Method for automatically adapting the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle

The method automatically adapts lateral acceleration parameters in autonomous vehicles by verifying passenger compliance and adjusting speed to ensure safety and comfort, addressing the challenges of passenger behavior in autonomous vehicles.

FR3169828A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-19STELLANTIS AUTO SAS +1

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
FR · FR
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
Filing Date
2024-12-16
Publication Date
2026-06-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Autonomous vehicles face challenges in ensuring passenger safety and comfort due to the absence of a driver to manage passenger behavior and compliance with carrying conditions, which can lead to dangerous situations during turns.

Method used

A method for automatically adapting lateral acceleration parameters by a control unit that verifies passenger compliance with carrying conditions using sensors and adjusts longitudinal speed to limit lateral acceleration, ensuring safety and comfort by reducing speed if conditions are not met.

Benefits of technology

Enhances passenger safety and comfort by preventing excessive lateral acceleration and ensuring compliance with carrying conditions, thereby improving the acceptance of autonomous vehicles.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically adapting (1) the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle implemented by a control unit, the adaptation method (1) comprising a verification step (11), based on data from at least one sensor of the motor vehicle, of the non-compliance of at least one carrying condition by at least one passenger of said motor vehicle and, if it is detected that at least one carrying condition is not complied with by at least some of the passengers of the motor vehicle, a safety step (12) of the motor vehicle, the safety step (12) comprising a parameterization step (13) of at least one threshold value associated with a longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle, so that the lateral acceleration caused by the speed of the motor vehicle progressing in the turn is less than a maximum lateral acceleration limit value,ensuring the safety of said passengers. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 3,
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Description

Title of the invention: Method for automatically adapting the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of methods and devices for controlling a motor vehicle, preferably but not exclusively of the autonomous type, and in particular within the framework of an automated road transport system. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for automatically adapting the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Road safety is one of the important issues facing our societies. With the increasing number of vehicles circulating on road networks worldwide, regardless of traffic conditions, the risks of accidents and incidents caused by traffic conditions have never been greater.

[0003] The increasing automation of vehicle driving also leads to the design of autonomous vehicles, that is to say vehicles whose driving is, at least in part, managed by one or more automatic systems.

[0004] Autonomous vehicles, such as automated and connected vehicles, are currently under development to address various use cases for automated road mobility, including passenger transport services. These services can be implemented in automated road transport systems. These systems generally involve a supervisory system configured to oversee a fleet of autonomous vehicles, particularly passenger vehicles, i.e., vehicles capable of transporting one or more passengers. Under the supervision of the supervisory system, the autonomous vehicles can thus operate within a predefined traffic zone according to given rules.

[0005] Autonomous vehicles offer new mobility solutions but also present certain limitations and constraints inherent to their nature, which may hinder their deployment and limit their acceptance by users. Conventionally, it is the driver of a motor vehicle, such as a bus or a car, who is responsible for piloting the vehicle to ensure the smooth running of the journey for the passengers on board. The driver is therefore responsible for ensuring that the conditions for travel on board the vehicle are met.

[0006] On the other hand, in an autonomous vehicle, and particularly in the context of passenger transport vehicles, the absence of a driver implies that a central computer in the vehicle controls fully control the motor vehicle and be able to make all appropriate decisions. In particular, such an autonomous vehicle may encounter dangerous situations or situations incompatible with passenger transport, especially if said passengers do not behave as expected or do not comply with the usual safety or operating conditions for such transport.

[0007] The present invention thus aims to adapt the operation of the motor vehicle, and in particular its kinematics along a traffic lane, in order to take into account, for the management of its speed, the conditions of passenger transport, that is to say to check the way in which the passengers are installed in the motor vehicle.

[0008] The present invention aims to propose a new method for automatically adapting the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle in order to address at least in large part the previous problems and to lead to other advantages.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to ensure the safety of the passengers of such a motor vehicle.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to adapt the speed of movement of the motor vehicle in order to adapt the lateral acceleration felt according to the verification or non-verification of the carrying conditions by the passengers.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method for automatically adapting the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle implemented by a control unit, the adaptation method comprising:

[0012] - a verification step, based on data from at least one sensor carried in the motor vehicle, of the failure to comply with at least one condition of carrying by at least one passenger of said motor vehicle; and

[0013] - if it is detected that at least one carrying condition is not met by less a part, called target passenger, of the at least one passenger, a step of securing the motor vehicle.

