DE102005039307A1 - Method for deactivating safety measures e.g. warning flasher, for vehicle, relies on gathered vehicle-assigned variable e.g. angle of roll, steering angle, and deactivation and activation criteria - Google Patents

Abstract

A controller (1) gathers vehicle-assigned variables e.g. angle of roll, steering angle, yaw angle, transverse acceleration, tire slip, and deactivates any of the safety measures based on the gathered variables and deactivation and activation criteria. The deactivation/activation criteria determines which of the safety measures e.g. seatbelt, window or sunroof latch, is to be deactivated or activated. An independent claim is also included for a device for deactivating vehicle safety measures.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to deactivate protective measures and in particular for the deactivation of a dangerous situation a vehicle activated protective measures.

active and passive safety systems in the automotive sector play a ever-increasing Role in the development of vehicles. The expectations of Customers require both efficiency and comfort, addressed on increasing security for the vehicle occupants.

It There are safety systems such as airbags, impact protection or the like, which in the event of an accident for a Protection of the vehicle occupants are activated. Furthermore, there are more Safety systems, such as belt tensioners, hazard warning device or the like, which are already in dangerous situations to be activated. The aim of the development is primarily a control system, that captures the current driving situation quickly and reliably safety systems adapted to the traffic situation Protective measures automatically activates the safety of the occupants and the Increase environment.

in the Uses are also solutions, the user by optical or acoustic means on it point out that one for the ride required safety standard currently does not exist and, if appropriate, invite him to take appropriate action initiate. this could For example, in the request, the seat belt to put on or the door close.

At this approach according to the state However, the art has proved to be disadvantageous in the fact that that the driver must actively take certain measures to to increase his own safety. However, this may happen forgotten by the inmates or it can not meet the demands To be followed. Thus, appropriate action not initiated and there is an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident for the Occupants.

Of the Applicants are also so-called collision preparation systems (CPS), which detect a dangerous situation of a vehicle and dependent on the detected hazardous situation predetermined protective measures activate. For example, in a driving dynamics critical situation, for example, in a spin or abrupt brake operation, the belt tensioner is activated for tightening the restraint belt and thus the vehicle occupants an improved effect of the safety belt given. At extremely unstable driving dynamic situations is provided for example, possibly. opened Window or possibly open Close sunroof and / or the radio and / or the phone quieter or completely off to switch. For example, in extremely unstable driving situations provided, possibly ver bolted doors, if necessary to unlock and to activate the hazard warning device.

It is known in the CPS systems described above which are activated Protective measures an activation of the same either not at all or only after Terminate the critical phase of the driving situation again.

At However, this approach has proved to be disadvantageous that such - if any performed - deactivation the activated protective measures is inappropriate in certain situations and, where appropriate, the Safety of the vehicle occupants even endangered. For example, can the reconnection of a radio then be a hindrance if the Driver after a spin in a state of anxiety on the roadside with his vehicle stops and stops to recover from the shock. For example can the vehicle after a spin also on the transverse Street stop. In this case, the driving dynamics of the Vehicle after the spin process, however, no longer in one dynamic driving situation, so that activated CPS systems, For example, an activated hazard warning device, again disabled become. However, there is a transient vehicle Significant risk potential with regard to a rear-end collision, so it would make sense not to disable the hazard warning device, but activated allow.

It It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned above, which previously activated protective measures dependent on the current driving condition and the current hazard potential deactivate.

According to the invention this Task procedurally by a method with the features of Patent claim 1 and device side by a device solved with the features of claim 10.

The idea underlying the present invention is that after activating protective measures in a dangerous situation of a vehicle at least one of the driving convincing state variable is detected by means of an associated detection device; and that the at least one protective measure is deactivated by means of a control unit, taking into account one of the at least one detected state variable associated deactivation criterion, which has not shown an activation criterion for the activation of the at least one protective measure.

