DE102009045921B4 - Device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (100) for a motor vehicle (10), the device (100) being connected to at least one receiving unit (110, 111, 112), the device (100) being designed by means of the receiving unit (110, 111, 112) to detect an impending collision of the motor vehicle (10) with an obstacle (250), characterized in that the device (100) is designed to assign the obstacle (250) to a category (210) and the device (100) is designed based on the category (210) to determine a preferred impact area (212), and the device (100) is designed to influence a driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) as a function of the preferred impact area (212).

Description

The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a method for operating a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 8.

State of the art

It is known to equip motor vehicles with sensors which are designed to detect a collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle. Early detection of such a collision can be important in order to trigger safety systems provided in the motor vehicle, for example airbags, in good time. Such solutions are for example in the WO 2005/118348 A1 and the US 2006/0129295 A1 described.

It is also known to recognize a likely impending accident of the motor vehicle before the accident occurs. The GB 2 435 536 A describes a system that calculates a probability that the motor vehicle will approach a dangerous situation. For this purpose, the system evaluates, among other things, information provided by a navigation system about an environment of the motor vehicle. If the probability of approaching a dangerous situation exceeds a defined threshold value, a warning signal is output and the motor vehicle is braked if necessary.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for a motor vehicle which permits a further increase in safety. This object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method for operating a motor vehicle. This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 8. Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims.

It has been shown that an impending collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle can often only be determined when the collision is already inevitable. Experience also teaches that collisions between motor vehicles and obstacles vary in severity depending on the angle of the collision and the positions of the collision on the motor vehicle and obstacle. For example, a meeting with a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle can lead to personal injury, while a meeting with an engine compartment of the motor vehicle only causes property damage. Studies have shown that even in the event of an unavoidable collision, course correction would often be possible to reduce the extent of the damage caused by the collision.

A device according to the invention for a motor vehicle is connected to at least one receiving unit and is designed to use the receiving unit to detect an impending collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle. The device is further developed to assign the obstacle to a category and to determine a preferred impact area on the basis of the category. In addition, the device is designed to influence a driving movement of the motor vehicle as a function of the preferred impact area. The collision between the motor vehicle and the obstacle then advantageously takes place in the preferred impact area of the obstacle. This can reduce the amount of damage caused by the collision.

In one development, the device is connected to a navigation system and is designed to receive information about an environment of the motor vehicle from the navigation system. In addition, the device is designed to influence the driving movement of the motor vehicle as a function of the preferred turning range and the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The choice of the preferred turning range and the influencing of the driving movement of the motor vehicle can then advantageously take place as a function of the surroundings of the motor vehicle. This advantageously takes into account that the surroundings of the motor vehicle can influence the severity of the damage caused by the collision. In addition, the available options for influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle also depend on the surroundings of the motor vehicle.

The information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle expediently includes information about a type of road and / or a number of lanes and / or an incline and / or a curve and / or a verge. This information can then advantageously be taken into account when determining the preferred turning area and influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle.

The at least one receiving unit expediently comprises a video camera and / or a radar sensor and / or an infrared sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor. These sensors are advantageously well suited for the detection and categorization of obstacles.

The preferred impact area expediently comprises information from which direction and / or at which position of the obstacle a collision of the motor vehicle with the obstacle is preferred. It can advantageously be taken into account that a collision with a specific location of a type of obstacle causes less serious damage than a collision with another location of such an obstacle.

The device is preferably designed to influence the driving movement of the motor vehicle through an intervention in a braking system and / or a steering system and / or an acceleration system. Advantageously, the device is thereby offered extensive options for influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle. This improves the chances that the influencing of the driving movement actually leads to a collision of the motor vehicle with the preferred impact area of the obstacle and not with another area of the obstacle.

The list of categories expediently includes the categories pedestrian and / or bicycle and / or motorcycle and / or passenger car and / or truck and / or bus. This advantageously takes into account that different categories of obstacles have differently preferred impact areas and therefore require different influences on the driving movement of the motor vehicle by the device.

A method according to the invention for operating a motor vehicle has method steps for recognizing an impending collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle, for assigning the obstacle to a category, for determining a preferred turning range on the basis of the category, and for influencing a driving movement of the motor vehicle depending on the preferred turning range . This method can advantageously reduce the extent of damage caused by the collision of the motor vehicle with the obstacle.

