VEHICLE IN THE TYPE OF A MOTORHOME OR CARAVAN

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle of the type of a motorhome or caravan.

[0002] Such vehicles are known from the prior art. They are used particularly for holiday purposes and have a living area that usually provides sleeping and seating facilities as well as a cooking area.

[0003] They can now have a variety of electrical or hydraulic components that can be manually controlled. These include, for example, hydraulic support systems, slide-out boxes, lighting systems, and air conditioning systems.

[0004] Document DE 10 2021 103 399 A1 describes a camping vehicle which has a climate control system that works on the basis of sensors that detect persons in the vehicle.

[0005] Document DE 20 2018 006 636 U1 discloses a system for recording the weight characteristics of a vehicle. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle and a method for its use which enables comfortable and functionally advantageous handling with regard to the control of the components.

[0007] To solve this problem, a personal data collection device and a vehicle in the form of a motorhome or caravan with a living area are proposed, which has such a personal data collection device.

[0008] The living area of ​​a vehicle of this type is equipped for human habitation and typically includes beds, seating, and a cooking area. Depending on the vehicle's features, the living area may also contain various storage compartments and sanitary facilities.

[0009] The person detection device according to the invention comprises an evaluation unit, typically in the form of a central computer. Preferably, this evaluation unit is equipped with a screen located in the vehicle's interior, as well as operating elements and / or with an interaction capability via a mobile device such as a smartphone, in order to monitor and influence the function of the evaluation unit. In addition to the evaluation and control functionality described in detail below, the evaluation unit can perform other functions, in particular the control of a hydraulic system of the vehicle.

[0010] According to the invention, the evaluation unit is connected to non-optical sensors that detect forces or pressures directly or indirectly. The sensors are arranged and designed such that characteristic sensor data relating to the presence of persons in the vehicle are recorded, in particular characteristic sensor data depending on where in the passenger compartment persons are present.

[0011] The evaluation unit records this sensor data and uses it to infer the presence of people and their position within the vehicle. The resulting information about people and their specific location within the vehicle's interior is used by the evaluation unit to control the functions of vehicle components, or to selectively restrict or enable the use of certain components.

[0012] According to the invention, sensors are used for person detection which are designed to detect the force acting on at least one extendable support.

[0013] In particular, two types of sensors are considered especially advantageous in the context of a person detection device according to the invention.

[0014] In particular, a sensor designed as a pressure sensor can be used to detect the pressure of hydraulic fluid in a vehicle's hydraulic system. Such a pressure sensor is especially useful when the vehicle's hydraulic system has multiple hydraulically extendable supports. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid in these supports is influenced by the load acting upon them, including the portion of the load attributable to occupants in the vehicle.

[0015] In total, a vehicle according to the invention has at least three and preferably a maximum of six such supports. A design with four such hydraulically extendable supports is particularly advantageous, two of which are provided at the front and two at the rear of the vehicle.

[0016] Preferably, the extendable supports have at least three telescopic elements that are movable relative to each other. In such supports, at least two telescopic elements are extended by the hydraulic fluid pressure, with each telescopic element having a different effective pressure-bearing area upon which the hydraulic pressure acts. The reduced effective area of ​​the second telescopic element means that the weight of people inside the living space results in comparatively large pressure changes in the hydraulic fluid. This simplifies detection by the pressure sensors.

[0017] The aforementioned at least one hydraulic pressure sensor is capable of detecting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the at least one support leg. Preferably, each hydraulic support leg has its own pressure sensor. The at least one pressure sensor detects the load resting on the respective support leg, which is primarily caused by the vehicle itself. Additionally, the applied pressure changes depending on the vehicle load and, in particular, on the number of people in the vehicle. These pressure changes thus allow conclusions to be drawn about the presence of people. By comparing the pressure changes at different hydraulic supports, people can be located. For example, if the pressure increases primarily at the rear supports, this can indicate the presence of people in the rear area.If the pressure on the rear hydraulic supports decreases and increases correspondingly on the front hydraulic supports, it can be concluded that one or more people are moving inside the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle.

