Method and device for operating a motor vehicle having an auxiliary unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for operating a motor vehicle having an auxiliary unit fastened to the motor vehicle. The device is designed to determine whether an auxiliary unit has been fastened to the motor vehicle. The device is also designed to select a profile for the auxiliary unit fastened to the motor vehicle from a set of predefined profiles, wherein the set of profiles comprises in each case, for a corresponding set of different auxiliary units, data relating to one or more properties of the relevant auxiliary unit. Furthermore, the device is designed to operate the motor vehicle on the basis of the data from the selected profile.

Description

[0001] Method and device for operating a motor vehicle with an additional unit

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device which enable comfortable, reliable and safe operation of a motor vehicle with an additional unit attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, in particular with a trailer or with a bicycle carrier.

[0003] A vehicle may have a trailer hitch to which an additional unit, in particular a trailer or bicycle rack, can be attached. An additional unit attached to the vehicle from the outside typically influences the vehicle's handling and / or one or more driving functions and / or driver assistance functions of the vehicle.

[0004] This document addresses the technical problem of increasing the comfort, reliability and safety of operation of a motor vehicle with an additional unit attached to the motor vehicle.

[0005] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim can form a separate invention, independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, which invention can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device for operating a motor vehicle with an additional unit attached to the motor vehicle is described. The additional unit can be attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, in particular to a trailer hitch of the motor vehicle. The additional unit can be a trailer or a bicycle carrier. The motor vehicle can be designed to be operated (sequentially) with different additional units. In particular, different additional units can be attached to the motor vehicle. The different additional units can have one or more different (mechanical) properties.

[0007] The device is configured to determine that an additional unit has been attached to the motor vehicle. This can be detected based on a user input from the motor vehicle user at a user interface (of the motor vehicle). Alternatively or additionally, this can be detected based on sensor data from one or more sensors of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The device is further configured to select a profile for the additional unit attached to the motor vehicle from a set of predefined profiles. The set of predefined profiles can be stored, for example, on a storage unit of the motor vehicle and / or on a storage unit of a backend server. The individual profiles can have been entered in advance by the user (possibly manually). The set of predefined profiles can, for example, comprise one or more, or two or more, or three or more different profiles.

[0009] The set of profiles can include and / or specify data relating to one or more properties of the respective additional unit for a corresponding set of different additional units. Examples of properties of an additional unit are:

[0010] • the type of additional unit from a set of different types, the set of different types including in particular the type “trailer” and the type “bicycle rack”;

[0011] • the length of the additional unit along the longitudinal axis;

[0012] • the width of the additional unit along the transverse axis;

[0013] • the height of the additional unit along the vertical axis;

[0014] • the length of the drawbar of the additional unit (if present);

[0015] • the weight of the additional unit, e.g. the maximum permissible weight of the (loaded) additional unit;

[0016] • the support load of the additional unit (on a coupling of the vehicle); and / or

[0017] • the maximum permissible driving speed when operating a motor vehicle with the additional unit.

[0018] The device can be configured to output information relating to the set of predefined profiles via the user interface (of the motor vehicle) to enable the user to select a profile from the set of predefined profiles. A user input relating to the selected profile can then be captured via the user interface.

[0019] The device is further configured to operate the motor vehicle depending on the data from the selected profile. The motor vehicle can, in particular, be operated depending on the one or more properties of the additional unit attached to the motor vehicle, as specified in the selected profile. The device can, for example, be configured to operate a driver assistance function for supporting the driver of the motor vehicle when driving the motor vehicle and / or a driving function for automated longitudinal and / or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle, depending on the one or more properties of the additional unit attached to the motor vehicle, as specified in the selected profile.

[0020] This allows the user of a motor vehicle to define profiles for one or more auxiliary units and save them for subsequent reuse. When operating the motor vehicle with an auxiliary unit, the data to be used for the auxiliary unit can be conveniently and reliably defined by selecting the respective profile. This enables particularly safe operation of the motor vehicle.

