Method of moving a motor vehicle to a secure area.

Abstract

Method for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area. The method for moving a vehicle to a secure area comprises: - detection (E2), at a time of detection, by a monitoring device, of a serious malfunction of the traction battery; then - transmission (E3) to a user, by an alert device, of a notification of a serious malfunction of the traction battery; then - determination (E4), by means of a location device, of a route enabling the motor vehicle to be moved from its current position to a secure area; then - transmission (E5) of the route to the vehicle user and / or to a vehicle guidance system; then - command (E6) of a movement of the vehicle along the route to the secure area, the movement being able to be commanded by a driver of the motor vehicle, or the movement being able to be at least partially automated. Figure for the abbreviation: 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area.

[0001] The invention relates to a method of moving a motor vehicle to a secure area, that is to say an area allowing one to deal, in a controlled manner, with any thermal event, whether it be a simple heating with release of smoke or a fire.

[0002] The phenomena of thermal propagation or thermal runaway of a traction battery of a motor vehicle, in particular of a Li-ion type battery, are exothermic reactions which can endanger the life of the occupants of an electric vehicle but also the environment close to the vehicle.

[0003] Regulations that will soon come into force require that future vehicles equipped with a traction battery be capable of detecting a thermal event occurring on the battery that could lead to heat propagation. In addition, regulations require, from September 2023 for new vehicles and from September 2025 for all vehicles, that during the five minutes following the sending of a thermal event alert to vehicle occupants, no dangerous situation for occupants may occur in the passenger compartment.

[0004] Methods for managing vehicle thermal runaway are known. In particular, German patent DE 102022003359 describes a warning system for thermal runaway of an electric vehicle battery. The warning system has a module for acquiring information about the vehicle's location. When thermal runaway is detected, a warning device is activated. This device can only be activated when the vehicle is stationary. The vehicle also includes a battery status analysis module. The battery status analysis module is able to communicate with the information acquisition module when a thermal failure of the vehicle's battery is detected. The warning signal can be transmitted to the car owner and nearby garages so that appropriate precautions can be taken to address the problem.

[0005] However, prior art methods have disadvantages. In particular, prior art methods deal with the detection of a thermal event but do not address the issue of ensuring the safety of the occupants of an electric vehicle, nor the environment surrounding the vehicle.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a method for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area, remedying the above drawbacks and improving The invention relates to prior art methods for ensuring the safety of occupants of a motor vehicle and the immediate environment surrounding the vehicle. In particular, the invention provides a simple and reliable method and system for ensuring the safety of occupants of a motor vehicle and the immediate environment surrounding the vehicle.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a method for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area, the motor vehicle comprising: - a traction battery, - a means of monitoring the condition of the traction battery, - an alert system designed to warn a user of the motor vehicle of a serious malfunction in the traction battery, - a memory containing a map listing and locating secure areas of the motor vehicle, - a means of locating the current position of the motor vehicle on the map, and - a means of transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the process includes: - a detection step, at a specific moment of detection, by means of monitoring, of a serious malfunction of the traction battery, then - a step involving the transmission to a user of the motor vehicle, by means of an alert, of a notification of a serious malfunction of the traction battery, then - a step of determining, using the location system, a route to move the motor vehicle from its current position to a secure area, then - a step of transmitting the route to the vehicle user and / or to a vehicle guidance system, then - a step of ordering a movement of the vehicle along the route to the secure area, the movement being able to be ordered by a driver of the motor vehicle, or the movement being able to be at least partially automated.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method includes, upstream of said detection step, a step of constructing a database of secure areas, a secure area being described according to criteria for identifying the area on a GPS map and / or according to one or more price parameters from among the following parameters: - a parameter describing whether the area is located in a so-called ATEX zone, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in the center of an area devoid of dwellings within a given radius, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in a zone covered by a telephone network, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in a low or free-flowing traffic zone, - a parameter describing whether the area is located near a first aid center, - a parameter describing whether the area is located near a water fountain.

[0009] In one embodiment, said route determination step includes a first substep of selecting, in the database of safe areas, a first subset of safe areas that the motor vehicle can reach sufficiently quickly so that a measured time between the moment of detection and a moment of vehicle safety is less than a given time, in particular the given time being equal to five minutes, the moment of vehicle safety being defined as a moment from which the vehicle's occupants have exited the vehicle and are positioned at a distance from the safe area.

[0010] In one embodiment, the criteria for identifying a secure area on a GPS map include GPS coordinates of the area and / or a description of an environment located near the area, including a description of buildings and / or road infrastructure and / or traffic signs and / or parks located near the area.

