CN116890774A

CN116890774A - Method for adjusting the initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for a motor vehicle occupant and occupant assistance device

Info

Publication number: CN116890774A
Application number: CN202310318868.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·芭比
Original assignee: Volkswagen AG
Current assignee: Volkswagen AG
Priority date: 2022-03-30
Filing date: 2023-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-17
Also published as: DE102022203137A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting an initial position (P) of an ergonomic functional unit (3,4,5,18) for an occupant (6), comprising the following steps: presetting the height (K) by means of an input device (7) of the passenger support device (2); determining a point of view (10) in a sitting position on the seat device (5) in the motor vehicle (1) by means of the detection device (9), wherein the seat device (5) is moved to a zero position (N); determining, by means of the electronic computing device (8), a torso length (11) from the determined viewpoint (10) and the preset height (K), and/or a leg length (12) from the determined viewpoint (10) and the preset height (K); and adjusting the initial position (P) of the ergonomic functional unit (3,4,5,18) as a function of the determined torso length (11) and/or the determined leg length (12). The invention further relates to a computer program product and an occupant support device (2).

Description

Method for adjusting the initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for a motor vehicle occupant and occupant assistance device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for adjusting the initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for an occupant of a motor vehicle by means of an occupant support device of the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program product and an occupant support device.

Background

Seat adjustment devices are known from the prior art which store a seat position previously adjusted by an occupant and which re-occupy this position in future entry vehicles. Furthermore, such auxiliary devices are also known for use in mirrors or steering wheels, for example.

In this connection, publication JP 2019055759A, US 2021/0039522 A1 and CN 109455117A show corresponding prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program product and an occupant support device, by means of which the initial position of an ergonomic functional unit can be adjusted in an improved manner.

The object is achieved by a method, a computer program product and a passenger assist device for adjusting an initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for a passenger of a motor vehicle by means of a passenger assist device of the motor vehicle. An advantageous embodiment is described in the present disclosure.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for adjusting an initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for an occupant of a motor vehicle by means of an occupant support device of the motor vehicle. The height of the occupant is preset by means of an input device of the occupant support apparatus. A point of view (augput) of an occupant in a motor vehicle in a sitting position of the occupant on a seat arrangement of the motor vehicle is determined by means of a detection arrangement of the occupant support device, wherein the seat arrangement is moved to a neutral position. Determining the trunk length of the occupant from the determined viewpoint and the preset height and/or determining the leg length of the occupant from the determined viewpoint and the preset height is performed by means of an electronic computing device of the occupant assistance device. The initial position of the ergonomic functional unit is adjusted in dependence of the determined torso length and/or the determined leg length.

Hereby is achieved that the initial position of the ergonomic functional unit can be adjusted in an improved way. The initial position is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a position which is adapted to the height and the leg length or trunk length. Further individual adjustment is then carried out from the initial position, so that the individual wishes of the occupant can be taken into account. For example, the seating apparatus may be regarded as an ergonomic functional unit. It can then be adjusted accordingly in terms of torso length (which is especially observed from the buttocks point to the apex of the body). In addition, the seating apparatus can then also be adjusted according to the leg length. Depending on whether the occupant then wishes further individual adaptations, further adjustments can be made, for example manually. In particular, the invention thus makes it possible to reliably and quickly reach the initial position already, whereby only a small additional manual adjustment is necessary until a separate adjustment.

In particular, a method is thereby provided for automating the functions that an occupant, in particular a driver of a motor vehicle, must currently operate in the interior space as a button, for example, wherein in particular a seat adjustment, a mirror adjustment, a steering wheel adjustment or a head-up display adjustment may be included. This manipulation can be reduced for the driver by automation.

In particular, in the case of frequent vehicle changes by the occupants, for example in commercial or private car sharing, in corporate utility vehicles or in vehicles renting a car company, the occupants must set up their driving seats each time before driving begins. Furthermore, it is known that a large number of drivers ergonomically misadjust the seat or forget to adjust the mirror or steering wheel before driving begins. This is now solved according to the invention.

It is known from the prior art that, for example, the seat positioning and the steering wheel positioning can be adjusted only as a function of the height. However, only height is not decisive for a good seat positioning, but rather the body proportion (that is to say, for example, the trunk length to leg length ratio) is decisive here. Two persons of the same height but different body proportions sit in a motor vehicle at different positions. Thus, seat positioning based solely on height is often flawed.