In a development of the method, a method step is carried out before influencing the driving movement for receiving information about an environment of the motor vehicle from a navigation system. In addition, the driving movement of the motor vehicle is influenced as a function of the preferred turning range and the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle can then advantageously be taken into account when determining the preferred turning range and influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle. This increases the probability that influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle actually leads to a collision of the motor vehicle with the preferred impact area of the obstacle and not with another area of the obstacle.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Verkehrssituation;
• 2 ein schematisches Blockschaltbild einer Vorrichtung in einem Kraftfahrzeug;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Kategorie von Hindernissen; und
• 4 ein schematisches Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Uniform reference symbols are used for elements that are the same or have the same effect. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a traffic situation;
• 2nd a schematic block diagram of a device in a motor vehicle;
• 3rd a schematic representation of a category of obstacles; and
• 4th a schematic flow diagram of a method.

Embodiments of the invention

1 shows a schematic view of a traffic situation. A motor vehicle 10th drives a street of a street type 300 . The car 10th can be a passenger car (passenger car), a truck (truck) or another motor vehicle. The street type 300 is in 1 for example a federal highway. The road has a slope 310 on. The slope 310 can also be a slope. The road has two lanes 330 . There is an edge strip next to the road 320 intended.

In one direction 400 of the motor vehicle 10th close to the car 10th there is an obstacle 250 . In in 1 the example shown is the obstacle 250 a passenger car. Because of the small distance between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 and the high speed of the motor vehicle assumed in the example shown 10th is a collision between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 inevitable. The motor vehicle can do this 10th by means of a vehicle 10th integrated device 100 automatically determine.

2nd shows a schematic block diagram of the device 100 . The device 100 is connected to a plurality of sensors. In the example of the 2nd include those with the device 100 connected sensors a video camera 110 , a radar sensor 111 and an infrared sensor 112 . The contraption 100 However, it could also be connected to further sensors, for example an ultrasonic sensor. Optionally, one or more of the sensors can also be used 110 , 111 , 112 omitted. Using the sensors 110 , 111 , 112 can the device 100 the presence of the obstacle 250 in the area of the motor vehicle 100 determine. The sensors 110 , 111 , 112 also allow the device the distance between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 to determine. The device 100 also knows the current driving speed of the motor vehicle 10th , the maximum possible braking acceleration of the motor vehicle 10th and other parameters of the motor vehicle 10th . Knowing these parameters and knowing the distance and size of the obstacle 250 can the device 100 calculate that a collision between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 can no longer be prevented. The device can preferably 100 with this calculation also an own speed of the obstacle 250 consider.

In a development of the invention, the device 100 also a wireless communication link to the obstacle 250 build up. This is possible, for example, if the obstacle 250 also with a device 100 Is provided. The device can be connected via the wireless communication link 100 of the motor vehicle 10th Information from the obstacle 250 received, on the basis of which the device 100 may find that an inevitable collision with the obstacle 250 is imminent. The one from the obstacle 250 The information received can be, for example, an exact position and speed of the obstacle 250 include. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 10th in addition to or instead of the sensors 110 , 111 , 112 have a transmitting and / or receiving unit for establishing the wireless communication connection.

The device 100 is trained to overcome the obstacle 250 assign a category of obstacles. The device holds for this 100 a list of categories 200 in front. The list of categories 200 can be stored, for example, in a non-volatile data memory. The list of categories 200 includes different categories of possible obstacles. In the example shown the 2nd includes the list of categories 200 a category 210 for passenger cars, one category 220 for motorcycles and a category 230 for pedestrians. The list of categories 200 can also include more or fewer categories. For example, further categories for bicycles or cyclists, for trucks and for buses can be stored in the list of categories.

Each of the categories stored in the category list 210 , 220 , 230 includes information about obstacles in this category. In 3rd is the category 210 exemplified for passenger cars. The category 210 stored information includes a contour 211 and a preferred impact area 212 .

The contour 211 gives a typical outline of obstacles of the category 210 for passenger cars. There can also be several typical contours of category obstacles 210 be stored from different perspectives. The contour 211 can also be used as a three-dimensional model of an obstacle of the category 210 are available.

The preferred area of impact 212 specifies in which spatial areas of an obstacle of the category 210 the motor vehicle for passenger cars 10th should prefer to hit in a collision in order to experience the least damage. For category obstacles 210 For passenger cars, for example, a collision with an engine area or a trunk area of the obstacle is preferable to a collision with a passenger compartment of the obstacle, since in the first case often only material damage, but in the latter case personal injury is also to be feared. The information about the preferred area of impact 212 can also provide information about a preferred turning angle, ie an angle at which the motor vehicle 10th preferably meets the obstacle.