[0011] In one embodiment, said route determination step further includes a second sub-step of selecting, from the first subset of secure areas, a second subset of secure areas, the second sub-step comprising an assignment of weighting factors to the parameters contained in the database according to their degree of importance relative to the objective of ensuring the safety of passengers and their environment.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second substep of selecting secure areas relates to the following parameters: - Faire is located in an area devoid of habitation within a 10-meter radius, - Faire is located in an area covered by a telephone network. - Faire is located near a fire station, - Faire is located near a fire department water hydrant.

[0013] In one embodiment, a level of autonomy of the motor vehicle, according to the SAE J3016 standard, is either 0, or 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5.

[0014] The invention further relates to a system for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area, the system comprising - a traction battery - a means of monitoring the condition of the traction battery, - a means of transmitting an alert to a user of the motor vehicle, - a means of locating the motor vehicle on the map, including a GPS sensor and / or at least one camera filming the environment of the motor vehicle, - a means of transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle, - and, optionally, driver assistance modules, the system comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the process according to the invention, in particular hardware and / or software elements designed to implement the process according to the invention.

[0015] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a system for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area according to the invention.

[0016] Other details, features and advantages will become clearer upon reading the detailed description given below, by way of example and not limitation, in relation to the various embodiments illustrated in the following figures:

[0017] Fig. 1 represents an embodiment of a motor vehicle implementing a method of moving a motor vehicle to a secure area.

[0018] Fig. 2 represents a flowchart of a method for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area according to the invention.

[0019] The motor vehicle 100 can be a motor vehicle of any type, including a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, a truck or a public transport vehicle such as a bus or a shuttle.

[0020] The motor vehicle 100 is a hybrid or all-electric vehicle comprising a system 10 for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area according to the invention.

[0021] In the remainder of this document, the term "secure area" is used to designate a location where the vehicle can be left safely for the safety of the vehicle's occupants and for the safety of persons and equipment in the vicinity of the location.

[0022] In the remainder of the document, the term “area” refers to a secure area.

[0023] An area can also be defined as being - an area accessible by motor vehicle, - an area allowing the vehicle to be parked while maintaining a sufficiently large space free of infrastructure around the vehicle. - a possible refuge area for the vehicle's occupants located at a sufficient distance from the vehicle.

[0024] Furthermore, the expression "moment of vehicle safety" designates a moment from which the vehicle's occupants and the persons and equipment in the vicinity of the location are safe.

[0025] System 10 includes, in particular, - a traction battery 11, also referred to as the "battery" in the remainder of this document, - a means 12 for monitoring the condition of the traction battery, - a means 13 of transmitting an alert to a user of the motor vehicle, - a means of locating the motor vehicle on the map, including a GPS sensor and / or at least one camera filming the environment of the motor vehicle, - a means 18 of transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle.

[0026] Furthermore, depending on the level of autonomy of the motor vehicle, the system 10 may also include driving assistance modules 19 capable of implementing, in part or in full, a movement of the vehicle on a route.

[0027] An embodiment of the motor vehicle 100 equipped with a system 10, according to the invention, for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area is illustrated by [Fig.1].

[0028] In this embodiment, the means 12 for monitoring the state of the traction battery is implemented by temperature sensors and / or a pressure sensor, the sensors being located on the traction battery 11. The sensors are capable of transmitting significant data regarding a thermal malfunction of the battery 11 to a BMS (Battery Management System) control unit for managing the traction battery. This information is then relayed to a vehicle control unit.

[0029] Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the means 13 for transmitting an alert to a user is implemented via a human-machine interface, which may be a human-machine interface of a GPS system. In a complementary or alternative embodiment, for example in a vehicle with level 0 autonomy, the alert can be transmitted to a user's telephone screen via a communication network between computers. This solution requires that the vehicle be equipped with a SIM card enabling telephone communication between the vehicle and a user on board.

[0030] Furthermore, the means 17 for locating the motor vehicle on a map uses a GPS system. Alternative or complementary solutions to GPS are described later in this document.

[0031] Furthermore, to implement means 18 of transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle, the same means can be used as for the transmission of an alert, i.e. a human-machine interface of a GPS system or a telephone screen.

[0032] Depending on the level of autonomy of the motor vehicle 100, the embodiment of the means 13 for transmitting an alert to a user of the motor vehicle may vary. This is also the case for the embodiments of the means 17 for locating the motor vehicle on a map, and of the means 18 for transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle.

