DE102015016761A1 - Method for automatically issuing a warning message - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically outputting a warning message (W) in a vehicle (1) with a front passenger seat and a front passenger airbag (3), wherein a switch position of a key switch (4) arranged in the vehicle (1) for activating and deactivating the Passenger airbags (3) is detected. According to the invention, it is detected by means of an image acquisition unit (5) whether the passenger seat is occupied, wherein the switch position of the key switch (4) is compared with the seat occupancy with detected seat occupancy by a child seat or a vehicle occupant, wherein at a not corresponding to the detected seat occupancy switch position acoustic warning message (W) and an optical warning message (W) and a recommendation for action is issued.

Description

The invention relates to a method for automatically outputting a warning message in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

Vehicles with an occupant restraint device are known from the prior art. Activation and / or deactivation of the occupant restraint device, in particular a passenger airbag, takes place by means of an actuation of a key switch arranged in the vehicle. In particular, the occupant restraint device is deactivated when a rear-facing child seat is in a passenger seat. Here, the activation and / or deactivation of the occupant restraint device is optically output, for example by means of a lamp arranged in the vehicle.

The invention is based on the object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved method for automatically outputting a warning message in a vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the invention with the features specified in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In the method of automatically issuing a warning message in a vehicle having a passenger seat and a passenger airbag, a switch position of a vehicle-mounted key switch for activating and deactivating the passenger airbag is detected. According to the invention, it is detected by means of an image acquisition unit, whether the passenger seat is occupied, wherein the switch position of the key switch is compared with the seat occupancy with detected seat occupancy by a child seat or a vehicle occupant, wherein at a not corresponding to the detected seat occupancy switch position an audible warning and an optical warning and a recommendation for action is issued.

In this way, a wrong key switch position is avoided depending on the seat occupancy. In particular, a risk to the vehicle occupant, such as an adult or a child on a rear-facing child seat, on the vehicle seat in the event of an impact is reduced.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

Showing:

1 schematically a block diagram of a vehicle with a device for automatically outputting a passenger airbag warning message in a vehicle.

The only 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a device 2 for automatically dispensing at least one passenger airbag 3 relevant warning message W.

The device 2 includes a key switch 4 for manual activation and deactivation of the front passenger airbag 3 , Alternatively, the key switch 4 be designed as another suitable electrical switch, for example in the form of a key switch or a rotary switch.

The key switch 4 is operable only by an authorized person with the aid of a suitable key, in particular a vehicle key. For example, the passenger airbag 3 only with the vehicle 1 deactivated and reactivated at standstill and / or when the front passenger door is not open. This is the key switch 4 rotated by the vehicle key, for example, in an on or off switch position or position. To signal the activated and / or deactivated passenger airbag 3 becomes the switch position of the key switch 4 as an optical warning message W, for example by means of a vehicle 1 arranged lighting unit, output.

The passenger airbag 3 is deactivated, for example, when a child seat, not shown in detail, in particular a rear-facing child seat, on a passenger airbag 3 assigned vehicle seat is mounted. If the child seat is dismantled, the passenger airbag must be replaced 3 be reactivated before occupying a seat with another vehicle occupant, in particular an adult. Furthermore, the device comprises 2 an image capture unit 5 , which for detecting and detecting a seat occupancy of the passenger airbag 3 assigned vehicle seat is provided. For example, the image capture unit 5 in the interior of the vehicle 1 and includes a mono or stereo camera, a radar, a lidar or ultrasonic sensor. Alternatively or additionally, the image capture unit 5 be designed as another occupant detection unit, in particular occupant detection sensor and / or seat occupancy mat.

A control unit 6 the device 2 is for the evaluation of acquired information of the image acquisition unit 5 coupled with this. In particular, the control unit compares 6 collected information with predetermined comparison values. In addition, the control unit 6 with a number of output units 7 signal technology coupled so that vehicle-side information, such as vehicle functions and / or seat occupancy, a vehicle occupants are displayed. For example, the output unit is 7 a speaker, an imaging display unit or other suitable output device.

The following is a logic of a method for automatically outputting the warning message W in the vehicle 1 in the case of manual deactivation or activation of the passenger airbag 3 described.

In a seat occupancy of the passenger airbag 3 associated vehicle seat with the rearward child seat is the passenger airbag 3 deactivated before the start of the journey. That is, that the key switch 4 is turned to the off position, so in the case of impact injury, especially increased head loads, by triggering the passenger airbag 3 is avoided.

By means of the image acquisition unit 5 is the seat occupancy of the passenger airbag 3 detected, it is distinguished whether the vehicle seat is occupied by a forward or rearward child seat or other vehicle occupant. For example, the child seat or the vehicle occupant by means of an imaging imaging unit 5 detected. This information is provided by the control unit 6 evaluated, which recognizes the seat occupancy as a child seat or vehicle occupant based on the information collected.

To avoid wrong or not corresponding with the detected seat occupancy switch position of the key switch 4 the detected seat occupancy is compared with the switch position. When the compared information of predetermined comparison values of the control unit 6 deviate, is an automatic and visual, audible and / or haptic warning message W in the vehicle 1 output. Here, for example, a driver or the vehicle occupant is warned and / or asked the wrong switch position of the key switch 4 especially if the child seat is activated when the front passenger airbag is activated 3 or a vehicle occupant with the front passenger airbag deactivated 3 is detected.

The automatic warning message W and request is made by means of the output unit 7 output. For example, the warning message W will be a beep and / or a spoken message through the output device configured as a speaker 7 and / or as text, graphics and / or audiovisual sequence about the output unit designed as a display unit 7 transmitted. In addition, the warning message W can be output as a message in which the vehicle occupant, in particular the driver, is informed about risks of the wrong switch position in certain seat occupancy. In addition, the warning message W can be displayed as a guide to the correct setting of the switch position for certain seat occupancy.

After confirmation of the warning message W, in particular by correcting the switch position corresponding to the detected seat occupancy, the warning message W is terminated. This can be done by both the driver and the passenger. In this case, the driver or the passenger on the key switch 4 informed, for example, where this in the vehicle 1 arranged and how to operate.

By means of the method can switch positions of the key switch 4 avoiding risks for the child in the rear-facing child seat or for the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident. In particular, cases are covered and largely avoided, in which a proper adjustment of the switch position, for example, after installation or removal of the child seat forgotten and / or ignored.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

vehicle

2

contraption

3

Passenger airbag

4

key switch

5

Image capture unit

6

control unit

7

output unit

W

warning

Claims (2)

Method for automatically outputting a warning message (W) in a vehicle ( 1 ) with a front passenger seat and a passenger airbag ( 3 ), wherein a switch position of one in the vehicle ( 1 ) arranged key switch ( 4 ) for activating and deactivating the front passenger airbag ( 3 ), characterized in that by means of an image acquisition unit ( 5 ) is detected whether the passenger seat is occupied, wherein when detected seat occupancy by a child seat or a vehicle occupant, the switch position of the key switch ( 4 ) is compared with the seat occupancy, wherein at a not corresponding with the detected seat occupancy switch position an audible warning (W) and an optical warning message (W) and a recommendation for action is issued. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the warning message (W) is terminated by correcting the switch position.

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