DE102010035203A1 - Method for adjusting visual range of driver in vehicle i.e. motor car, involves determining target state of movable vehicle component based on actual state of driver's seat and transferring vehicle component to target state - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves determining (20) an actual condition of a driver's seat (10) and determining (21) a target state of a movable vehicle component (11) i.e. passenger seat, based on the actual state of the driver's seat. The vehicle component is transferred (23) to the target state. The actual condition of the driver's seat is compared with the target state of the movable vehicle component. The moving of the vehicle component is performed based on plausibility check (3). Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for adjusting a range of vision of a rider in a vehicle (2) a computer program product having a set of instructions for adjusting the range of vision of the rider in the vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for adjusting a field of vision of a driver in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle.

From the prior art, a plurality of vehicles with differently designed vehicle components are known. As vehicle components, especially within a passenger compartment existing passenger compartment components, such as a passenger seat, usually with headrest, restraint systems, one or more rear seats or backrests, often with headrests, etc., referred to, which may affect the driver's field of vision to the outside environment. Furthermore, as vehicle components, components mounted on the vehicle, in particular outside the passenger compartment, are referred to, such as, for example, a spoiler whose position can be regulated as a function of speed and which likewise can impair the driver's field of vision to the outside environment. The vehicle components may thus make it difficult, for example, to turn the vehicle and / or reverse, since the driver has difficulty recognizing hidden objects outside the vehicle through the vehicle components or has to carry out a cumbersome compensation movement in order to obtain a better view of the outside environment.

In DE 10 2007 034 220 A1 For example, a method for adjusting the field of vision of a driver is disclosed. The driver's field of vision is increased by moving a headrest member disposed on a driver's seat. The headrest is moved when certain operating conditions exist. Thus, the headrest part is moved when it is detected by a control unit that a turn signal lever is actuated or a reverse gear is engaged.

Such a method has the disadvantage that it only takes into account the position of the driver on the driver's seat and accordingly moves the headrest part fastened to the driver's seat. Inside or outside the passenger compartment, in addition to the headrest part, there are more, in particular the o. G. Vehicle components present that partially affect the driver's field of vision to the outside environment more.

The object of the present invention is to improve the field of vision of the driver to the outside environment.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1 and 12, respectively. Claim 14 protects a computer program product for carrying out a method according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, an actual state of the driver's seat is determined for setting, in particular enlarging, the field of vision of a driver in a vehicle, and a desired state for at least one movable vehicle component is determined based on the actual state of the driving seat. Subsequently, the vehicle component (s) is / are converted to the desired state.

In the following, in particular a movable component within a passenger compartment, i. H. a passenger compartment component, but also understood outside the passenger compartment. Thus, for example, in the non-driver seat coupled components passenger seat, headrest mounted on the passenger seat, restraint system, rear seat or bench and headrest attached thereto each passenger compartment or vehicle component within the meaning of the present invention. Furthermore, the vehicle-mounted spoiler is also a vehicle component. Of course, other provided inside or outside the passenger compartment movable components may represent a vehicle component according to the invention. In particular, attached to the driver's seat components such. B. the headrest, a (further) vehicle component.

A state of the driver's seat or a vehicle component, ie in particular the actual state of the driver's seat or the target state for the movable vehicle component, can in particular a position and / or inclination in the passenger compartment relative to the floor of the passenger compartment or a position and / or inclination relative to the vehicle include, preferably the vertical and / or horizontal position and / or inclination of a seat and / or backrest part. Furthermore, the state of the vehicle component may include a rotation of the vehicle component with respect to a vehicle axle. Additionally or alternatively, the state, a position, inclination and / or rotation of a mounted on a first vehicle component further vehicle component, such. B. a headrest, relative to the first vehicle component.

Accordingly, for example, the desired position and / or inclination of a passenger seat relative to the passenger compartment and / or the desired position, inclination and / or rotation of a passenger headrest relative to the passenger seat based on the actual position and / or inclination of the seat relative to the passenger compartment become.