[0033] According to the SAEJ3016 standard, the autonomy level of a motor vehicle is between 0 and 5, - Level 0 corresponds to a complete lack of autonomy, with onboard assistance systems reduced to mere warning devices. - Level 1 corresponds to driving assistance, for example longitudinal control (including, for example, longitudinal speed management, target tracking) or lateral control (for example, lane departure warning), - Level 2 corresponds to a partial delegation of vehicle driving (for example, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane keeping, automatic parking maneuver), - Level 3 corresponds to a conditional autonomy of the vehicle, in very specific driving situations, the vehicle then being able to analyze its environment and act accordingly. - Level 4 corresponds to high autonomy, with the driver no longer needing to intervene in certain specific geographical areas. - level 5 corresponds to complete vehicle autonomy, which does not require driver intervention.

[0034] A vehicle whose autonomy level is 0 or 1 is not always equipped with a GPS sensor, however it must be possible to locate it on a map to determine one or more secure areas near the current position of the motor vehicle 100.

[0035] In this case, the vehicle's location on a map can be achieved using alternative technologies. For example, in one embodiment, the vehicle can use precise local maps combined with sensors (such as cameras, LiDAR, or radar) to identify physical landmarks and adjust the vehicle's position based on these known landmarks. This solution can advantageously include environmental recognition algorithms.

[0036] When such sensors are not present on the vehicle, speed, direction (magnetic compass), and time can be used to calculate an approximate position of the vehicle. This data can advantageously be combined with data from wheel counters for greater accuracy.

[0037] The system 10 further includes a microprocessor 14 which enables the process according to the invention to be executed, a local electronic memory 15 and communication interfaces 16 enabling the microprocessor to read data from memory and to write data to memory.

[0038] In one embodiment, the microprocessor 14 allows the execution of software comprising the following modules, which collaborate with each other: - Module 141 for building a database of secure areas, - a module 142 for detecting a serious malfunction of the traction battery, the detection module collaborating with the monitoring means, - a module 143 for transmitting an alert to a user indicating a serious malfunction of the battery, the transmission module collaborating with the alerting means, - a module 144 for determining a secure area and determining a route to Faire, the determination module collaborating with the location means, and the local memory 15, - a module 145 for transmitting the route to a vehicle user and / or to a vehicle guidance system, the transmission module collaborating with the transmission means, - a module 146 for controlling the movement of the vehicle along the route, the control module being able to collaborate with driving assistance modules and effectors of the motor vehicle 100.

[0039] The motor vehicle 100, in particular the system 10, preferably comprises all the hardware and / or software elements configured to implement the method defined in the object of the invention or the method described below.

[0040] One method of executing the definition process is described below. The process comprises six steps E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6 which are executed successively.

[0041] In the first step El, a database of secure areas is built.

[0042] Each area recorded in the database advantageously includes criteria for identifying Faire on a map of the GPS map type. The identification criteria may include in particular: - GPS coordinates of the area, - a description of the area's environment, which may include, for example, a description of buildings, roads, parks, traffic signs located near Faire.

[0043] An area is further characterized as a function of one or more price parameters from among the following parameters: - a parameter describing whether the area is located in a so-called ATEX zone, and - a parameter describing whether the location is situated in the center of an area devoid of dwellings within a given radius, - a parameter describing whether the location is situated in an area covered by a telephone network, - a parameter describing whether the location is situated near a first aid center, - a parameter describing whether the location is situated near a water point.

[0044] The concept of an ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres) zone is a classification used to identify locations where explosive mixtures of gases, vapors, mists, or dusts can form in the air, thus presenting a risk of explosion. ATEX regulations, stemming from European directives, govern safety in these hazardous environments to prevent fires and explosions.

[0045] In the second stage E2, a serious malfunction of the traction battery 11 is detected.

[0046] In one embodiment, the detection step relates to the detection of thermal runaway. The phenomenon of thermal runaway occurs when the temperature of a battery increases uncontrollably, potentially leading to overheating, failure, or even explosion or fire.

[0047] Thermal runaway is first manifested by a rapid increase in the internal temperature of the battery. As the temperature increases, the chemical reactions inside accelerate, releasing more and more heat.

[0048] Excessive heat can cause the battery electrolytes to decompose, generating flammable gases such as oxygen or volatile organic solvents.

[0049] If the temperature continues to rise, the internal pressure of the battery may increase due to accumulated gases. This can cause the battery casing to rupture, leading to gas ignition and potentially a fire or explosion.

[0050] In the described embodiment, the detection of thermal runaway is carried out by a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor disposed in the battery 11.

