DE102019212209A1 - Engine control unit for a vehicle and also a system and a vehicle with such an engine control unit and a method for engine control of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an engine control device (10) for a vehicle (100), the engine control device (10) having a processing unit (15), the processing unit (15) being set up to determine the risk of an accident in the vehicle (100). One aspect According to the invention, the processing unit (15) is set up to adapt an existing speed limit of the vehicle (100), in particular to raise or cancel it, as a function of the determined accident risk. The invention also relates to a system (50) with at least one environment sensor ( 55) for capturing environmental data (57) and with an engine control unit (10) according to the invention and a vehicle (100) with an engine control unit (10) according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for engine control of a vehicle (100).

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on an engine control device for a vehicle, the engine control device having a processing unit, the processing unit being set up to determine an accident risk of the vehicle.

Such an engine control device is already known to the person skilled in the art, for example, from the laid-open specification DE 102017205799 A1 known. In this document, it is recognized whether a collision of a vehicle with at least one collision object is imminent, then the collision object is analyzed and a trigger signal of a protective mechanism is then suppressed if necessary. A risk of an accident in the vehicle is determined here.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on an engine control device for a vehicle, the engine control device having a processing unit, the processing unit being set up to determine an accident risk of the vehicle.

One aspect of the invention is that the processing unit is set up to adapt an existing speed limit of the vehicle, in particular to raise or cancel it, as a function of the determined accident risk.

A vehicle can in particular be a motor vehicle, for example a car or a truck. This vehicle can in particular be configured as partially autonomous or autonomous.

An engine control device is to be understood here as a control device which controls the engine of the vehicle accordingly in order to accelerate the vehicle, for example. For this purpose, for example, an accelerator pedal position can be detected by means of a suitable sensor, the detected accelerator pedal position being made available to the engine control unit in order to control the engine accordingly as a function of the accelerator pedal position. The processing unit can be designed as a microcontroller, for example.

The risk of accident is to be understood here as a probability with which an accident is imminent and which can be estimated on the basis of data relating to the surroundings of the vehicle. If the risk of an accident is 100%, an accident is inevitable. However, if the risk of an accident is lower, there is still the possibility that the accident can be avoided. For this, however, the currently existing conditions, such as the steering direction or the speed of the vehicle, must typically be changed in order to prevent the accident.
In particular, the risk of an accident describes, for example, an impending rear-end collision or the probability of this. A collision can occur in particular with another road user who can be avoided by accelerating the vehicle to a speed beyond the existing speed limit.

A speed limit is to be understood as a threshold value which the speed of the vehicle must not exceed. For this purpose, the motor is activated accordingly, so that the vehicle is not accelerated, for example, in spite of the accelerator pedal position, which normally results in the vehicle being accelerated. Such a speed limit can already be preset at the factory, for example. However, it is also conceivable that the speed limit is specified locally, for example when driving past a school or on a corresponding road such as a motorway or an urban road, whereby, for example, navigation data of the vehicle can also be used to set the speed limit. It is also conceivable that the vehicle receives the speed limit by reading traffic signs set up in the road infrastructure, for example by means of a camera unit.
Such a speed limit can consequently be due to certain safety aspects, but an ecological component can also be taken into account here.

It is advantageous here that an existing speed limit can be adapted in particularly critical driving situations which have a corresponding risk of accident. This makes it possible to prevent an impending accident if necessary. This in turn can increase public acceptance of speed-limited vehicles. In addition, the feeling of security of the vehicle occupants can be increased. In particular, the speed limit can be adjusted if the risk of an accident exceeds a threshold value.

