Collision warning system for a motor vehicle, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a collision warning system for a motor vehicle (100), as well as a method for operating a system of this type, as well as a motor vehicle (100). The collision warning system for a motor vehicle (100) comprises a first detection device (150) which is arranged in a front region of a first motor vehicle in such a way that a second motor vehicle (200) approaching the first motor vehicle (100) can be detected. The system also comprises an evaluation unit (151) which is designed to provide an activation signal when a second motor vehicle (200) is detected. The system also comprises an output unit (152) which is designed such that, when the activation signal is received, it outputs a warning to a driver (301) of a third motor vehicle (300) which is located to the rear of the first motor vehicle (100).

Description

[0001] R. 418030

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005]

[0006] and procedures

[0007] State of the art

[0008] The present invention relates to a collision warning system for a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method for operating such a collision warning system, as well as a motor vehicle.

[0009] Assistance systems for two-wheelers are known from the state of the art that can detect oncoming road users and issue a warning message to the driver of the two-wheeler.

[0010]

[0011] According to the invention, a collision warning system with the features of the independent claim is provided. Driving safety is thereby increased. The collision warning system according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a first detection device, which is arranged in the front area of ​​a first motor vehicle such that a second motor vehicle approaching the first motor vehicle can be detected. It further comprises an evaluation unit, which is configured to provide an activation signal upon detection of a second motor vehicle. It further comprises an output unit, which is configured to issue a warning to a driver of a third motor vehicle located in the rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle upon receiving the activation signal. R. 418030

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[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0014] When vehicles are traveling in succession, the view of the driver of the rear vehicle, as well as the detection ranges of the rear vehicle's assistance systems, may be partially obstructed by the vehicle in front. Information about oncoming vehicles may be unavailable or available too late to the driver of the rear vehicle, potentially leading to a collision. This is particularly likely to occur if the rear vehicle is traveling with a lateral offset relative to the vehicle in front, for example, due to an overtaking maneuver. The collision warning system according to the invention offers the advantage that information concerning an oncoming vehicle, as determined by the vehicle in front, can also be made available to the driver of the rear vehicle.

[0015] It should be noted that an oncoming vehicle is defined as one traveling in the opposite direction to the first and third vehicles on the same road, lane, or trail. It is advantageous if the first and / or third vehicle is a recreational vehicle, particularly a snowmobile. Snow kicked up by a snowmobile ahead can restrict or completely block the view of a following snowmobile driver. Snowmobiles also frequently travel on roads that are not paved with clearly defined lanes for each direction, increasing the risk of collision. This configuration enhances the safety of snowmobiles. However, it is also conceivable that the vehicle could be an ATV, quad bike, or jet ski.Sports vehicles of this type often travel on surfaces that can be kicked up and obstruct the view of a following vehicle. This can include, for example, sand, dust, mud, or even water.

[0016] It should be noted that the second oncoming vehicle could also be a snowmobile. However, it is also conceivable that a variety of different vehicles could be involved, in particular cars, trucks, or vehicles such as snow groomers, ATVs, and quads. R. 418030

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[0018] In the event that the first and third motor vehicles are watercraft, it would also be conceivable to include other watercraft such as jet skis or sports boats.

[0019] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the output unit is a light signaling system mounted in the rear of the first vehicle in such a way that it is configured to emit a visual warning signal to the rear of the first vehicle upon receiving the activation signal. A light signal is perceptible to a following driver even in poor lighting conditions, and the information can thus be transmitted using relatively simple technical means. It is also conceivable to utilize an existing traffic signaling system in the first vehicle, such as turn signals.

[0020] It is advantageous if the evaluation unit is designed to provide the activation signal to a display unit in the cockpit area of ​​a third vehicle. This display unit can then issue a warning message to the driver of the third vehicle. In this way, the driver of the third vehicle can be warned even if there is no direct line of sight to the vehicle ahead, for example, due to a curve, crest, or poor visibility. It is also conceivable that an additional audible warning signal could be issued.

[0021] It is advantageous if the activation signal is transmitted wirelessly via a radio connection. A direct connection between the vehicles is conceivable, as is a connection via a mobile network. Such connection technologies are established as robust solutions and do not require a direct line of sight. The information can therefore be reliably transmitted between the vehicles.

[0022] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the first detection device is additionally configured to detect a line of sight in the direction of travel of the first motor vehicle and further comprises a second detection device, which is arranged in a rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle in such a way that a two-R. 418030

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[0024] The system is configured to detect the visibility range opposite the direction of travel of the first vehicle and to output an activation signal when the second visibility range is lower than the first. This allows information about the visibility conditions of the driver of the third vehicle to be obtained, enabling the system to be activated if it is expected that the driver of the third vehicle will have less visibility than the driver of the first vehicle, for example, due to snow. It would also be conceivable to calculate a ratio of the visibility ranges and activate the system if the visibility opposite the direction of travel is lower than the visibility in the direction of travel by a defined factor, for example, 50%.