The at least one vehicle component is advantageously converted into a desired state, which is predetermined in such a way that the vehicle component lessens, preferably only minimally or not at all, the field of vision of the driver to the outside environment. Consequently, after the at least one vehicle component has been transferred to the desired state, the driver can recognize objects that were covered by the at least one vehicle component before it was transferred. As a result, the field of vision of the driver increases and the driver has to perform lesser, preferably no cumbersome compensatory movements in order to check whether there are objects outside the vehicle. The desired state of the vehicle component can be optimally adapted to the respective driver since, in determining the desired state of the at least one vehicle component, the actual state of the driver's seat is considered according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, a vehicle component impairing the field of vision of the driver, in particular a passenger seat and / or a passenger seat headrest, is moved into a desired position, so that from the driver's perspective a vehicle pillar which also affects the driver's field of vision, in particular a B and / or or C and / or D pillar of the vehicle by this vehicle component, if necessary, to a higher degree, is covered. Due to the (greater) occlusion of the B, C or D pillar of the vehicle by at least a portion of the vehicle component, the driver's field of vision is no longer affected by two complete components, namely the vehicle component (for example the passenger seat) and the pillar, but only through the common from the perspective of the driver contour. Consequently, by such an arrangement of the passenger seat with respect to the B, C and D pillars, the driver's field of vision increases since the area of the vehicle pillar which is obscured by the vehicle component only enters the field of view limitation simply.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an actual state of the at least one vehicle component can be determined and a comparison with the desired state of the vehicle component can be carried out. This method step has the advantage that when the actual state of the vehicle component matches the desired state, a control device does not have to transmit a control command for moving the vehicle component to an actuator of the vehicle component.

Before the control unit transmits the control command to the actuator, a plausibility check can be carried out. In the case of the plausibility check, it is possible to check whether a variable detected by means of a sensor fulfills a condition. Depending on the result of the check, the at least one vehicle component can be transferred to the desired state.

As a sensor means in the context of the present invention is in particular a detection device, for example, a non-contact optical, acoustic, thermal, capacitive or even a mechanical detection means called, so for example a light barrier, a camera image evaluation, an electrical, magnetic or thermal sensor or a weight sensor , for example a piezo sensor.

The detected variable may be, for example, the actual state of a passenger seat, rear seat and / or an air guide element. Furthermore, the detected quantity may be information as to whether a person is in the passenger seat and / or in the back seat and / or whether the doors of the vehicle, in particular the front passenger door, are closed and / or whether Vehicle is activated and / or if a Sichtbereicheinstellfunktion is activated. Other recorded variables can also be used for the plausibility check.

A control command for moving the vehicle component can be transmitted to the actuator if it is determined that the actual state of the vehicle component does not correspond to the desired state of the vehicle component and it is determined in the plausibility check that the detected variable fulfills the respective condition. Preferably, no control command for moving the vehicle component is transmitted, for example, if it is determined that the actual state of the vehicle component corresponds to the desired state of the vehicle component within a predetermined tolerance or is determined in the plausibility check that the detected variable does not meet the condition.

By controlling the movement of the vehicle component such a movement of the respective vehicle component, such. As a passenger seat, are advantageously prevented when a person sitting in the passenger seat to avoid injury to the person. Thus, for example, before moving the passenger seat in the plausibility check, it can be checked whether the Sichtbereicheinstellfunktion is activated and / or no person sitting in the passenger seat and / or a vehicle door, in particular the passenger door is closed. If one of the conditions does not apply, the plausibility check sends an error signal to the control unit so that the vehicle component is not transferred to the desired state. On the other hand can In particular, when moving the passenger seat, the actuator can be activated such that it can be prevented that objects located in the footwell are clamped by the passenger seat. In a preferred embodiment, when the plausibility check is positive, a maximum actuator flow of the passenger seat adjustment is reduced in order to prevent objects from being trapped in the footwell. When the driver's seat is occupied, the actuator is preferably energized higher in order to be able to move even heavyweight passengers.