[0014] According to the invention, the safety step includes a parameterization step of at least one threshold value associated with a longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle, so that the lateral acceleration is less than a maximum permitted lateral acceleration limit value.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, the motor vehicle is considered in its broadest sense, regardless of the type of vehicle, its size, or its engine. By way of non-limiting example, the motor vehicle may be a car, a motorcycle, a van, a bus, a coach, a truck, etc. In particular, the motor vehicle is preferably an electrified motor vehicle, that is to say, an electric motor vehicle. or hybrid. Finally, in the context of the present invention, the motor vehicle includes a driving control system, of the assisted driving or autonomous driving type.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, the control unit comprises a microcontroller and / or a printed circuit board and / or a microprocessor. Additionally, the control unit may also include memory. By way of non-limiting example, the control unit is, for instance, a vehicle's computer.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, a carrying condition is a condition of normal use of the motor vehicle, considered with regard to the conformity and / or type of motor vehicle on the one hand, and with regard to national legislation on the other. In particular, in the context of the present invention, carrying conditions address the seated or standing position of a passenger, and / or the use or non-use of a seat belt, and / or the orientation of the passenger relative to the front of the motor vehicle. More precisely, a carrying condition addresses a condition of use and / or a normal passenger position in the motor vehicle. The invention detects a failure to comply with carrying conditions, that is to say, a use and / or a position that does not conform to expected uses and / or applicable regulations.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the verification step is implemented by the control unit. The verification step performs a test against the carrying conditions, that is, against the conditions of use and / or positions conforming to the expected uses and / or applicable regulations for the motor vehicle. Thus, the verification step makes it possible to identify the circumstances under which these carrying conditions are not met and under which circumstances the safety step will be activated, that is, triggered. The verification step is preferably performed for each passenger and / or for each seat and / or for each space reserved for standing in the motor vehicle. The implementation of the verification step therefore relies on sensor data that allows this comparison to be made.Sensor data can be of any type and obtained by any type of sensor mounted on the motor vehicle, inside or outside.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the safety-enhancing step is triggered as soon as a carrying condition is not met for at least one of the seated or standing positions of the motor vehicle. The vehicle safety-enhancing step consists of modifying one or more functional parameters of the motor vehicle in order to alter its dynamics or its reactive behavior in the face of a present or future situation on the road.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the parameterization step follows from the safety-enhancing step. The parameterization step addresses a specific parameter of the motor vehicle. In this case, the parameterization step addresses a parameter associated with the longitudinal movement of the motor vehicle, and in particular its speed while following, or preparing to follow, a curve.

[0021] . In the context of the present invention, the longitudinal velocity forms a The invention provides for modifying—that is, setting—the forward speed parameter of the motor vehicle if a carrying condition is not met. More specifically, the setting step addresses a limitation of the motor vehicle's speed. Thus, in the context of the present invention, if the carrying conditions are met, i.e., if all passengers are properly seated in the motor vehicle, then the speed parameter is configured in a first state that leads to an initial lateral acceleration felt by the passengers; whereas if the carrying conditions are not met, i.e., if at least one of the passengers is not properly seated in the motor vehicle, then the speed parameter is configured in a second state—different from the first state—that leads to a second lateral acceleration—different from the first lateral acceleration.

[0022] Thus, the automatic adaptation method according to the first aspect of the invention solves the technical problem by enabling safer and more passenger-friendly control of an autonomous or assisted motor vehicle, taking into account the passengers' position in said motor vehicle to define the associated lateral acceleration when at least one passenger condition is not met. This control relies on verifying, using sensor data, that at least one passenger condition is not met by the passenger(s) of a motor vehicle, and on making the vehicle safe—that is, adjusting its operating parameters—in the event that said at least one passenger condition is not met.

[0023] The present invention thus advantageously improves passenger comfort and ensures a high quality of transport service, for example by preventing abnormal or dangerous behavior on board the motor vehicle. It also makes it possible to limit safety risks, both for the passengers of the motor vehicle in question and for surrounding individuals and equipment.

[0024] The present invention thus advantageously makes it possible to ensure good public acceptance of automated road transport systems, and more generally of autonomous type motor vehicles.