[0051] The motor vehicle is further equipped with a thermal management system that monitors the temperature and performance of the battery, and can deactivate the battery in case of overheating.

[0052] The battery thermal management system, in particular the battery management system computer, assesses the situation and transmits information relating to a serious malfunction of the traction battery to a central computer of the motor vehicle.

[0053] In the event of a thermal runaway, we proceed to the third step E3.

[0054] In the third step E3, a user of the motor vehicle is notified of a serious battery malfunction. To do this, the central control unit commands the sending of an alert message to at least one user of the vehicle, via the alert transmission method. As previously described, the means of transmitting an alert to a user depends on the available equipment. in the vehicle, for example a human-machine interface of a GPS system and / or a vehicle user's phone screen.

[0055] The danger must be clearly and unambiguously communicated to the driver to avoid any misinterpretation. To this end, an explanatory message may be sent to the driver to explain the procedure being carried out.

[0056] We then proceed to the fourth step E4 of determining a route allowing the motor vehicle to be moved between its current position and the position of a secure area.

[0057] In the fourth step E4, the route is determined so that a measured time between the moment of detection and a moment of vehicle safety is less than a given time, in particular the given time being equal to five minutes, and the moment of vehicle safety being defined as a moment from which the vehicle occupants have exited the vehicle and are safe, and the persons and equipment in the vicinity of the safe area are safe.

[0058] For this purpose, the fourth step includes a sub-step of determining a safe area compatible with the current position of the motor vehicle.

[0059] The substep of determining a secure area implements a search algorithm in the database of secure areas.

[0060] A first selection of areas is carried out taking into account first of all the time required for the vehicle to access the area, the time required being counted from the moment the alert was transmitted to the users of the vehicle.

[0061] In other words, the fourth step includes an initial selection of safe areas that the motor vehicle can reach quickly enough so that the measured time between the moment of detection and the moment the vehicle is made safe is less than a given time, in particular the time being equal to five minutes, the moment the vehicle is made safe being defined as the moment from which the vehicle's occupants have exited the vehicle and are positioned at a distance from the area

[0062] In one embodiment, the previously mentioned limit of five minutes can be revised downwards depending on the evolution of battery degradation.

[0063] Thus the route can be adapted continuously according to the evolution of the information received on the progress of the thermal phenomenon occurring at the battery level.

[0064] From the first pre-selection, a second pre-selection is carried out, in which parameters contained in the database are advantageously weighted according to their degree of importance relative to the objective of ensuring the safety of passengers and their environment.

[0065] For example, the second pre-selection may focus on the following priority criteria: - The work must be located in an area devoid of habitation within a 10m radius, - The work must be located in an area covered by a telephone network, - The work must be located near a fire station; - The work must be located near a fire department water hydrant.

[0066] Once an area meeting the priority criteria has been determined, a route is determined allowing the motor vehicle to be moved between its current position and Faire.

[0067] In one embodiment, a choice among several distinct areas may be offered to the vehicle user, who will then have to select the area towards which he wishes to go.

[0068] Then, in the fifth step E5, the route is transmitted to the vehicle user and / or to a vehicle guidance system. Route transmission can be carried out via a screen available in the vehicle's passenger compartment. Advantageously, the available screen is a screen installed in the vehicle's passenger compartment, for example, a GPS screen. If no screen is installed in the vehicle, then the route is transmitted to the users via a user's mobile phone.

[0069] Then, we proceed to a sixth step E6 of commanding a movement of the vehicle along the route determined in step E5.

[0070] Depending on the level of autonomy of the motor vehicle, the movement can be controlled by a driver of the motor vehicle, or the movement can be partially or totally automated.

[0071] For example, a level 2 or 3 autonomous vehicle can take control of the steering wheel in order to assist the driver.

[0072] If the vehicle has an autonomy level of 3 or 4, it can fully handle the journey to Faire. This assistance can, for example, allow the driver to call for help during the journey.

[0073] When the vehicle has reached Faire, the passengers move away from the vehicle to safety.

[0074] In summary, in one embodiment, the process according to the invention implements the following steps: - We are building a database containing information about secure areas, - a serious battery malfunction is detected by a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor located on the traction battery of the motor vehicle, then - an indication of a serious battery malfunction is transmitted to the battery management system's computer, then - the indication of a serious battery malfunction is transmitted to the vehicle's computer, then - the computer monitoring the motor vehicle emits a warning message intended to be displayed on a human-machine interface, which could be a screen located in the passenger compartment or a user's phone screen, depending on the level of equipment and autonomy of the motor vehicle, then - using a database containing the locations of secure areas, and using the geolocation data of the motor vehicle (which could be, for example, GPS geolocation or geolocation carried out using a GPS map and images from sensors of the motor vehicle's environment), a route is determined to move the motor vehicle between its current position and a selected area, then - the computer monitoring the motor vehicle transmits the route to at least one user of the vehicle, via a human-machine interface of the vehicle or via a user's telephone, then - the vehicle is commanded to move along the route to the selected area, the vehicle movement command being able to be automated or manual, then - the passengers move away from the vehicle to safety.