[0021] The device can be configured to determine, based on the selected profile, that the additional unit attached to the motor vehicle is a trailer. In response to the determination that the additional unit is a trailer, a trailer assistance function of the motor vehicle can be activated, in particular when the motor vehicle's reverse gear is engaged, wherein the trailer assistance function is designed to assist the driver of the motor vehicle when driving the motor vehicle with a trailer. The trailer assistance function can be activated automatically if necessary. Alternatively or additionally, a suggestion for activating the trailer assistance function can be output via the user interface (which suggestion can then be accepted by the user via a user input). This can result in particularly comfortable and safe operation of the motor vehicle.The data from the selected profile can specify settings for one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle when operating the motor vehicle with the auxiliary unit attached to the motor vehicle. Example adjustable components are: a rear-view mirror of the motor vehicle, and / or a seat of the motor vehicle. The one or more settings can have been determined in advance by the user of the motor vehicle. The device can be configured to cause (before or upon commencement of travel of the motor vehicle) the one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle to be automatically adjusted according to the respective setting from the selected profile. In this way, the comfort and safety of the motor vehicle can be further increased.

[0022] The device can be configured to identify a first profile from the set of predefined profiles, in particular based on the previous usage history of the different profiles from the set of predefined profiles. The first profile can be, for example, the most frequently used profile or the most recently used profile. The first profile can be suggested for (preferred) selection via the user interface. This can further increase the comfort of the motor vehicle.

[0023] The device may be configured to allow the user, via the user interface (of the motor vehicle), to define a profile for a new additional unit, wherein the profile comprises data relating to one or more properties of the new additional unit, and to include the defined profile in the set of predefined profiles (and to store it on the memory unit of the motor vehicle) for subsequent use.

[0024] Furthermore, the device can be configured to determine settings for one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is operated with the new additional unit. The settings can be made manually by the user of the motor vehicle. The determined settings for the one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle can be included in the profile for the new additional unit.

[0025] This allows the vehicle user to manually define profiles for one or more additional units. User-specific settings can also be defined for one or more adjustable components of the vehicle. This enables particularly convenient and reliable operation of the vehicle.

[0026] The device can be configured to allow the user, via the user interface (of the motor vehicle), to access a vehicle-external computing unit (e.g., a backend server) on which a plurality of different, predefined profiles are stored. The computing unit can, in particular, comprise a database of profiles for different additional units. The selected profile can be selected in a particularly reliable manner from the plurality of different, predefined profiles of the vehicle-external computing unit.

[0027] According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which comprises the device described in this document.

[0028] According to one aspect, a method for operating a motor vehicle with an additional unit attached (externally) to the motor vehicle (e.g., with a trailer or a bicycle rack) is described. The method comprises determining that an additional unit has been attached to the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the method comprises selecting a profile for the additional unit attached to the motor vehicle from a set of predefined profiles, wherein the set of profiles for a corresponding set of different additional units each comprises data relating to one or more properties of the respective additional unit. The method further comprises operating the motor vehicle depending on the data from the selected profile.

[0029] It should be noted that the aspects described in connection with the device, in particular the claims described in connection with the device, are also to be applied to the method as corresponding method features.

[0030] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to be executed on a processor (e.g., on a vehicle control unit) and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0031] According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium can comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to carry out the method described in this document.

[0032] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

[0033] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Figure 1a shows exemplary components of a vehicle; Figure 1b shows a trailer as an example of an additional unit;

[0035] Figure 2a shows an exemplary profile for an additional unit;

[0036] Figure 2b shows an exemplary list of predefined profiles for additional units; and

[0037] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for operating a motor vehicle with an additional unit.

[0038] As stated at the outset, this document is concerned with ensuring comfortable, reliable, and safe operation of a motor vehicle having an additional unit attached to the outside of the motor vehicle, such as a trailer, a bicycle rack, or a roof rack. In this context, Fig. 1a shows an exemplary vehicle 100 having a trailer hitch 105 to which an additional unit can be attached. The vehicle 100 may comprise a sensor 103 configured to detect sensor data as to whether or not an additional unit has been attached to the trailer hitch 105. The sensor data from the sensor 103 may be evaluated by a (control) device 101 of the vehicle 100 to detect that an additional unit has been attached to the vehicle 100.

[0039] Fig. 1b shows a vehicle trailer as an example of an additional unit 110. The trailer can be coupled to the trailer coupling 105 of the vehicle 100 via a coupling 115. The additional unit 110 has certain properties, such as

[0040] • a certain length 111 (along the longitudinal axis);

[0041] • a certain height 112 (along the vertical axis);

[0042] • a certain width (along the transverse axis); and / or

[0043] • a certain weight.