A possible scenario for such a critical situation is, for example, an overtaking maneuver on the autobahn, in which the driver of the vehicle underestimates the speed of a vehicle approaching from behind and therefore erroneously starts an overtaking maneuver, which carries a high risk of a rear-end collision with the approaching vehicle. If necessary, this risk can be reduced by adjusting the speed limit of the vehicle.
In particular, in a partially autonomous or autonomous vehicle, the speed of the vehicle can automatically be via the
The speed limit should be increased to reduce the risk of an accident. In particular, it is necessary here for the vehicle to additionally use its sensor system to check whether an increase in the speed of the vehicle is possible in that the vehicle's environment sensor system detects sufficient free space in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

In one embodiment of the engine control device according to the invention, it is provided that the processing unit is set up to receive environment data of the vehicle from an environment sensor and to determine the risk of an accident of the vehicle as a function of the received environment data. Environmental data are measured values that are recorded over a certain period of time. On the basis of these measured values, conclusions can be drawn about the surroundings of the vehicle, in particular whether there are objects in the surroundings of the vehicle and how they move relative to the vehicle. The environment sensor can have, for example, a radar sensor, a LIDAR sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or also a camera unit. In particular, the environment sensor can be arranged in or on the vehicle. However, it is also conceivable to design the environment sensor as an external unit, which can be a traffic surveillance camera, for example.
It is advantageous here that a simple and quick determination of an accident risk is made possible on the basis of the environment data.

According to one embodiment of the engine control device according to the invention, it is provided that the processing unit is set up to receive an information signal which contains information about the risk of an accident in the vehicle and to determine the risk of an accident in the vehicle as a function of the information signal.
The information signal can originate, for example, from an environment sensor, another control device in the vehicle that processes the data from the environment sensor, or an external unit, for example a traffic monitoring unit or a server. In this case, the environment data is already evaluated in the environment sensor, in the other control unit or in the external unit and, depending on this, an accident risk for the vehicle is determined, which is appended to the information signal as information. It is advantageous here that the engine control unit no longer has to determine the risk of an accident itself, but can determine it on the basis of the information signal. This allows the speed limit to be adjusted more quickly. In addition, only a small amount of computing power is required for the processing unit, which means that the engine control unit can be manufactured more cost-effectively.

According to one embodiment of the engine control device according to the invention, it is provided that the processing unit is set up to detect a driver's request for acceleration and to additionally adapt the speed limit as a function of the detected driver's request.
It is advantageous here that an additional condition is included in the adjustment of the speed limit. This allows the adjustment to be made even more specifically and only when necessary.

According to one embodiment of the engine control device according to the invention, it is provided that the processing unit is set up to receive an actuating signal which represents an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle and to detect the driver's request as a function of the actuating signal.
The advantage here is that this represents a simple way of detecting the driver's request for acceleration.

According to one embodiment of the engine control device according to the invention, it is provided that the processing unit is set up to receive the actuating signal over a predetermined period of time and to detect the driver's request as a function of the timing of the actuating signal.
The advantage here is that the time component of the actuating signal can be used to detect when the accelerator pedal is suddenly and strongly depressed. Such behavior is particularly typical for a critical situation in which there is a corresponding risk of accident. Correspondingly, this control signal can then be reacted to by adapting the speed limit.

The invention also relates to a system or a vehicle, the system or also the vehicle having an engine control unit according to the invention. In addition, the system has at least one environment sensor for recording environment data.
The vehicle can in particular be designed as a partially autonomous or autonomous vehicle.

1. a. Erfassen von Umfelddaten des Fahrzeugs mittels eines Umfeldsensors,
2. b. Ermitteln einer Unfallgefahr des Fahrzeugs in Abhängigkeit von den erfassten Umfelddaten,
3. c. Anpassen einer vorhandenen Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung des Fahrzeugs in Abhängigkeit von der ermittelten Unfallgefahr.

The invention also relates to a method for engine control of a vehicle, having at least the following method steps:

1. a. Acquisition of environment data of the vehicle by means of an environment sensor,
2. b. Determination of the risk of an accident of the vehicle depending on the captured environmental data,
3. c. Adaptation of an existing speed limit of the vehicle depending on the determined risk of accident.

