METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle.

[0002] A method for communication between a vehicle user and a vehicle is already known from DE 10 2018 113 140 A1. In this method, input data from the vehicle user is collected and transmitted to a processing unit. The input data is processed and transmitted to the vehicle based on a communication profile specific to the vehicle and the vehicle user. The communication profile comprises at least one vehicle user profile and one vehicle profile. The vehicle user profile preferably includes all characteristics specific to a vehicle user, such as preferred route criteria, preferred climate control, seating, infotainment, and communication settings, as well as other preferences. The method further provides for the control of one or more vehicle components based on the output data.The one or more components of the vehicle may include means for seat adjustment and / or means for providing a massage and / or means for climate control of the vehicle and / or means for interior lighting and / or means for setting fragrance options and / or means for recording and / or playing back audio.

[0003] Furthermore, a method for the individual configuration of a motor vehicle's driving behavior is known from DE 10 2018 212 298 A1. This method provides a plurality of driving modes, each specifying a configuration of vehicle parameters such that several vehicle parameters are assigned a value for each driving mode. The vehicle parameters, together with their values, influence the vehicle's driving behavior. Any parameters relating to a vehicle specification are configurable and can therefore be applied individually. The vehicle parameters can include not only driving parameters but also comfort functions. For example, a driving mode can specify a particular setting for the air conditioning system.

[0004] DE 10 2013 005 085 A1 discloses a method for adjusting the ambient lighting systems of a motor vehicle, wherein the ambient lighting system settings are recorded and stored based on the respective usage situation. The usage-situation-dependent settings of the ambient lighting systems can be established simply by actuating a switching unit, for example, by pressing a switch. Furthermore, several different usage situations are defined in which the ambient lighting systems are set differently.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2018 207 849 A1 discloses a system for controlling output units in a vehicle, whereby a user can create a control profile in which preferred settings for the vehicle ambience are defined. The output unit can, for example, include a fragrance system for releasing scents into the vehicle interior.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables particularly simple and targeted adjustment of comfort functions of a motor vehicle.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0008] The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle in which a user input is received by means of an operating device, which characterizes the selection of an ambient mode to be set from several predefined ambient modes. The method further provides that a control unit triggers the setting of a set of settings represented by the selected ambient mode in vehicle components of the motor vehicle, each of which provides a comfort function and is to be set according to the selected ambient mode. This means that the motor vehicle comprises the operating device, the control unit, and the several vehicle components by means of which the method can be carried out.Each predefined ambient mode allows for the definition of specific macro commands, with each macro command representing the associated set of predefined settings for the respective vehicle components. Thus, for every comfort function defined by the selected ambient mode, a corresponding setting is defined by that mode. This method enables the targeted, simultaneous adjustment of multiple comfort functions by selecting the ambient mode from the available predefined options. As a result, a single user can easily configure and adjust a large number of different vehicle components, each providing a specific comfort function, with minimal user input.The described procedure allows the settings of vehicle components represented by the respective ambient modes to be adjusted together by selecting one of the ambient modes.

[0009] In contrast, DE 10 2018 113 140 A1 provides that, based on the input data, which may contain natural language instructions, output data is determined according to the vehicle user profile, and that individual comfort functions can be controlled based on this output data. It does not provide for predefined ambient modes that specify a set of settings for vehicle components. Furthermore, DE 10 2018 212 298 A1 discloses predefined driving modes, depending on which an air conditioning system can be throttled. This thus reveals a method in which a driving mode is selected and the air conditioning system is adjusted accordingly.The ability to adjust several vehicle components providing individual comfort functions independently of a driving mode, thereby making it particularly easy for the person to adjust the comfort functions simultaneously, is not apparent from the cited state of the art.