[0044] The vehicle 100 has a user interface 104 that enables interaction between a user, in particular the driver, of the vehicle 100 and the vehicle 100. The user interface 104 can have an output unit (e.g., a screen) and an input unit (e.g., as part of a touchscreen). If it is detected that an additional unit 110 has been attached to the vehicle 100, the user can be prompted via the user interface 104 to enter data relating to the additional unit 110, in particular data relevant to the operation of the vehicle 100, in particular to the operation of one or more driving functions and / or driver assistance functions of the vehicle 100. The data can, in particular, relate to one or more properties 111, 112 of the additional unit 110.

[0045] The vehicle 100 may be operated repeatedly with the same auxiliary unit 110. The repeated entry of the relevant data for the auxiliary unit 110 may be perceived as inconvenient by the user of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, errors may be made during entry.

[0046] The user can be enabled to create a profile for one or more additional units 110 used with the vehicle 100 (and to store it on a storage unit of the vehicle 100), which profile includes the relevant data for the respective additional unit 110. When using a specific additional unit 110, the predefined profile for this additional unit 110 can then be selected in a convenient and reliable manner.

[0047] Fig. 2a shows an exemplary profile 210 for an additional unit 110, wherein the profile 210 comprises, for example, a profile identifier 211 (e.g., a profile name) and a set of data entries 212 for the additional unit 110. The individual data entries 212 can each relate to a property 111, 112 of the additional unit 110. The definition of a profile 210 for an additional unit 110 can be enabled via the user interface 104 of the vehicle 100 and / or via a vehicle-external user interface (e.g., via a mobile user device of the user). The profiles 201 for the one or more additional units 110 can be stored in a memory unit of the vehicle 100.

[0048] The vehicle 100 can comprise a communication unit 102 configured to communicate with a vehicle-external computing unit 120, e.g., with a backend server, via a (wireless) communication connection 121. A plurality of predefined profiles 210 for a corresponding plurality of possible additional units 110 can be stored on the computing unit 120. To define the profile 210 for a specific additional unit 110 used with the vehicle 100, the user can access the computing unit 120 to select the profile 210 for the specific additional unit 110 from the plurality of predefined profiles 210. Thus, the profile 210 for a used additional unit 110 can be defined in a particularly convenient and reliable manner.

[0049] If it is detected that a particular accessory unit 210 has been attached to the vehicle 100, the user of the vehicle 100 may be enabled to select a predefined profile 210 for the particular accessory unit 210. For this purpose, as shown by way of example in Fig. 2b, a list 200 of the profile identifiers 211 of the available, predefined profiles 210 may be displayed via the user interface 104 of the vehicle 100. The user may then select the relevant profile 210 from the displayed list 200. Thus, the data relevant to the operation of the vehicle 100 with the particular accessory unit 210 may be provided in an efficient and reliable manner.

[0050] The vehicle 100, in particular one or more driving functions and / or driver assistance functions of the vehicle 100, can then be operated taking into account the data 212 specified in the profile 210 for the specific additional unit 110. This enables reliable and safe operation of the vehicle 100 with the specific additional unit 110. This makes it possible for the user to create and save a profile 210 for this additional unit 110 when coupling an additional unit 110 (e.g., a trailer or bicycle rack) to the vehicle 100. A profile name 211 can be specified. Furthermore, data 212 relating to one or more properties 111, 112 of the additional unit 110 can be specified, such as the length 111, the width, the drawbar length, the maximum total weight, and / or the maximum permissible speed.

[0051] If the user changes one or more settings of the vehicle 100 (such as an adjustment of the exterior and / or interior mirrors and / or an adjustment of the vehicle seat) for the operation of the vehicle 100 with the additional unit 110 while the additional unit 110 is coupled, the data for these one or more settings of the vehicle 100 can be assigned to the respective profile 210 of the additional unit 110 (and possibly stored as part of the data 212 of the profile 210).

