DE102004012228A1 - Recording system for use in a road vehicle uses inputs from vehicle sensors together with real time data from a GPS system - Google Patents

Abstract

The control unit [10] records accident data along with real time information and has a built in acceleration sensor [12] and a turn rate sensor [14] providing skidding data. These provide input to a microcontroller [24] and this controls such items as air bags and anti roll devices. An EEPROM memory [16] stores all relevant data. Real time data from a GPS system can be received and stored.

Description

The The invention relates to a recording apparatus for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for recording sensory and / or metrologically recorded information on events in a vehicle according to the generic term of claim 10.

modern ECUs for occupant protection systems meanwhile have a very high performance to one Variety of information and signals as possible in real time to process can. These are such controllers with powerful Microprocessors or controllers equipped with complex algorithms for controlling the tripping behavior of occupant protection systems. The controllers have also the ability for self-diagnosis and can the appearance of errors for to record a workshop diagnosis.

The Record of accident information is legally in Germany not yet prescribed, but with the currently available ECUs in principle possible. Here you can Signals from sensors for accident detection, such as signals from acceleration sensors, rotation rate sensors, pressure sensors or Strain gauges are recorded, in short, by all sensors, the signals to the controller for accident detection and triggering Protective equipment such as airbags, belt tensioners or rollover protection systems deliver.

The DE 40 40 927 C2 discloses a method and apparatus for error storage in a control device of a motor vehicle. Error information is stored in the order of occurrence of predetermined errors in an error sequence memory. In addition, in an error registration memory, for each error indicated there, it is indicated by setting an error designation flag whether the error currently exists. An entry in the error sequence memory is only made if the associated error designation flag is not set for an occurring error. This allows a fast and secure evaluation of the stored error information. In addition, errors are stored in the order in which they occur. In addition, the error registration memory can be used to quickly search for errors that have occurred.

task Now, the present invention is a recording apparatus for a vehicle and a method for recording sensory and / or metrological to provide collected information on events in a vehicle, with which the course of an accident and / or occurrence or the presence of an error reconstructed as accurately as possible can be.

These The object is achieved by a recording device having the features of claim 1 and solved by a method having the features of claim 10. preferred Embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

An essential idea of the invention is to store sensory and / or metrological information about events in a vehicle together with real-time information in a memory. Based on the real-time information, an accident occurrence and / or an error event can be reconstructed very accurately. Since accidents usually involve events that only occur for fractions of a second, precise time information is required for an exact reconstruction of the accident. If instead of real-time information, for example, the time information of a clock of the vehicle used, there would be the danger that certain accident events would be stored together with inaccurate time information and complicate the reconstruction of the accident. It is true from the publications DE 100 56 548 A1 . DE 197 04 916 A1 . DE 196 40 431 A1 and DE 44 16 869 A1 It is known to obtain time information from signals of the radio data system (RDS) and thus also to synchronize clocks in the vehicle, but this does not provide a sufficiently accurate time base for the recording of accident-relevant events or the signals from sensors that are used for Accident detection are provided.

The invention now relates to a recording device for a vehicle, which is designed to store sensory and / or metrological information about events. Furthermore, it is designed to store the information about events at least partially together with real-time information in a memory. As already mentioned, for example, a modern control system for occupant protection systems usually has a powerful microprocessor or controller that executes software that includes algorithms for controlling, in particular for triggering protection means of the occupant protection system. This software can now be, for example, the additional function for recording sensory and / or metrological information about events. Events are here understood in particular as events that have a meaning for the reconstruction of an accident. For example, these are all events directly related to an accident conditions, ie crash signals, acceleration signals, signals from control units such as ABS or ESP, the dangerous vehicle situations such as spin or strong braking signals. But also meant events that may be indirectly related to an accident, such as failures of brakes, errors in ECUs, fluctuations in the vehicle electrical system voltage, the failure of the vehicle electrical system voltage (in particular caused by an accident or can lead to an accident), or system failure , which affect a protective function of the corresponding protective device, such as interrupted or shorted leads to the actuators of the control units.

The sensory and / or metrological information about events preferably comprise signals from sensors for accident detection and / or the occurrence of errors or malfunction of vehicle components such as electrical components, control devices, brake systems or the like Elements. For example, the software may exceed a threshold by an acceleration sensor signal and automatically detect the Recording the signal of the acceleration sensor and if necessary start further signals from accident detection sensors. Or it will the falling below a predetermined minimum electrical voltage detected in the electrical system and the recording of the course of the vehicle electrical system voltage trigger. This record can already be scheduled before entering the actual accident or crash occur to a sufficient number Collect information on the reconstruction of the accident.