[0075] Finally, in the event of a serious malfunction of the traction battery, the invention makes it possible to protect both the passengers of the vehicle and the people and equipment located near the vehicle.

[0076] The system according to the invention makes it possible to take into account vehicles, regardless of their level of autonomy.

[0077] In one embodiment, the method according to the invention could be applied to so-called micromobility vehicles. For example, a user of an electric scooter could receive a message informing them of a step to take, in particular to move a scooter to a place where a fire in the scooter's battery would not risk injuring passers-by.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for moving a motor vehicle (100) to a secure area, the motor vehicle (100) comprising: - a traction battery (11), - a means (12) for monitoring the state of the traction battery, - a warning means (13) for alerting a user of the motor vehicle of a serious malfunction of the traction battery, - a memory (14) containing a map listing and locating secure areas of the motor vehicle, - a means (17) for locating a current position of the motor vehicle on the map, and - a means (18) for transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle, the method being characterized in that it comprises: - a step (E2) of detecting, at a detection time, by the monitoring means (12), a serious malfunction of the traction battery (11), then - a step (E3) of transmitting to a user of the motor vehicle (100), by the means (13) alert,of a notification of a serious malfunction of the traction battery (11), then - a step (E4) of determining, by means of the localization means (17), a route enabling the motor vehicle (100) to be moved between its current position and a safe area, then - a step (E5) of transmitting the route to the vehicle user and / or to a vehicle guidance system, then - a step (E6) of commanding a movement of the vehicle along the route to the safe area, the movement being able to be commanded by a driver of the motor vehicle, or the movement being able to be at least partially automated.

2. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, upstream of said detection step (E2), a step (E1) of constructing a database of secure areas, a secure area being described according to criteria for identifying the area on a GPS map and / or according to one or more price parameters from among the following parameters: - a parameter describing whether the area is located in an area designated as ATEX, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in the center of an area devoid of dwellings within a given radius, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in an area covered by a telephone network, - a parameter describing whether the area is located in an area of ​​low or fluid traffic, - a parameter describing whether the area is located near a first aid center, - a parameter describing whether the area is located near a water hydrant.

3. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said step (E4) of determining a route comprises a first substep (E41) of selecting, in the database of safe areas, a first subset of safe areas that the motor vehicle can reach sufficiently quickly so that a measured time between the moment of detection and a moment of vehicle safety is less than a given time, in particular the given time being equal to five minutes, the moment of vehicle safety being defined as a moment from which the vehicle's occupants have left the vehicle and are positioned at a distance from the safe area.

4. A method according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the criteria for identifying a safe area on a GPS map include GPS coordinates of the area and / or a description of an environment located near Faire, including a description of buildings and / or road infrastructure and / or traffic signs and / or parks located near the area.

5. A method according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said step (E4) of determining a route further comprises a second substep (E42) of selecting, from the first subset of secure areas, a second subset of secure areas, the second substep (E42) comprising an assignment of weighting factors to the parameters contained in the database according to their degree of importance relative to the objective of ensuring the safety of passengers and their environment.

6. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second substep (E42) of selecting safe areas relates to the following parameters: - the area is located in an area devoid of habitation within a radius of 10 meters, - the area is located in an area covered by a telephone network, - the area is located near a fire station, - the area is located near a fire department water hydrant.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a level of autonomy of the motor vehicle (100), according to the SAE J3016 standard, is either 0, or 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5.

8. A system (10) for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area, the system comprising: - a traction battery (11), - a means (12) for monitoring the state of the traction battery, - a means (13) for transmitting an alert to a user of the motor vehicle, - a means (17) for locating the motor vehicle on a map, including a GPS sensor and / or at least one camera filming the surroundings of the motor vehicle, - a means (18) for transmitting a route to a user of the motor vehicle, - and, optionally, driver assistance modules (19), the system (10) being characterized in that it comprises hardware and / or software elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146) implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, in particular material elements (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18) and / or software designed to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle (100) comprising a system (10) for moving a motor vehicle to a secure area according to the preceding claim.

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