DE102011087538A1 - Method for operating motor car, involves processing operating modes of vehicle by control device to recognize risk case, and activating lamps independently by control device using flashing routine in event of recognized risk case - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting operating modes of a vehicle (103) using a sensor e.g. accident sensor, crash sensor and acceleration sensor, that is attached in a bumper, an engine compartment and an inner space of the vehicle. The operating modes of the vehicle are continuously processed by a control device to recognize a risk case, where the risk case is a defective at the vehicle or rear end collision of the vehicle against an obstruction or another vehicle. Lamps are independently activated by the control device using a flashing routine in an event of the recognized risk case. The lamps are designed as brake lights, tail lights or hazard warning lamps. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for operating a vehicle (2) a computer program comprising a set of instructions for executing a method for operating a vehicle (3) a computer program product comprising a set of instructions for executing a method for operating a vehicle.

Description

The invention is based on a method for operating a vehicle, wherein in the event of danger at least one luminaire is actuated, as well as on a computer program and a computer program product for carrying it out according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.

State of the art

In all motor vehicles that are registered in Germany, two brake lights must be installed according to § 53 StVZO. Under EU law, new cars have had a third brake light since 1998.

From the DE 10 2006 049 778 A1 An emergency system for a vehicle with sensors for detecting an emergency situation is known. Upon detection of an emergency situation, a so-called emergency mode is started and lighting functions are activated in the vehicle interior. This emergency mode of the lighting function can be advantageously deactivated by the driver by manually operating an operating switch in the vehicle interior, which fulfills a defined operating function for normal driving operation in normal driving operation.

From the DE 195 11 388 C1 a safety device is known, which automatically switches on a hazard warning system of a vehicle in the event of a safety-critical situation, such as an accident or a failure of a safety-related component.

Disclosure of the invention

Advantages of the invention

In contrast, the procedure according to the invention with the characterizing features of the independent claims has the advantage that, in the event of a recognized danger, for example a rear-end collision in the area of the rear of a vehicle, a check is made as to whether there is a defect in a lighting device of the vehicle and in dependence of which a control unit of the vehicle independently controls at least one further lamp with a blinking routine.

Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The further lamp is advantageously the third brake lamp which, with a greater likelihood, remains intact as a further lighting device of the vehicle in a rear-end collision and thus can be used for warning purposes.

Advantageously, it can be checked on detection of a functioning lighting device, whether this is turned on within a certain period by a vehicle occupant. The further light is only then automatically controlled with the blinking routine, if this is not done, for example, within a predetermined period.

Advantageously, an accident sensor, an impact sensor and / or an acceleration sensor are used to detect a hazard, to detect as a hazard, an impact against the vehicle and / or a collision of the vehicle against an obstacle.

A defect in the lighting device is detected for example by a current monitoring of the lamp and reported via CAN bus to the control unit.

As a light source for the further light preferably at least one LED is used. This may be a visible, infrared and / or ultraviolet emitting LED.

By using an LED which emits in the visible range, an advantageous improvement in perception by other drivers can be achieved when the further lamp is actuated by the blinking routine, for example by increasing the lamp luminous flux compared to normal operation as a stop lamp.

When using an LED which emits in the non-visible range, functions can be provided in assistance systems of other vehicles, for example using a video or night-vision camera, in order to detect a danger.

As an additional light, an existing rotating beacon of the vehicle can be used.

Furthermore, it can be provided that, in the event of a further travel, the flashing routine is manually deactivated by actuation of a switch by the driver, automatically by restarting the control device and / or by detecting further travel by means of at least one sensor, for example a speed sensor.

For power supply at least one existing vehicle battery is used. By means of at least one sensor, for example a battery sensor, the current state of the detected at least one vehicle battery and adapted the control. Thus, at low voltage, the frequency of the flashing routine can be changed and / or the flashing routine can be deactivated to allow, for example, another vehicle start. Furthermore, an independent from the vehicle battery power supply can be advantageously provided, which is mounted for example in the other lamp.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

It shows:

1 an example of a possible arrangement of brake lights on a vehicle;

2 an example of a possible arrangement of brake lights, hazard warning lights and sensors of a vehicle;

3 a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention; and

4 an embodiment of a device suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments

1 shows a rear of a vehicle ( 103 ) with two side-mounted first lights ( 101 . 101b ). Further shows 1 another lamp ( 101c ), which is mounted in comparison to the other two lights mounted, here, for example. Centrally located in the upper part of the rear window ( 102 ).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the further luminaire ( 101c ) also in the lower area of the rear window ( 102 ), be mounted in the boot lid or at other advantageous positions.

Another embodiment leads the further lamp ( 101c ) in the form that the further lamp ( 101c ) is divided into at least two sub-elements. These sub-elements can, for example, in the interior of the vehicle or directly behind the rear window ( 102 ) to be appropriate.

In another embodiment, the further luminaire may also be a rotating beacon, which, for example, is mounted on the roof of the vehicle (FIG. 103 ) is mounted.