The recorder may also be configured to at least partially combine the sensor signals with real-time information at the beginning of an accident in memory store. At the beginning of an accident here is meant that not necessarily yet a collision of the vehicle with an object has occurred but even before the actual collision, for example when a certain negative acceleration occurs, which indicates that a collision is likely.

Preferably if the recording device is designed in the case of an accident also boundary conditions together with the sensor signals and store the real-time information in memory. The saving such additional Boundary conditions facilitate later the reconstruction of the accident.

The Boundary conditions can For example, the vehicle speed, the road condition, the temperature inside and outside of the vehicle, the lighting conditions outside of the vehicle, the steering angle position of the vehicle, errors in the electronic Vehicle control system and / or failure of braking devices of the vehicle be. These boundary conditions are typically also with corresponding sensors in the form of electrical signals provided to the recording device. The recording device can the boundary conditions, for example via a vehicle information bus, in particular a CAN bus received, on which for many electronic components of the vehicle relevant data such as vehicle speed, Temperature, steering angle position or the like information for disposal stand.

Around the required accuracy of the accident, more specifically the To ensure record of the accident, should be the real-time information an accuracy of about ± 10 Milliseconds, but at least about ± 100 milliseconds.

For this can the recording device a real-time receiving unit, in particular for signals of a DCF77 longwave transmitter and / or a satellite, in particular a GPS satellite.

alternative or additionally It may also include an interface via which it communicates with the real-time receiving unit for the Real-time information can be communicated by communication. This is especially useful if the real-time receiving unit at one for the reception of real-time information favorable location in the vehicle placed a little further from the recorder.

In a particularly preferred embodiment is the recorder further trained to provide information about their own errors and / or malfunction and / or faults and / or malfunction of occupant protection equipment, in particular of airbags, belt tensioners, rollover protection systems or the same protection means, in particular together with real-time information store in memory. This allows it in the reconstruction of the accident, to determine if and if so which electronic systems errors and / or malfunction before or during of the accident.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a control device for a vehicle, in particular for an occupant protection system of a vehicle, which has a recording device according to the invention. The recorder can also be used in an ABS, ESP or other control unit. In particular, if the labeling device is designed as a separate component or module, for example as an integrated circuit, it is preferably suitable for use in already existing Control devices, in particular for expanding the functionality of these devices.

The The invention further relates to a method for recording sensory and / or metrologically recorded information on events in a Vehicle; the information about events will be at least here partially stored together with real-time information in a memory.

The sensory and / or metrological information about events preferably comprise signals from sensors for accident detection and / or the occurrence of errors or malfunction of vehicle components such as electrical components, control devices, brake systems or the like Elements.

Especially the sensor signals and / or error signals are at least partially along with real-time information at the beginning of an accident in memory stored.

at an accident can also boundary conditions together with the sensor signals and the real-time information stored in memory such as the vehicle speed, the road condition, the temperature lighting conditions, the steering angle position of the vehicle, errors in the electronic vehicle control system and / or failure of brake devices of the vehicle.

Preferably the real-time information should have an accuracy of about ± 10 milliseconds but at least about ± 100 Milliseconds.

The Real-time information can be sent via signals a DCF77 longwave transmitter and / or a satellite, in particular a GPS satellite become.

Further can information about own errors and / or malfunctions and / or errors and / or malfunctions of occupant protection devices, in particular airbags, belt tensioners, rollover protection system or the same protection means, in particular together with real-time information be stored in memory.

Further Advantages and applications The present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the drawings are those in the listed below List of reference symbols used terms and associated reference numerals used.

The Drawings show in:

1 an embodiment of a control unit for an occupant protection system, which is designed to include the accident information recording device according to the invention;

2 an embodiment of a time base for the controller of 1 ;

3 an accident scenario in which several vehicles are involved and the times of accident-relevant events that can be recorded or stored according to the method according to the invention;

4 an accident scenario in which several vehicles are involved and a spin operation of a vehicle has preceded the crash, and the times of accident-relevant events that can be recorded or stored according to the method according to the invention.