[0025] The adaptation 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:

[0026] - the verification step is implemented by using sensor data originating from at least one sensor installed in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, at least one sensor including in particular a weight sensor associated with seat cushions of the motor vehicle and / or a video camera illustrating the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to measure and / or determine the carrying conditions for each passenger, and to allow a comparison between said carrying conditions measured and / or determined by the sensor, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the carrying conditions expected according to the regional legislation in force and / or the normal conditions of use of the motor vehicle;

[0027] - the sensor data includes at least one of (i) the data (i) video footage representing the vehicle's interior, (ii) occupancy data representing whether at least one seat in the vehicle is occupied, (iii) seat belt status data representing the locked or unlocked state of at least one seat belt in the motor vehicle, (iv) presence data representing whether at least one passenger is present in a floor area of ​​the motor vehicle, (vi) and presence data, such as radar and / or infrared, representing the presence of at least one passenger in the motor vehicle. Alternatively, all or part of this data may be read from the motor vehicle's onboard network. The acquisition and / or reading of this data allows for subsequent verification of whether the carrying conditions are met for all or some of the passengers present in the motor vehicle.

[0028] - at least one unmet carriage condition involves at least one of the The following checks are performed: detecting a seated passenger who is not wearing a seatbelt in the motor vehicle, and / or detecting a standing passenger in the motor vehicle. In other words, the verification step checks that one or more passengers in the motor vehicle comply with the vehicle seating instructions. If these seating conditions are not met, particularly regarding standing rather than sitting and / or not wearing a seatbelt, the adaptation procedure lowers the maximum longitudinal speed achievable by the motor vehicle, by limiting its speed, in order to prevent excessive longitudinal speed from causing harm to passengers who do not comply with the aforementioned carrying conditions when the vehicle automobile is in a turn, due to the lateral acceleration generated by said turn and said longitudinal speed;

[0029] - the maximum permissible lateral acceleration limit value in case of non-compliance The maximum permissible lateral acceleration value for at least one condition of transport is at most equal to one-third of the maximum permissible lateral acceleration value when said at least one condition of transport is met. In other words, if at least one condition of transport is not met, the parameterization step limits the maximum permissible lateral acceleration value to a value lower than that at which it is defined when said at least one condition of transport is met;

[0030] - Of course, the maximum permissible lateral acceleration depends on the road conformation on which the motor vehicle is traveling. In particular, by way of non-limiting example, the maximum permissible lateral acceleration limit is less than 1 m / s² for a bend with a radius of curvature of approximately 30 m;

[0031] - more generally, the maximum permissible lateral acceleration defined during The parameterization step is achieved by limiting the longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle as it moves through a curve. This parameterization step then includes a step of limiting the longitudinal speed of said motor vehicle according to a threshold value dependent on the radius of curvature of the curve. This advantageous configuration allows for good control of the lateral acceleration felt by the passengers in the motor vehicle.

[0032] - the clamping step determines the longitudinal speed threshold value maximum capacity of the motor vehicle according to the following formula: Speeds ^radius x accja^max where speed"“ is the maximum longitudinal speed to which the motor vehicle is limited in order not to generate a lateral acceleration exceeding the limit value when a passenger does not comply with the carrying condition, radius is the radius of curvature of the considered turn, and acc_lat_max is the maximum lateral acceleration authorized or tolerated for the vehicle when the carrying condition(s) are not respected. The radius of curvature of the turn is obtained, for example, through navigation data made available by a navigation system of the motor vehicle, and / or by a telemetry sensor configured to detect and analyze a road scene located in front of the motor vehicle, and allowing the determination of a radius of curvature of such a turn;

[0033] - the adaptation method includes a warning step on board the vehicle automobile in order to warn that at least one carrying condition is not met and / or that at least one longitudinal speed parameter of said motor vehicle has been restricted. This advantageous configuration allows a driver to be warned - more or less passive - and / or a passenger of the motor vehicle that the conditions of advancement of the motor vehicle have been modified - and in this case altered compared to those available under normal carrying conditions;

[0034] The adaptation method includes a step of determining a seat position in the motor vehicle where at least one carrying condition is not met, the warning step including a step of indicating said seat position. In particular, the determination step includes a step of representing on a plan of the motor vehicle the seat position where the carrying condition is not met and / or a position on an interior floor where the carrying condition is not met.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the invention, a computer program is proposed comprising instructions for implementing the adaptation process according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle control unit is proposed, the control unit comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the adaptation process according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0037] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle is proposed comprising the control unit conforming to the second aspect of the invention.

