Driver Separation Detection for Vehicle Safety Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating motor vehicles do not adequately address the risk of driver separation during operation, leading to potential loss or damage of the vehicle, especially in vehicles lacking safety harnesses like motorcycles, jet skis, or snowmobiles.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors the distance between a user device, typically a smartphone or smartwatch, and the vehicle using BLE or UWB modules, activating a safety operating state when the distance exceeds a predefined threshold, which may include shutting down the drive device, applying a braking torque, or emitting an emergency call signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distance monitoring is implemented to detect driver separation, then vehicle safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication means and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The user device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a keyless entry credential and a driver presence indicator. The same device used for vehicle access also monitors driver separation through distance measurement, eliminating the need for separate detection systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the distance between the user device and vehicle, comparing it against a threshold value. When the distance exceeds the threshold, the system provides feedback by activating the safety operating state, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically responds to driver separation conditions.
2Loss of time
If the safety operating state is activated immediately when distance threshold is exceeded, then response time is improved, but false activation risk increases due to temporary separations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines a threshold distance value that accounts for normal operational separations. This preliminary configuration allows the system to distinguish between acceptable distance variations and actual driver separation events, reducing false activations while maintaining rapid response to genuine safety concerns.
3Reliability
If the drive device is shut down to prevent vehicle movement, then loss prevention is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle's operational state based on real-time distance monitoring. Rather than a fixed shutdown protocol, the safety operating state can be selectively activated or deactivated, allowing the system to adapt to different situations and maintain operational flexibility while preventing loss when necessary.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents vehicle operation when the driver is separated, ensuring the vehicle comes to a safe stop and facilitates rescue operations by automatically engaging safety measures.
Implementation Method 1
signals are emitted by a user device... and are received by the vehicle communication means
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one vehicle communication arrangement fixed to the body. Signals are emitted by a user device, which can be handled independently of the motor vehicle and can be assigned or is assigned to a driver of the motor vehicle, and are received by the vehicle communication arrangement. A distance between the user device and the motor vehicle is monitored on the basis of the received signals. Provision is made for the distance to be monitored during operation of the motor vehicle and for a safety operating state of the motor vehicle to be activated when a distance exceeding a predefined threshold value is detected.