The device 100 is formed by means of the sensors 110 , 111 , 112 a contour of the obstacle 250 in the area of the motor vehicle 10th to capture and the captured contour with those in the categories 210 , 220 , 230 in the category list 200 compare stored contours. In this way, the device 100 by means of the sensors 110 , 111 , 112 detected obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 , 220 , 230 from the category list 200 assign. In in 1 shown example recognizes the device 100 hence that it is the obstacle 250 a passenger car, i.e. an obstacle of the category 210 acts. The device 100 can from the to the category 210 stored information now the preferred impact area 212 of the obstacle 250 determine. The device 100 determined in 1 example shown that the obstacle 250 if possible in a front engine area of the obstacle 250 or in a rear trunk area of the obstacle 250 but not in the middle of the obstacle 250 should be hit.

If the the device 100 is formed, a wireless communication link to obstacle 250 build, so the device 100 of the motor vehicle 10th This wireless communication link also provides information from the obstacle 250 received, on the basis of which the device 100 the obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 , 220 , 230 assigns. The one from the obstacle 250 Information received can also include information about a preferred area of impact 212 of the obstacle 250 contain. In this case, the categorization of the obstacle 250 based on the list of categories 200 optionally omitted.

Knowledge of the obstacle 250 can the device 100 now for an automatic influencing of the driving movement of the motor vehicle 100 use. For this purpose the device 100 with a vehicle control 140 connected via which the device 100 Influence on a brake 141 and a steering 142 of the motor vehicle 10th can take. The vehicle control 140 can be designed as an independent system or in the device 100 be integrated. The device 100 can also be formed via the device 140 on other components of the motor vehicle 10th To influence. For example, the device 100 also be trained the motor vehicle 10th to accelerate by means of an acceleration system.

From knowledge of the preferred area of impact 212 and the current direction of travel 400 calculates the device 100 that it would be possible to drive the motor vehicle 10th to influence such that a first alternative route 410 is taken by a small angle further to the left than the previous direction of travel 400 runs. The first alternative route 410 would have a collision of the motor vehicle 10th with the engine compartment of the obstacle 250 educational passenger car result. The device 100 further calculates that it would also be possible for the motor vehicle to move 10th by operating the brake 141 and the steering 142 to affect that the motor vehicle 10th on a second alternative route 420 is distracted. The second alternative route 420 runs a small angle further to the right than the previous direction of travel 400 and would have a collision of the motor vehicle 10th with the trunk of the obstacle 250 educational passenger car result. The device is therefore able to control the vehicle 140 such influence on the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th to take that the expected collision of the motor vehicle 10th with the obstacle 250 caused as little damage as possible. In particular, by the device 100 measures taken reduce the likelihood of personal injury.

The first alternative route may be chosen 410 the choice of the second alternative route 420 preferable or vice versa. For example, the choice of the first alternative route leading to the left 410 on a road with only two lanes 330 pose the risk that the motor vehicle 10th and / or the obstacle 250 to be thrown onto the opposite lane by the collision. However, due to the presence of the border strip 320 a switch to the second alternative route leading to the right 420 be associated with fewer dangers. This is especially true if the edge strip 320 does not exist with trees and has no embankment or other sources of danger.

The slope 310 The road can be affected by the brake 141 realizable negative acceleration of the motor vehicle 10th and thereby the feasibility of the first alternative route 410 and the second alternative route 420 to have.

In a preferred embodiment, the device 100 therefore trained information about the area surrounding the motor vehicle 10th in the calculation of the most favorable reaction to the expected collision with the obstacle 250 to involve. For this purpose the device 100 with a navigation system 120 connected ( 2nd ). The navigation system 120 assigns a digital road map 150 that stores information about available roads in a spatial area. This information can include, for example, information about road types, for example federal highways or motorways, about road gradients, about a number of lanes and about the presence and nature of an edge strip. The digital road map 150 may also have additional information about the streets of the included spatial area. The navigation system 120 can also use a position detection system 130 have, which serves a current position of the motor vehicle 10th to determine. The position detection system 130 can be, for example, a GPS system.

The device 100 is designed by the navigation system 120 Information about an environment of the motor vehicle 10th to recieve. This information can preferably include information about a type of road and / or a number of lanes and / or an incline and / or a curve and / or a verge. The device 100 is further trained by the navigation system 120 information obtained when selecting the preferred impact area of the obstacle 250 and in the calculation of the influencing of the driving movement of the motor vehicle necessary for a collision with the preferred impact area 10th to consider. In the example described above, the device 100 for example, decide that because of the presence of the edge strip 320 of the two preferred areas of impact 212 of the obstacle 250 the category 210 for passenger cars the rear impact area on the trunk of the obstacle 250 is to be preferred. The device also determines 100 that influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th towards the second alternative route 420 for those through the navigation system 120 transmitted properties of the road is possible. The device therefore decides 100 , the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th via vehicle control 140 to influence that the second alternative route 420 is chosen and the motor vehicle 10th with the trunk of the obstacle 250 performing car collides. Taking into account the through the navigation system 120 Information provided increases the accuracy of that provided by the device 100 calculations made and allows the choice of the reaction that causes the least damage in the collision of the motor vehicle 10th with the obstacle 250 can be expected.

