DE102009045921A1 - Device for operating motor vehicle, is connected with receiver unit for recognizing forthcoming collision of motor vehicle with obstacle - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) is connected with a receiver unit (110,111,112) for recognizing a forthcoming collision of a motor vehicle with an obstacle. The movement of the motor vehicle is affected corresponding to the preferred impact area and the information of the environment of the motor vehicle. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a motor vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to 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. An early detection of such a collision may be important in order to trigger safety systems provided in the motor vehicle, for example airbags, in a timely manner. Such solutions are for example in the WO 2005/118348 A1 and the US 2006/0129295 A1 described.

It is also known to detect a likely imminent accident of the motor vehicle before the occurrence of the accident. The GB 2 435 536 describes a system that calculates a probability that the motor vehicle is approaching a dangerous situation. For this purpose, the system evaluates, inter alia, information provided by a navigation system about an environment of the motor vehicle. If the probability of the approach of a dangerous situation exceeds a specified threshold value, a warning signal is output and the motor vehicle is optionally braked.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for a motor vehicle which allows a further increase in safety. This object is achieved by a device having 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 having the features of claim 8. Preferred developments are specified in the dependent claims.

It has been found that an imminent collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle can often only be established when the collision is already inevitable. Experience has also shown that collisions between motor vehicles and obstacles have different consequences depending on the angle of the collision and the positions of the collision with the motor vehicle and the obstacle. For example, a collision with a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle can lead to personal injury, while a collision with an engine compartment of the motor vehicle merely causes property damage. Investigations have shown that even in the case of an unavoidable collision, often a course correction would be possible, by which the extent of the damage caused by the collision can be reduced.

A device according to the invention for a motor vehicle is connected to at least one receiving unit and designed to detect by means of the receiving unit an imminent collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle. In this case, the device is further configured to assign the obstacle to a category and to determine a preferred impact area based on 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. Advantageously, the collision between motor vehicle and obstacle then 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 adapted to receive information from the navigation system about an environment of the motor vehicle. In addition, the device is designed to influence the travel movement of the motor vehicle as a function of the preferred impact area and the information about the environment of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the choice of the preferred impact area and influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle then take place in dependence on the environment of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, this takes into account that the environment 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 environment of the motor vehicle.

Conveniently, the information about the environment of the motor vehicle includes information about a road type and / or a number of lanes and / or a slope and / or a curve and / or a marginal strip. Advantageously, this information can then be taken into account in determining the preferred impact 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 or an ultrasonic sensor. Advantageously, these sensors are well suited for detecting and categorizing obstacles.

Conveniently, the preferred impact area includes information about which direction and / or at which position of the obstacle a collision of the motor vehicle with the obstacle is preferred. Advantageously, it can be considered that a collision with a particular location of one 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 travel movement of the motor vehicle by engaging in a brake system and / or a steering system and / or an acceleration system. Advantageously, the device is thus offered far-reaching possibilities to influence the driving movement of the motor vehicle. This improves the chances that the influence 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.

Conveniently, the list of categories includes the categories pedestrian and / or bicycle and / or motorcycle and / or passenger cars and / or trucks and / or buses. Advantageously, this takes into account that different categories of obstacles have different 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 detecting an imminent collision of the motor vehicle with an obstacle, for assigning the obstacle to a category, for determining a preferred impact area based on the category, and for influencing a travel movement of the motor vehicle depending on the preferred impact area , Advantageously, by this method, the extent of damage caused by the collision of the motor vehicle with the obstacle can be reduced.

In a refinement of the method, a method step is carried out before influencing the travel movement in order to receive information about an environment of the motor vehicle from a navigation system. In addition, the influencing of the driving movement of the motor vehicle takes place as a function of the preferred impact area and the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the information about the surroundings of the motor vehicle can then be taken into account in determining the preferred impact area and influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle. This increases the likelihood 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.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. In this case, the same reference symbols are used for the same or equivalent elements. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a traffic situation;

2 a schematic block diagram of a device in a motor vehicle;

3 a schematic representation of a category of obstacles; and

4 a schematic flow diagram of a method.

Embodiments of the invention

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

In a direction of travel 400 of the motor vehicle 10 close to the motor vehicle 10 there is an obstacle 250 , Im in 1 example shown is the obstacle 250 a passenger car. Due to the small distance between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 and the assumed in the example shown high speed of the motor vehicle 10 is a collision between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 inevitable. This can be the motor vehicle 10 by means of a motor vehicle 10 integrated device 100 automatically detect.