Consequently are activated when deactivated in the case of a dangerous situation precautions not just the criteria for taking into account the deactivation, which already the triggering criteria to activate the protective measures but there are additional deactivation criteria considered, which are assigned to the same or possibly additional state variables and have not shown an activation criterion. This will the instantaneous hazard potential more accurately determined to be dependent of the particular current hazard potential previously activated precautions if necessary, to disable or enable it, depending on which increased Protection guaranteed in the current driving situation.

Consequently shows the present invention over the initially explained approaches the advantage that the immediate danger situation of the Vehicle or the currently prevailing risk potential for the occupants and / or the vehicle environment is detected more accurately, making it more appropriate Responds to the respective driving / dangerous situation can be. This results in a much better adapted system behavior, for example, rear-end collisions or the like helps to avoid.

In the dependent claims find advantageous embodiments and improvements of in claim 1 specified method and in the claim 10 specified device.

According to one preferred embodiment is represented as an activation criterion, State variable of the vehicle the roll angle, the steering angle, the yaw angle, the lateral acceleration, the tire slip, the environmental situation or the like used. These state variables of the Vehicle or the environment determine an activation of protective measures to the protective Preparing the occupants for a possible upcoming vehicle accident or for an increased Safety of the environment. Of course, more, for example Vehicle dynamic state variables as triggering criteria for the Activation of predetermined protective measures are taken into account.

According to one Another preferred development is to be activated at least a protective measure as pre-tightening the seat belts, closing the windows and / or the Sliding roof, switching off or switching off multimedia devices, unlocking the vehicle doors, Activating the hazard warning device, activating the external and / or Interior lighting, such as the brake light, disable of power-intensive functions, prefilling the brake pressure or the like educated. Of course can here too further protective measures when a dangerous situation is identified as preparatory accident measures to be activated.

To a further preferred embodiment the at least one protective measure for the case is deactivated by the control unit the detected state variables Regaining control over give the vehicle by the driver. It can be different signals from various detection devices evaluated by the control unit become. As additional dynamic driving State variable can for example, the vehicle acceleration, the vehicle speed, the traveled Way, the behavior of the driver, the operation of the accelerator, one activity the foot- and / or handbrake or the like are detected and evaluated.

For example becomes the detected state variable the current one Driving speed and / or the instantaneous acceleration detected the vehicle and evaluated by means of the control unit, preferably a deactivation of the at least one protective measure is carried out, if the detected driving speed from the time of Activation of at least one protective measure lowest driving speed exceeds by a predetermined amount or over a predetermined period of time after activation of the at least one defense a constant value within a certain speed range accepts. In this case, it is ensured that the vehicle driver checks the vehicle for a Dangerous situation has recovered and its actual ride continues normally. Therefore, a deactivation of previously activated protective measures appropriate in this case.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the driving duration and / or the traveled distance of the vehicle after activation of the at least one protective measure and actuation of the foot and / or handbrake are detected and evaluated by means of the control unit, wherein, for example, a deactivation of the at least one Protective measure is carried out if the vehicle is driven in a stable driving situation for longer than a predetermined period and / or the Foot and / or handbrake is not strongly pressed during this period. As a result, a stable driving situation is detected and the at least one protective measure is deactivated only upon detection of this stable driving situation.

To Another preferred embodiment is additionally recorded State variable the accelerator operation of Vehicle detected after activation of the at least one protective measure and by means of the control unit evaluated, for example, a deactivation of at least a protective measure carried out if the vehicle over a predetermined period of time after activation of the at least one Protective measure stable drives and the accelerator pedal at a predetermined intensity and / or over the predetermined period of time actuated becomes. In this case, the collected data indicates the recorded State variables a stable Driving condition of the vehicle with a low risk potential after activating the at least one protective measure, so this without a hazard the occupant can be deactivated.

