Safety system for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle, and method for carrying out a safety check on a motor vehicle

Abstract

A safety system for a motor vehicle, comprising a control device designed to carry out a test run, the test run being designed such that when the test run is activated a number of vehicle functions are activated, particularly one after the other and automatically, to test them.

Description

[0001] Safety system for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for carrying out a safety check on a motor vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle and a method for carrying out a safety check on a motor vehicle.

[0003] The basic functions of motor vehicles, especially motorcycles, should be checked regularly before setting off. This includes, for example, the function of the indicators, the lighting system, the braking system, tire pressure, etc. This is usually a tedious task for the driver and is therefore often overlooked.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safety system for a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle and a method for carrying out a safety check or a safety check, which can be easily implemented in reality and is thus suitable for increasing safety.

[0005] This object is achieved by a safety system according to claim 1, a motor vehicle according to claim 9 and by a method according to claim 10. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figure.

[0006] According to the invention, a safety system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motorcycle, comprises a control device designed to carry out a test run, wherein the test run is configured such that, upon activation, several vehicle functions are activated for testing, in particular sequentially and in particular automatically. The major advantage is that the driver does not have to manually check the various functions. Instead, the test run enables the automatic processing of a safety check. Typical functions that are checked include the following: activating the indicators, activating the horn, activating the low beam and high beam, applying the brake pads, locking any cases, and checking the (tire) air pressure.At this point it should be mentioned that according to a preferred embodiment the motor vehicle is in particular a motor cycle, such as a motorcycle or a scooter.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed such that the test run is or can be activated automatically. According to one embodiment, the activation or start of the test run is or can be specified, for example, via a timer. A driver who knows that he or she intends to use the motor vehicle daily at 8:00 a.m., for example, can parameterize the safety device such that it performs a test run in good time before starting the journey. The driver can either be present during the test run or be informed of the test run result afterward, for example via a corresponding display unit.

[0008] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to process information from the environment to activate the test run. The control device is expediently capable of detecting whether a driver is present. The driver's presence can be an aspect taken into account when deciding whether to start the test run.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the information includes: the position of a driver; actions and / or gestures of the driver. Taking into account the driver's actions and / or gestures has the advantage that a test run is not initiated inadvertently, for example, if the driver merely happens to be in the vicinity of the relevant motor vehicle.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to activate the test run when the presence of a driver and their readiness to depart are detected. According to one embodiment, the safety device is designed to detect when the driver approaches the motor vehicle and puts on their helmet and / or gloves. According to one embodiment, the test run is automatically performed upon detection of this information or status. The driver can expediently follow the execution of the test run directly since they are nearby. In particular, they can, for example, directly check the flashing of the indicators, the function of the horn, the lights, etc. In addition, the results of the test run are expediently also displayed on a suitable display unit of the motor vehicle.According to one embodiment, the control device comprises a plurality of communication units, in particular receiving and / or transmitting units, which are designed to interact to activate the test run. The communication units expediently enable the surroundings of the motor vehicle to be monitored and evaluated. This makes it possible, in particular, to detect whether a driver is approaching the motor vehicle and whether they are performing certain actions that indicate that the driver actually intends to drive the motor vehicle.

[0011] According to one embodiment, for example, at least one communication unit is assigned or assignable to a rider, in particular to a piece of clothing and / or a mobile device of the rider. A piece of clothing is, for example, the rider's trousers or jacket and / or a helmet and / or gloves. According to one embodiment, the aforementioned pieces of clothing contain sensors that make it possible to detect a distance between them, making it possible, for example, to detect whether a rider is putting on their helmet, etc.

[0012] According to one embodiment, appropriate software is present or operable on the driver's mobile device, which enables the test run to be started manually and remotely. Alternatively, the safety system itself can comprise a control element via which the test run can be started directly on the respective motor vehicle. Such a control element can be a separate button. Alternatively, the control element is designed as a menu item in a vehicle display / cockpit, for example, the on-board computer. At this point, it should be mentioned that the safety system is, for example, part of a control unit of the motor vehicle. As already mentioned, the safety system expediently comprises a display device designed to display the result of the test run.The safety system is expediently designed to use a display device that is already present on the motor vehicle, such as a screen in a motor vehicle or a cockpit display, etc. and / or the display or screen of a (terminal) device, in particular a mobile one, such as a smartphone.