Of course, in addition to or as an alternative to an error signal, a release signal can also be transmitted to the control unit in a complementary manner if the condition is met, for example the front passenger seat is free, the front passenger door is closed and the viewing area setting is activated. Such activation can be done for example by a menu in the on-board computer of the vehicle or a corresponding button. In particular, a query to the driver can be made via the on-board computer, if the visual range setting is to be activated, if it is determined that the door is closed and the passenger seat is free.

In order to determine the actual position of the driver's seat, advantageously a horizontal and / or vertical position of the driver's seat can be determined. By determining the horizontal and / or vertical position of the driver's seat and / or the inclination of the driver's seat, the optimum target state for the at least one vehicle component can be determined individually for each driver.

The determination of the optimum target state for the respective vehicle component can be further improved by determining an eye position of the driver. The determination of the driver's eye position can be determined, for example, by means of the horizontal and / or vertical position and / or inclination of the driver's seat. There are also other methods, such as. Example, a map-based eye point determination, preferably the use of an anthropometric human model, such as RAMSIS, for determining the eye position of the driver used. Preferably, a probable (st) e Augpunktlagen, z. B. in Umblickhaltung, for example, depending on the most likely seat adjustment per body size percentile generated. Likewise, for example, based on the weight or attitude of a harness system, the size of the driver and thus his eye position can be estimated. As a result, by using the eye position to determine the optimum target state for the respective vehicle component, the nominal state is determined indirectly via the actual state of the driver's seat. Furthermore, the determination of the eye position can preferably be carried out or verified by means of a per se known fatigue monitoring of the driver by means of a camera.

The desired state of the vehicle components can be stored, for example, once it has been determined manually or empirically in advance. Bring the driver de driver's seat in an actual position to which a desired state of a vehicle components is stored, it can be automatically adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, the stored desired states can be used for interpolation for new target states of the vehicle components when the driver adjusts the actual position of the driver's seat.

A device according to the invention has a control unit which is connected to the driver's seat and the actuator for moving the vehicle component and a driver seat state detection means for determining the actual position of the driver's seat. Furthermore, the device may comprise sensor means, which are also connected to the control unit and serve to detect an actual state of the vehicle component. For example, the sensor means may be configured as an operation state sensor that determines whether the vehicle is activated or not, a passenger seat state detection means, a passenger door state sensor, means for checking whether the vision area adjustment function is activated, and / or a passenger seat occupancy sensor. There are still further training for the sensor means conceivable. A computer program product according to the invention can be designed, for example, as a machine-readable data carrier or data memory. The computer program product has a program which runs in the control unit and controls an inventive setting of a field of vision of the driver in the vehicle.

Further advantageous developments of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. This shows, partially schematized:

1 a schematic diagram of a passenger compartment with a flow scheme for determining the target state of the vehicle component and a plausibility check according to an embodiment of the invention; and

2A . 2 B the passenger compartment after 1 with different driver seat conditions.

In the 1 shown passenger compartment 1 has a driver's seat 10 , a passenger seat 11 and a passenger door 12 on. The passenger compartment 1 is connected to a driver's seat, not shown, state detecting means which relative to the actual position of the driver's seat and the inclination of the driver's seat to a floor of the passenger compartment 1 can capture. The methodology for determining whether a transfer of the passenger seat 11 or another in 1 not shown vehicle component to take place in a desired state, is composed of a target state determination process 2 and a plausibility check 3 together. In this case, individual elements can equally represent devices, for example sensors or microcontrollers, but also process steps executed by such devices, for example, acquisition or data processing.