[0052] If the user reconnects the auxiliary unit 110 at a later time, the user can directly assign this auxiliary unit 110 to a previously saved profile 210 and select the saved profile 210, so that the data 212 relating to the auxiliary unit 110 does not need to be re-entered and / or so that the one or more specific settings of the vehicle 100 for operating the vehicle 100 with the auxiliary unit 110 can be automatically effected. In particular, the one or more mirrors and / or the seat can be moved directly to the desired position.

[0053] The profile 210 for an additional unit 110 can, if necessary, be personalized and stored via a user ID and / or a vehicle key, so that the profile 210 can be flexibly transferred to another vehicle of the user. The device 101 of the vehicle 100 can be configured to determine (e.g., based on the sensor data of the sensor 103 and / or based on a user input) whether the additional unit 110 attached to the vehicle 100 is a trailer or a bicycle rack. If it is determined that the vehicle 100 is being operated with a trailer, the use of the trailer assistant of the vehicle 100 can be automatically suggested when the reverse gear of the vehicle 100 is engaged, or the trailer assistant can be automatically activated directly.

[0054] The data 212 from the profile 210 of the additional unit 110 attached to the vehicle 100 can be used to operate one or more functions of the vehicle 100, e.g. to stabilize the combination of vehicle 100 and trailer during a journey.

[0055] It can thus be ensured that when a trailer is coupled to the vehicle 100 for the first time, an output of the user interface 104 is triggered, via which the user can enter data 212 relating to the trailer. Furthermore, it can be detected that the user is adjusting the exterior mirrors (e.g., because the trailer is a caravan and one or more additional mirrors are used). Based on this information, a profile 210 is created for the trailer. One or more assistance systems of the vehicle 100 can be parameterized based on the data 212 relating to the trailer (e.g., parameterization of the speed warning, deactivation of the lateral guidance, etc.).

[0056] If the vehicle 100 is operated with a different auxiliary unit 110, the relevant data 212 for this auxiliary unit 110 can be entered and stored in a profile 210 for this auxiliary unit 110. If the previously used trailer is attached to the vehicle 100 again for a subsequent trip of the vehicle 100, the stored profile 210 for this trailer can be selected (via the user interface 104).

[0057] The device 101 can be configured to output a suggestion for a profile 210 to be used via the user interface 104 in response to the detection that an additional unit 110 has been attached to the vehicle 100. For example, the most recently used or most frequently used profile 210 can be suggested. This allows for particularly convenient setting of the data 212 for an additional unit 110.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a (possibly computer-implemented) method 300 for operating a motor vehicle 100 with an auxiliary unit 110 attached to the motor vehicle 100. The auxiliary unit 110 can, in particular, be attached to the outside of the motor vehicle 100. The auxiliary unit 100 can comprise a trailer, a bicycle carrier, or a roof rack. The auxiliary unit 100 can be attached to a trailer hitch 105 of the motor vehicle 100. The method 300 can be executed by a control device 101 of the motor vehicle 100.

[0059] The method 300 includes determining 301 that an additional unit 110 has been attached to the motor vehicle 100. This can be detected, for example, based on a user input from the user of the motor vehicle 100 via a user interface 104 (of the motor vehicle 100). Alternatively or additionally, this can be detected automatically based on sensor data from a sensor 103, in particular a clutch sensor, of the motor vehicle 100.

[0060] The method 300 further comprises selecting 302 a profile 210 for the additional unit 110 attached to the motor vehicle 100 from a set of predefined profiles 210. The set of profiles 210 for a corresponding set of different additional units 110 can each include and / or indicate data 212 relating to one or more properties 111, 112 of the respective additional unit 110. The set of profiles 210 can be stored, for example, on a memory unit of the motor vehicle 100. Alternatively or additionally, the set of profiles 210 can be stored on a vehicle-external computing unit 120.

[0061] The user of the motor vehicle 100 may be enabled to select the profile 210 to be used from a list 200 of the set of predefined profiles 210 via the user interface 104 (of the motor vehicle 100).

[0062] Furthermore, the method 300 comprises operating 303 the motor vehicle 100 as a function of the data 212 from the selected profile 210. In particular, one or more driver assistance systems and / or a driving function for the automated longitudinal and / or lateral guidance of the motor vehicle 100 can be operated as a function of the data 212 from the selected profile 210.

