DE102010010622A1 - Control system for rear-vision system of motor vehicle, has control unit, where control unit is designed for processing of dynamic vehicle parameters - Google Patents

Abstract

The control system (1) has a control unit (2), where the control unit is designed for processing of dynamic vehicle parameters. The control unit carries out an adjustment of a rear-vision system (3) depending on the dynamic vehicle parameters so that the rear-vision system results a light cone that is aligned on a destination that is powered with the vehicle rear end. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a motor vehicle with a reversing light; and (2) a method for controlling a rear-vision system of a motor vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to a control system for the rearview vision system of a motor vehicle which adjusts the rearview vision system in response to dynamic vehicle parameters.

The reverse, especially the reverse parking is a difficult maneuver for novice drivers, but also for many experienced drivers, since the view is limited to the rear. Vehicle components, such as headrests, impair the view of the area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle as well as the curb. Operations that take place immediately behind the vehicle can be observed by the driver, especially at night or in poor weather conditions only limited or not at all, making many drivers feel overwhelmed. This behavior brings with it a certain risk potential, which could lead to minor damage, which often involves high repair costs, to the endangerment of pedestrians and damage claims of third parties.

In the publication DE 10 2004 039 450 A1 Therefore, a parking aid for vehicles with a camera is proposed, wherein at least one reversing light is provided at the rear of the vehicle, which is used to illuminate the area of the rear camera. The driver can use the camera to view the area in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle in real time on a display.

However, this parking aid has the disadvantage that the area covered by the camera is limited, so that the driver can only track a small view of the area immediately behind the vehicle on the display.

Object of the present invention is to provide a system by which a driver can drive a vehicle better backwards, for example, can park better backwards.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a control system for the rear view system of a motor vehicle is specified, which comprises a control unit which is designed for processing dynamic vehicle parameters to make an adjustment of the rear view system depending on the dynamic vehicle parameters, so that a focused on the vehicle rear target destination beam results.

Such a control system achieves an improved illumination of the desired area oriented toward the travel destination in comparison to ordinary parking aids. The fact that the setting of the rear view system is controlled by a separate control unit, which calculates the optimum setting of the rear view system from the dynamic vehicle parameters, results in a permanently focused on the destination beam. It is thus possible to illuminate the targeted with the rear of the vehicle area special and variable. Thus, the position of the reversing vision system adapts to changing vehicle situations and thus ensures a safe and predictive reversing.

In one embodiment, the control system is integrated into the vehicle electronics in such a way that the rear view system is adjustable by electrical control signals generated by the control unit. Thus, electronic control pulses may be used to adjust the rearview vision system rather than mechanically direct actuation. As a result, a nearly exact, adapted to the dynamic vehicle parameters setting the rear view system is ensured, whereby the security when reversing is further increased. The rear-view system can be adjusted, for example, by actuators, which receive their commands continuously from the control unit integrated in the electronic vehicle network.

Further, the control system may be coupled to a camera system. This makes it possible to optimize the detection of the area aimed at the rear of the vehicle. Thus, the accuracy of the illuminated area can be improved with the help of the camera system and it can, regardless of in-vehicle data, useful information about the current location of the vehicle can be obtained.

The vehicle parameters processed by the control unit of the control system may be a vehicle speed, a vehicle steering angle and / or reversing camera data.

Thus, in certain special vehicles, such as special tractors, a fast reverse drive required, with a long-range light arrow is in demand. Completely different requirements arise in passenger cars in the urban environment. Here, as broad a carpet of light as possible highlights sources of danger and important signals at the periphery of the vehicle.

Also, when driving around the bend - combined with a high vehicle steering angle - makes sense to illuminate the curve with the help of a light cone, which aims in the direction of the road edges, fully. When driving straight backwards, the widest possible light arrow appears useful.

Also, the control system is able to adjust on the basis of the route information obtained from the Rückfahrkameradaten early and targeted on curve radii or crests.

The detection of said vehicle parameters can be done with the usual, already installed in the vehicle sensors. By multiple use of existing sensors in the vehicle additional information can be realized in the most compact space, which also meets the requirements in terms of aerodynamics, design or space use of the vehicle.

Furthermore, other sensor-detected vehicle parameters can also be processed by the control unit, such as the body tilt, the load state, or about the ambient light.