2 shows a schematic block diagram of the device 100 , The device 100 is connected to a plurality of sensors. In the example of 2 include those with the device 100 connected sensors a video camera 110 , a radar sensor 111 and an infrared sensor 112 , The device 100 However, could also be connected to other sensors, such as an ultrasonic sensor. Optionally, one or more of the sensors can also be used 110 . 111 . 112 unfold. By means of the sensors 110 . 111 . 112 can the device 100 the presence of the obstacle 250 in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 100 determine. The sensors 110 . 111 . 112 Also allow the device, the distance between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 to investigate. The device 100 also knows the current driving speed of the motor vehicle 10 , the maximum possible braking acceleration of the motor vehicle 10 and other parameters of the motor vehicle 10 , From knowledge of these parameters and the knowledge of the distance and the size of the obstacle 250 can the device 100 calculate that a collision between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 can no longer be prevented. Preferably, the device 100 in this calculation also an intrinsic speed of the obstacle 250 consider.

In a further 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. Via the wireless communication link, the device 100 of the motor vehicle 10 Information from the obstacle 250 received, by which the device 100 can determine that an unavoidable collision with the obstacle 250 imminent. The obstacle 250 For example, information received may include an exact location and speed of the obstacle 250 include. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 10 in addition to or instead of the sensors 110 . 111 . 112 a transmitting and / or receiving unit for establishing the wireless communication connection.

The device 100 is designed to be the obstacle 250 belong to a category of obstacles. The device holds for this 100 a category list 200 in front. The category list 200 may for example be stored in a non-volatile memory. The category list 200 encompasses different categories of possible obstacles. In the example shown the 2 includes the category list 200 a category 210 for passenger cars, a category 220 for motorcycles and a category 230 for pedestrians. The category list 200 however, may also include more or less categories. For example, other categories for bicycles or cyclists, for trucks and for buses can be stored in the category list.

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

The contour 211 Gives a typical contour of obstacles of the category 210 for passenger cars. There may also be several typical contours of obstacles of the category 210 be deposited from different perspectives. The contour 211 Can also be used as a three-dimensional model of an obstacle of the category 210 available.

The preferred impact area 212 indicates in which spatial areas of an obstacle the category 210 for passenger cars, the motor vehicle 10 would have to hit in a collision preferred to experience the least damage. For obstacles of the category 210 For passenger cars, for example, a collision with an engine compartment or a trunk area of the obstacle is preferable to a collision with a passenger compartment of the obstacle, as in the former case, often only damage to property, in the latter case, personal injury is to be feared. The information about the preferred impact area 212 can also provide information about a preferred steering angle, ie an angle at which the motor vehicle 10 preferably meets the obstacle include.

The device 100 is formed by means of the sensors 110 . 111 . 112 a contour of the obstacle 250 in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 10 to capture and capture the captured contour with those in the categories 210 . 220 . 230 in the category list 200 compare stored contours. In this way, the device can 100 that by means of the sensors 110 . 111 . 112 detected obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 . 220 . 230 from the category list 200 assign. Im in 1 The example shown recognizes the device 100 therefore, that's the obstacle 250 around a passenger car, so an obstacle of the category 210 is. The device 100 can from the to the category 210 deposited information now the preferred impact area 212 of the obstacle 250 determine. The device 100 determined in in 1 example shown so 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 taken.

If the the device 100 is designed to provide a wireless communication link to obstacle 250 so the device can build 100 of the motor vehicle 10 Information about the obstacle is also available via this wireless communication link 250 received, by which the device 100 the obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 . 220 . 230 assigns. The obstacle 250 Information received may also include information about a preferred impact area 212 of the obstacle 250 contain. In this case, the categorization of the obstacle 250 based on the category list 200 optionally omitted.

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

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

In some circumstances, the choice is the first alternative route 410 the choice of the second alternative route 420 preferable or vice versa. For example, the choice of the left leading alternative route 410 on a road with only two lanes 330 bring the danger that the motor vehicle 10 and / or the obstacle 250 be thrown by the collision on the opposite lane. On the other hand, because of the presence of the marginal strip 320 Dodge the second alternate route to the right 420 be associated with lower risks. This is especially true when the edge trim 320 is not trees and also has no embankment or other hazards.

The slope 310 The road can affect the brake 141 realizable negative acceleration of the motor vehicle 10 and thus on the feasibility of the first alternative route 410 and the second alternative route 420 to have.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is 100 Therefore, trained information about the environment of the motor vehicle 10 in the calculation of the most favorable response to the expected collision with the obstacle 250 included. For this purpose, the device 100 with a navigation system 120 connected ( 2 ). The navigation system 120 has a digital road map 150 in which information about available roads in a spatial area are stored. This information may include, for example, information about road types, such as highways or highways, about road gradients, about a number of lanes, and about the presence and nature of a trim strip. The digital road map 150 may also have further information about the roads of the included spatial area. The navigation system 120 can also have a position detection system 130 that serves a current position of the motor vehicle 10 to investigate. The position detection system 130 may be, for example, a GPS system.