1 shows a control unit 10 , which comprises a recording device according to the invention for recording or storing accident information together with real-time information. The control unit 10 includes at least one accelerometer 12 for detecting accelerations in an accident, and at least one yaw rate sensor 14 for detecting rotational movements and / or skidding movements of a vehicle in which the control device 10 is used. The accelerometer 12 and the rotation rate sensor 14 are with a microcontroller 24 of the control unit 10 connected. The microcontroller 24 is with an output stage control 26 connected, which is designed to control the in-vehicle actuators of the occupant protection system, such as belt tensioners, airbags, rollover protection device or the like protection means.

The microcontroller 24 is also with a memory 16 connected. The memory 16 is shown here as a separate component, but can also be an internal memory area of the microcontroller 24 be. The memory 16 is non-volatile, such as an EEPROM or Flash EEPROM, and is designed to store error and accident information. Upon occurrence and after detection or qualification of a fault in the occupant protection system takes the microcontroller 24 an entry of the error or corresponding information in memory 16 in front. In addition to system errors, such as errors of actuators or faulty electrical connections between the control unit 10 and actuators can also event-related events as accident information, such as a crash telegram in an accident and information about a spin process are recorded. Such processes are stored by the signals of the sensors 12 and 14 to be recorded. The recording of the signals can be continuous or periodic. The sensor signals are recorded in digital form, ie after digitization.

In order to enable an accurate reconstruction of the accident after an accident, the exact time in the millisecond range with any sensor signal to be stored as accident information by the microcontroller for documentation purposes 24 stored. As a result, the exact beginning of the accident or the exact beginning of a skid or even a rollover event, or the first occurrence of a system error, can be determined for later reconstruction purposes of the accident. In particular, in the case of several vehicles involved in an accident, it is important that there is a uniform time base synchronized with each other or at least one auxiliary time base derived therefrom in all participating vehicles.

A uniform timebase of the vehicles involved is synchronized in the control unit 10 through a real time receiving unit 18 formed, receives the signals of a DCF 77 long-wave transmitter and generates an exact time base. As an alternative to a system based on DCF 77, a real-time receiving system can also be used which generates exact time data based on system and information data based on GPS (Global Positioning System).

The vehicle-side real-time receiver unit 18 is with the controller 10 via a real-time information interface 20 connected. The real-time information interface 20 is designed to receive real-time data. A real-time receiver unit can also be used in the control unit 10 be implemented. Conveniently, the real-time receive unit 18 from one in 1 not shown auxiliary time base (see 2 ), so that even in poor reception conditions, eg in the presence of "dead spots", an exact time base is still available for at least a certain period of time 2 is shown; but it can also be done by the microcontroller 24 be simulated functionally.

2 shows a circuit with a real time receiving unit 18 and one over a quartz 30 controlled auxiliary time base 28 , The auxiliary time base 28 is from the real-time receiver unit 18 synchronized. Both the real-time receive unit 18 as well as the auxiliary time base 28 supply the microcontroller 24 with time signals. As long as the real-time receiving unit 18 no signal, eg in poor reception conditions, the microcontroller switches 24 internally on the auxiliary time base 28 and uses its time signal.

The accuracy requirement for a consistent time base synchronized with other time bases 18 or a derived auxiliary time base 28 is illustrated by the following observation: a vehicle with an approximately constant speed of 50 km / h covers a distance of about 13.89 meters per second. A temporal resolution for documentation purposes, in order to be able to reconstruct the exact sequence of an accident event, is too coarse or too imprecise if it is in the range of one second and a deviation from the actual time is not constant, since in this case the distance traveled Distance can only be determined with a deviation of ± 13.89 meters and absolute of 27.78 meters. If the assumed speed is 100 km / h instead of the above assumed 50 km / h, then the distance covered can even be determined to 55.66 meters. From this example, it is clear that temporal resolution in the seconds range is unsuitable for meaningful accident reconstruction purposes due to the large deviations and inaccuracies that result.

typically, currently have in automotive electronic systems for clock generation used resonators or quartz accuracy in the range of ± 10 ppm to ± 1000 ppm on. With an assumed accuracy of ± 1000 ppm this is equivalent a possible Deviation of 1000 cycles with respect to 1 million cycles, or ± 0.1% fault tolerance. This fault tolerance means that an unsynchronized auxiliary time base, which is needed in the case of a "radio hole", already after 100 seconds by ± 100 Milliseconds may differ. To the for an accident reconstruction higher accuracy requirements fulfill to be able to Therefore, a time base should have an accuracy of ± 100 ppm or higher. To get a meaningful, for accident reconstruction purposes suitable to map time, is a resolution in the range of ± 100 Milliseconds or a resolution in the case of very exact request Range of ± 10 Milliseconds desirable.

