METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ALARM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application 2105747 filed on 01.06.2021.

[0002] The technical context of the present invention is that of alarm systems for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle alarm, as well as to an alarm system.

[0003] In the prior art, as described for example in US 2006 / 0244576A, a motor vehicle equipped with an alarm system is known for detecting abnormal use of the motor vehicle, particularly when it is not in use or when parked without occupants. Specifically, alarm systems with a volumetric function are known, which, when such alarm systems are activated, detect movement inside the motor vehicle and trigger a warning device, such as a siren.

[0004] In addition or alternatively, there are also alarm systems with an anti-lift function which, when such alarm systems are activated, allows the detection of a vertical movement and / or a change in the inclination of the motor vehicle, and triggers in such a situation a warning device, for example of the siren type.

[0005] Such alarm systems equipped with an anti-lift function are therefore very sensitive to variations in the inclination of the motor vehicle, and generally lead to the triggering of the alarm when the inclination of the motor vehicle varies by only a few tenths of a degree.

[0006] During the vehicle preconditioning phase, which involves activating the heating or air conditioning while the vehicle is still locked, the activation of the ventilation or air conditioning system requires starting the vehicle's internal combustion engine to heat or cool the passenger compartment. The ventilation and air conditioning systems are driven by an accessory belt connected to the internal combustion engine. Therefore, to activate these functions during the preconditioning phase, it is necessary to start the internal combustion engine while the vehicle is still locked.

[0007] However, the activation of the internal combustion engine causes vibrations which result in the vehicle tilting to an extent greater than the triggering thresholds, leading to the activation of the warning device by the simple activation of the ventilation system or the air conditioning unit.

[0008] This situation is not desirable.

[0009] The present invention aims to propose a new method of controlling a motor vehicle alarm in order to address at least largely the previous problems and to lead to other advantages as well.

[0010] Another objective of the invention is to prevent such an alarm from being triggered during the pre-conditioning phase of the motor vehicle.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to provide a control method that can be easily deployed on many types of motor vehicles.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method for controlling an alarm system for a motor vehicle, the control method comprising a step of configuring at least one tilt threshold of the motor vehicle beyond which the alarm system is activated according to at least one operating state of an engine of said motor vehicle.

[0013] In the context of the invention, the alarm system is configured to enable the detection of an unwanted tilt of the motor vehicle, for example when the motor vehicle in which the alarm system is intended to be integrated, and the alarm system is also configured to enable the triggering of a warning device in the event of exceeding the tilt threshold.

[0014] In the context of the invention, the warning device can be of any type, for example visual and / or audible, implemented near the motor vehicle or at a distance from it.

[0015] The tilt threshold is a limit value of tilt of the motor vehicle, along a longitudinal or lateral axis of said motor vehicle, beyond which the alarm system interprets such tilt of the motor vehicle as being associated with a break-in of the motor vehicle, leading to the need to trigger the alarm.

[0016] The inclination of a motor vehicle is understood as a tilt or slope of the vehicle between two sides, relative to an axis of inclination. Such an axis of inclination can be considered as parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and extending from a rear side to a front side, or as parallel to a lateral axis of the motor vehicle and extending from a left side to a right side. Alternatively, an axis of inclination can be considered a combination of the lateral and longitudinal axes of the motor vehicle.

[0017] In the context of the invention, the threshold of the invention can be defined identically for several tilt axes of the motor vehicle, or differently for each tilt axis.

[0018] Ingeniously, the invention allows the alarm system trigger level to be configured according to the operating state of the motor vehicle's engine.

[0019] The term "engine" here refers to the main engine of the motor vehicle, the one that rotates the vehicle's drivetrain and propels the vehicle. Preferably, but not exclusively within the context of this invention, the engine is a combustion engine. Alternatively, the engine is an electric motor.

[0020] The operating state of the motor vehicle's engine corresponds more specifically to the state of a descriptive variable of the powertrain, accessible on a local interconnected network of the motor vehicle. Thus, the method according to the invention reads and interprets this variable in order to define a tilt threshold value at which the alarm system's warning device is triggered.

[0021] In the description that follows, alarm system activation is understood as the activation of the alarm system's alarm horn.