According to one Another preferred development is the additionally recorded state variable behavior detected by the driver and evaluated by means of the control unit, for example, a Deactivation of the at least one protective measure is carried out if the hazard warning device is deactivated manually by the driver becomes. By manually deactivating the hazard warning device by the driver, the control unit is shown that the dangerous situation is finished and maintaining the activation of the protective measures no further required.

Preferably the protective measures to be deactivated are not simultaneous by means of the control unit, but in each case depending the driving situation determined by the detected state variables or the hazard potential determined. It can therefore be useful, for example, in a transverse position of the vehicle, to disable the pre-tightening of the seat belts to the inmates Getting out of the vehicle, whereas in detecting a certain driving situation the hazard warning device further activated should stay to rear-end collisions to prevent.

The Invention will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference closer to the enclosed figure explained.

The FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a device for deactivation of a dangerous situation of a vehicle activated protective measures according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. additionally to the for the explanation The components necessary for the present invention are shown in the figure the four tires, the front seat, the passenger seat, the steering wheel and the rear seat row represented in the vehicle.

A vehicle has, according to the embodiment shown in the figure, a device for activating and in particular for deactivating protective measures which have been activated in the case of a dangerous situation of a vehicle for increasing the safety of the occupants and / or the environment. The device comprises a central control unit 1 , which is signal-coupled with a plurality of detection devices or sensors for detecting vehicle-dynamic state variables of the vehicle and for detecting, for example environment-characterizing state variables as well as with a plurality of protective measures for activating and deactivating the same.

According to the in 1 illustrated preferred embodiment is the central control unit 1 for example, with a roll angle sensor 2 for measuring the roll angle, with a steering angle sensor 3 for detecting the steering angle, with wheel electronics associated with each tire 5a . 5b . 5c . 5d , the foot brake 6a and the handbrake 6b data-connected. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that any detection devices or sensors for detecting any state variables with the central control device 1 can be connected to provide further trigger criteria for triggering protective measures. For example, the environment can be additionally detected by means of radar or infrared sensors. It is also conceivable only to detect one of the triggering criteria described above or to detect any combination of these triggering criteria.

As can also be seen in the figure, the central control unit 1 furthermore with predetermined protective measures, for example the belt tensioners 7a . 7b , the door locks 8a . 8b . 8c . 8d , the window closing mechanisms 9a . 9b . 9c . 9d , the multimedia device 10 , the hazard warning device 11 , a driving device for driving the exterior and / or interior lighting, a deactivation device for deactivating power-intensive functions, a device for pre-filling the brake pressure or the like. It is also obvious to a person skilled in the art that the control unit 1 Of course, this can be associated with further protective measures in preparation for an accident, which increase the safety of the occupants.

The following is issued from the state go in which the central control unit 1 due to detected state data by, for example, the roll angle sensor 2 , the steering angle sensor 3 , the lateral acceleration sensors 4a . 4b , the wheel electronics 5a . 5b . 5c . 5d or the like has determined a driving-dynamic danger situation and has activated predetermined protective measures as a consequence of this determined dangerous situation. For example, an activation of the belt tensioners took place on the basis of the detected situation 7a . 7b , unlocking possibly locked doors by activating the door unlocking 8a . 8b . 8c . 8d , closing any open windows by activating the window closing mechanisms 9a . 9b . 9c . 9d , a silent or off of powered multimedia devices 10 or similar.

After the activation of certain protective measures explained above, certain state variables are preferably determined over a predetermined period of time by means of associated detection devices or sensors, and the detected state data are sent to the central control device 1 transmitted by the respectively associated connection lines shown in the figure and in the central control unit 1 evaluated. For example, upon detection of a specific hazard situation, only protective measures adapted to this situation are activated, in which case state variables associated with these activated protective measures are detected and evaluated after activating the protective measures over the predetermined period of time. However, it is also conceivable that, regardless of the nature of the detected hazardous situation always the same or all imaginable protective measures by the control unit 1 be activated, and then after activation over the predetermined period of time, these protective measures associated state variables detected and by means of the control unit 1 be evaluated.

