DE102019204323A1 - Seat system and method for monitoring the health status of an occupant of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A seat system (10) for a motor vehicle has a seat belt (12) and a seat (14) for receiving an occupant (16), which has a backrest (18) and a seat surface (20), characterized in that both the seat ( 14) as well as in the seat belt (12) there is in each case at least one electrode (22, 24) for measuring an electrocardiogram (EKG) of the occupant (16). In addition, a method for monitoring the state of health of an occupant (16) of a motor vehicle is specified.

Description

The invention relates to a seat system for a motor vehicle and a method for monitoring the state of health of an occupant of the motor vehicle using the seat system.

The further reduction of accidents involving motor vehicles is a constant goal, both in the formulation of legal requirements and on the part of the manufacturers of the motor vehicles. In order to achieve “Vision Zero” in particular, ie the goal of no longer having to complain about road deaths or serious injuries, motor vehicles must be made even safer.

One cause of accidents in road traffic are suddenly occurring health problems of the driver of a motor vehicle and the resulting inability of the driver to control the motor vehicle correctly.

For this reason, efforts are being made to increasingly provide options for driver monitoring in motor vehicles, by means of which the state of health of the driver can be determined and monitored. In addition to preventing accidents, such monitoring also serves to enable automatic emergency calls in an emergency and thus further increase the safety of the motor vehicle for the driver himself.

Some of the most common clinical pictures in such scenarios are due to heart disease, such as a heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia and / or syncope.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a possibility of reliably detecting diseases of the heart of a driver that suddenly occur in a motor vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a seat system for a motor vehicle, with a seat belt and a seat for receiving an occupant, which has a backrest and a seat surface, characterized in that both the seat and the seat belt each have at least one electrode for measuring an electrocardiogram (EKG) of the occupant is available.

By means of the electrodes in the seat and in the seat belt, an EKG of the occupant can be recorded at any point in time during the journey and thus his heart health can be determined. In this way, impending health restrictions of the occupant can be reliably recognized even before the occupant loses control of the motor vehicle.

The seating system can be provided within the motor vehicle both only for the driver and also for other occupants.

There can be a variety of electrodes in the seat and seat belt. In this way, signals for an EKG can be recorded at different parts of the occupant's body. In addition, it is made possible that, regardless of the physique of the occupant, electrodes are always available, which are arranged in a position necessary for the respectively desired EKG measurement.

Because the electrodes are arranged in the seat and in the seat belt in the seat system according to the invention, it is not necessary to install electrodes for EKG measurements on the steering wheel. This represents a significant advantage in particular in autonomous and / or partially autonomous motor vehicles, since in such a motor vehicle it is no longer guaranteed that the hands of the occupant to be monitored, in this case the driver, are always on the steering wheel of the motor vehicle.

At the same time, however, an EKG of the occupant can be recorded at any time without the occupant having to touch certain contact points, for example electrodes, with his hands.

The seat system can additionally comprise an electrode for grounding, the grounding taking place, for example, via a component of the motor vehicle that is connected to the body.

In one embodiment, the at least one electrode of the seat can be arranged in the backrest. This ensures that the at least one electrode is arranged close to the upper body of the occupant, thus enabling EKG measurements that require the electrode to be positioned at the level of the upper body.

In a further embodiment, a total of at least three electrodes can be present in the seat system, in particular in the backrest and the seat belt, in particular with at least two electrodes in the backrest and one electrode in the seat belt or one electrode in the backrest and at least two electrodes in the seat belt are.

Such an embodiment offers the advantage that 3-channel EKG measurements can be carried out, as are customary in the context of cardiological examinations. Such 3-channel EKG measurements also enable a more precise determination of the occupant's cardiac health.

In particular, the electrodes can be arranged with respect to one another in such a way that the projection of their position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle onto the upper body of the occupant forms a triangle around the heart of the occupant.

This arrangement of the electrodes makes it possible to record a 3-channel EKG with an Einthoven lead. Such a 3-channel EKG has proven itself in particular for mobile applications for determining the health of the heart and can thus also be used to monitor the occupant of the motor vehicle.

The electrodes of the seating system can be capacitive sensors. Capacitive sensors have the great advantage that they do not require any direct contact with the occupant's skin and that no conductive paste is required on the occupant's skin surface. Such an application could not be implemented in a motor vehicle.

Rather, capacitive sensors can detect electrical currents on the occupant's skin surface even through clothing, including several layers of clothing, and thus supply the measurement signal required for the EKG.

The seating system can have an EKG device that is connected to the electrodes, in particular by means of a cable or wirelessly. In this way, the measurement signals registered on the electrodes can be transmitted to an EKG device, which can then carry out the EKG evaluation.

The EKG device can be attached both inside the seat and at another point in the motor vehicle.