[0018] Pressure can be measured directly at the hydraulic cylinders of the supports themselves. However, it is preferable to have the sensors located in a central hydraulic unit, designed as a central module, which includes a hydraulic pump and control valves, as well as at least one and preferably at least three pressure sensors. While the pressure measured here is not necessarily identical to the pressure directly at the hydraulic cylinders of the supports, it is in a defined ratio to them, allowing the desired conclusions regarding the presence of people to be drawn.

[0019] The pressure sensors mentioned above are used to detect the force acting on the supports. However, in addition to hydraulic pressure sensors, other sensors can also be used for this purpose, such as force sensors mounted directly on the supports or strain sensors, which also provide sensor data depending on the forces acting on the supports. Such sensors can also be used with non-hydraulic support systems, for example, electrically operated ones.

[0020] It is not absolutely necessary to measure the forces or pressures acting on all supports. In particular, if the floor sensors explained later are used, sensors for measuring the forces on the supports can be omitted.

[0021] However, if the vehicle has extendable supports, it is considered advantageous if at least one support, located in the area of ​​a passageway with an entrance door, is monitored by a sensor of the type described above to determine the force acting upon it. The sensor on this support in the area of ​​the passageway offers particular advantages in determining whether a person is leaving or entering the vehicle. As described below, various functions controlled by the evaluation unit are expediently linked to whether persons are leaving or entering the vehicle.

[0022] In order for the sensor assigned to the corresponding support to provide sufficient usable sensor data, it is advantageous if the corresponding support is no more than 1 m away from the passage opening with respect to a horizontal plane, and preferably no more than 60 cm.

[0023] The second sensor type, which is considered particularly advantageous in the context of a person detection device according to the invention, is a sensor type for detecting the forces acting directly on the vehicle floor. Preferably, a plurality of such sensors is provided, in particular preferably between three and ten. The corresponding sensors are mounted in the area of ​​the floor. In particular, they can be provided on the underside of a floor or, in the case of a multi-layered floor, on the underside of an upper layer of the floor or within a floor panel.

[0024] In this case, a particularly advantageous choice of measuring principle is the use of strain sensors, especially strain gauges. These strain sensors can be attached to the underside of the floor or to its upper layer, for example by adhesive. When people or other dynamic loads act on the floor from above, deflections occur, resulting in easily detectable strains on the underside of the floor or its upper layer.

[0025] Alternatively, pressure sensors can also be provided in the area of ​​the floor, for example capacitive pressure sensors that are installed on or in the floor.

[0026] Preferably, the floor in the living area has a sandwich structure with two flat horizontal layers. The space between the layers can accommodate not only other supply and data lines but also sensors for measuring floor load.

[0027] A person detection device according to the invention is preferably retrofittable to existing vehicles. In particular, it is advantageous to use easily installed pressure, force, or strain sensors, which are simply attached to the underside of the floor and then connected to the evaluation unit via a cable or wireless connection.

[0028] Besides such an easily retrofittable solution, it can also be advantageous to provide the person detection device as an integral component from the outset in a vehicle of the type described. In such a case, it is considered desirable for the at least one sensor to be located within a floor panel, for example, by placing it in the core of the floor panel during its manufacture from the base material, or by creating recesses in the floor panel, for example, by milling them, into which the sensor is inserted.

[0029] As previously described, a plurality of floor-mounted sensors are preferably provided. These sensors are preferably located only in walkable areas. The average distance between adjacent sensors is preferably between 20 cm and 100 cm, and more preferably between 30 cm and 80 cm. If larger open spaces are present in the living space, the sensors are preferably arranged in a grid pattern. If the living space has narrow open areas, the sensors are preferably arranged in a row with the aforementioned spacing.

[0030] The evaluation unit uses sensors to detect where increased weight forces are acting on the floor. Locating people is typically more accurate with this method than with the system described above, which analyzes forces or pressures acting on the supports. In particular, both sensor types can be combined to achieve exceptionally good person detection and eliminate interfering factors.

