, visual warning signals are possible, for example optical instructions on the display or representations of the vehicle and the obstacle on the display, or even haptic warning signals, for example vibrations or shaking of the steering wheel. A belt can also be tugged on as a haptic warning signal, which draws the driver's attention particularly urgently to an impending dangerous situation.

[0009] Preferably, an additional safety measure can be implemented as a PRE-SAFE function, for example, in the form of seat belt tensioning. Partial braking and seat belt tensioning not only warn the driver but also reduce crash energy before the driver reacts.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the autonomous braking intervention can be reduced to a value below the target deceleration required to avoid a collision. This has the advantage that the collision avoidance system cannot be misused as a "distance assistant," but rather that a certain level of attention from the driver is required to avoid a potential collision. The partial braking can, for example, amount to approximately 90% of the maximum achievable braking acceleration.

[0011] The maximum braking acceleration is preferably selected depending on the speed.

[0012] At low speeds, a higher limit for braking acceleration can be set than at higher speeds. For example, at a speed of up to about 50 km / h, a braking acceleration of -4 m / s 2 as a limit, at a driving speed of up to 150 km / h a braking acceleration of -3 m / s 2 and at a driving speed of up to 250 km / h a braking acceleration of - 2 m / s 2 .

[0013] The system intervention to avoid a collision or mitigate the consequences of a collision can be designed as autonomous braking intervention and / or autonomous steering intervention, which can be deactivated upon request by a vehicle driver. For example, the system intervention can be deactivated by an emergency braking maneuver initiated by the vehicle driver. It can also be provided that a threshold value calculated from the brake pedal travel and brake pedal speed is set for deactivating the system intervention, for example when at least 50% of the pedal travel is reached. With an improved system, short or rapid braking maneuvers can be intercepted, such as those shortly before an overtaking maneuver when the vehicle driver approaches a vehicle in front and the overtaking lane is not yet clear.System intervention can also be deactivated by acceleration triggered by the vehicle driver and / or high steering dynamics, for example, by sharp or rapid steering angles. When system intervention is deactivated, only the acoustic and / or visual distance warning is provided. The collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system can thus be intuitively deactivated if the driver selects an alternative collision avoidance by accelerating, releasing the brakes, or steering. The coordinated collision warning, which is based on the same criteria in each case, advantageously provides a consistent, uniform system.

[0014] The invention further relates to a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system for a vehicle. As means for detecting an existing driving space between the vehicle and the potential collision partner, the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system according to the invention preferably provides sensors that detect the environment, for example in the form of a radar, a lidar (lidar = light detection and ranging), a video sensor, and / or an ultrasonic sensor. Particularly preferably, the sensors that detect the environment are designed as 77 GHz radar sensors, which can advantageously have a range of between approximately 7 and 150 m with an aperture angle of approximately 9°. In an alternative embodiment, two 24 GHz radar sensors can be provided, each having a range of approximately 0.1 to 30 m with an aperture angle of approximately 45°.Advantageously, the use of this sensor technology with the same sensor configuration achieves higher object quality than with a conventional adaptive cruise control system. While the same objects are advantageously detected, stationary objects can also be taken into account, which are detected too little or too rarely with conventional sensors, or are detected too often or incorrectly. According to the invention, the risk of false triggering or false triggering can be reduced with the specified objective of higher object quality, for example, by also using the driver's reaction to detect a situation.

[0015] With the provided sensors, objects can be reliably detected for a long time, even on winding or multi-lane roads. Due to the tighter lane requirements achieved by the use of these sensors, for example, vehicles merging can be allowed later and vehicles exiting earlier. Furthermore, stationary objects can be advantageously taken into account if they have previously been moving. For example, a stationary vehicle at a traffic light that was continuously detected before stopping can be taken into account, or an immobile object traveling at a speed of less than approximately 72 km / h can be taken into account if it was previously detected particularly reliably by the sensor. Overall, the sensors advantageously enable reliable interpretation and intelligent situation analysis, even in critical scenarios.