A motor vehicle having the control system described above is also indicated. A motor vehicle comprising the above-described control system has the advantage that the area aimed at the rear of the vehicle can be illuminated more specifically and variably than only the area directly behind the vehicle. By such a dynamic reversing light, among other things, a permanently focused on the destination beam can be ensured and thus the best possible visibility for the driver to be created.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rear view system comprises both reversing lights and rearview mirrors. The rear-view mirrors include both the inside and outside mirrors of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to optimize the rearview mirror adjustment in addition to the adjusted lighting.

Further, the reversing lights may include multiple light sources. These are arranged so that their light beams are censored combined in one focus and finally appear as a normal direct light source. The multiple light sources can be activated as needed within a defined time interval, so as to generate a permanently focused on a target with the vehicle rear target light cone. The light sources not activated in the corresponding time interval remain deactivated over the entire duration of the time interval. The several light sources are preferably lamps and reflectors, such as LED lights. Thus, for example, by retroreflectors, the traffic safety can be significantly increased at night, as they reflect particularly bright, as soon as they are illuminated and have a certain dispersion.

Core elements of the system can thus be pivotable, mitlenkende mirrors and variable intervening in the beam path light sources, or a combination of the like, which makes it possible to further expand the sight of the driver and thus further increase safety when reversing.

The camera system may include a display and arranged in the rear of the vehicle rear view camera. Preferably, the camera is rotatably mounted on a fastening device in order to ensure the largest possible field of view of the camera. The camera takes on the area aimed at the rear of the vehicle and thus provides useful information about the current location of the vehicle, whereby the security when reversing can be further increased. In order to save energy, the camera can also be coupled to the gearshift of the vehicle, with the insertion of a reverse gear, a signal is sent for recording to the camera. Furthermore, the driver can follow the pictures taken by the camera, ie the desired area, in real time on the display. The display is advantageously arranged in the area of the dashboard and designed as a touch screen. Such an arrangement proves to be ergonomically favorable, since the driver does not have to change his field of view to view the display and intuitively access the display from a biomechanically favorable hand movement and can set an aimed travel destination by touch screen input.

This invention also provides a method of controlling the rearview vision system of a motor vehicle using the control system described above.

The position of the components of the rear view system can be adjusted by the control unit, depending on the dynamic vehicle parameters. As a result, the rearview vision system can be adjusted to the destination in such a way that a light cone aligned permanently with the target aimed at the rear of the vehicle results. Thus, the range of vision for the driver is adapted to the particular driving situation and increased safety when reversing.

The rear view system can be adjusted with electronic control signals, which are generated by the control unit and transmitted to the vehicle electronics. The necessary forces are thereby generated at the rear view system by electrical energy. The specified coupling to the vehicle electronics is also a far-reaching automation of the control functions of the rear view system and thus an increase in reliability achieved because a nearly accurate, adapted to the dynamic vehicle parameters setting the rear view system is ensured, whereby the security is further increased when reversing. The rear-view system can be adjusted, for example, by actuators, which receive their commands continuously from the control unit integrated in the electronic vehicle network.

In this case, the vehicle speed, the vehicle steering angle and / or reversing camera data can be processed as dynamic vehicle parameters. The incorporation and processing of the dynamic vehicle parameters ensures a light cone which is permanently aligned with the destination and at the same time adjusted to the driving situation. Thus, the reversing lights can be adjusted in a fast straight reverse so that adjusts a straight long-range light arrow. In a slow reverse turn around a turn, the rear view system can be adjusted so that a light cone, which aims in the direction of the road edges results. By incorporating the backward camera data, additional information about the location of the vehicle and route information can be obtained. This ensures that the best possible visibility for the driver is created, adapted to the respective driving situation.

The detection of the dynamic vehicle parameters can be done by conventional sensors already installed in the vehicle. Due to the multiple use of existing sensors in the vehicle, additional information can be realized in the most compact space possible, which also meets the requirements in terms of aerodynamics, design or use of space of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the control unit can also process other sensor-detected vehicle parameters, such as the body tilt, the load state, or about the ambient light.

In one embodiment, the adjustment of the components of the rear view system is in two mutually orthogonal directions. For example, the components may be adjusted in a first horizontal actuating direction as well as in a second vertical actuating direction. The adjustment of the reversing lights in the horizontal and in the vertical direction can be done separately from each other. This ensures that the driver is provided in each phase during reversing a focused on the destination beam of light available, since the rear view system can be individually positioned in adaptation to the height as well as to the transverse profile of the destination.