[0031] As described at the outset, the evaluation unit analyzes the sensor data from the sensors described in order to generate various pieces of information, such as whether a person is in the vehicle's interior and / or where within the interior a person is located. This information triggers reactions in vehicle components or is used to subsequently influence, restrict, or enable the use of various vehicle components. The method of analysis for generating this information and the subsequent use of the information also constitute an aspect of the invention described herein.

[0032] The information determined by the evaluation unit based on sensor data can primarily include whether a person is currently inside the vehicle. This information is relatively easy to obtain by detecting changes in the sensor data. A constant and unchanged load, detected by floor-side or column-side sensors, is not interpreted by the evaluation unit as a person, but is presumably caused by the vehicle and its load. Such a load can be detected through a calibration process after the vehicle has been parked and possibly after the occupants have been asked to briefly leave the vehicle for calibration purposes. Sensor data from the sensors that register when no one is present can then be recorded. This data can be used as reference data in further analysis.

[0033] Person-related sensor data is characterized by its constant changes when a person enters or exits the vehicle, or moves within it. The relatively dynamic change in load on the floor-mounted sensors or the sensors on the supports detects that at least one person, or several people, are inside the vehicle. The sensors allow for the determination of the person's location, with the floor-mounted sensors in particular enabling quite direct and accurate inferences about their position.

[0034] Components controlled based on the evaluation can include, in particular, interior lighting fixtures, which are typically activated and deactivated using switches. However, such lighting can also be controlled by the evaluation unit, either directly or indirectly. For example, the light can be activated when a person or a change in their location is detected. Activation can also be time-dependent and / or dependent on external light conditions, so that a light is only activated at night or in darkness when movement is detected, or the light is activated at night with a low brightness to serve as a night light for orientation.It is also possible to configure the evaluation unit so that the light source is deactivated in the absence of persons and / or in the case of a person remaining stationary for a longer period of time, whereby it can also be included in the evaluation whether the vehicle is locked.

[0035] Another component, preferably provided in a vehicle according to the invention and coupled to the evaluation unit, is a heating and / or air conditioning system. This system can also be activated, deactivated, or its output regulated as a whole when no persons are present in the living area, when persons enter, or when a situation of prolonged occupancy is detected. In particular, the heating and / or air conditioning system can be designed to selectively climate-control different zones of the vehicle to varying degrees, depending on the position of the persons in the vehicle. For example, it is particularly advantageous to provide more intensive climate control in a sleeping zone of the vehicle at night, while the heating and / or air conditioning system provides no or less intensive climate control in at least one other zone.

[0036] As already explained, the vehicle preferably has extendable outriggers. These can provide sensors for the occupant detection system via the hydraulic pressure applied there. However, independent of such sensors, the outriggers can also be vehicle components that operate in a specific way in response to the presence or absence of people, or that specifically prevent certain actions. For example, it is advantageous if the evaluation unit is designed to extend the outriggers slightly further when people enter the vehicle to provide increased stability. Conversely, if no one is present, it may be useful to lower the outriggers slightly to reduce the vehicle's wind resistance in the event of external influences such as strong winds.

[0037] Another way the evaluation unit can influence the support system is to only allow manually initiated retraction of the supports when no one is present inside the living space. Therefore, if the retraction of the supports is triggered manually via controls, such as a smartphone, the presence of people inside the living space will result in a warning (which can be ignored) or, alternatively, in the support system being completely prevented. The extension of the supports can also be limited accordingly.

[0038] Preferably, a vehicle according to the invention has a hydraulically extendable slide-out box. Such a slide-out box typically has a front wall and four side walls. The front wall forms a movable section of an exterior wall of the vehicle that defines the interior space, and in particular, an exterior wall that defines a living or sleeping area. This slide-out box is provided in a recess of a fixed section of said exterior wall. The slide-out box can be moved between a stowed position and a usable position by means of a preferably hydraulic extension system. In the stowed position, the front wall forms a flush section of the exterior wall. In the usable position, the front wall is extended in one direction, thus increasing the interior space.The side walls, which were previously located in the interior, are at least partially part of the outer wall in the usable position.