[0022] The control method according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination: If the engine is stopped, meaning it is not rotating, then the tilt threshold is defined as a first tilt threshold. If the engine is starting, meaning it is transitioning from a non-rotating to a rotating state through a transient acceleration phase, then the tilt threshold is defined as a second tilt threshold, different from the first. A stopped engine is associated with a first operating state. This corresponds to a situation where the vehicle is stationary, with the engine off and the ignition key not inserted. This first operating state generally corresponds to the situation where the vehicle is parked in a parking space and locked. A starting engine is associated with a second operating state.This corresponds to the situation in which the ignition key is inserted and the engine is started. The engine then begins to rotate and accelerates until it reaches its nominal speed, the vehicle preferably being stationary during this transitional phase. During this phase, associated with the second operating state, vibrations induced by the engine's rotation can inappropriately trigger the alarm system, as in existing alarm systems. Thus, the invention makes it possible to define an alarm system activation threshold—associated with a vehicle tilt threshold—higher than that defined when the vehicle is parked, in the first engine operating state; a minimum value for the first tilt threshold is required. For example, the value of the first tilt threshold is equal to one-tenth of a degree or a few tenths of a degree.The value of the first threshold, as well as all others in the context of the invention, varies depending on the type of motor vehicle considered. In other words, the first tilt threshold is the smallest tilt angle beyond which the motor vehicle's alarm system is activated. All other tilt thresholds defined in the context of the invention have values ​​higher than that of the first threshold. In other words, the alarm system's triggering sensitivity is at its maximum when the motor vehicle's engine is off.In other words, the vehicle's tilt threshold beyond which the alarm system's warning signal is triggered is, for the vehicle's first engine operating mode, lower than all other vehicle tilt thresholds beyond which the alarm system's warning signal is triggered, for all other engine operating modes; specifically, a second tilt threshold value is higher than the first tilt threshold value; the difference between the first and second tilt thresholds is between 15% and 25% of the first tilt threshold value. Preferably, the difference between the first and second tilt thresholds is equal to 20% of the first tilt threshold value.As a non-limiting example, if the value of the first tilt threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then the second tilt threshold is preferably equal to twelve-hundredths of a degree. This advantageous configuration prevents vibrations introduced by the motor's initial rotation during startup from triggering the alarm system's warning device unnecessarily. If the motor is in its nominal operating state, with the motor rotating, then the tilt threshold is set to a third tilt threshold, the value of which is between the values ​​of the first and second tilt thresholds. The motor in its nominal operating state is thus associated with a third operating state.This corresponds to a situation in which the motor vehicle is in use, for example, while driving or during a phase following the starting phase of said motor vehicle. The engine is rotating at a steady and established speed; the difference between the first and third tilt thresholds is between 5% and 15% of the value of the first tilt threshold. Preferably, the difference between the first and third tilt thresholds is equal to 10% of the value of the first tilt threshold.By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first tilt threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then a value for the third tilt threshold is preferably equal to eleven-hundredths of a degree. If the engine's operating state is being stopped, with the engine transitioning from a rotating to a non-rotating state through a transient deceleration phase, then the tilt threshold is defined as a fourth tilt threshold, the value of which is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold. An engine being stopped is associated with a fourth operating state. This corresponds to a situation in which the motor vehicle is stationary, and the ignition key is turned to stop the engine's rotation. In this fourth operating state, the engine is decelerating from its rated speed to zero.The value of the fourth tilt threshold is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold to prevent vibrations introduced by stopping engine rotation from falsely triggering the alarm system. The difference between the first and fourth tilt thresholds is between 15% and 25% of the value of the first tilt threshold. Preferably, the difference between the first and fourth tilt thresholds is equal to 20% of the value of the first tilt threshold. By way of non-limiting example, if the value of the first tilt threshold is one-tenth of a degree, then the value of the fourth tilt threshold is preferably equal to twelve-hundredths of a degree. The control method includes a step of determining an engine temperature for the configuration of at least one tilt threshold.This configuration improves the reliability and relevance of the control method according to the invention by incorporating the engine temperature into the analysis of the engine environment to define the various predefined tilt thresholds. Without limitation, the engine temperature is measured via a temperature sensor located near the engine. Alternatively, the engine temperature is determined via an environmental variable available on the vehicle's local interconnected network; if the engine is in its nominal operating state, rotating, and the engine temperature is below a nominal value, then the tilt threshold is set at a fifth tilt threshold, with the value of the fifth tilt threshold being greater than the value of the third tilt threshold.The engine, operating at its nominal capacity, is associated here, when the engine temperature is below its expected nominal value—for example, 90°C—with a fifth operating state. This corresponds to a situation in which the motor vehicle is in use, for example, while driving or during a phase following the starting of the vehicle, while the engine temperature has not yet reached its nominal value, for example, in winter or in the minutes following the start of the vehicle. The difference between the first tilt threshold and the fifth tilt threshold is between 15% and 25% of the value of the first tilt threshold. Preferably, the difference between the first tilt threshold and the fifth tilt threshold is equal to 20% of the value of the first tilt threshold.As a non-limiting example, if the value of the first inclination threshold is one tenth of a degree, then a value of the fifth inclination threshold is preferably equal to twelve hundredths of a degree.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle alarm system is proposed, the alarm system comprising (i) a warning device, (ii) a tilt sensor configured to measure at least one tilt of the motor vehicle, and (iii) a control unit configured to implement the control method according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, the control unit being electrically connected to the warning device and the tilt sensor.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising an alarm system conforming to the second aspect of the invention.

