CN114248705A

CN114248705A - Retrofit system for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN114248705A
Application number: CN202111106670.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·肖特
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2021-09-22
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Also published as: DE102020211934A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a retrofit system (200) for a vehicle, comprising one or more data interfaces (210) for data transmission connection to the vehicle (100), a communication unit (220) for wireless communication, one or more sensor units (230, 231, 232) and a computing device (240), wherein the retrofit system (200) is set up to receive a current value of at least one vehicle variable from the vehicle via the one or more data interfaces (210) during operation of the vehicle (100), to determine a value of at least one comparison variable by means of the one or more sensor units (230, 231, 232), to process the received value of the at least one vehicle variable (301, 302, 303) and the determined value of the at least one comparison variable (311, 312), and to transmit a processing result (331, 312) via the communication unit (240), 332) The invention also relates to the use of such a retrofit system and to a method for operating the retrofit system.

Description

Retrofit system for a vehicle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a retrofit system for a vehicle, to the use of such a retrofit system, to a method for operating such a retrofit system, and to a computer program for carrying out the method.

Background

With the background of increasing degrees of automation, efforts are being made to be able to drive vehicles either fully automatically or autonomously. In this case, this is also referred to as a so-called "autonomous vehicle" or simply AV. Such autonomously driven vehicles can then generally not only monitor traffic conditions by means of suitable sensors, but can also communicate with other autonomous vehicles.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, a retrofit system for a vehicle, a use of such a retrofit system, a method for operating such a retrofit system and a computer program for carrying out the method are proposed with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the following description.

The invention is directed to the vehicle automation mentioned at the beginning and is particularly directed to the following subject matter here: despite the possible full automation of driving, fully autonomous vehicles and non-autonomous or not fully autonomous vehicles will in any case participate in road traffic simultaneously over a longer period of time. In this respect, there will be some vehicles that continue to be driven or steered by the driver and that are not set up to exchange information with other vehicles, in particular not with the Autonomous Vehicle (AV).

Against this background, retrofitting possibilities for vehicles are proposed within the scope of the invention, but also preferably for non-autonomous vehicles or partially autonomous vehicles, which, in particular in the manufactured state, also cannot communicate with other vehicles.

To this end, the retrofit system has: one or more data interfaces for a data transmission connection with the vehicle in which the retrofit system should be installed; a communication unit for wirelessly communicating with other vehicles; one or more sensor units; and a computing device, such as a processor. The components are preferably arranged or mounted in a common housing, wherein it is understood that the data interface is correspondingly accessible for connection to the vehicle. However, it is also conceivable to use a communication unit already present in the vehicle, for which purpose a corresponding interface is then required. For example, an interface of a telecommunications installation installed in a vehicle (for example, for emergency calls, so-called "eCall") is considered here. It goes without saying that a connection to a power supply is necessary if such a connection cannot be made via one of the data interfaces.

The retrofit system is then set up to receive a current value of at least one vehicle variable from the vehicle via one or more data interfaces during operation of the vehicle. Receiving such a parameter may also be understood here as, in particular, reading out a relevant value from a communication medium (for example, a bus, such as CAN). Such vehicle variables can be, in particular, the number of revolutions (Drehzahl) of a transmission of the vehicle (for example, the internal combustion engine or possibly also the electric motor or both), the position of an accelerator pedal (or of an accelerator pedal) of the vehicle, the position of a brake pedal of the vehicle and the position of a driving direction indicator system (also referred to as signal light) of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the retrofit system can then determine the value of the at least one comparison variable by means of one or more sensor units (i.e. by itself or in the vehicle and independently of the vehicle). Such comparison variables may be, in particular, position, speed, direction of movement, rotational speed (Drehrate), acceleration and temperature. These comparison variables are then (also) applicable to the vehicle, since the retrofit system is to be used or integrated in the vehicle. The sensors mentioned can then be selected correspondingly for the desired comparison variable, i.e., for example as GPS sensors, rotational speed sensors, inertial sensors, temperature sensors, etc.

Furthermore, the retrofit system can then process the received value of the at least one vehicle variable and the determined value of the at least one comparison variable, in particular combine and/or verify them with one another. Thus, on the one hand, for example, the values obtained from the vehicle can be verified by checking, for example, whether the values determined within the retrofit system allow the same conclusions as the values obtained from the vehicle. For example, braking, i.e. a reduction in speed, can also be determined by means of inertial sensors. On the other hand, it is therefore also possible, for example, to form new information, for example information about an upcoming steering maneuver or the like.

The processing result may then be transmitted (wirelessly) via the communication unit. For this purpose, for example, mobile radio communication with the 4G or 5G standard can be used, but a WLAN can also be used, or if necessary a bluetooth or satellite connection can be used. In this case, the processing result is transmitted, in particular, to one or more other vehicles, which are, for example, in the vicinity of the vehicle in which the retrofitting system is provided. This can be done either via a central point, for example a server (for example, when using a mobile radio connection, this also works for vehicles that are far away), or directly, for example via a WLAN, but for this purpose another vehicle then has to be within the range of the WLAN. These vehicles may then in particular be (fully) automatic vehicles or also vehicles with such or similar retrofit systems. In this case, care is then taken, if necessary, to use compatible or identical protocols so that the receiving vehicle can process the data.

