Collision warning system of a snowmobile and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a collision warning system of a snowmobile, to a method for operating a system of this type, and to a snowmobile. The collision warning system of the snow vehicle comprises a first detection device which is arranged in a front region of a snowmobile in such a way that at least one snowmobile approaching the snowmobile on the same route can be detected, wherein the detection device is also designed to detect the number of oncoming vehicles. The system further comprises an output unit which is designed such that, when at least one oncoming vehicle is detected, it outputs a warning message and / or the detected number of detected oncoming vehicles to a driver of the snowmobile.

Description

[0001] R. 418031

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005]

[0006] a snowmobile and procedure

[0007] State of the art

[0008] The present invention relates to a collision warning system for a snowmobile. The present invention also relates to a method for operating such a collision warning system and a snowmobile.

[0009]

[0010] According to the invention, a collision warning system for a snowmobile is provided, comprising the features of the independent claim. The method according to the invention offers the advantage that a warning can be issued before a collision, thereby increasing driving safety for a snowmobile driver.

[0011] The collision warning system for a snowmobile according to the invention comprises a first detection device arranged in the front area of ​​a first snowmobile such that at least one oncoming vehicle can be detected, the detection device further being configured to detect a number of oncoming vehicles. It further comprises an output unit configured to output a warning message and / or the number of oncoming vehicles detected to the driver of the snowmobile upon detection of at least one oncoming vehicle.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims. R. 418031

[0013] - 2 -

[0014] Snowmobiles can kick up snow while driving, which can obscure the area behind them. This can make it difficult for the driver of an oncoming snowmobile to distinguish between a single snowmobile and a group of snowmobiles traveling in a line. Within such a group, the snowmobiles may be traveling with a lateral offset from one another. If this offset is not visible, or only visible too late, to the driver of the oncoming snowmobile due to the snow kicked up, a collision can occur. Furthermore, the snow kicked up by the snowmobile in front can also partially obstruct the view of a driver in the group. This driver might also fail to see the oncoming snowmobile, or see it too late.Snowmobiles often do not travel on paved roads with clearly defined lanes for each direction, which increases the risk of collision. It should be noted that an oncoming vehicle is defined as a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction to the snowmobile on the same road or trail.

[0015] It should also be noted that the oncoming vehicle could be a snowmobile. However, it could also be a snow groomer, ATV, or all-terrain side-by-side vehicle.

[0016] It is advantageous if oncoming vehicles are detected when the snowmobile's speed exceeds a defined limit, particularly 25 km / h, preferably greater than 40 km / h. Depending on the snowmobile's speed, a varying amount of snow can be kicked up. It can be assumed that more snow will be kicked up at a higher speed than at a lower speed. It may be advantageous to activate the system only when visibility is expected to be obstructed by the kicked-up snow, for example, due to the speed, so as not to distract the driver with the warning message. The speed limit at which the system activates can be set differently. It is also conceivable that this speed limit could be set for snowmobiles that are carrying snow to the engine. R. 418031

[0017] - 3 -

[0018] The cooling system needs to be actively churned differently than for snowmobiles, whose engines are cooled in a different way.

[0019] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the distance to at least one oncoming vehicle is also determined and displayed via the output unit. This allows the snowmobile driver to better estimate the location of the oncoming vehicle and adjust their driving accordingly.

[0020] It is advantageous if oncoming vehicles are detected within a defined detection period after the first oncoming vehicle has been detected, with the maximum detection period not exceeding one minute. This can save system resources, and by limiting the detection period, oncoming vehicles can be detected in groups.

[0021] In another embodiment, it is advantageous if a warning message is issued after the first oncoming vehicle is detected, and the number of detected oncoming vehicles is displayed after the detection period has elapsed. This allows a snowmobile driver to see how many vehicles are approaching. They can adjust their driving style accordingly and recognize when they have passed the group and no further collisions with vehicles from that group are to be expected.

[0022] It is also advantageous if the detection device is radar-based and / or camera-based. These systems are suitable for detecting additional vehicles and are therefore advantageous for the described system. However, depending on the expected visibility conditions, designs based on LiDAR or ultrasound are also conceivable.

[0023] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the issued warning message is a visual and / or acoustic signal. Signals of this type are perceptible to a driver, and it would also be possible to transmit the number of oncoming vehicles to the driver in this way. R. 418031

[0024] - 4 -

[0025] The present invention also relates to a snowmobile with a described detection device, an evaluation unit, and an output unit. A snowmobile with such a collision warning system increases the driving safety of other motor vehicles, such as other snowmobiles, with which it is traveling in a group. It should be noted that the term "snowmobile" can also include snowmobiles or snow motorcycles.