[0063] The measures described in this document can achieve particularly comfortable, reliable and safe operation of a vehicle 100 with an additional unit 110.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

Claims 1) Device (101) for operating a motor vehicle (100) with an additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100); wherein the device (101) is designed - to determine that an additional unit (110) has been attached to the motor vehicle (100); - to select a profile (210) for the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100) from a set of predefined profiles (210); wherein the set of profiles (210) for a corresponding set of different additional units (110) each comprises data (212) relating to one or more properties (111, 112) of the respective additional unit (110); and - to operate the motor vehicle (100) depending on the data (212) from the selected profile (210). 2) Device (101) according to claim 1, wherein - the data (212) from the selected profile (210) indicate one or more properties (111, 112) of the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100); - which comprise one or more properties (111, 112) in particular, - one type of additional unit (110) from a set of different types, which includes in particular trailers and bicycle carriers; - a length (111) of the additional unit (110) along a longitudinal axis; - a width of the additional unit (110) along a transverse axis; - a height of the additional unit (110) along a vertical axis; - a length of a drawbar of the additional unit (110); - a weight of the additional unit (110); - the support load of the additional unit (110); and / or - a maximum permissible driving speed when operating a motor vehicle with the additional unit (110); and - the device (101) is designed to operate the motor vehicle (100) depending on the one or more properties (111, 112) of the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100) specified in the selected profile (210). 3) Device (101) according to claim 2, wherein the device (101) is arranged - a driver assistance function for assisting a driver of the motor vehicle (100) when driving the motor vehicle (100); and / or - to operate a driving function for the automated longitudinal and / or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle (100) depending on the one or more properties (111, 112) of the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100) specified in the selected profile (210). 4) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is arranged - to determine, on the basis of the selected profile (210), that the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100) is a trailer; and - in response to the determination, to cause a trailer assistance function of the motor vehicle (100) to be activated, in particular when a reverse gear of the motor vehicle (100) is engaged; wherein the trailer assistance function is designed to assist the driver of the motor vehicle (100) when driving the motor vehicle (100) with a trailer. 5) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the data (212) from the selected profile (210) indicate settings for one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle (100) when operating the motor vehicle (100) with the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100); - which comprise one or more adjustable components in particular, - a rearview mirror of the motor vehicle (100); and / or - a seat of the motor vehicle (100); and - to cause the one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle (100) to be automatically adjusted according to the respective setting from the selected profile (210). 6) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is arranged - outputting information relating to the set of predefined profiles (210) via a user interface (104) to enable a user to select a profile (210) from the set of predefined profiles (210); and - to capture a user input relating to the selected profile (210) via the user interface (104). 7) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is arranged - to identify a first profile (210) from the set of predefined profiles (210), in particular on the basis of a usage history of the different profiles (210) from the set of predefined profiles (210); and - to propose the first profile (210) for selection via a user interface (104). 8) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to enable a user, via a user interface (104), to define a profile (210) for a new additional unit (110), which profile comprises data (212) relating to one or more properties (111, 112) of the new additional unit (110), and to include it in the set of predefined profiles (210) for subsequent use. 9) Device (101) according to claim 8, wherein the device (101) is arranged - to determine settings for one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle (100) when operating the motor vehicle (100) with the new additional unit (110); - which comprise one or more adjustable components in particular, - a rearview mirror of the motor vehicle (100); and / or - a seat of the motor vehicle (100); and - to include the determined settings for the one or more adjustable components of the motor vehicle (100) in the profile (210) for the new additional unit (110). 10) Device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) is configured to enable a user via a user interface (104), - to access a vehicle-external computing unit (120) on which a plurality of different, predefined profiles (210) are stored; and - to select the selected profile (210) from the plurality of different, predefined profiles (210) of the vehicle-external computing unit (120). 11) Method (300) for operating a motor vehicle (100) with an additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100); the method (300) comprising - determining (301) that an additional unit (110) has been attached to the motor vehicle (100); - selecting (302) a profile (210) for the additional unit (110) attached to the motor vehicle (100) from a set of predefined profiles (210); wherein the set of profiles (210) for a corresponding set of different additional units (110) each contain data (212) relating to one or more Properties (111, 112) of the respective additional unit (110); and - Operating (303) the motor vehicle (100) depending on the data (212) from the selected profile (210).

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