It is advantageous here that an existing speed limit can be adapted in particularly critical driving situations which have a corresponding risk of accident. This makes it possible to prevent an impending accident if necessary. This in turn can increase public acceptance of speed-limited vehicles. In addition, the feeling of security of the vehicle occupants can be increased.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that before the method step c a process step d runs, in which a driver's request for acceleration is detected, wherein in the method step c the speed limit of the vehicle is also adjusted depending on the driver's request.
It is advantageous here that an additional condition is included in the adjustment of the speed limit. This allows the adjustment to be made even more specifically and only when necessary.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that in method step d a control signal is received which represents an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle, and the driver's request is detected as a function of the control signal.
The advantage here is that this represents a simple way of detecting the driver's request for acceleration.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that in method step d the control signal is received over a predetermined period of time and the driver's request is detected as a function of the temporal profile of the control signal.

The advantage here is that the time component of the actuating signal can be used to detect when the accelerator pedal is suddenly and strongly depressed. Such behavior is particularly typical for a critical situation in which there is a corresponding risk of accident. Correspondingly, this control signal can be reacted to by adapting the speed limit.

• 1 zeigt ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems mit wenigstens einem Umfeldsensor zur Erfassung von Umfelddaten und mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Motorsteuergerät, wobei das System in einem Fahrzeug angeordnet ist.
• 2 zeigt ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Motorsteuerung eines Fahrzeugs.

drawings

• 1 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention with at least one environment sensor for capturing environment data and with an engine control unit according to the invention, the system being arranged in a vehicle.
• 2 shows a method according to the invention for controlling the engine of a vehicle.

Description of exemplary embodiments

1 shows an embodiment of a system according to the invention with at least one environment sensor for capturing environment data and with an engine control unit according to the invention, the system being arranged in a vehicle.

A vehicle is shown 100 . Such a vehicle 100 can in particular be a motor vehicle, for example a car or truck.

The vehicle 100 assigns a system 50 on. The system 50 in turn has an environment sensor 55 and an engine control unit 10 on. The environment sensor 55 can for example have a radar sensor and / or a LIDAR sensor and / or an ultrasonic sensor and / or a camera unit.
The engine control unit 10 has a processing unit 15th on. The processing unit 15th can for example be designed as a microcontroller.
The processing unit 15th is set up to avoid a risk of accident of the vehicle 100 to determine and, depending on the determined risk of accident, an existing speed limit of the vehicle 100 adapt. In particular, the speed limit can be canceled or increased here. When adjusting the speed limit, the engine control unit can 10 an engine 105 of the vehicle 100 control accordingly, for example to accelerate the vehicle 100 to a speed above the speed limit of the vehicle 100 to enable.
To determine the risk of an accident, the processing unit 15th be set up to provide environmental data 57 of the vehicle 100 from the environment sensor 55 to receive and depending on the received environmental data 57 the risk of accident of the vehicle 100 to determine. The environment sensor is used for this 55 wired to the processing unit 15th connected. However, it is also conceivable for the connection to be wireless, in which case there must be corresponding communication units on both sides, which are not shown here.

Alternatively or in addition, it would also be conceivable that the processing unit 15th is set up for this purpose, an information signal 59 to receive which information about the accident risk of the vehicle 100 and in dependence on the information signal 59 the risk of the vehicle being involved in an accident 100 to determine. The information signal 59 can here from the environment sensor 55 are received, which based on the captured environmental data 57 the risk of accident is determined and this information is included in the information signal 59 integrated. An alternative would be an evaluation of environmental data 57 on an external unit 150 , for example on a server, or on another control device (not shown) in the vehicle 100 imaginable, the external unit 150 or the other control unit then sends the information signal 59 to the processing unit 15th transmitted.

Alternatively or in addition, it would also be conceivable that the environment sensor 55 in one to the vehicle 100 not shown external unit is arranged. This external unit could, for example, be a traffic monitoring unit or another vehicle. A transfer of the environment data 57 or the information signal 59 from the external unit to the processing unit 15th would be designed to be wireless in particular.