In the target state determination process 2 determines the driver seat state detecting means in step 20 the horizontal and / or vertical position and / or inclination of the driver's seat. Further, the driver seat state detecting means detects the horizontal and / or vertical position and / or inclination and / or twist of a vehicle seat mounted on the driver's seat component, which is not shown, relative to the driver's seat. Based on the sizes detected by the driver seat state detecting means, in step 21 determines a desired state for the front passenger seat and / or other movable vehicle component. By means not shown sensor means, such as a passenger seat state detecting means, in step 22 an actual state of the passenger seat 11 detected. In step 23 it is determined whether the determined actual state of the passenger seat 11 the calculated desired state of the passenger seat 11 corresponds, and the result to a control unit 24 transmitted.

In the plausibility check 3 are those of an activation sensor means 31 determining whether the scope setting function is activated, a passenger seat occupancy sensor 32 and a passenger door condition sensor 33 processed quantities processed.

So is in the plausibility check 3 in step 34 determines if the view area setting function is activated. If it is determined that the field of view adjustment function is not activated, an error signal is sent to the control unit 24 transmitted and the plausibility check 3 completed.

If the visual range setting function is activated, the plausibility check becomes 3 continued and in step 35 Checks whether a person is in the passenger seat based on a detected by the passenger seat cover sensor size 11 sitting. In the event that a person sits in the passenger seat, an error signal is sent to the control unit 24 transmitted and the plausibility check 3 completed.

If no person in the passenger seat 11 sits, becomes the plausibility check 3 continued. In step 36 is based on a by the passenger door condition sensor 34 detected size checks whether the front passenger door is closed. If it is determined that the passenger door is open, an error signal is sent to the controller 24 transmitted. If the passenger door 12 is closed, a control signal is sent to the control unit 24 transmitted.

The control unit 24 controls based on the received signals from the plausibility check 3 and from the target state determination process to the controller 24 transmitted signal an unillustrated actuator. The actuator is used to transfer the passenger seat 11 in the target state. The control unit 24 does not transmit a control command for moving the passenger seat 11 to the actuator, if in step 23 it is determined that the current state of the passenger seat in step 21 determined target state, or if by the plausibility check 3 an error signal and no control signal to the controller 24 was transmitted. This means that the control unit does not transmit a control command to the actuator, if in the plausibility check 3 it is determined that the Sichtbereicheinstellfunktion is not activated and / or a person sitting in the passenger seat and / or the passenger door is open.

The control unit 24 transmits a control command for moving the passenger seat 11 to the actuator, not shown, when in step 23 it is determined that the current state of the passenger seat 11 does not coincide with the determined nominal state of the front passenger seat and it is determined in the plausibility check that the Sichtbereicheinstellfunktion is activated and no person sitting in the front passenger seat and the passenger door 12 closed is.

2A shows the position of the driver's seat 10 and passenger seat 11 relative to a reference line R of the passenger compartment 1 , The passenger seat 11 is according to the invention by the control unit 24 in a position relative to the passenger compartment 1 method in which it essentially obscures a B-pillar B from the driver's point of view, as indicated by the hatched field of view S in FIG 2A recognizable. The hidden field of view S shows the part of the field of vision of the driver, which is covered by the vehicle components and thus prevents or makes it difficult to see the outside of the vehicle. The occlusion may be suitably defined, for example, as the projection of the passenger seat contour on the projection of the B-pillar perpendicular to a gaze beam through a normalized eye pair center and a centroid of the B-pillar.

In 2 B is the driver seat in vehicle longitudinal direction (vertically in 2 ) relative to the passenger compartment 1 moved forward, as seen from the increased distance between the seat leading edge and reference line R.

The control unit 24 detects this changed actual state of the driver's seat, determined based on this actual state of the driver's seat, a desired state, here a position in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the passenger seat 11 depending on the occlusion of the B-pillar B of the vehicle by the passenger seat 11 from the perspective of the driver and transferred the passenger seat 11 into this target position, as in 2 B indicated by the vertical movement arrow.