[0010] Furthermore, depending on the selected ambient mode, the control unit selects and sets a driving mode from several predefined modes, which then specifies a set of settings for the respective vehicle components that provide a driving function. This means that the driving mode set in the vehicle follows the selected ambient mode. The control unit may contain an assignment rule that specifies which predefined driving mode is to be set for the selected ambient mode. A person can thus select the ambient mode via the control device, whereby the driving behavior specified by the vehicle components providing the driving function is adapted to the selected ambient mode.This allows the comfort functions defined by the selected ambient mode to be aligned with the vehicle's driving behavior defined by the driving mode, with the driving behavior being determined by the selected ambient mode. In a further embodiment of the invention, the selected ambient mode is set independently of any previously set driving mode by means of the control unit. This means that the driving mode already set in the vehicle has no influence on the settings to be adjusted in the vehicle components depending on the selected ambient mode. The comfort functions can thus be controlled by a person separately from the driving mode via the selected ambient mode.This allows the driving behavior, which depends on the selected driving mode, and the respective comfort functions, which depend on the selected ambient mode, to be particularly well adapted to the wishes of the person, especially the vehicle occupants.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, user input is received by means of a control device designed as a rotary controller. This control device comprises a screen assembly, a ring element surrounding the screen assembly, and a base element relative to which the ring element is rotatable about the axis of rotation. By rotating the ring element between predefined positions about the axis of rotation, the control device can receive user input, which characterizes the selection of the ambient mode from among several predefined ambient modes. Alternatively or additionally, the screen assembly can have a touch-sensitive surface, which allows user input to be detected when the user touches the touch-sensitive surface.The control device thus comprises very few elements and, moreover, allows the user to select the ambient mode from the several predefined modes and to predefine the various settings for the vehicle components defined by the selected ambient mode. This enables particularly simple and, thanks to the rotary control, intuitive adjustment of the comfort functions.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the control unit triggers an output device to display the selected ambient mode. The output device can be the screen of the control unit or a display in the vehicle interior. Information characterizing the selected ambient mode can be displayed visually and / or audibly via the output device. Thus, the output device makes it particularly easy to inform the person, and in particular at least one occupant of the vehicle, about the selected and set ambient mode.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that, depending on at least one additional user input, at least one setting of at least one vehicle component characterized by the selected ambient mode is adjusted. Through this at least one additional user input, the user can thus individually adjust and personalize at least one setting of the at least one vehicle component for the selected ambient mode. The method thus enables the user to trigger the adjustment of the predefined set of settings in the vehicle components characterized by the selected ambient mode by selecting the ambient mode via the first user input, and furthermore, to adjust at least one of the settings of at least one of the vehicle components via the at least one additional, second user input.This allows for particularly easy adjustment of the respective settings of the vehicle components to the individual's needs. A rough pre-setting of the vehicle components characterized by the selected ambient mode can thus be made via the selected ambient mode, whereby at least one second user input can trigger a fine-tuning of at least one of the vehicle components.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a calming ambient mode, an activating ambient mode, an uplifting ambient mode, and / or a focusing ambient mode are provided as predefined ambient modes for selection. Thus, the user can select an ambient mode for the vehicle from these options via user input. The user can select the ambient mode based on their current mood or desired mood.These ambient modes, designed for different moods, allow the driver to easily adjust comfort functions to their current or desired mood simply by selecting the appropriate mode. The vehicle settings defined by these modes can be designed to support the driver's current mood or to evoke and enhance the desired mood represented by the selected mode. Offering multiple ambient modes, each representing a different mood, enables quick and easy adjustment of vehicle functions to suit various moods within the vehicle's interior, thanks to the ability to configure the vehicle components associated with each mode simultaneously.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the selected ambient mode predefines the settings of several comfort functions of the vehicle, including ambient light color, ambient light source, ambient light intensity, ambient light rhythm, layout of a freely combinable instrument cluster or layout of a head-up display, layout of a human-machine interface display, sound profile, sound balance, volume, audio playlist, system sound, transmission sound and thus a shift sound, road noise cancellation, climate control, ventilation direction, seat backrest tilt, seat heating, seat ventilation, massage recommendation, audio playback from a vehicle seat, room fragrance, and oxygen level. In particular, it is provided that the selected ambient mode predefines the settings of at least two or more of the aforementioned comfort functions.Additional comfort functions, not explicitly listed, can also be adjusted depending on the selected ambient mode. Selecting the ambient mode allows for the simultaneous adjustment of numerous comfort functions, particularly those characteristic of that mode. In this way, the various comfort functions of the selected ambient mode can be adjusted, at least to a significant extent, simultaneously. This enables a targeted and, in particular, rapid creation of the desired atmosphere within the vehicle's interior, as defined by the selected ambient mode.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the selected driving mode predefines specific settings for several driving functions of the vehicle, including adaptive chassis control, steering response, engine, adaptive cruise control, and dynamic cornering lights. Adaptive chassis control can also be referred to as Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). Adaptive cruise control can also be referred to as distance control and adaptive cruise control (ACC). The selected driving mode thus defines the driving behavior of the vehicle. Grouping the respective driving functions within the predefined driving mode allows for particularly easy assignment of the driving functions associated with the selected driving mode, which trigger a specific driving behavior, via the assignment rule to the predefined ambient modes.This allows the vehicle's driving behavior to be adjusted particularly easily and quickly, depending on the selected ambient mode, by choosing the driving mode. Individual assignment of the respective driving functions to the predefined ambient modes is therefore unnecessary.