Furthermore, the processing unit 15th be set up to detect a driver's request for acceleration and additionally adapt the speed limit as a function of the detected driver's request.
In particular, the processing unit 15th set up for this purpose, a control signal 72 to receive which is an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle 100 represents, and the driver's request as a function of the control signal 72 capture. This control signal 72 can be generated, for example, by a sensor, not shown, which determines the position of an accelerator pedal 70 of the vehicle 100 detected. The processing unit is particularly preferred 15th here set up the control signal 72 to be received over a predetermined period of time and as a function of the timing of the actuating signal 72 to capture a driver's request.

2 shows a method according to the invention for controlling the engine of a vehicle.
First in a process step a Environment data 57 of the vehicle 100 by means of an environment sensor 55 detected. The environment sensor 55 can be in or on the vehicle 100 be arranged. However, it would also be conceivable that the environment sensor 55 is arranged externally, for example in a traffic monitoring unit.

In one process step b subsequently becomes a risk of accident of the vehicle 100 depending on the process step a captured environmental data 57 determined. This determination is made by a processing unit 15th of an engine control unit as it is in 1 is described. In particular, the environment data 57 either directly from the processing unit 15th evaluated or the evaluation is carried out externally and the processing unit 15th determines the risk of an accident based on an information signal 59 which is generated during the external evaluation and which contains information about the risk of an accident.

A process step then takes place c , in which, depending on the determined risk of an accident, an existing speed limit of the vehicle 100 is adjusted. The procedure is then ended.

Optionally, before the process step c one more procedural step d run, in which a driver's request for acceleration is detected, in the process step c the speed limit of the vehicle 100 is additionally adjusted depending on the driver's request. In particular, in process step d a control signal 72 be received, which is an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle 100 represents, and the driver's request as a function of the control signal 72 is captured.
Particularly preferably in the process step d the control signal 72 received over a predetermined period of time and the driver's request as a function of the timing of the control signal 72 are recorded.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102017205799 A1 [0002]

Claims (12)

Engine control device (10) for a vehicle (100), the engine control device (10) having a processing unit (15), the processing unit (15) being set up to determine an accident risk of the vehicle (100), characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to adapt an existing speed limit of the vehicle (100), in particular to raise or cancel it, as a function of the determined accident risk. Engine control unit (10) Claim 1 characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to receive environment data (57) of the vehicle (100) from an environment sensor (55) and to determine the risk of an accident of the vehicle (100) as a function of the received environment data (57) . Engine control unit (10) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to receive an information signal (59) which contains information about the risk of an accident in the vehicle (100) and, depending on the information signal (59), the risk of an accident in the vehicle (100) ) to determine. Engine control unit (10) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 , characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to detect a driver's request for acceleration and additionally adapt the speed limit as a function of the detected driver's request. Engine control unit (10) Claim 4 characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to receive an actuating signal (72) which represents an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle (100) and to detect the driver's request as a function of the actuating signal (72). Engine control unit (10) Claim 5 , characterized in that the processing unit (15) is set up to receive the control signal (72) over a predetermined period of time and to detect the driver's request as a function of the time profile of the control signal (72). System (50) with at least one environment sensor (55) for capturing environment data (57) and with an engine control device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle (100) with an engine control unit (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th . Method for controlling the engine of a vehicle (100), comprising at least the following method steps: a. Detection of environment data (57) of the vehicle (100) by means of an environment sensor (55), b. Determination of the risk of an accident for the vehicle (100) as a function of the captured environment data (57), c. Adapting an existing speed limit of the vehicle (100) as a function of the determined risk of accident. Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that a method step d runs before method step c, in which a driver's request for acceleration is detected, wherein in method step c the speed limit of the vehicle (100) is additionally adapted as a function of the detected driver's request. Procedure according to Claim 10 , characterized in that in method step d an actuating signal (72) is received which represents an accelerator pedal position of the vehicle (100), and the driver's request is detected as a function of the actuating signal (72). Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that in method step d the control signal (72) is received over a predetermined period of time and the driver's request is detected as a function of the time profile of the control signal (72).

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