From this simplified example it is clear that additionally or alternatively, for example, the backrest inclination of the passenger seat 11 can be adjusted accordingly, and that based on the actual state of the driver's seat 10 an eye position of the driver determined, for example, based on standard data and / or according to a detected driver's weight and / or a belt extension and / or the position of an upper Gurtaufhängepunktes on the driver side B-pillar can be estimated to the target state of the passenger seat based on this eye position or the view of the driver and thus indirectly based on the actual state of the driver's seat 10 pretend. The acquired data can be used as input data for a stored for example in a control unit anthropometric human model, such. B. RAMSIS serve.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cabin

2

Target state determination processing

3

plausibility check

10

driver's seat

11

passenger seat

12

passenger door

20, ..., 23; 34, ..., 36

steps

24

control unit

31

activation sensor

32

Passenger seat occupancy sensor

33

Passenger door condition sensor

B

B-pillar

R

reference line

S

hidden field of view

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 102007034220 A1 [0003]

Claims (14)

Method for adjusting a field of vision of a driver in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle; characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - determining ( 20 ) an actual state of a driver's seat ( 10 ), - determining ( 21 ) a target state for at least one movable vehicle component ( 11 ) based on the actual state of the driver's seat, and - transfer ( 23 ) of the at least one vehicle component ( 11 ) in this nominal state. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the desired state of a vehicle component, in particular a passenger seat ( 11 ), depending on a concealment of a vehicle structure, in particular a vehicle pillar, in particular a B, C or D pillar, by the vehicle component ( 11 ) is specified from the perspective of the driver. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an actual state of the vehicle component ( 11 ) is determined ( 22 ) and a comparison ( 23 ) of the actual state is performed with the target state. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movement of the vehicle component ( 11 ) depending on a plausibility check ( 3 ) is carried out. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that in the plausibility check ( 3 ) is checked if at least one detected size meets a condition. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that a vehicle component ( 11 ) is moved if the actual state of the vehicle component differs from the desired state of the vehicle component and in the plausibility check ( 3 ) is determined that the at least one detected size satisfies the condition. Method according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the vehicle component ( 11 ) is not moved if the actual state of the vehicle component ( 11 ) the nominal state of the vehicle component ( 11 ) or in the plausibility check ( 3 ) is determined that the at least one size does not meet the condition. Method according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that in the plausibility check ( 3 ) is checked if a Sichtbereicheinstellfunktion is activated ( 34 ) and / or the passenger seat ( 11 ) is occupied ( 35 ) and / or at least one vehicle door, in particular a passenger door ( 12 ), closed is ( 36 ). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that based on the actual state of the driver's seat ( 10 ) an eye position of the driver is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condition of the driver's seat ( 10 ) and / or a vehicle component ( 11 ) a horizontal and / or a vertical position relative to the passenger compartment ( 1 ) and / or an inclination, in particular of a seat surface and / or a backrest, and / or a rotation and / or a position and / or an inclination and / or a rotation of a further vehicle component mounted thereon. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle component ( 11 ) not with the driver's seat ( 10 ) is coupled. Device for adjusting a field of vision of a driver in a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a driver's seat ( 10 ), at least one movable vehicle component ( 11 ), a driver seat state detecting means for determining an actual state of the driver's seat ( 10 ), an actuating element for moving the vehicle component and a control device ( 24 ), with the driver's seat ( 10 ), the driver's seat state detecting means and the adjusting element is connected, wherein the device is arranged for performing a method according to one of the preceding claims. Device according to claim 12, characterized by at least one sensor for detecting an actual state of the at least one vehicle component ( 11 ) and / or a size for a plausibility check ( 3 ). Computer program product, in particular machine-readable data carrier or data memory, with a program comprising a method according to claims 1 to 11, when the program runs in a control device of a device according to claim 12 or 13.

Images