2 shows a vehicle ( 204 ) with two first lights ( 205a . 205b ). The vehicle ( 204 ) comprises at least one sensor ( 201 ). The at least one sensor ( 201 ) is advantageously, for example, at a position ( 201 (1) . 201 (2) . 201 (5) . 201 (6) ) mounted in a bumper of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the at least one sensor ( 201 ) at a position ( 201 (3) ) in the engine compartment of the vehicle ( 204 ) to be appropriate.

The at least one sensor ( 201 ) can also at a position ( 201 (4) ) in the interior of the vehicle ( 204 ) to be appropriate. The at least one sensor ( 201 ) is, for example, an accident sensor, an impact sensor and / or an acceleration sensor.

Another lamp ( 203 ) is in 2 in the lower part of the rear window of the vehicle ( 204 ) appropriate. This further lamp ( 203 ) is compared to the two lights ( 205a . 205b ) arranged increased. The two lights ( 205a . 205b ) are, for example, brake lights. The other lamp ( 203 ) is, for example, a third brake light.

The vehicle ( 204 ) comprises at least one control unit ( 202 ) for processing the input and output signals, for example. Sensor data, and signals for controlling actuators. The data is advantageously exchanged via a bus system, for example a CAN bus.

The vehicle ( 204 ) can be further lights ( 206a . 206b . 206c . 206d . 206e . 206f , etc.). These lights are, for example, hazard warning lights of the vehicle ( 204 ).

3 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. In a first step ( 301 ) is started in a vehicle, a monitoring for the detection of hazards.

In step ( 302 ), the current operating state of the vehicle is determined by means of at least one sensor. If there is no danger, this monitoring procedure is in step ( 303 ) completed.

If a hazard is detected, for example a collision of the vehicle against an obstacle and / or an impact against the vehicle and / or a defect on the vehicle, then in a further step ( 304 ) checked whether the hazard warning lights on and / or defective. If the hazard warning lights of the vehicle are intact and on, then this monitoring procedure is in step ( 306 ) completed.

In step ( 305 ) is checked whether the hazard warning lights off and / or is defective. With positive examination is then advantageously the third brake light independently controlled by a control unit of the vehicle with a flashing routine.

4 shows a possible embodiment of an apparatus for performing the method. A vehicle ( 404 ) comprises a control unit ( 402 ) for processing data, for example sensor data, and for controlling actuators. Preferably, the communication between the control unit ( 402 ) and the sensors and / or actuators via a bus system, eg. The CAN bus instead.

A driver ( 408 ) can with the vehicle ( 404 ) and / or the control unit ( 402 ) to interact. The driver ( 408 ) can, for example, the hazard warning lights ( 406 ) on or off and / or by pressing the brake, the brake light ( 405 ) turn on.

The vehicle ( 404 ) has at least one sensor ( 401 ). By means of the sensor ( 401 ) Hazardous situations can be detected. The sensor ( 401 ) may, for example, an accident sensor ( 401 (1) ), an impact sensor ( 401 (2) ) and / or an acceleration sensor ( 401 (n) ) be.

The control unit ( 402 ) evaluates the sensor signals ( 401 ) out. If a hazard is detected, then at least one lamp ( 403 ) independently controlled by the controller with a blinking routine.

This further lamp ( 403 ) may, for example, a third brake light of the vehicle ( 404 ) and / or a rotating beacon.

The flashing routine controls the light ( 403 ) so that it advantageously flashes with a frequency between 1 and 6 Hz.

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 102006049778 A1 [0003]
• DE 19511388 C1 [0004]

Claims (12)

A method of operating a vehicle having at least two lights mounted on the vehicle and a light mounted elevated relative to the two lights, the vehicle including at least one sensor for detecting operating conditions of the vehicle, wherein a control unit continuously processes the operating conditions and detects hazards, characterized in that in the case of a detected hazard, at least one lamp is independently controlled by the control unit with a blinking routine. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is checked in a detected hazard, if at least one of the attached lights is defective and / or off. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a danger case is an impact of the vehicle against an obstacle and / or an impact against the vehicle and / or a defect on the vehicle. Apparatus for operating a vehicle having at least two lights mounted on the vehicle and a light mounted elevated relative to the two lights, the vehicle including at least one sensor for detecting operating conditions of the vehicle, a control unit continuously processing the operating conditions and detecting danger events; characterized in that in the case of a detected hazard, at least one lamp is independently controlled by the control unit with a blinking routine. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least two attached lights brake lights and / or taillights and / or hazard warning lights of the vehicle. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounted in comparison with the two lights mounted light a third brake light and / or a rotating beacon. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection of sensor data and the control of the at least one lamp via a bus system and / or wirelessly. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sensor is mounted in a bumper, an engine compartment and / or an interior of the vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one sensor is an accident sensor and / or an impact sensor and / or an acceleration sensor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blinking routine increases the mounted in comparison to the two lamps mounted light so that it flashes with a frequency between 1 and 6 Hz. Computer program with program code means for carrying out all the steps of a method according to one of claims 1 to 3, when the computer program is executed on a computer or a corresponding computing unit. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable medium for carrying out all the steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 when a computer program according to claim 11 is executed on a computer or a corresponding computing unit.

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