[0038] Preferably, the motor vehicle is of the autonomous or semi-autonomous type.

[0039] Furthermore, the motor vehicle is either internal combustion or electrified. In the context of the present invention, an electrified motor vehicle may be of the type of an electric vehicle pulled exclusively by an electric motor powered by a traction battery, or of the type of a hybrid motor vehicle comprising both the electric motor powered by the traction battery and associated with another propulsion system, such as an internal combustion engine, to propel the motor vehicle. Among hybrid motor vehicles, a distinction is made between plug-in hybrid vehicles, for which the traction battery can be recharged by connecting to an external power source, and non-plug-in hybrid vehicles, i.e., those not equipped for such recharging of the traction battery from an external electrical grid.

[0040] Finally, preferably although not limitingly, the motor vehicle is of the type of an individual automobile or, preferably, of the type of a collective motor vehicle, such as for example a bus, a coach, a shuttle.

[0041] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, incorporating, according to all their possible combinations, the different optional features set out here.

[0042] 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 by reference to the accompanying schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0043] [Fig-1] illustrates a schematic view of a road scene on which a vehicle automobile implements the process according to the invention;

[0044] [Fig.2] illustrates a schematic view of a motor vehicle conforming to second aspect of the invention;

[0045] [Fig.3] illustrates a synoptic diagram of the process conforming to the first aspect of the invention.

[0046] 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 be conceived comprising 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 the prior art.

[0047] In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if there is no technical obstacle to this combination.

[0048] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0049] With reference to [Fig. 1], a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention is represented in a road environment, said motor vehicle 2 moving in a lane of a road scene SDR, preceded by another vehicle, referred to as the followed vehicle, and ahead of a curve VR. The motor vehicle 2 is represented in a lane of the road scene SDR, defining a longitudinal axis X and a forward direction AV of the motor vehicle 2, a transverse axis Y being defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, across the road scene SDR.

[0050] The motor vehicle 2 according to the invention includes a driving control system, of the assisted driving or autonomous driving type.

[0051] The type and characteristics of the motor vehicle 2 can be adapted as appropriate. Generally speaking, the motor vehicle 2 is, for example, a coach, a bus, a truck, a van, a city shuttle, a vehicle utility vehicle or motorcycle, that is to say more generally of the type of a motorized land vehicle.

[0052] The motor vehicle 2 is a passenger vehicle, that is to say, a motor vehicle 2 configured to be able to transport one or more passengers. This motor vehicle 2 may be dedicated exclusively to the transport of passengers or be capable of transporting both passengers and goods.

[0053] Generally speaking, at least one passenger can be transported by the motor vehicle. For illustrative purposes, it is assumed in the following that the motor vehicle 2 carries on board a group of passengers, this group including at least one target passenger, who is associated with or the subject of the process that will be described below.

[0054] According to a particular example, the motor vehicle 2 operates at a level of autonomy equal to five, according to the scale defined by the American federal agency which has established five levels of autonomy ranging from 1 to 5. Thus, the motor vehicle 2 does not require any driver.

[0055] As a reminder, level 0 corresponds to a motor vehicle 2 with no autonomy, the driving of which is under the total supervision of the driver; level 1 corresponds to a motor vehicle 2 with a minimal level of autonomy, the driving of which is under the supervision of the driver with minimal assistance from an AD AS system (from the English "Advanced Driver-Assistance System" or in French "Système avancé d'aide à la conduite"); and level 5 corresponds to a fully autonomous motor vehicle 2.