The automatic driver seat device is implemented via a detection device installed in the motor vehicle, which is in particular configured as an optical detection device, in particular as a multifunctional interior camera. In this method, it is provided that the passenger sits in the motor vehicle, wherein the seat is positioned in a neutral position, which corresponds in particular to the rear/lower end position of the seat. In this case, the passenger is required to specify his height, for example, as long as he has not previously specified it via a corresponding application program, for example. The geometric viewpoint measurement, in particular the central eye measurement, by means of the detection device follows, whereby a corresponding x-, y-, z-coordinate system is output. According to a corresponding algorithm, in particular a computer program product, the torso length and/or the leg length is calculated and the seat is moved to a specific position together with the steering wheel, the mirror and the head-up display. The occupant can then adapt the automatic positioning according to his own wishes. The driver sitting position is then stored, for example, for the passenger and can thus be taken into the next vehicle. In particular, the vehicle type can also be considered here, so that, for example, different driver positions can be occupied for SUVs or microminiature vehicles. It can also be provided here that corresponding parameters are provided for different vehicles, and that an automatic driving seat adaptation can also be achieved here.

In particular, a solution is therefore proposed which takes into account body proportions, in particular torso and leg lengths, in order to determine seat adjustment, steering wheel adjustment, mirror adjustment and head up display adjustment by means of an interior camera (which may be configured as an infrared camera, for example) based on viewpoint measurements. The so-called H-point (which corresponds in particular to the neutral position) and the algorithm of the seat are used here. The seating apparatus and steering wheel are then moved, for example, to a specific position in accordance with the calculated body proportion.

Another method may be to compare the measured viewpoints in space with a corresponding database, which in particular corresponds to the so-called Ramsis database, depending on the given height and seat position, and then to infer the corresponding body proportions.

In particular, a more precise driver seat device can be provided, which can also be used to adjust a corresponding mirror device or display device, such as a head-up display. In particular, this is also possible without a corresponding picture of the occupant in advance, so that the driver seat can also be automatically set up without a corresponding picture. Of course, the method may also be used in the secondary driver seat or backseat area.

In particular, an estimation of the torso length and leg length may be performed.

According to one advantageous embodiment, the seat position of the seat device as a functional unit and/or the mirror device in the motor vehicle as a functional unit and/or the steering wheel device in the motor vehicle as a functional unit and/or the display device in the motor vehicle as a functional unit are/is adjusted as an adjustment. In particular, it is therefore proposed that the functional unit is, for example, a seat device and/or a mirror device and/or a steering wheel device and/or a display device. The display device can be configured here preferably as a head-up display.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the height is preset manually by the occupant, or that the height is determined and preset by means of a camera device of the occupant assistance device when the occupant approaches the vehicle. For example, the height of the occupant may be manually entered via a corresponding display device, in particular a touch-sensitive display device. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the height is detected via an outwardly directed camera. For this purpose, for example, an image of the occupant can be detected and the height can be deduced from the corresponding distance and angle in the image. The electronic computing device may then in turn determine the height and use it as an input parameter for determining the length of the torso. For this purpose, sensors already installed in the motor vehicle, such as ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors and/or lidar sensors, can be used.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the length of the trunk is determined by subtracting the length of the trunk determined from the height of the leg. In particular, the trunk length corresponds here to the distance between the so-called H point, the corresponding personal error value, the forehead size and the so-called trunk length Delta (due to the non-straight sitting position in the seat arrangement). The leg length is then determined by subtracting the determined torso length from the height. Thus, the ergonomic function unit can be reliably adjusted.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous to take into account the forehead size of the occupant when determining the torso length. In particular, the forehead size describes the distance between the detected viewpoint and the vertex of the occupant's head. For example, the forehead size can be determined from a corresponding database, or an average value specifying the forehead size can also be used. Thus, improved torso length determination may be achieved.

It is furthermore advantageous to take into account the difference between an occupant sitting upright and an occupant sitting in the neutral position when determining the trunk length. In particular, the difference is the so-called torso length Delta. It is especially against the background that a person sitting upright has a different body position than a person in a seat with an angled backrest element, for example. In this case, it has been shown, in particular, that the Delta value corresponds to at most 124 mm, as a result of the corresponding data collection. In other words, the body "descends" 124 millimeters in the neutral position as compared to an upright seated occupant. The difference can be taken into account together in order to reliably perform the adjustment of the ergonomic functional unit.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the forehead size or the difference is provided by a database outside the motor vehicle. For example, the database external to the motor vehicle may be a cloud database. For example, the difference and forehead size may be determined or used based on a so-called Ramsi database.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous if the neutral position of the seat arrangement is determined and preset individually for each vehicle. For example, the zero point position in an SUV is different from the zero point position in a subminiature vehicle. Furthermore, the zero point positions can also be preset for the individual vehicles, i.e. in particular for the individual construction types. The zero position can be preset, in particular, via the corresponding x-, y-, z-position. According to this, the adjustment of the ergonomic vehicle device can then be performed again reliably.