3 shows a sequence in a multiple rear-end collision in which several vehicles are involved. In the upper part A of the 3 is an exemplary accident scenario at the time t = t1 shown, in which in a mass collision, vehicle C on vehicle B and vehicle E on vehicle D ascends. In the lower part B of the 3 is the advanced accident scenario at time t = t1 + x represents, in which the vehicle E is driven on the vehicle D, D vehicle to the vehicle C and the vehicle C on the vehicle B. Without an exact record of the times, in particular the Auffahrereignisse, which can be detected by crash sensors, a subsequent accurate reconstruction of the accident is almost impossible because it can not be determined exactly which vehicle is actually driven on what, or which vehicle would have come to a halt and has been postponed to the preceding vehicle as a result of a subsequent vehicle.

Becomes in contrast, according to the invention the exact time of the accident (impact on an obstacle) at the beginning of the accident (as shown in the upper part A), so is in the vehicle C as well as in the vehicle E each time t = t1 recorded as the beginning of the accident. additionally would be too sticking the times in vehicle B and vehicle D in conjunction possible with a rear crash information, resulting in an even more accurate Reconstruction of the accident is possible.

in the Lower part B is the advanced assumed accident scenario shown at the time t = t1 + x, wherein according to the invention in the vehicle D, which registers the start of the rear-end collision only at this time, the time t = t1 + x is recorded as the beginning of the accident. by virtue of different in non-volatile Memory of the vehicle D and the vehicle E stored times of Accident beginning leaves thus reconstruct the vehicle D first from the vehicle E collided at time t = t1, and then to Time t = t1 + x a collision of the vehicle D with vehicle C has taken place. Based on the difference x of the two times let yourself an exact reconstruction of an accident, in which several Vehicles were involved, easily reconstruct, especially then if further information was available at the time of the accident, such as For example, the speed, the road condition, temperature, lighting conditions, possible Error in the system, one possible Errors on the brakes, etc. are also recorded. In the same way simple way can be reconstruct very easily due to very exact error time information, whether a fault in the system was the cause of a possible accident, or whether an accident is the cause of was an error in the system, i. the error in the system as a consequence of the Accident occurred.

4 shows a sequence of a collision of two vehicles, in which a spin operation of one of the two vehicles has preceded. In the four parts A, B, C and D of the 4 an exemplary accident scenario is shown at time t = t1 until time t = t1 + 3x, when an out-of-control vehicle A (skidding vehicle A) ultimately collides with another vehicle B at time t = t1 + 3x, which is still trying has to evade the vehicle A.

Without an exact recording of accident-relevant events (accident information) and the times of their occurrence is a subsequent error-free reconstruction the accident is almost impossible, because it is not possible to determine exactly who really is the cause of the accident is because vice versa as the vehicle B first except Control (to skid) come and have the vehicle A as a result of it made a fallback attempt could.

If, according to the invention, the exact accident time (start of a skid or a rolling or pitching operation) of the beginning of the accident (as shown in the upper part B) is recorded, the time t = t1 + 1 x is stored in the vehicle A as the beginning of the accident. In part C it can be seen how the vehicle B tries to perform an evasive maneuver so that it escapes the impending collision with the vehicle A. The last part D shows the advanced accident scenario at time t = t1 + 3x, in which vehicle A collides with vehicle B in the middle of the vehicle. In the vehicle B is as accident time, as from the 4 As can be seen, the time t = t1 + 3x stored as the beginning of the accident.

by virtue of the different stored times for the beginning of the accident in the non-volatile memory the vehicle A and the vehicle B can be clearly reconstructed, that vehicle A first gets out of control at time t = t1 + x and subsequently at time t = t1 + 3x collided with the vehicle B, from which It can very easily be concluded that probably the vehicle A is the cause of the accident.

Based the difference 2x of the two stored times for the beginning of the accident leaves one exact reconstruction of an accident involving several vehicles were involved, relatively easily, especially if other information that prevailed at the time of the accident, such as the speed, the road condition, temperature, lighting conditions, Steering angle position, possible Error in the system, possibly Errors on the brakes, etc. are also recorded.