[0017] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising an operating device, a control unit, and several vehicle components adjustable by the control unit. The motor vehicle is configured to be operated in a manner already described in connection with the method according to the invention. The operating device is configured to receive user input characterizing the selection of an ambient mode to be set from several predefined ambient modes. The control unit is configured to trigger the setting of a set of settings represented by the selected ambient mode in vehicle components of the motor vehicle, each of which provides a comfort function and is defined by the selected ambient mode.The vehicle components are, in turn, configured to be controlled by the control unit, thereby allowing the settings for the vehicle components, as determined by the selected ambient mode, to be adjusted within the vehicle components themselves. The vehicle enables a person to easily select a desired atmosphere influenced by comfort functions based on the predefined ambient modes, whereby the respective vehicle components can be adjusted particularly quickly by means of the control unit, depending on the selected ambient mode. Advantages and advantageous developments of the method according to the invention are to be considered advantages and advantageous developments of the vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0018] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0019] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a process diagram for a method for operating a motor vehicle in which, in a first step, an ambient mode to be set is selected, in a second step the selected ambient mode is set in the motor vehicle, and in a third, optional step a driving mode is set depending on the selected ambient mode; and Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a motor vehicle cockpit with a control device by which the ambient mode to be set can be selected, wherein the selected ambient mode is set in the cockpit.

[0020] In Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a process diagram for a method for operating a motor vehicle, in this case a motor vehicle 10, in particular a passenger car. The method enables the adjustment of several vehicle components 12 of the motor vehicle 10 together via a control device 14. A cockpit in a vehicle interior 16 of the motor vehicle 10, which is located in the Fig. 1 The methods described can be operated in Fig. 2 shown. As in Fig. 2As can be identified, the motor vehicle 10 comprises several vehicle components 12, each of which is configured to provide a comfort function for the occupants of the motor vehicle 10. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 comprises the control device 14, which in this case is designed as a rotary controller and has a screen unit 20 circumferentially surrounded by a ring element 18, the ring element 18 itself, and a base element 22. The ring element 18 can be arranged in different rotational positions relative to the base element 22 about a rotational axis. User input can be received by the control device 14 via the respective rotational positions of the ring element 18 about the rotational axis relative to the base element 22 and / or via contact between a person and a touch-sensitive surface of the screen unit 20.As an alternative to using the rotary control as the operating device 14, a human-machine interface 30 can be provided in the vehicle interior 16, by means of which user input can be received. The human-machine interface 30 can, in particular, be provided by an additional screen device, especially one with a touch-sensitive surface.