According to the invention for one Decision over a deactivation triggered or activated protective measures additionally to recorded vehicle dynamic state variables of the vehicle, which the triggering criteria to enable the enabled protection measures, others State variables by means of each associated detection devices detected, the additional Criteria for the deactivation of the activated protective measures.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, all or only predetermined protective measures are only then by the control unit 1 deactivated if the control unit determines from the detected state variables that the vehicle driver has regained complete control of the vehicle after the dangerous situation. This can result, for example, from an acceleration of the vehicle after the dangerous situation, which suggests that the driver has resumed normal driving and the danger situation has been overcome. For this purpose evaluates the central control unit 1 for example, by the wheel electronics 5a . 5b . 5c and 5d which have, for example, a wheel speed sensor or are connected to such, the vehicle speed from the time of activation of the accident preparatory protective measures.

For example, the central controller deactivates 1 All or only predetermined protective measures only when the lowest vehicle speed occurred since the activation of the protective measures is exceeded by a predetermined value, for example by 20 km / h. Preferably, in one with the control unit 1 connected storage device detected and stored after the activation of the protective measures vehicle speeds, wherein the lowest driving speed since the activation of the protective measures by the central control unit 1 can be determined. This method ensures that the activated protective measures are only activated when the central control unit determines from the detected state variables that the vehicle has been accelerated back to a predetermined speed after the dangerous situation, ie the driver has complete control of the vehicle has regained.

Additionally or alternatively, as the detected state variable and the distance traveled, where appropriate, depending on the driving speed since the activation of the protective measures by the central control unit 1 recorded and evaluated and used as an additional deactivation criterion. Sensors for detecting the driving speed and the distance covered are already present in existing vehicle systems, so that a complex modification of the same is advantageously not necessary

As an additional or alternative deactivation criterion, the behavior of the driver since detection of the dangerous situation or since activation of certain protective measures can be used. For example, the driver manually deactivates the hazard warning device activated as a protective measure 11 , it can be assumed that the vehicle driver has completely regained full control of the vehicle after the dangerous situation. The same applies, for example, if the central control unit 1 detects that the vehicle driver is a multimedia device 10 , for example, the radio, manually turns on or louder on. In this case, too, it can be assumed that a stable driving situation exists and the vehicle driver has regained complete control of the vehicle. In this case, it may make sense to deactivate the previously activated protective measures without endangering the occupants.

Additionally or alternatively evaluates the central control unit 1 the data of detecting means for detecting an operation of the accelerator pedal 6c off and deactivates predetermined protective measures depending on the determined operation of the accelerator pedal 6c , However, the pure viewing an accelerator pedal operation is only limited meaningful, since the. Driver could, for example, in a stuck vehicle in vain trying to move the vehicle. In this case, for example, the accelerator pedal 6c operated, although the vehicle is still in a stuck state, such as standing crosswise on the road. In such a case, activation of the hazard warning device 11 still useful and one through the control unit 1 possibly carried out deactivation of Warnblinkeinrichtung 11 would not be desirable.

Thus, the controller detects 1 preferably additional data from associated wheel speed sensors, which, for example, in the wheel electronics 5a . 5b . 5c . 5d integrated or connected to these, and evaluates the respectively detected wheel speed data of the associated tires. For example, the tire slip or the like can also be detected and evaluated by the control unit by means of suitable detection devices, so that driving of the vehicle can be reliably determined.

If an evaluation of the acquired data, for example the detected wheel speeds, indicates that the vehicle is moving, the control unit deactivates 1 preferably from a predetermined intensity of the operation of the accelerator pedal 6c For example, when operating more than 20%, for a predetermined period of time, for example, for more than 2 seconds, all or some previously activated protection measures.

The same applies if the central control unit 1 a stable driving situation or a stable driving of the vehicle over a predetermined period, for example, over a period of more than 3 seconds detected. In this case, too, it can be assumed that the vehicle driver has overcome the dangerous situation and has regained control of the vehicle.