[0025] Various embodiments of the invention are envisaged, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features described herein.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [ Fig.1 ] illustrates a schematic view of the control method according to the second aspect of the invention; [ Fig.2 ] illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle conforming to the third aspect of the invention and incorporating an alarm system conforming to the second aspect of the invention.

[0027] Of course, the features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may include only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from prior art.

[0028] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described can be combined with each other if there are no technical obstacles to this combination.

[0029] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0030] With reference to FIGURES 1 et 2 , the control method 100 of an alarm system 10 for motor vehicle 1 includes a configuration step 103 of at least one tilt threshold S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 of the motor vehicle 1 beyond which the alarm system 10 is activated according to at least one operating state GMB1, GMB2, GM3, GMB4, GMB5 of an engine of said motor vehicle 1.

[0031] One such alarm system 10 is illustrated on the FIGURE 2 : the alarm system 10 according to the invention comprises a warning device 4, an inclination sensor 3 configured to measure at least one inclination of the motor vehicle 1, and a control unit 5 configured to implement the control method 100 according to the invention, the control unit 5 being electrically connected to the warning device 4 and the inclination sensor 3.

[0032] The tilt sensor 3 is configured to detect a tilt of the motor vehicle along an orientation axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle 1, or parallel to a transverse axis of the motor vehicle 1, or oriented in any direction. Alternatively, the tilt sensor is configured to detect an excess of tilt relative to a predetermined tilt threshold, as defined by the control method 100 according to the invention.

[0033] Additionally, the alarm system 10 can also include a hood opening detector 2.

[0034] Advantageously, the alarm system 10 can also include a temperature sensor - not shown on the FIGURE 2 - of the motor vehicle engine 1.

[0035] The control method 100 exploits several operating states GMB1-GMB5 of the motor vehicle 1 engine in order to determine several tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 of the motor vehicle 1 beyond which the alarm system 10 is activated so as to activate the warning device 4.

[0036] In the control process 100 according to the invention, and during the configuration step 103: When the engine is in a first operating state GMB1 corresponding to the engine stopped, the engine not rotating, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a first tilt threshold S1. The first tilt threshold S1 is minimal so as to detect a minimum tilt of the motor vehicle 1 and to allow the rapid triggering of the alarm system 10 and its warning device 4; when the engine is in a second operating state GMB2 corresponding to the engine being started, the engine passing from a non-rotating state to a rotating state through a transient acceleration phase, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a second tilt threshold S2 different from the first tilt threshold S1.The second tilt threshold S2 is greater than the first tilt threshold S1, and preferably maximum in order to allow a certain tilt of the motor vehicle 1 induced by the start of the engine without activation of the alarm system 10 and without triggering of the warning device 4; when the engine is in a third operating state GMB3 corresponding to the engine in nominal operation, the engine being in rotation, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a third tilt threshold S3.A value of the third tilt threshold S3 is between the value of the first tilt threshold S1 and that of the second tilt threshold S2 in order to allow, to a certain extent, a tilting of the motor vehicle 1 while in motion without triggering the alarm system 10; when the engine is in a fourth operating state GMB4 corresponding to the engine being stopped, the engine transitioning from a rotating to a non-rotating state through a transient deceleration phase, then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is set to a fourth tilt threshold S4. A value of the fourth tilt threshold S4 is greater than or equal to the value of the second tilt threshold S2.The fourth tilt threshold S4 is greater than the first tilt threshold S1, and preferably equal to the second tilt threshold S2 in order to allow a certain tilt of the motor vehicle 1 induced by vibrations accompanying the engine shutdown, without activation of the alarm system 10 and without triggering the warning device 4; when the engine is in a fifth operating state GMB5 corresponding to the engine in nominal operation, the engine being rotating, and an engine temperature 102 is less than a nominal value then the tilt threshold S1-S5 is defined at a fifth tilt threshold S5. A value of the fifth tilt threshold S5 is greater than the value of the third tilt threshold S3.