[0016] If there is a risk of incorrectly positioned objects or if they are dirty, the reliability of the sensors can reach its limits.

[0017] The environment-detecting sensors provide the necessary information to record the current situation around the vehicle. With the help of the environment-detecting sensors, distance values between the vehicle and obstacles in the vehicle's surroundings are calculated. The relevant potential collision partner is selected and assessed for the current risk of collision based on the "time-to-avoid" and "time-to-brake" criteria. "Time-to-avoid" refers to the period of time remaining for the driver to subsequently avoid a collision with the potential collision partner by evading the vehicle, and "time-to-brake" refers to the period of time remaining for the driver to subsequently avoid a collision with the potential collision partner by braking.Based on these factors, in conjunction with the data recorded by the environmental sensors, a situation assessment can be carried out, which can accurately predict accident-critical situations.

[0018] The collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system according to the invention is preferably activated based on the situation assessment and a driving condition interpretation. Based on the driving condition interpretation, a current driving condition can be detected, for which purpose a distance warning function of a known adaptive cruise control system is used. The adaptive cruise control system uses radar to detect a vehicle ahead and records its distance and speed. As soon as the sensors indicate a clear path, the vehicle automatically accelerates to the cruising speed desired by the driver. This allows the adaptive cruise control system to proactively select the appropriate speed in the traffic flow and adapt it to the respective situation. The adaptive cruise control system can always maintain the appropriate distance from the vehicle ahead.The method according to the invention advantageously activates a safety function in addition to the known adaptive cruise control function. An analytical controller can output a value for the target deceleration required to avoid a collision, which is calculated based on the distance between the vehicle and the potential collision partner and a relative speed. The relative speed is the speed at which the vehicle approaches the potential collision partner.

[0019] Overall, when the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system is activated, a particularly advantageous, graduated safety function is provided, which can be intuitively deactivated depending on the driver's reaction. If the driver brakes independently, a transition preferably occurs to the autonomous braking assistance system further developed according to the invention, which is implemented in conjunction with the additional safety measure, for example, seat belt tensioning.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment described in the drawing. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination, which the person skilled in the art will expediently consider individually and combine to form further meaningful combinations.

[0021] In a schematic representation: Fig. 1 a situation assessment for activation of the method according to the invention for operating a collision avoidance system; Fig. 2 a functional representation of the collision avoidance system.

[0022] Elements that remain the same or essentially the same are numbered with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a situation assessment of the method according to the invention. A vehicle 10 equipped with a collision avoidance system (CMS) according to the invention approaches a potential collision partner, embodied as vehicle 11, from behind. Both vehicles 10 and 11 are located in the same lane 19. Vehicle 10 is moving in approximately the same direction of travel 21 as vehicle 11. The known distance warning system of vehicle 10 indicates, at a time 16, the last possible time for collision avoidance by braking with a braking acceleration of approximately -2 m / s. 2 to.

[0024] A line TTB indicates a last time for initiating a collision-avoiding emergency braking maneuver. The time span from the current time to time TTB thus represents a time period of action (time-to-break) that remains for the driver of vehicle 10 to prevent a collision with vehicle 11 by emergency braking. A line TTA indicates a last time for initiating a collision-avoiding evasive maneuver. The time span from the current time to time TTA thus represents a time period of action (time-to-avoid) that remains for the driver of vehicle 10 to prevent a collision with the potential collision partner 11 by an evasive maneuver. The time TTB occurs before the time TTA when the potential collision partner is traveling at approximately the same speed, i.e., a collision can still be avoided by a later evasive maneuver.If the collision partner is stationary, the opposite situation may apply, meaning that in this situation, time TTA may be before time TTB. This situation is shown in the . Fig. 1 not shown.