[0025] It is also advantageous if the detection device is radar-based and / or camera-based. These systems are suitable for detecting other road users and / or assessing visibility conditions, and are therefore advantageous for the described system. However, depending on the expected visibility conditions, designs based on LiDAR or ultrasound are also conceivable.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such a collision warning system. A motor vehicle, for example 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.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a display unit configured to receive an activation signal from a described collision warning system or from a described motor vehicle equipped with such a collision warning system. This can increase the driving safety of the motor vehicle. The present invention further relates to such a motor vehicle, wherein the display unit is arranged in the cockpit area of ​​the motor vehicle. The display unit is thus within the direct field of vision of the driver of the motor vehicle, and a warning message is easily recognizable.

[0028] The present invention further relates to a method for operating such a collision warning system, wherein the method uses a first detection device in the front area of ​​a first motor vehicle to detect an oncoming vehicle. R. 418030

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[0030] The system detects a second vehicle, provides an activation signal to a second detected vehicle, and also issues a warning to the driver of a third vehicle if an activation signal is detected and provided. This method can thus be applied to various combinations of vehicles.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0033] Figure 1 schematic representation of a driving situation which serves to explain an embodiment of the collision warning system

[0034] Figure 2 schematic representation of a method according to an embodiment of the invention

[0035] Figure 1 schematically shows a driving situation according to an embodiment of the invention. The snowmobiles 100 and 300 are traveling in a common direction 120. The snowmobile 100 kicks up snow, creating a snow cloud 500 that restricts the view of the driver 301 of the snowmobile 300. The snowmobile 200 is traveling in an opposite direction 121. The snowmobile 100 has a detection device 150 with a detection angle of 180 degrees, resulting in a detection range 130. Depending on the detection technology used, it is also 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. The snowmobile 200 is detected by the detection unit 150, and the evaluation unit 151 outputs an activation signal.The activation signal activates the output unit 152, for example an LED element, which can then emit a light signal to the driver 301. This light signal can be, for example, a flashing signal or a continuous warning light. Also shown is the detection unit 153 with a detection angle of 180 degrees and a detection range 131. Using the detection unit 153, the snow cloud 500 can be detected and a visibility distance 120 in the opposite direction of travel can be determined. Based on the detected visibility distance, the collision warning system can be activated or de-R. 418030.

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[0037] The collision warning system can be activated. For example, if little snow is kicked up and no reduction in visibility is detected, the collision warning system can be deactivated. It is also conceivable that the detection unit 153 detects a following snowmobile 300 and the collision warning system is only activated when a following snowmobile 300 is detected.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the activation signal from the evaluation unit 151 can be transmitted to a display unit 160 in the cockpit of the snowmobile 300. The display unit 160 can then issue a warning, for example visually or audibly, to the driver 301 of the snowmobile 300. This can be advantageous in situations where direct visual contact between the driver 301 and the snowmobile 100 cannot be guaranteed.

[0039] Figure 2 schematically shows a process sequence according to an embodiment of the invention. The process begins with step 1000. In step 1001, an oncoming second motor vehicle 200 is detected by means of a first detection device 150 in the front area of ​​a first motor vehicle 100. In step 1002, an activation signal is provided when the second motor vehicle 200 is detected. In step 1003, a warning is issued to a driver 301 of a third motor vehicle 300. The process ends with step 1004.

Claims

R. 418030 - 7 - Claims 1. Collision warning system for a motor vehicle (100), comprising • A first detection device (150) which can be arranged in the front area of ​​a first motor vehicle (100) in such a way that a second motor vehicle (200) approaching the first motor vehicle (100) can be detected, • An evaluation unit (151) which is configured to provide an activation signal upon detection of a second motor vehicle (200), • An output unit (152) which is configured to issue a warning to a driver (301) of a third motor vehicle (300) located in a rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle (100) upon receiving the activation signal.

2. Collision warning system according to claim 1, wherein the first and third motor vehicle (100, 300) is a sports vehicle, in particular a snowmobile.

3. Collision warning system according to claim 2, wherein the output unit (152) is a light signaling system which is installed in a rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle (100) in such a way that it is designed to output an optical warning signal to the rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle (100) upon receiving the activation signal.

4. Collision warning system according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation unit (150) is configured to provide the activation signal of a display unit (160) in the cockpit area of ​​a third motor vehicle (300).

5. Collision warning system according to claim 4, wherein the activation signal is transmitted wirelessly via a radio connection. R. 418030 - 8 - 6. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first detection device (150) is additionally configured to detect a visibility range in the direction of travel (120) of the first motor vehicle (100) and further comprising a second detection device (153) which is arranged in a rear area of ​​the first motor vehicle (100) such that a second visibility range opposite the direction of travel (121) of the first motor vehicle (100) can be detected and further comprising the evaluation unit (150) configured to output the activation signal when the second visibility range is less than the first visibility range.

7. Collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection device (150, 153) is radar-based and / or camera-based.

8. Motor vehicle with a collision warning system according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Motor vehicle (300) with a display unit (160) which is configured to receive an activation signal of a collision warning system according to one of claims 1 to 7 or of a motor vehicle according to claim 8.

10. Motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the display unit is arranged in the cockpit area of ​​the motor vehicle.

11. Method for operating a collision warning system wherein the method • By means of a first detection device (150) in the front area of ​​a first motor vehicle (100) detects an oncoming second motor vehicle (200), • Provides an activation signal when a second motor vehicle (200) is detected, • Issues a warning to a driver (301) of a third motor vehicle (300) when an activation signal is detected and provided.

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