4th shows a schematic flow diagram of the previously described, by the device 100 executed procedure 500 .

In a first step 510 recognizes the device 100 by means of the sensors 110 , 111 , 112 and from knowledge of the direction and speed of the motor vehicle 10th , and the knowledge of the maximum possible control measures of the motor vehicle due to the design 10th that a collision with the obstacle 250 is inevitable. Alternatively, the device 100 a wireless communication link to the obstacle 250 build up and the upcoming collision with the obstacle 250 based on the obstacle 250 Detect wirelessly transmitted information.

In a second step 520 arranges the device 100 the obstacle 250 a category 210 , 220 , 230 from the available list of categories 200 to by the device 100 one using the sensors 110 , 110 , 112 detected contour of the obstacle 250 with the to the categories 210 , 220 , 230 the list of categories 200 stored contours compared. Alternatively, the device 100 Via a wireless communication link, information from the obstacle 250 received, on the basis of which the device 100 the obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 , 220 , 230 assigns.

In a third step 530 determines the device 100 the obstacles of the previously determined category 210 , 220 , 230 preferred impact area 212 .

In a fourth, optional, process step, the device receives 100 from the navigation system 120 information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10th .

The device influences in a fifth method step 100 the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th depending on that in the third step 530 preferred impact area determined 212 and, optionally, depending on the information received in the fourth method step about the surroundings of the motor vehicle 10th . The driving movement is influenced in such a way that the inevitable collision between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 preferably in the preferred area of impact 212 of the obstacle 250 takes place. Influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th takes place, for example, by an intervention on the brake 141 and the steering 142 of the motor vehicle 10th .

The exact analysis of the likely collision between the motor vehicle 10th and the obstacle 250 allows the device 100 also predict an expected time of the collision. It is also possible that through the device 100 influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10th leads to a certain postponement of the collision at a later time. The device can provide information about the time of the collision and the additional time that may be gained up to the time of the collision 100 use to in the motor vehicle 10th trigger planned safety systems such as airbags and passenger restraint systems at the optimal time. This increases the safety of the motor vehicle passengers 10th .

Claims (9)

Device (100) for a motor vehicle (10), the device (100) being connected to at least one receiving unit (110, 111, 112), the device (100) being designed by means of the receiving unit (110, 111, 112) to recognize an impending collision of the motor vehicle (10) with an obstacle (250), characterized in that the device (100) is designed to assign the obstacle (250) to a category (210), and the device (100) is designed to use the category (210) to determine a preferred impact area (212), and the Device (100) is designed to influence a driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) as a function of the preferred impact area (212). Device (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the device (100) is connected to a navigation system (120), and the device (100) is designed to receive from the navigation system (120) information about an environment of the motor vehicle (10), the Device (100) is designed to influence the driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) depending on the preferred turning range (212) and the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle (10). Device (100) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle (10) is information about a type of road (300) and / or a number of lanes (330) and / or an incline (310) and / or a curve and / or a Edge strips (320) comprises. Device (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that the at least one receiving unit (110, 111, 112) comprises a video camera (110) and / or a radar sensor (111) and / or an infrared sensor (112) and / or an ultrasonic sensor. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preferred impact area (212) comprises information from which direction and / or at which position of the obstacle (250) a collision of the motor vehicle (10) with the obstacle (250 ) is preferred. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed to influence the driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) by an intervention in a braking system (141) and / or a steering system (142) and / or an acceleration system . Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the list (200) of categories (210, 220, 230) the categories pedestrian (230) and / or bicycle and / or motorcycle (220) and / or passenger car ( 210) and / or trucks and / or omnibus. Method for operating a motor vehicle (10), characterized by the following method steps: - Detecting an impending collision of the motor vehicle (10) with an obstacle (250); - assigning the obstacle (250) to a category (210); - determining a preferred impact area (212) based on the category (210); - Influencing a driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) as a function of the preferred turning range (212). Procedure according to Claim 8 , characterized in that prior to influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle (10), a method step is carried out for receiving information about an environment of the motor vehicle (10) from a navigation system (120), and that influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle (10) depending on the preferred impact area (212) and the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle (10).

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