[0026] The present invention further relates to a method for operating a collision warning system for a snowmobile, wherein the method uses a first detection device in the front area of ​​a snowmobile to detect one or more oncoming vehicles and to detect a number of further oncoming vehicles. The method issues a warning message via an output unit upon detection of at least one oncoming vehicle and / or communicates the number of detected oncoming vehicles to a driver of the snowmobile.

[0027] Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0029] Figure 1 schematic representation of a driving situation which serves to explain an embodiment of the collision warning system

[0030] Figure 2 schematic representation of a method according to an embodiment of the invention

[0031] Figure 1 schematically shows a driving situation according to an embodiment of the invention. Snowmobile 100 is traveling in the direction of 120, and snowmobile 200 and snowmobile 300 are traveling in the opposite direction in the direction of 121. Snowmobile 200 kicks up snow, creating a snow cloud 500. This snow cloud 500 can now block the driver 101's view of snowmobile 300, and the driver 101 may not be able to see that snowmobile 300 is directly behind snowmobile 200. If snowmobile 300 were to

[0032] - 5 -

[0033] Driving with a lateral offset would create a risk of collision. Snowmobile 100 is equipped with detection device 150 with a detection radius of 180 degrees, resulting in a detection range of 130. Depending on the detection technology used, it is conceivable to select detection angles smaller than 180 degrees. The detection range can also depend on the technology used and can be several hundred meters. Using detection device 150, both snowmobile 200 and snowmobile 300 can be detected, and the driver can receive a warning message regarding oncoming snowmobiles 200 and 300 via output unit 151. The number of oncoming snowmobiles 200 and 300 can also be displayed to the driver.

[0034] The driver of snowmobile 300, which is following snowmobile 200, may have limited visibility due to snow cloud 500, and it might not be possible, or only possible very late, for the driver to see the oncoming snowmobile 100. Snowmobile 300 also has a detection device 150, which can now detect snowmobile 100. Snowmobile 300 also has an output device 151, which can issue a warning message to the driver 301 of snowmobile 300 regarding the oncoming snowmobile 100.

[0035] Figure 2 schematically shows a process sequence according to an embodiment of the invention. The process begins with step 1000. In step 1001, a first detection device in the front area of ​​a snowmobile 100, 300 detects one or more oncoming vehicles. In step 1002, a number of oncoming vehicles are detected. In step 1003, a warning message is issued to a driver 101, 301 when oncoming vehicles are detected. In step 1004, the number of oncoming vehicles can be displayed to the driver 101, 301. The process ends with step 1005 and can be repeated.

Claims

R. 418031 - 6 - Claims 1. Collision warning system of a snowmobile (100), comprising: • A first detection device (150) which can be arranged in the front area of ​​a first snowmobile (100) in such a way that at least one vehicle (200) approaching the snowmobile (100) can be detected, wherein the detection device (150) is further configured to detect a number of the oncoming vehicles (200, 300). • An output unit (151) which is designed to issue a warning message and / or the detected number of detected oncoming vehicles (200,300) to a driver (101) of the snowmobile (100) upon detection of at least one oncoming vehicle (200,300).

2. Collision warning system according to claim 1, wherein the oncoming vehicles (200, 300) are detected when the speed of the snowmobile (100) is greater than a specified limit, in particular 25 km / h, preferably greater than 40 km / h.

3. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance to the at least one oncoming vehicle (200) is additionally determined and output by means of the output unit (151).

4. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the oncoming vehicles (200, 300) are detected within a defined detection period after the detection of a first oncoming vehicle (200), wherein the maximum detection period is not greater than one minute.

5. Collision warning system according to claim 3, wherein a warning message is issued after detection of a first oncoming vehicle (200) and a R. 418031 - 7 - The number of oncoming vehicles detected (200,300) will be displayed after the detection period has ended.

6. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (150) is radar-based and / or camera-based.

7. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the issued warning message is an optical and / or acoustic signal.

8. Snowmobile (100) with a collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Method for operating a collision warning system of a snowmobile (100), wherein the method • By means of a first detection device (150) in the front area of ​​a snowmobile (100), one or more other vehicles (200, 300) approaching the snowmobile (100) are detected, • A number of additional oncoming vehicles (200,300) were detected, • Issues a warning message via an output unit (150) upon detection of at least one oncoming vehicle (200) and / or outputs a number of detected oncoming vehicles (200, 300) to a driver (101) of the snowmobile (100).

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