The object is also achieved by a method for monitoring the state of health of the occupant of the motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: providing a seating system of the type described above; Measuring an EKG of the occupant using the electrodes of the seating system; and evaluating the EKG by means of an EKG device of the seating system and / or an evaluation unit of the motor vehicle.

The measurement of the occupant's EKG takes place in particular through the occupant's clothing.

If abnormalities are found when evaluating the EKG using the EKG device and / or the evaluation unit of the motor vehicle, a warning message can be output to the occupant, for example by means of a warning display on control elements and / or on a display of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, an acoustic warning message can also be output via the loudspeakers of the motor vehicle.

It is also possible for the motor vehicle to send an automatic emergency call by means of a transmission unit if abnormalities are found in the recorded EKG.

It is also conceivable that typical abnormalities are stored in the EKG in the evaluation unit of the motor vehicle and, depending on the type of abnormality in the recorded EKG, either a warning message is issued to the occupant and / or the emergency call is sent.

The recorded EKGs can also be stored in the evaluation unit of the motor vehicle and the cardiac health tendencies of the occupant can thus be recognized. It is also conceivable that the stored data are transmitted to the occupant and / or medical personnel.

In one embodiment, the EKG can be performed by means of a 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven. The 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven is a comparatively simple option for EKG measurement, which at the same time allows reliable conclusions to be drawn about the occupant's heart health.

• - 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Sitzsystem in einer schematischen Darstellung;
• - 2 eine schematische Darstellung der Positionierung der Elektroden des Sitzsystems nach 1 in einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• - 3 eine schematische Darstellung der Positionierung der Elektroden des Sitzsystems nach 1 in einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und
• - 4 ein Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Further advantages and properties of the invention emerge from the following description and the drawings, to which reference is made. In these show:

• - 1 a seating system according to the invention in a schematic representation;
• - 2 a schematic representation of the positioning of the electrodes of the seating system according to 1 in a first embodiment;
• - 3 a schematic representation of the positioning of the electrodes of the seating system according to 1 in a further embodiment; and
• - 4th a flow chart of the method according to the invention.

The same reference numerals are used for the same components in all the embodiments shown. Advantages and properties of components with the same reference numerals apply accordingly to all the embodiments shown.

In 1 is a seating system according to the invention 10 of a motor vehicle (not shown) with a seat belt 12 and a seat 14th to accommodate an occupant 16 (please refer 2 ).

The seat 14th has a backrest 18th as well as a seat 20th on. Both in the seat 14th as well as in the seat belt 12 are several electrodes each 22nd , 24 present, with all electrodes in the embodiment shown 22nd of the seat 14th inside the backrest 18th are arranged. However, it is also conceivable that additional electrodes 22nd inside the seat 20th exist.

In the embodiment shown, there are four electrodes 22nd in the backrest 18th and two electrodes 24 in the seat belt 12 intended. Basically, both in the seat 14th as well as in the seat belt 12 at least one electrode each 22nd , 24 to be available. Depending on the type of EKG to be recorded, a sufficient number of electrodes must be used 22nd , 24 be available in order to be able to carry out the corresponding ECG measurement.

Also, not all of them have to be within the seating system 10 existing electrodes 22nd , 24 be involved in every EKG measurement. Rather, it is possible that a large number of electrodes 22nd , 24 only therefore within the seat 14th and / or the seat belt 12 are arranged, so even with different body stature of different occupants 16 always electrodes 22nd , 24 are present at the level of a desired position of the body of the respective occupant 16 lie.

The electrodes 22nd , 24 are capacitive sensors that are able to detect electrical currents on the surface of the occupant's body through layers of clothing 16 to detect.

Excessive movements by the occupant 16 can falsify the measurements as the electrodes 22nd , 24 not on the occupant's body 16 are fixed. Due to the arrangement of at least one electrode 24 inside the seat belt 12 , it is ensured that the occupant 16 cannot move excessively. This leads to measurement errors in the seating system according to the invention 10 reduced.

The electrodes 22nd , 24 can go straight to the occupant 16 facing surface of the seat belt 12 or the seat 14th Be upset to get as close to the occupant's body as possible 16 to be.

Alternatively, the electrodes 22nd , 24 but also under the outermost fabric layer of the seat belt 12 or the seat 14th to be ordered. In this case the electrodes are 22nd , 24 Protected against harmful influences such as mechanical stress or sweat.

The electrodes 24 the seat belt 12 can also be used by the occupant 16 facing away from the surface of the seat belt 12 be arranged.

Inside the seat 14th , in the in 1 embodiment shown within the seat 20th , is an EKG machine 26th arranged. The EKG machine 26th but can also be outside the seat 14th be arranged in a different position inside the motor vehicle, in particular outside the seat 14th .