The device 100 is designed by the navigation system 120 Information about an environment of the motor vehicle 10 to recieve. This information may preferably include information about a type of road and / or a number of lanes and / or a slope and / or a curve and / or an edge strip. 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 necessary for a collision with the preferred impact area influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 to take into account. In the above example, the device 100 for example decide that because of the presence of the marginal strip 320 from the two preferred impact areas 212 of the obstacle 250 the category 210 for passenger cars, the rear impact area at the trunk of the obstacle 250 is to be preferred. Next determines the device 100 in that an influencing of the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 in the direction of the second alternative route 420 at the by the navigation system 120 transmitted properties of the road is possible. Therefore, the device decides 100 , the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 via the vehicle control 140 to influence that the second alternative route 420 is selected and the motor vehicle 10 with the trunk of the obstacle 250 performing car crashes. The consideration of the navigation system 120 information supplied increases the accuracy of the device 100 made calculations and allows the choice of the reaction that causes the least damage in the collision of the motor vehicle 10 with the obstacle 250 to expect.

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

In a first process step 510 recognizes the device 100 by means of the sensors 110 . 111 . 112 and from the knowledge of the direction of travel and driving speed of the motor vehicle 10 , As well as the knowledge of the design-related maximum possible control measures of the motor vehicle 10 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 impending collision with the obstacle 250 based on the obstacle 250 detect wirelessly transmitted information.

In a second process step 520 arranges the device 100 the obstacle 250 a category 210 . 220 . 230 from the reserved category list 200 to by the device 100 one by means of the sensors 110 . 110 . 112 detected contour of the obstacle 250 with those to the categories 210 . 220 . 230 the category list 200 stored contours compares. Alternatively, the device 100 Information about the obstacle via a wireless communication link 250 received, by which the device 100 the obstacle 250 one of the categories 210 . 220 . 230 assigns.

In a third process step 530 determines the device 100 the category of obstacles identified in advance 210 . 220 . 230 preferred impact area 212 ,

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

In a fifth method step, the device influences 100 the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 depending on the third step 530 determined preferred impact area 212 and, optionally, in response to the information about the environment of the motor vehicle received in the fourth method step 10 , The influencing of the driving movement takes place in such a way that the inevitable collision between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 preferably in the preferred impact area 212 of the obstacle 250 takes place. The influence on the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 For example, by engaging the brake 141 and the steering 142 of the motor vehicle 10 ,

The exact analysis of the expected collision between the motor vehicle 10 and the obstacle 250 allows the device 100 also to predict an expected time of the collision. It is also possible that through the device 100 made influencing the driving movement of the motor vehicle 10 leads to a certain shift of the collision at a later time. The information about the time of the collision and the possibly additionally gained time until the time of the collision, the device 100 use in the vehicle 10 intended safety systems such as airbags and passenger restraint systems to trigger at the optimum time. This increases the safety of the passengers of the motor vehicle 10 ,

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2005/118348 A1 [0002]
• US 2006/0129295 A1 [0002]
• GB 2435536 [0003]

Claims (9)

Contraption ( 100 ) for a motor vehicle ( 10 ), the device ( 100 ) with at least one receiving unit ( 110 . 111 . 112 ), the device ( 100 ) is formed, by means of the receiving unit ( 110 . 111 . 112 ) an imminent collision of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) with an obstacle ( 250 ), characterized in that the device ( 100 ), the obstacle ( 250 ) of a category ( 210 ), and the device ( 100 ), by category ( 210 ) a preferred impact area ( 212 ), and the device ( 100 ) is formed, a driving movement of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) depending on the preferred impact area ( 212 ) to influence. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device ( 100 ) with a navigation system ( 120 ), and the device ( 100 ) is adapted from the navigation system ( 120 ) information about an environment of the motor vehicle ( 10 ), the device ( 100 ) is formed, the driving movement of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) depending on the preferred impact area ( 212 ) and the information about the environment of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) to influence. Contraption ( 100 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the information about the environment of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) information about a road type ( 300 ) and / or a number of lanes ( 330 ) and / or a slope ( 310 ) and / or a curve and / or a border strip ( 320 ). Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one receiving unit ( 110 . 111 . 112 ) a video camera ( 110 ) and / or a radar sensor ( 111 ) and / or an infrared sensor ( 112 ) and / or an ultrasonic sensor. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preferred impact area ( 212 ) contains information about the direction and / or position of the obstacle ( 250 ) a collision of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) with the obstacle ( 250 ) is preferred. Contraption ( 100 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed to control the travel movement of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) by engaging in a braking system ( 141 ) and / or a steering system ( 142 ) and / or to influence an acceleration system. Contraption ( 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 cars ( 210 ) and / or trucks and / or buses. Method for operating a motor vehicle ( 10 ), characterized by the following method steps: detection of an imminent collision of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) with an obstacle ( 250 ); - Assignment of the obstacle ( 250 ) to a category ( 210 ); - determining a preferred impact area ( 212 ) by category ( 210 ); - influencing a driving movement of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) depending on the preferred impact area ( 212 ). A method 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 environment of the motor vehicle ( 10 ) he follows.

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