The Detecting a controlled stable driving condition can be particularly make sense by the evaluation of the vehicle speed. Becomes The vehicle, for example, with a nearly constant, only changing within a set speed range Speed within a certain absolute or relative Speed range over a predetermined period after activating the protective measures, for example about 3 seconds without speed reduction, so it can be assumed that a complete Regaining control over the vehicle prevails.

As a further deactivation criterion, for example, an operation of the foot brake 6a and / or the handbrake 6b which are also indications of a regaining or not regaining a stable driving situation. If, for example, the vehicle is driven at a constant speed within a certain absolute or relative speed range over a predetermined period of time after activation of the protective measures, for example for 3 seconds without speed reduction, without the foot brake 6a and / or the handbrake 6b intensive driving, it is also assumed that a complete regain of control of the vehicle prevails. An assessment of the strength of the use of the brake may u. U. be advantageous and can be done via the brake pressure.

The previously activated protective measures are preferably not deactivated at the same time, but in each case as a function of the instantaneous driving situation determined by the detected state variables. Captures, for example, the controller 1 a stoppage of the vehicle, the belt tightening should be deactivated as soon as possible to allow the driver, if necessary, get out of the vehicle. The hazard warning device, however, should remain activated until the control unit 1 by evaluating the detected state variables a complete regain control of the vehicle determined by the vehicle user.

Consequently The present invention provides a method and an apparatus to deactivate activated in a dangerous situation of a vehicle Protection measures wherein the instantaneous driving situation of the Fahrzeu ges by a central control unit is ensured by evaluating associated state variable data in such a way that a so-called collision preparation system suitable on the current driving or dangerous situation can react. It will Ensures a significantly better adapted system behavior, which for example, rear-end collisions helps to avoid.

Even though the present invention with reference to preferred embodiments As described above, it is not limited thereto on diverse Modifiable way. The variants explained above are arbitrary combinable with each other.

For example can as a triggering criteria too Environmental data is collected and evaluated. In particular an optical, for example by a camera or the like, or acoustic, for example by radar or ultrasound, environment recording, depending on the certain environmental measures are activated. For example can depend on the hazard potential an emergency braking be activated. Of course, one can such protective measure by evaluating additional State variables or by using additional Deactivation criteria are deactivated analogously to the one explained above.

As a further possibility, which can only be regarded as an example, a seat adjustment into a position increasing the safety of the occupants by means of a seat adjustment device takes place as a function of the detected hazard potential 12 , Depending on the detected state variables or detected predetermined deactivation criteria, an adjustment of the seats in the original Sitzposi tion by means of the seat adjustment device is analogous to the above embodiments 12 if the deactivation criteria or the detected state variables result in termination of the dangerous situation.

1

central control unit

2

roll angle sensor

3

Steering angle sensor

4a

Lateral acceleration sensor

4b

Lateral acceleration sensor

5a

wheel electronics

5b

wheel electronics

5c

wheel electronics

5d

wheel electronics

6a

footbrake

6b

hand brake

6c

accelerator

7a

pretensioners

7b

pretensioners

8a

door lock

8b

door lock

8c

door lock

8d

door lock

9a

Window closing mechanism

9b

Window closing mechanism

9c

Window closing mechanism

9d

Window closing mechanism

10

Multimedia device

11

Warning flasher

12

Seat adjustment facility

Claims (16)