[0021] At the in Fig. 1 The method shown for operating the motor vehicle provides that, in a first process step V1, a user input is received via the operating device 14, which characterizes the selection of an ambient mode to be set from several predefined ambient modes. In particular, the several predefined ambient modes can be stored in an electronic computing unit of the motor vehicle 10 and made available for selection. A [missing text] Fig. 2Different configurations of the operating device 14 shown are also possible. The user input received by the operating device 14 can be made available to the electronic computer of the vehicle 10. Using an assignment rule, the electronic computer of the vehicle 10 can determine, depending on the user input received, the ambient mode to be selected from the several predefined ambient modes, as characterized by the user input. Each of the ambient modes stored in the electronic computer can specify a set of settings for the respective vehicle components 12 of the vehicle 10 that provide a respective comfort function and are assigned to the respective predefined ambient mode.

[0022] The selected ambient mode, determined based on the received user input, can be provided by the electronic computing unit to a control unit 24 of the motor vehicle 10, which is schematically marked with a box. The control unit 24 triggers the setting of the set of settings represented by the selected ambient mode in the respective vehicle components 12, each providing a comfort function, as specified by the selected ambient mode. By selecting the ambient mode from the several predefined ambient modes, all settings of the set of settings represented by the selected ambient mode can thus be specified for the vehicle components 12, each providing a comfort function, and the setting of this set of settings can therefore be triggered by the user input.The method thus makes it possible to easily adjust a particularly large number of vehicle components 12, in particular the vehicle components 12 that each provide at least one comfort function and are assigned to the selected ambient mode, depending on the selected ambient mode, by means of user input.

[0023] The procedure provides that the comfort functions of the vehicle components 12, characterized by the selected ambient mode, are set solely in relation to the selected ambient mode and thus, at least essentially, independently of any driving mode already set in the vehicle 10. In an optional third procedure step V3, a driving mode can be selected and set from several predefined driving modes using the control unit 24, depending on the selected ambient mode. Each driving mode specifies a set of settings for the respective vehicle components that provide a driving function. The selected driving mode can thus specify the respective settings for several driving functions of the vehicle 10, including adaptive chassis control, steering behavior, engine, adaptive cruise control, and dynamic cornering lights.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, in the third, optional process step V3, it may be provided that, depending on a further user input received via the operating device 14, at least one setting of at least one of the vehicle components 12 characterized by the selected ambient mode is individually adjusted by means of the control unit 24. Thus, it may be provided that, depending on the at least one further user input, the at least one setting of the at least one vehicle component 12 characterized by the selected ambient mode is adjusted. The respective comfort functions provided by the vehicle components 12 can thus be individually adjusted and therefore individualized by means of the at least one further user input.

[0025] To make it particularly easy for vehicle occupants to identify the selected and set ambient mode, the control unit 24 can be used to trigger a display of the set ambient mode via an output device. This output device can be the screen device 20 of the operating device 14. Alternatively or additionally, the set or selected ambient mode can be displayed by means of a display located in the vehicle interior 16 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0026] As in Fig. 2The vehicle components 12, which can be identified, may in particular be a lighting device 26, an instrument cluster 28, or a human-machine interface 30. As a comfort function, the lighting device 26 can provide ambient lighting, whereby the selected ambient mode may specify an ambient light color and / or an ambient light source and / or an ambient light intensity and / or an ambient light rhythm. As a comfort function, the freely programmable instrument cluster 28 can provide a display representing information, the layout of which may be set depending on the selected ambient mode. The human-machine interface 30 can provide a display representing information as a comfort function, whereby the layout of the human-machine interface 30 display may be specified depending on the selected ambient mode.The selected ambient mode can alternatively or additionally specify a particular setting for a head-up display layout, sound profile, sound balance, volume, audio playlist, system sound, transmission sound, road noise cancellation, climate control, ventilation direction, seat backrest tilt, seat heating, seat ventilation, massage recommendation, audio playback from a vehicle seat, room fragrance and / or oxygen level.