[0039] In the case of a vehicle according to the invention, the extension and retraction of such a slide-out box is preferably linked to the evaluation unit and the information it determines regarding the presence of persons. In particular, it can be provided that extension and retraction, or alternatively only extension, is only possible if the evaluation unit determines, based on sensor data, that no person is present in the living area. If the person detection device has floor-mounted sensors, retraction can also be made dependent on the detection of any non-vehicle-fixed loads on the floor in that area of ​​the interior with which the slide-out box could collide during retraction.In addition to preventing the slide-out box from extending or retracting, the evaluation unit can also be designed to interrupt a movement of the slide-out box that has already begun if the sensors detect that a person has entered a collision-prone area.

[0040] Another vehicle component that can be controlled via the evaluation unit of the occupant detection system is an alarm system. Such an alarm system may include additional sensors, particularly optical and acoustic sensors for monitoring the interior. The evaluation unit can be configured to activate the alarm system, or the alarm function integrated into the evaluation unit if applicable, when all occupants have left the vehicle interior and the vehicle has been locked. In addition to the aforementioned sensors specifically designed for this purpose, the alarm function may also utilize the sensors of the occupant detection system to reliably identify an alarm situation.

[0041] In addition to the aforementioned components that are affected by the evaluation unit's data, other components or electrical consumers in the vehicle can also be controlled in response to the evaluation. For example, electrical consumers can be deactivated when no one is present, a gas valve can be closed, and / or shading systems such as awnings and blinds can be extended or retracted.

[0042] The aforementioned sensors of the personnel detection system can be connected to the central evaluation unit via wired or wireless connections. It is also possible to connect the sensors and / or the aforementioned components to the evaluation unit via a CAN bus. Alternatively, the evaluation unit can be connected to the sensors via separate wires or wirelessly, in which case the evaluation unit is connected to the vehicle's central CAN bus. This allows the evaluation unit to communicate with other vehicle components, such as a locking system, and integrate it into the control of these other components. Connecting the sensors via a network interface is also considered an advantageous option, particularly using PoE (Power over Ethernet) network connections.

[0043] The sensors for person detection can be continuously activated, and the sensor data can be continuously read by the evaluation unit. However, depending on the type of sensors and the method of evaluation, this can lead to high power consumption. It is therefore advantageous for the vehicle to have at least one acceleration sensor whose sensor data can be used to activate the aforementioned additional sensors and / or their evaluation in response to one or more detected vibrations. This approach is particularly suitable when hydraulic pressure sensors of the support system are used for person detection. In addition to fully activating and deactivating sensors depending on whether vibrations have been detected, the polling frequency of sensors can also be controlled based on the detected vibrations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. Figs. 1 to 3 show a travel vehicle from different perspectives. Fig. 4 shows a magnified view of a floor area of ​​the vehicle below a living space. Fig. 5 shows a personnel detection system and a hydraulic system of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0045] Figs. 1 to 3 Figure 10 shows a vehicle 10 according to the invention, which is designed in the manner of a motorhome, but could alternatively also be designed as a caravan trailer. The vehicle 10 has a driver's cab 10A and a body 10B, wherein the body 10B includes a living interior 12.

[0046] Fig. 3This shows the living area with sleeping and seating areas as well as a cooking area from above. The living area 12 is accessible through a passageway 18 provided on the side of the vehicle 10 and a door provided therein.

[0047] The vehicle has a support system with hydraulically extendable supports 32A-32D to stabilize the vehicle when stationary. A central hydraulic unit 36 ​​with a hydraulic pump 38 is provided for extending and retracting the supports 32A-32D. Fig. 5 As shown. By supplying hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic cylinders 34A-34D of the supports 32A-32D can be extended and retracted.

[0048] Vehicle 10 is equipped with a personnel detection device 50, which is based on the Fig. 5This is clarified. The person detection device 50 comprises as its main component an evaluation unit 52, which is formed by a computer unit with inputs and outputs. The evaluation unit 52 does not have to be a separate unit, but can be identical to a control system of the vehicle 10, which is intended, for example, for controlling the hydraulic pump 38.