Method for deactivating at least one protective measure activated in the case of a dangerous situation of a vehicle, having the following method steps: detecting at least one state variable assigned to the vehicle by means of an associated detection device; and deactivating the at least one protective measure by means of a control device ( 1 ) taking into account at least one of the at least one detected state variable associated deactivation criterion, which has not represented an activation criterion for the activation of the at least one protective measure. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that as an activation criterion representing state variable of the vehicle the roll angle, the steering angle, the yaw angle, the lateral acceleration, the tire slip, the environmental situation or the like used becomes. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one protective measure to be deactivated comprises pre-tightening the safety belts, closing the windows and / or the sunroof, switching off or turning off multimedia devices ( 10 ), Unlocking the vehicle doors, activating the hazard warning device ( 11 ), Driving the exterior and / or interior lighting, deactivating power-intensive functions, pre-filling the brake pressure, Ver make the seat settings or the like is formed. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one protective measure for the case by the control unit ( 1 ) is deactivated, that the deactivation criteria associated with the detected state variables signal a regain of control of the vehicle by the driver. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the instantaneous travel speed and / or the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle is detected as the state variable and by means of the control device ( 1 ) is evaluated, with a deactivation of at least one protective measure is carried out if the detected driving speed exceeds the lowest driving speed by a predetermined amount from the time the activation of the at least one protective measure or over a predetermined period of time after activation of the at least one protective measure maintains a predetermined speed range within a certain speed range. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the travel time and / or the traveled distance covered as the state variable from the time of activation of the at least one protective measure and by means of the control unit ( 1 ), wherein a deactivation of the at least one protective measure is performed if the vehicle is driven in a stable driving situation for longer than a predetermined period of time and / or the foot brake ( 6a ) and / or the handbrake ( 6d ) or not be operated beyond a predetermined amount. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operation variable of the accelerator pedal ( 6c ) and by means of the control unit ( 1 ), wherein a deactivation of the at least one protective measure is carried out if the vehicle drives stable for a predetermined period after activation of the at least one occupant protection device and the accelerator pedal ( 6c ) is actuated at a predetermined intensity and / or over the predetermined period of time. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the behavior of the driver is detected as the state variable and by means of the control device ( 1 ), wherein a deactivation of the at least one protective measure is carried out if the hazard warning device ( 11 ) is deactivated manually by the driver. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective measures to be deactivated are not simultaneously, but in each case as a function of the driving situation determined by the detected state variables by means of the control unit ( 1 ) are disabled. Device for deactivating at least one protective measure activated in the case of a dangerous situation of a vehicle, comprising: detection means for detecting at least one state variable associated with the vehicle; and with a control unit ( 1 ) for deactivating the at least one protective measure taking into account at least one of the at least one detected state variable associated deactivation criterion, which has not shown an activation criterion for the activation of the at least one protective measure. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the control unit ( 1 ) deactivates the at least one protective measure in the event that the detected state variables signal a regaining of control of the vehicle by the driver. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the control device ( 1 ) as additionally detected state variable evaluates the instantaneous driving speed and / or the instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle and the at least one protective measure is deactivated if the detected vehicle speed exceeds the lowest driving speed by a predetermined amount from the time of activation of the at least one protective measure or over a predetermined period after activating the at least one protective measure, maintains a defined speed range within a certain speed range. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the control device ( 1 ) evaluates the travel duration and / or the traveled distance of the vehicle from the time of activation of the at least one protective measure as detected state variables and deactivates the at least one protective measure if the vehicle is driven for a stable driving situation for longer than a predetermined period of time and / or the footbrake ( 6a ) and / or the handbrake ( 6b ) are not strongly operated during this period. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the control device ( 1 ) as the detected state variable, the operation of the accelerator pedal ( 6c ) and deactivates the at least one protective measure if the vehicle is stationary for a predetermined period of time after activation of the at least one protective measure and the accelerator pedal ( 6c ) is actuated at a predetermined intensity and / or over the predetermined period of time. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the control device ( 1 ) evaluates the behavior of the driver as detected state variable and deactivates the at least one protective measure if the hazard warning device ( 11 ) is deactivated manually by the driver. Device according to at least one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the protective measures to be deactivated not simultaneously, but in each case as a function of the determined by the detected state variables driving situation by means of the control unit ( 1 ) can be deactivated.