With such a retrofit system, conventional vehicles which hitherto could not communicate with other vehicles can thus be retrofitted, whereby the road safety of the vehicle itself with the retrofit system and of other vehicles can be increased, since, for example, conventional vehicles, from the point of view of (fully) autonomously driven vehicles, are no longer traffic obstacles which can be controlled with difficulty. Thus, a braking vehicle with a retrofit system can transmit, for example, to a subsequent AV (or a vehicle with a retrofit system) that it is braking, so that the subsequent AV likewise initiates the braking process early, for example already before this necessity can be recognized for this purpose by means of an internal sensor. A better overview of the vehicle density on the road can also be envisaged, in order to thus be able to take other routes and avoid traffic jams, for example.

In this connection, it is also expedient if the retrofit system is also set up to receive data via the communication unit, so that data can be obtained, for example, from other retrofit systems or vehicles having these retrofit systems and also from (fully) autonomously driven vehicles (AV).

The retrofit system preferably also has a display device, for example a display, wherein the retrofit system is set up to display at least one of the following information: information about the value of at least one vehicle variable; information on the value of at least one comparison variable; information about the result of the processing, such as information about the combined and/or verified value; and information about data received via the communication unit. Depending on the requirements and installation space, such a display device can be integrated into the already mentioned common housing (if this housing is then arranged at a suitable location in the vehicle interior) or can be provided as a separate component, for which corresponding interfaces are then provided at the mentioned housing and at the display device for data connection, if necessary. It is also conceivable to use a display device already present in the vehicle for this purpose, wherein then a suitable (data) interface is provided if necessary.

Corresponding information can thus be provided not only for other vehicles but also for example for the driver or other passengers of the vehicle itself. Furthermore, it is then conceivable to provide additional functions in the retrofit system, which additional functions provide additional advantages for the driver of the vehicle. It is also conceivable to activate such further functions only when needed or upon payment.

The invention also relates to the use of such a retrofit system and to a method for operating the retrofit system. It should also be mentioned here that such a retrofit system can also be used for receiving data via a communication unit. Thus, for example, in the event of a theft, it is possible to locate the stolen vehicle or prevent its start. It is also conceivable to switch on a horn and/or an alarm signal lamp, etc.

The implementation of the method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or a computer program product with program code for performing all method steps is also advantageous, since this results in particularly low costs, in particular when the control device which is implemented is also used for other tasks and is therefore always present. Suitable data carriers for supplying the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical and electrical memories, such as a hard disk, flash memory, EEPROM, DVD, etc. It is also feasible to download the program via a computer network (internet, intranet, etc.).

Further advantages and configurations of the invention emerge from the description and the drawings.

The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings and described below with reference to the drawings according to embodiments.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically shows a situation of a vehicle, wherein in a preferred embodiment a retrofit system according to the present invention is provided.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a retrofit system according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the flow of the method according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a vehicle 100, in which a retrofit system 200 according to the invention is provided in a preferred embodiment. The vehicle 100 is driven on the street 120 towards or directly in front of an intersection 121, said vehicle 100 being a non-automatic or at least not a fully automatic vehicle and thus being steered or controlled by the driver. Behind the vehicle 100 is a fully Automatic Vehicle (AV)110, which is correspondingly not controlled by the driver.

The retrofit system 200, as proposed within the scope of the invention and to be provided in the vehicle 100, now allows values of different parameters related to the vehicle 100 or related to the vehicle 100 to be transmitted to a subsequent or in general a nearby automated vehicle 110, so that the automated vehicle 110 can process these values accordingly. It is conceivable, in particular in the case shown, for the vehicle 100 or the retrofit system 200 provided there to transmit a value relating to the actuation of the brake pedal, or also general information relating to whether and/or how strongly the vehicle 100 is braked, as a processing result to the autonomous vehicle 110. The vehicle 110 can then react to this accordingly and initiate a braking process, for example, likewise early.

However, it is likewise conceivable for information about an imminent turn (which can be recognized by operating a signal light) to be transmitted as a processing result by the vehicle 100 or the retrofit system 200 provided there to the autonomous vehicle 110, for example.

In fig. 2, a retrofitting system 200 according to the invention is schematically shown in a preferred embodiment, which may also be the retrofitting system only outlined in fig. 1, for example. The retrofit system 200 has, for example, a data interface 210, by means of which the retrofit system 200 can be connected in a data-transmitting manner to a vehicle, where it is connected, for example, to the exemplary illustrated bus 102. Via this bus 102, the retrofit system 200 receives or receives data or values relating to variables (also referred to as vehicle variables in the context of the invention) from the vehicle or can independently read them, in particular the relevant data being generally transmitted in any case on such a bus (between the control devices of the vehicle).