The EKG machine 26th is with the electrodes 22nd , 24 connected, either by cable or wirelessly, so that measured values of the electrodes 22nd , 24 to the ECG machine 26th can be transferred. It is also possible that the EKG machine 26th only with some of the electrodes 22nd , 24 by means of a cable and with another of the electrodes 22nd , 24 connected wirelessly. So can the EKG machine 26th for example by means of a cable with the electrodes 22nd of the seat 14th and wireless with the electrodes 24 the seat belt 12 be connected.

The EKG machine 26th takes over both the control and the evaluation of the ECG measurement and determines from the measured values of the electrodes 22nd , 24 an EKG of the occupant 16 .

2 shows an inmate 16 from the front, the one on the seat 14th of the seating system 10 Take a seat and the seat belt 12 has created. On the occupant's upper body 16 is the position of the electrodes 22nd and 24 projected with the electrodes 22nd inside the backrest 18th and the electrode 24 inside the seat belt 12 are arranged. So in the in 2 embodiment shown two electrodes 22nd in the backrest 18th and an electrode 24 in the seat belt 12 available. The two electrodes form 22nd as well as the electrode 24 a triangle around the inmate's heart 16 .

Such an arrangement makes it possible to carry out a 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven. This makes a simple and reliable variant for measuring an EKG of the occupant 16 provided.

3 shows an alternative embodiment in which an electrode 22nd in the backrest 18th and two electrodes 24 in the seat belt 12 Arranged so that they form a triangle around the occupant's heart 16 form. Accordingly, a 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven can also be carried out in this embodiment.

Basically, those in the 2 and 3 electrodes shown 22nd , 24 also only refer to the electrodes that are actually used for the 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven, while additional sensors are analogous to 1 within the seating system 10 are arranged. In this case you can choose from the multitude of electrodes 22nd , 24 those to be selected depending on the physique of the occupant 16 are ideally arranged around the heart and thus enable a reliable EKG measurement.

Various information about the occupant's state of health can be obtained from the measured EKG 16 derive, for example, its pulse or malfunctions of the heart, such as cardiac arrhythmias and heart attacks.

In 4th Figure 3 is a flow diagram of the method of the present invention for monitoring the health of the occupant 16 of the motor vehicle shown.

First is a seating system 10 provided (step S1 ). Once an inmate 16 into the seat 14th of the seating system 10 sets and operates the motor vehicle, for example, is by means of the electrodes 22nd , 24 an EKG of the occupant 16 measured (step S2 ). The recorded ECG is then recorded using the ECG device 26th and / or evaluated by means of an evaluation unit (not shown) of the motor vehicle.

If abnormalities are found when evaluating the EKG, a warning can be sent to the occupant 16 output (step S3 ), for example by means of a warning display on control elements and / or on a display of the motor vehicle.

Alternatively, an acoustic warning message can also be output via the loudspeakers of the motor vehicle.

Instead and / or in addition, an emergency call can be sent by means of a transmission unit of the motor vehicle (step S4 ).

List of reference symbols

10

Seating system

12th

Seat belt

14th

Seat

16

inmate

18th

backrest

20th

Seat

22nd

electrode

24

electrode

26th

EKG machine

Claims (8)

Seating system for a motor vehicle, with a seat belt (12) and a seat (14) for receiving an occupant (16), which has a backrest (18) and a seat surface (20), characterized in that both in the seat (14) as at least one electrode (22, 24) for measuring an electrocardiogram (EKG) of the occupant is also present in the seat belt (12). Seating system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one electrode (22) of the seat (14) is arranged in the backrest (18). Seating system according to Claim 2 , characterized in that a total of at least three electrodes (22, 24) are present in the seat system (10), in particular in the backrest (18) and the seat belt (12), in particular with at least two electrodes (22) in the backrest (18 ) and an electrode (24) in the seat belt (12) or an electrode (22) in the backrest (18) and at least two electrodes (24) in the seat belt (12). Seating system according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the electrodes (22, 24) are arranged relative to one another such that the projection of their position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle onto the upper body of the occupant (16) forms a triangle around the heart of the occupant (16). Seat system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrodes (22, 24) are capacitive sensors. Seating system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seating system (10) has an EKG device (26) that is connected to the electrodes (22, 24), in particular by means of cables or wirelessly. Method for monitoring the state of health of the occupant (16) of the motor vehicle, comprising the following steps: - Provision of a seating system (10) according to one of the preceding claims; - Measuring an EKG of the occupant (16) by means of the electrodes (22, 24) of the seating system (10); and - Evaluation of the EKG by means of an EKG device (26) of the seating system (10) and / or an evaluation unit of the motor vehicle. Procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the EKG is carried out using a 3-channel EKG measurement according to Einthoven.

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