[0049] The evaluation unit 52, in the context of the person detection device 50, is designed to collect sensor data from various sensors in order to determine whether persons are present in the living space 12 and where these persons are located within the living space. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 52 is connected to two types of sensors.

[0050] The first type of sensor for the occupant detection device 50 consists of hydraulic pressure sensors 56A-56D. These hydraulic pressure sensors 56A-56D are part of the central hydraulic unit 36, but could also be installed decentrally on the supports 32A-32D. The hydraulic pressure sensors 56A-56D detect the pressure applied to the hydraulic cylinders 34A-34D, which is determined by the vehicle weight and any additional loads inside the vehicle. The presence of people in the living area 12 affects the hydraulic pressure. Depending on the location of the person or people, the pressure at the hydraulic pressure sensors 56A-56D increases to varying degrees. The hydraulic cylinder 34B and the hydraulic pressure within it are particularly relevant, as a sudden change can be detected when a person enters or exits the vehicle 10 through the opening 18.

[0051] The second type of sensors for the people detection device 50 consists of floor-mounted sensors 58A-58G. As shown by the Figs. 2 and 3 as well as in enlarged form from Fig. 4 As can be seen, these sensors 58A-58G are arranged in the area of ​​a sandwich floor 16 of the vehicle 10, specifically on the underside of an upper layer 16A of this floor 16. They are attached there on the underside, for example by means of an adhesive bond.

[0052] Sensors 58A-58G are designed to detect forces or pressures acting on the upper layer 16A. In particular, they may be strain gauges. If, as in Fig. 4 As shown, when a load acts on position 16A, this leads to a local deflection, which is shown in Fig. 4This deflection is indicated by dashed lines. This deflection is accompanied by an elongation of the underside of layer 16A, which causes a change in resistance at the strain gauge sensors 58A-58G.

[0053] By evaluating the measured deflection, especially in comparison to the deflection at neighboring sensors, it is possible to determine quite precisely where the load acts on the ground 16. Furthermore, by tracking the loads over time, it is possible to identify whether the load is a person or an object. People, due to their movement, cause a change in the load even if they remain in one place. Additionally, tracking the loads over time also reveals whether there are multiple people and how they move within the vehicle 10.

[0054] As from Fig. 5As can be seen, sensors 56A-56D and 58A-58G are connected to the evaluation unit 52 via a CAN bus 20. Sensor data from the respective sensors is transmitted to the evaluation unit 52 in this way.

[0055] In addition to the aforementioned sensors, the vehicle also has at least one accelerometer 22 capable of detecting vibrations. This accelerometer 22 does not, in itself, serve the purpose of specifically identifying people, but rather to transition the system from a standby mode to an operating mode. In standby mode, no evaluation of the sensor data from sensors 56A-56D and 58A-58G takes place. Only the sensor data from accelerometer 22 is continuously recorded.

[0056] Only when the evaluation unit, based on the sensor data from the accelerometer 22, detects that vibrations have occurred once or repeatedly, is this recorded as possible human movement, and the other sensors 56A-56D, 58A-58G and their evaluation are activated. In particular, the hydraulic pressure sensors 56A-56D are typically not in operation during the aforementioned standby mode, thus saving energy.

[0057] The evaluation unit analyzes the sensor data from sensors 56A-56D and 58A-58G, thereby gaining an overview of whether people are present in the vehicle and where they are currently located. Furthermore, the evaluation unit determines whether the people in the vehicle change their position or even leave the vehicle. The entry of a person is also detected, particularly using the hydraulic pressure sensor 56B, which, due to its proximity to the passage opening 18, detects sudden pressure changes when a person leaves or enters the vehicle.

[0058] The aforementioned overview of persons in living space 12 is used by the evaluation unit for various control functions or to influence control functions that are triggered by other means. The following list is only to be understood as an example.