[0013] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a safety system according to the invention. According to a preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle is, in particular, a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a scooter. However, the motor vehicle can also be a passenger car or a commercial vehicle. In particular, the motor vehicle is a land vehicle.

[0014] According to the invention, a method for carrying out a safety check on a motor vehicle comprises the steps:

[0015] - Automatic activation of a variety of vehicle functions for testing by activating a test run;

[0016] Providing a control device in a motor vehicle which is designed to carry out the test run.

[0017] Conveniently, a driver does not have to activate the multitude of possible functions themselves. Instead, the test run only needs to be activated once. This then activates the various functions to be tested, for example in sequence. According to a preferred embodiment, the control device can be parameterized so that it can be specified which functions should and should not be activated during the test run. Advantageously, the various functions of the safety check can therefore be predetermined. A tire pressure check, for example, is not carried out if the driver has decided that it is not necessary. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to specify a test run to be carried out every day before starting a journey. Additionally or alternatively, a test run can be parameterized to be carried out only before longer tours, trips, etc.Parameterization can also be achieved by taking temporal components into account. This means, for example, that the system can be parameterized so that no more than one test run is performed on a given day.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: determining the presence of a driver;

[0019] Determining the driver’s will, in particular the driver’s willingness to leave;

[0020] - Activating the test run when a driver is present and his readiness to leave is detected.

[0021] Advantageously, the various functions of the motor vehicle are not only checked automatically. The activation of the safety check or test run is also expediently carried out automatically. According to a preferred embodiment, the result of the safety check is displayed, for example, on a display of the motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle in particular. Any errors are described and can thus be rectified early on. Alternatively or additionally, the result can also be displayed on a (terminal) device, particularly a mobile one, such as a smartphone.

[0022] The advantages mentioned in connection with the procedure apply analogously and accordingly to the security system, as well as vice versa and to each other.

[0023] Further advantages and features emerge from the following description of an embodiment of a security system or a motor vehicle and a method with reference to the attached figure.

[0024] It shows:

[0025] Fig. 1 : a sketch to illustrate an embodiment of the method or a motor vehicle comprising a safety system.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 1 which includes a safety system 10. A driver 2 is shown next to it. It is sketched that communication units 12 and 14 are arranged on the driver 2 and on the motor vehicle 1. For example, transmitting units 12 are arranged on a helmet of the driver 2 and on his jacket. A corresponding receiving unit 14 is provided on the motor vehicle 1. Such a configuration enables, for example, the safety system 10 to recognize when a driver 2 approaches the motor vehicle 1 and puts on his helmet or puts on his gloves (not shown here). As a result, the safety system 10 can advantageously automatically carry out a safety check. This automatic check includes, for example,Activating all indicators, sounding the horn, activating the low and high beams, applying the brake pads, locking the panniers, and checking the tire pressure. The results of the safety check are shown on the motorcycle's display and / or on a mobile device, such as a smartphone, belonging to the rider. Any errors are described and can thus be corrected early. List of reference symbols.

[0027] 1 motor vehicle

[0028] 2 drivers 10 safety system

[0029] 12 Communication unit, transmitting unit

[0030] 14 Communication unit, receiving unit

Claims

Claims 1. Safety system for a motor vehicle, comprising a control device (10) which is designed to carry out a test run, wherein the test run is designed such that upon activation thereof, in particular in sequence and automatically, several vehicle functions are actuated for testing.

2. Safety system according to claim 1, wherein the control device (10) is designed such that the test run can be activated automatically.

3. Safety system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (10) is designed to process information from the environment to activate the test run.

4. A safety system according to claim 3, wherein the information comprises: the position of a driver (2); actions and / or gestures of the driver (2).

5. Safety system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) is designed to activate the test run when the presence of a driver (2) and his readiness to drive off are detected.

6. Safety system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) comprises a plurality of communication units, in particular receiving (12) and / or transmitting units (14), which are designed to cooperate to activate the test run. A safety system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one communication unit (12, 14) is assignable to a driver (2), in particular to a piece of clothing and / or a mobile device of the driver (2). A safety system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a display device configured to display the result of the test run. A motor vehicle comprising a safety system according to one of the preceding claims. A method for performing a safety check on a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: Automatically actuate a variety of vehicle functions for testing by activating a test run; Providing a control device (10) in a motor vehicle, which is designed to carry out the test run. Method according to claim 10, comprising the steps: Determining the presence of a driver (2); Determining the driver’s will, in particular the driver’s willingness to leave (2); Activating the test run.

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