The proposed method is a computer implemented method. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product having program code means for causing an electronic computing device to carry out the method according to the preceding aspect when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device. The computer program product may also be referred to as a computer program. Accordingly, another aspect also relates to a computer-readable storage medium having the computer program product.

The invention further relates to an occupant support device for adjusting the initial position of an ergonomic functional unit for a motor vehicle occupant, comprising at least one input device, a detection device and an electronic computing device, wherein the occupant support device is designed to carry out the method according to the above-described aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by means of an occupant assistance device.

For this purpose, the electronic computing device has, in particular, electronic components (such as processors, circuits, in particular integrated circuits) or further electronic components, in order to be able to carry out the corresponding method steps.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a passenger support device according to the above-described aspect.

The advantageous design of the method can be regarded as an advantageous design of a computer program product, an occupant support device and a motor vehicle. Occupant support devices and motor vehicles have the characteristic feature that corresponding method steps can be carried out.

The invention also includes a development of the passenger assist device according to the invention of a motor vehicle, which has the features already described in connection with the development of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further embodiments of the computer program product, the passenger assist device and the motor vehicle according to the invention will not be described again here.

The invention also includes combinations of features of the described embodiments.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described below. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle having an embodiment of an occupant assist device; and

fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of an ergonomic functional unit.

The examples set forth below are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the embodiments, the described components represent the individual features of the invention which are to be regarded as independent of one another and which also each improve the invention independently of one another and can therefore also be regarded as constituent elements of the invention individually or in different combinations from those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further ones of the already described features of the invention.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals, respectively.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 having an occupant support device 2. In particular, the passenger assist device 2 is designed to adjust the initial position P of the ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18, wherein the passenger assist device is provided, in particular ergonomically, for the passenger 6. The occupant support apparatus 2 has at least one input device 7, an electronic computing device 8 and a detection device 9. The detection device 9 can be configured, for example, as a multifunctional camera and is configured for monitoring the interior of the motor vehicle 1. For this purpose, the camera can also be configured, for example, as an infrared camera, fig. 1 furthermore shows that, for example, the mirror device 3 can be configured as an ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18 and/or the display device 4 can be configured as an ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18 and/or the seat device 5 can be configured as an ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18 and/or the steering wheel device 18 can be configured as an ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18.

Furthermore, a camera device 19 may be provided, which may detect the occupant 6 already before entering the motor vehicle 1 and thus may automatically determine the height K (fig. 2), for example.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of an ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18, in particular a seating device 5.

In particular, in the method for adjusting the initial position P of the ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18, it is provided that the height K of the occupant 6 is preset by means of the input device 7. The point of view 10 of the occupant 6 in the motor vehicle 1 in the sitting position of the occupant 6 on the seat device 5 of the motor vehicle 1 is determined by means of the detection device 9, wherein the seat device 5 is moved into the neutral position N.

By means of the electronic computing device 7, the trunk length 11 of the occupant 6 is determined from the determined viewpoint 10 and the preset height K, and/or the leg length 12 of the occupant 6 is determined from the determined viewpoint 10 and the preset height K. The initial position P of the ergonomic functional unit 3,4,5,18 is then adjusted in accordance with the determined torso length 11 and/or the determined leg length 12. In particular, it is provided here that, when determining the leg length 12, the determined trunk length 11 is subtracted from the height K. Furthermore, it is provided that the forehead size 13 of the occupant 6 is also taken into consideration when determining the trunk length 11. In addition, in determining the trunk length 11, the difference between the occupant 6 sitting upright and the occupant 6 sitting at the zero point position N may also be considered. In addition, the error value 14 may also be considered. For example, the forehead size 13 and/or the difference may be provided by a database 15 external to the motor vehicle (e.g. a so-called Ramsis database).