As already related to 3 has been explained, can be in a simple manner due to a very accurate error time information very easily reconstruct whether an error in the system is the cause of a possible accident or if an accident is the cause of a fault in the system, ie the error in the system as Aftermath of the Accident occurred or the error was caused under the influence of a skid or a rolling or pitching process.

The Holding further information in the non-volatile memory or fault memory, such as the speed information, the information the road condition prevailing at the time of the accident Temperature and lighting conditions, the road condition, temperature, light conditions, possible errors in the system, possibly existing system error, facilitate the reconstruction of an accident scenario or the determination of a fault in the system, for example only occurs sporadically, because the conditions for error analysis due the exact timebase and the exact time information stored with it together with the accident or error information relatively accurately can be reproduced or the timing of an accident relatively easy to understand can be.

Next the above occupant protection systems in which the storage the real-time information takes place as a result of events or in integrated into these systems can also be separate system units, such as accident data recorders, act in which according to the invention the beginning of the accident as well as at the time of the accident prevailing conditions, in particular for documentation and / or easier reconstruction of the accident, along with a Real-time information recorded in nonvolatile memory becomes.

10

control unit

12

accelerometer

14

Yaw rate sensor

16

nonvolatile Storage

18

Real-time receiving unit

20

Real-time information interface

24

microcontroller

26

Retardant control

28

Auxiliary time base

30

(Vibration) Quartz

Claims (17)

Recording device ( 10 ) for a vehicle which is designed to store sensory and / or metrological information about events, characterized in that it is further adapted to at least partially store the information about events together with real-time information in a memory ( 16 ). Recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor-related and / or metrologically recorded information on events signals from sensors ( 12 . 14 ) for accident detection and / or the occurrence of errors or malfunction of vehicle components such as electrical components, control devices, brake systems or the like elements. Recording device according to claim 2, characterized in that it is designed to detect the signals of the sensors for accident detection ( 12 . 14 ) at least partially together with real-time information at the beginning of an accident in the memory ( 16 ). recorder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it is further formed around in an accident boundary conditions together with the sensor signals and store the real-time information in memory. recorder according to claim 4, characterized in that the boundary conditions the Vehicle speed, road condition, temperature, lighting conditions, Steering angle position, error in electronic vehicle control system and / or faults on braking devices of the vehicle. recorder according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the real-time information has an accuracy of about ± 10 ms, but at least about ± 100 ms. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a real time receiving unit ( 18 ) in particular for signals of a DCF 77 long-wave transmitter and / or a satellite, in particular a GPS satellite, or an interface ( 20 ) via which it communicates with the real-time receive unit ( 18 ) can be connected by communication. Recording device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is further designed to provide information about its own faults and / or malfunctions and / or faults and / or malfunctions of occupant protection devices, in particular airbags, belt tensioners, rollover protection systems or the like protection means, in particular together with Real-time information in memory ( 16 ). control unit for a Vehicle, especially for one Occupant protection system of a vehicle, characterized in that it a recording device after one of the preceding claims having. Method for recording sensory and / or metrological information Events in a vehicle, characterized in that the information on events at least partially together with real-time information in a memory ( 16 ) are stored. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensory and / or metrologically recorded information on events signals from sensors ( 12 . 14 ) for accident detection and / or the occurrence of errors or malfunction of vehicle components such as electrical components, control devices, brake systems or the like elements. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the sensor signals at least partially together with real-time information at the beginning of an accident in the memory ( 16 ) are stored. A method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in an accident boundary conditions together with the sensor signals and the real-time information in memory ( 16 ) are stored. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that that the boundary conditions the vehicle speed, road condition, Temperature, lighting conditions, Steering angle position, errors in the electronic vehicle control system and / or Errors are at braking devices of the vehicle. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized that the real-time information has an accuracy of about ± 10 ms, but at least about ± 100 ms. Method according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized that the real-time information about Signals of a DCF 77 longwave transmitter and / or a satellite, in particular a GPS satellite, can be received. Method according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized that further information about own errors and / or malfunctions and / or errors and / or malfunctions of occupant protection devices, in particular airbags, belt tensioners, rollover protection systems or similar protection means, in particular together with real-time information be stored in memory.