[0056] More specifically, the five levels of autonomy in the classification of the federal agency responsible for road safety are:

[0057] - level 0: no automation, the driver of motor vehicle 2 is in control completely the main functions of the vehicle (engine, accelerator, steering, brakes);

[0058] - level 1: driver assistance, automation is active for certain functions of motor vehicle 2, the driver retaining overall control over the driving of motor vehicle 2; cruise control is part of this level, as are other aids such as ABS (anti-lock braking system) or ESP (electronic stability program);

[0059] - level 2: automation of combined functions, control of at least two main functions are combined in automation to replace the driver in certain situations; for example, adaptive cruise control combined with lane centering allows a vehicle to be classified as level 2, as does automatic parking assist (from the English "Park assist");

[0060] - Level 3: Limited autonomous driving, the driver can relinquish complete control from the motor vehicle 2 to the automated system which will then be in charge of the functions safety concerns; however, autonomous driving can only take place under certain specific environmental and traffic conditions (only on highways, for example);

[0061] - level 4: fully autonomous driving under certain conditions, the motor vehicle 2 is designed to perform all critical safety functions on its own over a complete journey; the driver provides a destination or navigation instructions but is not required to make themselves available to take back control of the motor vehicle 2;

[0062] - level 5: fully autonomous driving without driver assistance in all the circumstances.

[0063] In a particular example, the motor vehicle 2 operates at a level of autonomy equal to 4 according to the classification above. In other words, the motor vehicle 2 is semi-autonomous. In this document, it is assumed that the motor vehicle 2 is autonomous insofar as it is configured to manage its movements in at least a partially autonomous manner. Of course, the invention described herein can be implemented for lower levels of autonomy, and in particular from level 2.

[0064] With reference to [Fig. 2], such a motor vehicle 2, the subject of the present invention, carries a detection system 22 and at least one sensor 24, interfaced with each other by a control unit 21. The control unit 21 further comprises means for communicating with a remote SRV server. The detection system 22, the at least one sensor 24, and the control unit 21 together form a control system configured to control the motor vehicle 2, in particular when at least one carrying condition is not met.

[0065] The control unit 21 may include at least one processor and one memory area. The control unit 21 is configured to implement a control method as described below. To this end, the control unit 21 may include a computer program stored in the memory area, for example, of the Flash or ROM type, this computer program comprising instructions for implementing the control method according to the invention. The processor of the control unit 21 is thus configured to execute, in particular, the instructions defined by the computer program.

[0066] The control unit 21 may, for example, include a computer, or a combination of computers.

[0067] At least one sensor 24 installed in the motor vehicle 2 allows verification of compliance or non-compliance with the carrying conditions. Each sensor 24 is associated with a seat 23 of the motor vehicle 2, or with a floor 25 of the motor vehicle 2. so as to detect the behavior or posture of the passengers of the motor vehicle 2, whether they are sitting on a seat 23 or standing on the floor 25.

[0068] The carrying conditions define conditions to be met by the passengers on board the motor vehicle 2 in order to define certain operating parameters of the motor vehicle 2, related to its movement on the road in the SDR scene. These carrying conditions, the number and nature of which may vary depending on the case, may be stored in the memory area of ​​the control unit 21, or made accessible by said control unit 21 in order to verify whether, at any given time, the passengers are complying with the carrying conditions.

[0069] With reference to [Fig. 3], the invention relates to a method for automatically adapting 1 the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle 2 implemented by a control unit 21, the adaptation method 1 comprising:

[0070] - a verification step 11, based on data from at least one sensor 24. carried in motor vehicle 2, of the failure to comply with at least one condition of carriage by at least one passenger of said motor vehicle 2; and

[0071] - if it is detected that at least one carrying condition is not met by less a part, called target passenger, of at least one passenger, a safety step 12 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0072] According to the invention, the safety step 12 includes a parameterization step 13 of at least one threshold value associated with a longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle 2, so that the lateral acceleration felt by the passengers of the motor vehicle 2 is less than a maximum permitted lateral acceleration limit value, in order to prevent the passengers from being unbalanced by the curvature of the turn VR, the speed of the motor vehicle 2 and the lateral acceleration felt.

[0073] The carrying conditions here refer to the seated position – facing or facing backward – and unbelted of at least one of the passengers, and / or a standing position of at least one of the passengers. Thus, if one of the passengers meets one of these conditions, then the forward speed conditions of the motor vehicle 2 are adjusted, that is to say, reduced in order to prevent a lateral acceleration felt by the passengers from being too powerful and destabilizing or injuring the at least one passenger who meets these carrying conditions.

[0074] Indeed, it is understood that the lateral acceleration felt by the passengers of a motor vehicle 2 taking a curve VR with a radius of curvature R varies with the square of the forward speed AV of said motor vehicle 2 in said curve VR. Therefore, to limit the effect of the lateral acceleration felt by the passengers, it is necessary to limit the longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle 2.