[0027] Specifically, the system may offer a choice of a calming ambient mode, an energizing ambient mode, an uplifting ambient mode, and / or a focusing ambient mode. The calming ambient mode may be particularly suitable for long journeys or to allow for a breather on the commute home from work. The energizing ambient mode may be particularly suitable for short trips, such as commuting to work or going to the gym. The uplifting ambient mode may be particularly suitable for family outings and trips with friends to events. The focusing ambient mode may be particularly suitable for nighttime driving or journeys requiring increased concentration.

[0028] Comfort functions and non-driving functions can be assigned to a character in their settings and grouped into corresponding macro commands within the predefined ambient modes, each representing a specific character. This eliminates the need to individually adjust each comfort function or non-driving function. This method allows the ambient mode and driving mode to be set independently in vehicle 10. Reference symbol list

[0029] 10 Motor vehicle 12 Vehicle component 14 Control device 16 Vehicle interior 18 Ring element 20 Screen unit 22 Base element 24 Control unit 26 Lighting unit 28 Freely programmable instrument cluster 30 Human-machine interface V1 to V3 respective process steps

Claims

1. Method for operating a motor vehicle (10), in which method a user input is received (V1) by means of an operator control apparatus (14), which user input characterizes a selection of an ambience mode to be set from a plurality of predetermined ambience modes, and in which method setting of a group of settings represented by the selected ambience mode is triggered (V2), by means of a control device (24), in vehicle components (12) of the motor vehicle (10) that are specified by the selected ambience mode, are to be set, and each provide a comfort function, characterized in that, on the basis of the selected ambience mode and by means of the control device (24), a driving mode is selected from a plurality of predetermined driving modes and set, which driving mode specifies a group of settings for relevant vehicle components that provide a driving function.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the selected ambience mode is set by means of the control device (24) independently of an already set driving mode.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user input is received by means of an operator control apparatus (14) in the form of a rotary actuator, having a screen device (20), a ring element (18) annularly surrounding the screen device (20), and a base element (22) relative to which the ring element (18) is rotatable about an axis of rotation.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein displaying the set ambience mode via an output device is triggered by means of the control device (24).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one setting for at least one vehicle component (12) characterized by the selected ambience mode is adjusted on the basis of at least one further user input.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a relaxing ambience mode and / or an energizing ambience mode and / or a cheerful ambience mode and / or a focusing ambience mode are provided for the selection as predetermined ambience modes.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the selected ambience mode specifies respective settings for a plurality of comfort functions of the motor vehicle (10) from - ambience light color - ambience light source - ambience light intensity - ambience light rhythm - layout of a freely programmable instrument cluster (28) or a head-up display - layout of a display of a human-machine interface (30) - sound profile - sound balance - volume - audio playlist - system sound - transmission sound - road noise cancellations - climate control - ventilation direction - seat backrest angle - seat heating - seat ventilation - massage recommendation - audio playback from a vehicle seat - aroma - oxygen content.

8. Method according to claim 1 or according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the selected driving mode specifies respective settings for a plurality of driving functions of the motor vehicle (10) from - adaptive chassis control - steering behavior - engine - adaptive cruise control - dynamic cornering light.

9. Motor vehicle (10), having an operator control apparatus (14) configured to receive a user input which characterizes a selection of an ambience mode to be set from a plurality of predetermined ambience modes, having a control device (24) configured to trigger, in vehicle components (12) of the motor vehicle (10) that are specified by the selected ambience mode, are to be set and each provide a comfort function, setting of a group of settings represented by the selected ambience mode, and having a plurality of vehicle components (12) which can be set by the control device (24), wherein the motor vehicle (10) is configured to be operated in a method according to any of the preceding claims.