Furthermore, the retrofit system 200 has a communication unit 220, by means of which wireless communication can take place, for example via a mobile radio connection (for example using the 4G or 5G standard). Furthermore, the retrofit system 200 has, for example, three sensors or

sensor units

230, 231, 232, by means of which the variables determined by the retrofit system 200 (also referred to as comparison variables in the context of the invention) can be determined internally or independently of the vehicle 100 or from data or information available there. For example, the sensor units may be a GPS sensor 230, a rotational speed sensor 231, and an inertial sensor 230. Other sensors or sensor units, such as temperature sensors, are also conceivable.

Furthermore, the retrofit system 200 has a computing device 240, for example a microprocessor, by means of which computing device 240 the values obtained or received from the vehicle 100 and the values determined internally by means of the sensor unit can be processed, in particular combined with one another and/or verified with one another, so that the processing results can then be transmitted via the communication unit.

The data interface 210, the communication unit 220, the

sensor units

230, 231, 232 and the computing device 240 are illustratively arranged or housed in a common housing 201. Furthermore, a display device 250, for example a display, is provided, which is connected to the housing or the components housed therein via a suitable connection. For example, the processing result and/or the basic value may be displayed on the display device 250. As already mentioned, the display device 250 may also be integrated into the housing, for example.

In fig. 3, the sequence of the method according to the invention is schematically illustrated in a preferred embodiment, which in particular also illustrates the operation of the retrofit system described in more detail with reference to fig. 2 or the use thereof, as is also illustrated, for example, in fig. 1.

As an example, values or data relating to the vehicle variable speed 301, the position of the brake pedal 302 and the position of the driving direction indicator 303 are transmitted from the vehicle to the retrofitting system or read out from said retrofitting system. In addition, the retrofit system determines data or values relating to the comparison variable position 311, the rotational speed 312 and the acceleration 313 internally as an example.

These vehicle parameters and comparison parameters are then processed in step 320, for example, verified against each other and/or combined with each other. It is thus possible, for example, to check whether the value relating to the position of the brake pedal 302 is correct on the basis of the acceleration 313. Furthermore, for example, the value for the position 311 can be combined with the value for the position of the driving direction indicator 303 into a new or new information, if necessary taking into account route information (i.e. information that the intersection is on the current driving route), after which the vehicle with the retrofit system will soon turn.

Subsequently, as a result of the processing, the information 331 indicating braking and the information 332 indicating imminent turning may be transmitted to other vehicles, in particular fully autonomously driven vehicles, in step 340, so that these vehicles may react to this accordingly.

Claims

1. Retrofit system (200) for a vehicle (100), having one or more data interfaces (210) for data transmission connection with the vehicle (100), a communication unit (220) for wireless communication, one or more sensor units (230, 231, 232) and a computing device (240), wherein the retrofit system (200) is set up to

-receiving a current value of at least one vehicle parameter (311, 312, 313) from the vehicle (100) via one or more data interfaces (210) during operation of the vehicle (100),

determining the value of at least one comparison variable (311, 312, 313) by means of one or more sensor units (230, 231, 232),

-processing the received value of the at least one vehicle parameter (301, 302, 303) and the determined value of the at least one comparison parameter (311, 312), and

-sending the processing result (331, 332) via the communication unit (240).

2. The retrofit system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one comparison parameter (311, 312, 313) is selected from the group consisting of: position, speed, direction of motion, rotational speed, acceleration, and temperature.

3. The retrofit system (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one vehicle parameter (301, 302, 303) is selected from the group consisting of: the number of revolutions of a transmission of the vehicle, the position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, the position of a brake pedal of the vehicle, and the position of a travel direction indicating system of the vehicle.

4. The retrofit system (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the communication unit (240) is set up for wireless communication by means of mobile radio and/or WLAN and/or satellite and/or bluetooth.

5. The retrofit system (200) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further being set up to receive data via the communication unit (220).

6. The retrofit system (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more data interfaces (210), the communication unit (220), the one or more sensor units (230, 231, 232) and the computing device (240) are arranged in a common housing (201).

7. The retrofit system (200) according to one of the preceding claims, further having a display device (250), wherein the retrofit system (200) is set up to display at least one of the following information:

-information about the value of at least one vehicle parameter,

-information on the value of at least one comparison parameter,

-information about the result of the processing, and

-information on data received via the communication unit.

8. Use of the retrofit system (200) according to any of the preceding claims in a vehicle (100), in particular a non-autonomous driving vehicle.

9. Method for operating a retrofit system (200) for a vehicle (100), in particular a retrofit system (200) for a vehicle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in a vehicle (100),

wherein a current value of at least one vehicle variable (301, 302, 303) is received during operation of the vehicle (100),

wherein the value of at least one comparison variable (311, 312, 313) is determined,

wherein the received value of the at least one vehicle variable (301, 302, 303) and the determined value of the at least one comparison variable (311, 312, 313) are processed, and

wherein the processing result (331, 332) is transmitted to one or more other vehicles (120).

10. Computer program which, when it is implemented on a retrofit system (200) with a computing device (240), causes the retrofit system (200) to carry out all method steps of the method according to claim 9.

11. A machine readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program according to claim 10.