[0075] Generally, the maximum permissible lateral acceleration defined in parameterization step 13 is obtained by limiting the longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle 2 as it moves through the curve VR. Parameterization step 13 thus includes a step for limiting the longitudinal speed of said motor vehicle 2 based on a threshold value that depends on a radius of curvature of the curve VR. Advantageously, the method includes a detection step 14 of a radius of curvature of the curve VR located ahead in order to allow the control unit 21 to determine the optimum forward speed parameters AV for the motor vehicle 2.

[0076] The adaptation method 1 according to the invention includes a warning step 15 on board the motor vehicle 2 to warn that at least one carrying condition is not met and / or that the forward speed of said motor vehicle 2 has been limited to prevent excessive lateral acceleration. Additionally, the adaptation method 1 according to the invention optionally includes a step 16 for determining a seat position on one of the seats 23 or a location on the floor 25 of the motor vehicle 2 where at least one carrying condition is not met, the warning step 15 including a step for indicating said seat position.

[0077] In summary, the invention relates to a method for automatically adapting 1 the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle 2 implemented by a control unit 21, the adaptation method 1 comprising (i) a verification step 11, based on data from at least one sensor 24 on board the motor vehicle 2, to verify that at least one passenger of said motor vehicle 2 is not complying with at least one carrying condition and, if it is detected that at least one carrying condition is not being met by at least some of the passengers of the motor vehicle 2, (ii) a safety step 12 of the motor vehicle 2, the safety step 12 comprising a parameter setting step 13 of at least one threshold value associated with a longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle 2,so that the lateral acceleration caused by the speed of the motor vehicle 2 proceeding through the curve VR is less than a maximum lateral acceleration limit, guaranteeing the safety of said passengers.

[0078] 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 with one another in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above are combinable with each other.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for automatically adapting (1) the lateral acceleration parameters of a motor vehicle (2) implemented by a control unit (21), the adaptation method (1) comprising: - a verification step (11), based on data from at least one sensor (24) on board the motor vehicle (2), of the non-compliance of at least one carrying condition by at least one passenger of said motor vehicle (2); and - if it is detected that at least one carrying condition is not complied with by at least one part, referred to as the target passenger, of the at least one passenger, a safety step (12) of the motor vehicle (2); characterized in that the safety step (12) comprises a parameterization step (13) of at least one threshold value associated with a longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle (2), so that the lateral acceleration is less than a maximum permissible lateral acceleration limit value.

2. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one non-compliant carrying condition includes at least one of the following checks: - the detection of a seated and unbelted passenger in the motor vehicle (2); and / or - the detection of a standing passenger in the motor vehicle (2).

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum permissible lateral acceleration limit value in the event of non-compliance with at least one carrying condition is at most equal to one-third of a maximum permissible lateral acceleration value when said at least one carrying condition is met.

4. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the maximum permissible lateral acceleration limit value is less than 1 m / s2 for a turn (VR) having a radius of curvature of approximately 30 m.

5. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the maximum permissible lateral acceleration defined in the parameterization step (13) is obtained by limiting the longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle (2) when it is moving through a curve (VR), the parameterization step (13) then comprising a speed limitation step longitudinal of said motor vehicle (2) as a function of a threshold value depending on a radius of curvature of the turn (VR).

6. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the restriction step determines the threshold value of the maximum longitudinal speed of the motor vehicle (2) according to the following formula: Speed™* = ^raym x aee_lat_max where speed- is the maximum longitudinal speed at which the motor vehicle (2) is restricted in order not to generate a lateral acceleration greater than the limit value when a passenger does not comply with the carrying condition, radius is the radius of curvature of the turn (VR) considered and acc_lat_max is the maximum lateral acceleration allowed or tolerated for the motor vehicle (2) when the carrying condition is not complied with.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the adaptation method (1) includes a warning step (15) on board the motor vehicle (2) to warn that at least one carrying condition is not met and / or that at least one acceleration parameter of said motor vehicle (2) has been restricted.

8. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the adaptation method (1) comprises a determination step (16) of a seat of one of the seats (23) of the motor vehicle (2) at which at least one carrying condition is not met, the warning step (15) comprising a step of indicating said seat.

9. Control unit (21) of a motor vehicle (2), the control unit (21) comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the adaptation method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle (2) comprising the control unit (21) according to the preceding claim.