[0025] The situation evaluation criterion for the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system according to the invention is the latest possible reaction time 17 of the vehicle driver in order to still be able to avoid a collision, whereby this can be the time TTA or the time TTB depending on the previously described situation.

[0026] The situation assessment is based on input data acquired by environment-sensing sensors 14. Object information is crucial for this, for example, distance values to the potential collision partner 11, relative speed, and acceleration. Data relating to the vehicle's own motion, such as its own speed and acceleration, are also acquired. From this input data, the collision risk is calculated by determining the times TTA and TTB. At the same time, a physically necessary uniform deceleration (a_phys) required to avoid an impact is calculated. According to the invention, the partial braking is performed with a braking acceleration that amounts to a maximum of 90% of the physically necessary uniform deceleration (a_phys), with the maximum limit for the braking acceleration being specified as a function of speed.At low driving speeds, a higher limit for braking acceleration is set than at higher driving speeds. For example, at a driving speed of up to approximately 50 km / h, a braking acceleration of approximately -4 m / s can be achieved. 2 as a limit, at a driving speed of up to 150 km / h a braking acceleration of about -3 m / s 2 and at a driving speed of up to 250 km / h a braking acceleration of about -2 m / s 2 The maximum braking acceleration achievable by partial braking therefore depends on the vehicle's own speed and in any case remains below the uniform deceleration (a_phys) physically necessary to avoid a collision.

[0027] Of course, the braking acceleration is only limited to the extent that the driver does not request a higher deceleration, i.e. the driver can overcome the limitation by actively applying the brakes.

[0028] When a first threshold value 12 defined relative to the reaction time 17 is reached, a first warning function and / or information function is activated. The warning is preferably provided visually and / or acoustically. A haptic warning, for example, in the form of a belt tug, is also possible.

[0029] When a second threshold value 13 defined relative to the reaction time 17, which is closer to the reaction time 17 than the first threshold value 12, is reached, a situation with an acute risk of a rear-end collision is assumed, and a system intervention occurs in the form of autonomous partial braking in combination with another safety measure, such as occupant restraint by belt tensioning. The second threshold value 13, for example, is approximately 1.4 seconds before the latest possible reaction time 17. The first threshold value 12 is at least approximately 1 second, preferably 0.8 seconds, before the second threshold value 13.

[0030] According to the invention, the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system can be deactivated by the vehicle driver. Data inputs must then be available in the form of actuation of driver controls, in particular via the brake and accelerator pedals and the steering wheel, as well as information about the vehicle's own movement (speed and acceleration). The driver deactivation criteria are then determined, whereby the deactivation condition for a steering movement is determined. Furthermore, it is determined whether the vehicle driver brakes less than at the beginning of the warning, or whether the driver accelerates more than at the beginning of the warning, or even whether a "kickdown" has been activated, which can be interpreted as an indication of an emergency situation. The criteria for deactivation are also met if the corresponding function is deactivated in a combination menu.If any of the above criteria are met, a deactivation signal is issued to the driver.

[0031] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic functional representation of the collision avoidance system, wherein a vehicle 10 is on a collision course with a stationary potential collision partner 20. In the Fig. 2 shows the spatial positions of the vehicle 10 equipped with a device according to the invention during normal travel more than 3 seconds before a collision and the vehicle 10' during a "pre-crash phase," i.e., less than approximately one second before the collision. A sequence of normal travel, a warning phase (approximately 2 to 3 seconds before a potential collision, if no system intervention occurs), an assistance phase (approximately 1 to 2 seconds before the collision), and a pre-crash phase (less than 1 second before the collision) is schematically shown. The warning phase serves to avoid an accident, while the measures initiated during the assistance and pre-crash phases serve to reduce the severity of the accident.

[0032] The vehicle 10 comprises means 14 designed as environment-detecting sensors for detecting an existing driving space between the vehicle 10 and the potential collision partner 20. These are in particular two 24 GHz radar sensors and / or one 77 GHz radar sensor.