In a further embodiment, the adjustment of the rear view system by meaningful activation and deactivation of many light sources of the rear view system. By sequential activation within a defined time interval, the light beams of the activated light sources combined in one focus are censored in each time interval so that they appear in each time interval as a light cone permanently directed at the travel destination and generated by a normal direct light source. The light sources not activated in the corresponding time interval remain deactivated over the entire duration of the time interval.

The two aforementioned embodiments of the invention can be applied not only separately but also in combination with each other.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a target area is defined on the display of the camera system. As a result, the field of view of the reversing camera can be aligned such that it permanently has the target aimed at the rear of the vehicle in view. The input of the target area can be done for example by touchscreen input. On the display, for example, switching elements such as buttons or sliders can be displayed and reproduced, which can be actuated by touching the display. Since the camera system communicates with the control system, it can be used to move the reversing camera after the selection mark shown on the display by means of a corresponding touch.

In summary, it should be noted that with the present invention, the targeted with the rear of the vehicle when reversing area can be illuminated so that a permanently focused on the destination beam appears. By using dynamic vehicle parameters to calculate an optimal setting of the rear view system, the light cone can also be adapted to the corresponding driving situation. Because these dynamic vehicle parameters can be detected by conventional sensors already present in the vehicle, This additional information can be realized in the most compact space, which also meets the requirements in terms of aerodynamics, design or space use of the vehicle.

With this invention is thus achieved that the driver of a motor vehicle when reversing, depending on the driving situation, the best possible visibility options are created. By means of a light cone which is permanently adapted to the travel destination, possible sources of danger and important signals at the periphery of the vehicle move into the field of vision of the driver. The reversing can thus, especially at night and in poor weather conditions, made safer and at the same time the targeted with the rear of the vehicle area special and variable illuminated.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment which is shown in the drawings.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention;

2 shows a perspective top view of a motor vehicle with rear view system according to the invention, according to the 1 shown embodiment of the invention;

3 shows a schematic representation of essential process steps of the method according to the invention.

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. It is a control unit 2 to recognize which with the rear view system 3 of the motor vehicle communicates and from dynamic vehicle parameters, the optimal adjusted to the corresponding driving situation when reversing setting the rear view system 3 calculated, so that the light cone is permanently aligned with the targeted with the rear of the vehicle destination.

To a far-reaching automation of the adjustment of the rear view system 3 to ensure is the control unit 2 in the vehicle electronics 4 integrated so that the rear view system 3 with through the control unit 2 generated electrical control signals is adjustable.

On the input side, the control unit receives signals from sensors 5 , For example, about the current speed of the motor vehicle, the vehicle steering angle or Rückfahrkameradaten, based on the control unit 2 an optimal adjustment of the rear view system adapted to the driving situation 3 calculated.

The control unit 2 is also equipped with a camera system 6 electrically coupled, which is a reversing camera 7 and a display 8th having. With the help of the reversing camera 7 For example, the area aimed at the rear of the vehicle can be recorded and information about the current location of the vehicle can be obtained and sent to the control unit 2 to get redirected. On the display 8th of the camera system 6 For example, the driver can set a target area to be illuminated preferentially and track the area aimed at the rear of the vehicle in real time.

Further includes the control system 1 an electric actuator 9 , Which has a mechanism, not shown, for a control or adjustment of the components of the rear view system 3 provides. Here is the electrical actuator 9 between the control unit 2 and the rear view system 3 arranged and coupled to these, starting from the by the control unit 2 , in consideration of input signals generated electrical control signals, an adjustment of the rear view system 3 make.

2 shows a perspective top view of a motor vehicle 10 with rear view system according to the invention 3 , according to the in 1 shown embodiment of the invention.

In the in 2 The embodiment shown includes the rear view system 3 Reversing lights 11 as well as rearview mirror 12 , To the rear-view mirrors 12 include both indoor and outdoor 13 as well as outside mirrors 14 of the vehicle.

Next shows 1 a arranged in the rear of the vehicle rear view camera 7 with which the vehicle rear end targeted area can be recorded and information about the current location of the vehicle can be obtained. Also is a fastening device 15 for the camera 7 to recognize, at which the camera along by the arrow 16 marked first actuating direction is rotatably mounted. The rear view camera 7 is part of the camera system 6 that with the tax system 1 communicated.

The components of the reversing vision system are used to generate a light cone that is permanently aligned with the destination aimed at the vehicle's rear end 3 in the direction of the arrow 17 shown second actuating direction horizontally and in the by the arrow 18 shown third actuating direction vertically adjustable by motor.