[0037] By way of non-exhaustive example: a value of the second inclination threshold S2 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; a value of the third inclination threshold S3 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 10% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; a value of the fourth inclination threshold S4 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1; a value of the fifth inclination threshold S5 is greater than that of the first inclination threshold S1, preferably by about 20% of the value of the first inclination threshold S1.

[0038] Of course, the values ​​of the tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 depend on the type of motor vehicle in question. As a non-limiting example, the value of the first tilt threshold, S1, is equal to one-tenth of a degree. Generally, it is less than one degree.

[0039] In summary, the invention relates to a control method 100 for an alarm system 10 for a motor vehicle 1. The control method includes a configuration step 103 that allows several tilt thresholds S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 to be defined as a function of the operating state GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5 of the motor vehicle 1 and / or a temperature 102 of the engine. The control method 100 thus makes it possible to adjust the trigger thresholds of the alarm system 10 and its warning device 4 according to certain specific phases of the motor vehicle 1, related to its use and more particularly to the operating state GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5 of the engine.

[0040] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, and many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the various features, forms, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Specifically, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable.

Claims

1. Method (100) for controlling an alarm system (10) for a motor vehicle (1), the control method (100) comprising a step of configuring at least one inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) of the motor vehicle (1) beyond which the alarm system (10) is activated according to at least one operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of an engine of said motor vehicle (1), the control method (100) also comprising a step of determining an engine temperature for the configuration of the at least one inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5).

2. Control method (100) according to the previous claim, in which, if the operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is stopped, the engine not being in rotation, then the inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is defined at a first inclination threshold (S1), and if the operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is in progress to start, the engine running from a non-rotating status to a rotating status through a transient acceleration phase, then the inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is defined at a second inclination threshold (S2) different from the first inclination threshold (S1).

3. A control method (100) according to the previous claim, in which a value of the first inclination threshold (S1) is minimal.

4. A control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, in which a value of the second inclination threshold (S2) is greater than the value of the first inclination threshold (S1).

5. Control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which, if the operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is in progress of nominal operation, the engine being in rotation, then the inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is defined at a third inclination threshold (S3), a value of the third inclination threshold (S3) being between the value of the first inclination threshold (S1) and that of the second threshold inclination (S2).

6. Control method (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which, if the operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is in progress in shutdown, the engine passing from a rotary status to a non-rotary status through a transient deceleration phase, then the inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is defined at a fourth inclination threshold (S4), a value of the fourth inclination threshold (S4) being greater than or equal to the value of the second inclination threshold (S2).

7. Control method (100) according to claim 1 taken in combination with claim 5, in which, if the operating status (GMB1, GMB2, GMB3, GMB4, GMB5) of the engine is in progress of nominal operation, the engine being in rotation, and the temperature of the engine is less than a nominal value then the inclination threshold (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is defined at a fifth inclination threshold (S5), a value of the fifth inclination threshold (S5) being greater than the value of the third threshold inclination (S3).

8. Alarm system (10) for a motor vehicle (1), the alarm system (10) comprising: - a warning device (4); - an inclination sensor (3) configured to measure at least one inclination of the motor vehicle (1); - a control unit (5) configured to implement the control method (100) according to any one of the previous claims, the control unit (5) being electrically connected to the warning device (4) and to the inclination sensor (3).

9. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an alarm system (10) according to the previous claim.