In particular, in the method, the computer program product may thus be provided with a corresponding algorithm for determining the leg length 12 and/or the torso length 11. For this purpose, corresponding vehicle data are required, in particular from the motor vehicle 1, wherein this is in particular the H point 17 defined at the rear/lower part of the seat arrangement 5. Here, it is in particular the zero point position N. Furthermore, separate driver data are required, wherein the viewpoint measurement is carried out via the detection device 9. The height K of the occupant 6 can be determined, for example, by an input of the occupant 6, wherein this can be performed, for example, in millimeters. Furthermore, the distance 16 from the zero point N or the so-called H point 17 to the point of view 10 can also be measured, wherein this can also be done in particular by means of the detection device 9. From the so-called database 15, in particular the so-called Ramsis database, for example, the forehead size 13 can be determined on average, which is 120 mm. The so-called torso length Delta, which corresponds in particular to the difference, describes here the difference between the upright sitting position of the occupant 6 and the position of the occupant 6 in the seat arrangement 5, in particular at an angle, wherein this can be determined in particular from the average adjustment as 124 mm. Furthermore, an error value 14 can be determined, which corresponds to the seated torso length 11 minus the forehead size 13 minus the distance 16 from the point of view 10 to the zero position N, and can be preset to 12.4 mm, for example. Individual dimensional descriptions may also be considered here.

In particular, the precondition is that the seat arrangement 5 is adjusted here in a so-called rear/lower position and also has a backrest inclination of, for example, 25 degrees.

The torso length 11 may then be determined by means of the sum of the distance 16 between the viewpoint 10 and the H-point 17, the difference, the forehead size 13 and the error value 14. The leg length 12 in turn corresponds to the height K minus the torso length 11.

It is thereby achieved that the respective body proportions, in particular the trunk length 11 and the leg length 12, can be calculated separately and that the adjustment of the seat device 5, the steering wheel device 18, the mirror device 3, the display device 4 is performed on the basis of the viewpoint measurements by means of the infrared interior space camera. Here, the H point 17 of the seating apparatus 5 and the algorithm are used. The seat device 5 and the steering wheel device 18 are then moved to a specific position in accordance with the calculated body proportion.

List of reference numerals

1 Motor vehicle

2 passenger assist device

3 mirror device

4 display device

5-seat apparatus

6 occupant

7 input device

8 electronic computing device

9 detection device

10 view point

11 torso length

12 leg length

13 forehead size

14 error value

15 database

16 distance of

17H point

18 steering wheel apparatus

19 camera device

Height of K

P initial position

N zero position.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting an initial position (P) of an ergonomic functional unit (3,4,5,18) for an occupant (6) of a motor vehicle (1) by means of an occupant assistance device (2) of the motor vehicle (1), having the following steps:

-presetting the height (K) of the occupant (6) by means of an input device (7) of the occupant support (2);

-determining a point of view (10) of the occupant (6) in a sitting position of the occupant (6) in the motor vehicle (1) on a seat arrangement (5) of the motor vehicle (1) by means of a detection arrangement (9) of the occupant assist device (2), wherein the seat arrangement (5) is moved to a zero position (N);

-determining a torso length (11) of the occupant (6) from the determined viewpoint (10) and the preset height (K) by means of an electronic computing device (8) of the occupant assist apparatus (2), and/or determining a leg length (12) of the occupant (6) from the determined viewpoint (10) and the preset height (K); and

-adjusting the initial position (P) of the ergonomic functional unit (3,4,5,18) as a function of the determined torso length (11) and/or the determined leg length (12).

2. The method according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

as an adjustment, the seat position of the seat device (5) as a functional unit (3,4,5,18) and/or the mirror device (3) in the motor vehicle (1) as a functional unit (3,4,5,18) and/or the steering wheel device (18) in the motor vehicle (1) as a functional unit (3,4,5,18) and/or the display device (4) in the motor vehicle (1) as a functional unit (3,4,5,18) are/is adjusted.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the height (K) is preset manually by the occupant (6) or is determined and preset by means of a camera device (19) of the occupant support (2) when the occupant (6) approaches the motor vehicle (1).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

-subtracting the determined torso length (11) from the height (K) when determining the leg length (12).

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

in determining the torso length (11), a forehead size (13) of the occupant (6) is taken into account.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

in determining the trunk length (11), the difference between an upright seated occupant (6) and an occupant (6) seated in the zero position (N) is taken into account.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the forehead size (13) and/or the difference value are provided by a database (15) outside the motor vehicle.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the zero position (N) of the seat arrangement (5) is determined and preset individually for each vehicle.

9. A computer program product having program code means which, when processed by an electronic computing device (8), cause the electronic computing device (8) to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An occupant assistance device (2) for adjusting an initial position (P) of an ergonomic functional unit (3,4,5,18) for an occupant (6) of a motor vehicle (1), having at least one input device (7), a detection device (9) and an electronic computing device (8), wherein the occupant assistance device (2) is configured for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.