3 shows a schematic representation of essential process steps of the method according to the invention. Components with the same construction or function bear the same reference numerals as in the 1 and 2 ,

This is a motor vehicle 10 recognizable, which is controlled by a driver backwards. The arrow 19 indicates the reverse drive. The vehicle 10 moves from a straight ahead into a curve. This is the vehicle 10 at two times, at a first time t1 20 before turning into the curve and at a time t2 21 at the apex of the curve.

Next shows 3 a goal aimed at the rear of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment is doing with the rear of the vehicle a parking space 22 targeted.

Further, the dashed lines represent that through the rear view system 3 of the vehicle 10 light cone generated at time t1 23 as well as through the rear view system 3 of the vehicle 10 at the time t2 generated light cone 24 , At both times t1 and t2, this results in a parking space 22 aligned light cone 23 . 24 , Because of the position of the rear view system 3 by a control unit 2 is set in response to dynamic vehicle parameters, this results in a permanently focused on the target with the vehicle rear target beam.

For this purpose the control unit generates 2 electrical control signals to the vehicle electronics 4 be passed on and with which the rear view system 3 is adjustable. The control unit calculates 2 from dynamic vehicle parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the vehicle steering angle and / or Rückfahrkameradaten, the optimal adapted to the corresponding driving situation when reversing setting the rear view system 3 ,

In this case, the setting of the rear view system 3 in two mutually orthogonal actuating directions, for example in a direction indicated by the arrow 17 shown second horizontal actuating direction and in a third by the arrow 18 shown vertical actuation direction, done. The position of the rear lights is adjusted depending on the direction of the return trip during the return trip, so that the destination remains well lit.

The rear lights 3 have in a further embodiment, not a single light source, but a plurality of separate light sources, such as LEDs, which can be controlled separately from each other. In this embodiment, the position of the rear view system 3 be adjusted by meaningful activation or deactivation of one or more light sources of the reversing lights, so that the destination remains illuminated during the return journey.

The two above-mentioned methods or types of backlight can be used not only separately but also in combination with each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

control system

2

control unit

3

Reversing vision system

4

vehicle electronics

5

sensors

6

camera system

7

backup camera

8th

display

9

electrical actuator

10

motor vehicle

11

Reversing lights

12

Reversing Mirror

13

Rear View mirror

14

Mirrors

15

fastening device

16

first actuation direction

17

second direction of actuation

18

third actuation direction

19

reversing

20

Position of the motor vehicle at time t1

21

Position of the motor vehicle at time t2

22

parking lot

23

Beam of light at time t1

24

Beam of light at time t2

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

• DE 102004039450 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Control system for the rearview vision system of a motor vehicle, comprising a control unit ( 2 ), the control unit ( 2 ) is designed for processing dynamic vehicle parameters and, depending on the dynamic vehicle parameters, setting the rearview vision system ( 3 ) performs, so that a focused on a targeted with the vehicle rear target beam ( 23 . 24 ). A control system according to claim 1, wherein the control system ( 1 ) in the vehicle electronics ( 4 ) is integrated in such a way that the rear view system ( 3 ) with the control unit ( 2 ), electrical control signals is adjustable. Control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit ( 2 ) with a camera system ( 6 ) is coupled. Control system according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit ( 2 ) comprise a vehicle speed, a vehicle steering angle and / or reversing camera data. Motor vehicle with a control system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4. Motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the rear view system ( 3 ) Reversing lights ( 11 ) and rear view mirrors ( 12 ). Motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the reversing lights ( 11 ) include multiple light sources. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the camera system ( 6 ) a display and one in the rear of the vehicle ( 10 ) arranged rear view camera ( 7 ). Method for controlling the rearview vision system of a motor vehicle, wherein the control unit ( 2 dynamic vehicle parameters and, depending on the vehicle parameters, the rear view system ( 3 ) are adjusted so that they are aligned with a destination aimed at the rear of the vehicle. Method according to claim 9, wherein the control unit ( 2 ) generates electrical control signals and to the vehicle electronics ( 4 ), with which the rear-view system ( 3 ) is adjustable. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the vehicle speed, the vehicle steering angle and / or reversing camera data are processed as dynamic vehicle parameters. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the position of the components of the rear view system ( 3 ) is set. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the adjustment of the rear view system ( 3 ) takes place in two mutually orthogonal directions. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the adjustment of the rear view system ( 3 ) by meaningful activation or deactivation of many light sources of the rear view system ( 3 ) he follows. Method according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein on the display ( 8th ) of the camera system ( 6 ) a target area is determined.

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