[0033] When the first threshold value 12 is reached, means 15 for outputting a first warning function and / or information function are activated.

[0034] Based on the sensors that detect the environment, a situation assessment is carried out, the individual criteria of which Fig. 1 to identify situations with an acute risk of rear-end collision.

[0035] In addition, a driving state interpretation is performed, with particular reference to the vehicle's own motion (own speed and acceleration), activation of information and / or warning signals, deactivation signals, object information, and the physically necessary uniform deceleration (a_phys). The driving state interpretation is based on a calculation of whether the vehicle 10 is approaching the collision object 20. In addition, it is determined whether the physically necessary uniform deceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold of, for example, 2.5 m / s. 2exceeds, i.e. is high enough to justify autonomous braking intervention. For smaller values of the necessary deceleration, however, it is assumed that the driver can bring about the deceleration themselves through comfortable braking and that autonomous braking intervention is not desired. In addition, it is ensured that the information and warning signals are activated for a minimum duration, for example 0.8 seconds. Furthermore, a check is carried out to determine whether none of the deactivation conditions are met. If all criteria are met, a signal relating to the driving condition interpretation is output, which indicates whether a driving condition exists for which autonomous braking intervention should be permitted.

[0036] This data is collected by an evaluation unit, which, based on input data on the object information and the vehicle's own motion, uses an analytical controller to calculate the target deceleration required to maintain a distance to the object that depends on the current vehicle speed. The controller outputs the calculated target deceleration as an output signal, which is then limited as described above to prevent misuse of the collision avoidance system as a distance assistant.

[0037] In conjunction with the situation assessment, the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system is then activated. An activation unit is provided for this purpose with inputs for the result of the situation assessment (acute rear-end collision risk), for the limited target deceleration, and for the result of the driving state interpretation. The actual system intervention is activated by the activation unit if the criteria "situation with acute rear-end collision" and "driving state permits autonomous braking intervention" are met and if, in addition, the sensor-detected object is still valid and a valid value for the limited target deceleration is present, namely negative acceleration. An output signal "CMS active" is then output to the collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system according to the invention, thereby activating it.

[0038] When the second threshold value 13 is reached, a system intervention with at least one autonomous partial braking action can be activated. The autonomous partial braking action is advantageously carried out in combination with another safety measure, preferably a safety measure in the form of occupant restraint, such as belt tensioning.

[0039] If the driver is already braking, autonomous partial braking provides support. If the vehicle is lost or the vehicle is uncertain, the warning phase and / or the assistance phase can be skipped.

Claims

[1] Method for operating a collision avoidance or collision consequence mitigation system of a vehicle (10), wherein an existing driving space between the vehicle (10) and a potential collision partner (11, 20) is detected and a first warning function and / or information function is activated when a first threshold value (12) is reached, characterized by that when a second threshold value (13) is reached, a system intervention with autonomous partial braking in combination with at least one further safety measure takes place and that the braking acceleration of the partial braking is limited in amount, that it remains below a speed-dependent predetermined maximum limit and that the maximum acceleration achievable by the partial braking is below the uniform deceleration physically necessary to avoid a collision. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat as a further security measure, the occupant is restrained. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the partial braking is a maximum of 90% of the maximum achievable braking acceleration. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that the maximum braking acceleration is selected depending on the speed. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by that a higher braking acceleration is set at low driving speeds than at higher driving speeds. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the system intervention to avoid collision is designed as an autonomous braking intervention and / or as an autonomous steering intervention, which is deactivated upon request by a vehicle driver. [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by that the system intervention is deactivated by an emergency braking triggered by the vehicle driver. [8] Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that a threshold value calculated from the brake pedal travel and brake pedal speed is set for deactivating the system intervention. [9] Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the system intervention is deactivated by acceleration triggered by the vehicle driver. [10] Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized by that the system intervention is deactivated by high steering dynamics of the vehicle driver.

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