[0059] The vehicle can, for example, include a light source 70. If the entry of a person into the previously empty vehicle is detected, and if a further light sensor determines that it is dark inside the vehicle, the evaluation unit 52 activates the light source 70. With multiple light sources 70, these can be activated and deactivated in such a way that the area where people are located is always brighter.

[0060] If it is detected that all persons have left the vehicle and, if applicable, information is still being received via the CAN bus 20 indicating that the vehicle has been locked, the evaluation unit deactivates an air conditioning unit 72. The evaluation unit 52 can also activate an alarm system 74 if the last person has left the vehicle 10 and the vehicle 10 has been locked.

[0061] If a user enters a Fig. 1If the indicated slide-out box 14 is retracted, the execution of this command can be prevented by the evaluation unit 52. The evaluation unit detects the command or the retraction of the slide-out box and checks whether, based on the data from sensors 58A-58G, it is expected that the retraction of the slide-out box 14 would lead to a collision. If this is the case, the retraction is interrupted.

[0062] The hydraulic supports 32A-32D can also be controlled depending on the overview obtained by the evaluation unit through the evaluation of sensors 56A-D and 58A-G. For example, the evaluation unit can be configured to retract the supports slightly when no one is present in the living area 12. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 52 can be configured to prevent the supports 32A-32D from extending or retracting altogether as long as people are present in the vehicle 10, and especially in the living area.

Claims

1. Vehicle (10) in the form of a motor home or caravan with a living space (12), having the following features: a. the vehicle (10) has a person detection device (50), and b. the person detection device (50) has at least one non-optical sensor (56A-56D; 58A-58G), which is designed for detecting persons in the vehicle (10), and c. the person detection device (50) has an evaluation unit (52), which is designed to identify on the basis of sensor data from the at least one sensor (56A-56D; 58A-58G) whether at least one person is in the vehicle (10) and / or where at least one person is in the vehicle (10), characterized by the following further feature: d. the at least one sensor (56A-56D) is designed to detect the force acting on at least one extendable support (32A-32D).

2. Vehicle (10) according to Claim 1, having the following further feature: a. the at least one sensor (56A-56D) is a pressure sensor, which is designed to detect the pressure of hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic system (30) of the vehicle (10), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: b. the hydraulic system (30) of the vehicle (10) has a plurality of hydraulically extendable supports (32A-32D), each of which is assigned a hydraulic cylinder (34A-34D), wherein the at least one pressure sensor (56A-56D) is designed for detecting the pressure within the hydraulic cylinder (34A-34D) or for detecting a pressure associated therewith, and / or c. the hydraulic system (30) has a central hydraulic unit (36), which has at least one hydraulic pump (38), wherein the pressure sensor (56A-56D) is preferably provided in the region of this central hydraulic unit (36).

3. Vehicle (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, having the following further features: a. the vehicle (10) has a passage opening (18) with an entrance door on one side of the vehicle, and b. at least one extendable support (32B) is provided on the same side as the entrance door and is not more than 1 m away from the passage opening (18).

4. Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having the following further feature: a. the at least one sensor (58A-58G) is a sensor for detecting a force acting on a floor (16) of the living space (12), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: b. the at least one sensor (58A-58G) is a strain sensor, which is provided on a bottom side of the floor (16), in particular a strain gauge, and / or c. the floor (16) has a sandwich structure with at least one upper layer (16A) and at least one lower layer (16B) which are at a distance from each other and between which the at least one sensor (58A-58G) is arranged, and / or d. the at least one sensor (58A-58G) is attached to a bottom side of the floor (16) or an upper layer (16A) of the floor, in particular by means of an adhesive bond, and / or e. the at least one sensor (58A-58G) is arranged within a base plate of the floor (16), in particular within a milled recess.

5. Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having the following further feature: a. a plurality of sensors (54A-54G) is provided for detecting the force acting on a floor (16) of the living space (12), preferably having at least one of the following additional features: b. two adjacent sensors (54A-54G) have a spacing of between 30 cm and 80 cm, and / or c. the number of sensors (54A-54G) for detecting the force acting on a floor (16) of the living space (12) is preferably between three and ten.

6. Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following further features: a. the vehicle (10) has at least one lighting means (70) in the living space of the home (12), and the evaluation unit (52) is designed to activate or deactivate the lighting means (70) or to control its light output in response to a person being detected, and / or b. the vehicle (10) has at least one heating and / or air-conditioning system (72), and the evaluation unit (52) is designed to activate or deactivate the heating and / or air-conditioning system (72) or to control its heating or cooling performance in response to a person being detected, and / or c. the vehicle (10) has at least one extendable support (32A-32G), and the evaluation unit (52) is designed to retract or extend the support (32A-32G) or to prevent the retraction or extension in response to a person being detected, and / or d. the vehicle (10) has at least one alarm system (74), and the evaluation unit (52) is designed to activate the alarm system (74) in response to a person being detected, and / or the alarm system (74) is designed to generate an alarm in response to a person being detected, and / or e. the vehicle (10) has at least one hydraulically extendable slide-out box (14), and the evaluation unit (52) is designed to prevent or interrupt the extension of the slide-out box (14) in response to a person being detected.

7. Vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having at least one of the following further features: a. the vehicle has a CAN bus (20) for communication between vehicle control units, wherein the evaluation unit (52) is connected to the CAN bus (20), and / or b. the vehicle (10) has at least one acceleration sensor (22), wherein the evaluation unit (52) is designed to activate or deactivate at least one sensor (52A-52D, 54A-54G) of the person detection device (50) after acceleration has been detected by means of the acceleration sensor (22), and / or c. the vehicle (10) has at least one extendable support (32A-32D), which has at least three telescopic elements which can be moved in relation to each other.

8. Method for using a person detection device (50) from a vehicle (10) according to any of the preceding claims, having the following features: a. the at least one sensor (56A-56D, 58A-58G) of the person detection device (50) is used to detect whether a person is in the living space (12) of the vehicle (10) and / or where a person is in the living space (12), and b. at least one of the following steps is carried out in response to the detection: - activating an alarm system (74), and / or - outputting an alarm by means of an output unit (74A) of the alarm system (74), and / or - changing a configuration of a heating and / or air-conditioning system (72), and / or - switching a lighting means (70) in the vehicle (10) or on the vehicle (10), and / or - deactivating electrical consumers, in particular an air-conditioning system (72), a lighting means (70) or a cooking appliance, and / or - moving a slide-out box (14), and / or - opening or closing a shading system, or c. the extension or retraction of at least one movable element, in particular a support (32A-32D) or a slide-out box (14), is prevented in response to the detection.

9. Method according to Claim 8, having at least one of the following additional features: a. for detection, at least one pressure sensor (56A-56D) is evaluated, in particular at least one pressure sensor (56A-56D) which is designed for detecting a hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic system (30) of the vehicle (10), and / or b. for detection, at least one sensor (58A-58G) is used for detecting a force acting on a floor (16) of the living space (12), in particular a strain sensor provided on the floor (16).

10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9 having at least one of the following further features: a. the detection and / or evaluation by the person detection device (50) is performed in preparation for extending or retracting a slide-out box (14), and b. the extension or retraction of the slide-out box (14) is interrupted if at least one person has been identified in a critical region during the detection and / or evaluation.

11. Method according to any of Claims 8 to 10, having the following further feature: a. sensors (56A-56D, 58A-58G) of the person detection device are calibrated after supports (22A-22D) are extended.

12. Method according to any of Claims 8 to 11, having at least one of the following further features: a. at least one sensor (56A-56D) of the person detection device (50) is activated and / or checked in response to the detection of at least one vibration by means of an acceleration sensor (22) and / or b. the checking frequency of at least one sensor (56A-56D) of the person detection device (50) is changed, in particular increased, in response to the detection of at least one vibration by means of an acceleration sensor (22).

13. Method according to any of Claims 8 to 12, having the following further feature: a. in response to the detection of a person in a first region of the vehicle or the absence of a person in a second region of the vehicle, the heating and / or air-conditioning system (72) is adjusted in such a way that a heating and / or cooling function is activated in the region and / or deactivated in the second region.