DE102015203026A1 - Motor vehicle with ballast detection device and method for detecting ballast - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a ballast detection device (2) for avoiding damage to paintwork on motor vehicles and for increasing driving safety, comprising a wheel with a profiled tire which is covered by a mudguard at least in regions, a sensor (4, 14). , which is mounted in an area of the mudguard for the detection of a stone impact, and an evaluation device (3) which detects a gravel condition of a roadway to be traveled as a function of one or more detected rockfalls and which triggers a predetermined measure depending on the gravel condition. The invention further relates to a method for detecting ballast.

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device and a method for detecting ballast to avoid paint damage to motor vehicles and to increase driving safety.

The EP 1 867 545 A1 describes a rail vehicle with gravel flight detection. The ballast stones are thereby carried out by air forces caused by the rail vehicle Schleppströmung or by falling down of ice accumulation in winter from a traveled gravel bed. In this case, by means of at least one sound sensor or acceleration sensor which is arranged on the underbody of the rail vehicle, gravel stones striking the subsoil are detected acoustically and the detected signals are fed to a signal processing device which generates a gravel flight signal therefrom. The ballast signal indicates the loading of the subsoil with ballast stones. This can be represented as the number of gravel strikes per unit of time and thus their frequency. If the ballast signal exceeds a predetermined safety value, then an optical and / or acoustic warning signal can be output and the ballast signal can continue to enter into an operating mode of the rail vehicle. Here, the speed can be automatically reduced. Next can be determined by the gravel flight track sections with a high gravel tendency.

The US 2010/0127133 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for detecting impacts of particles, in particular ballast stones, in areas of a vehicle to be monitored, in particular of a rail vehicle. The ballast stones are carried out by a Luftsog of the rail vehicle from a busy ballast bed. The impacts of the ballast stones are detected not with sound sensors but with vibration sensors, which are arranged in direct contact with the areas to be monitored. Furthermore, fast video cameras can be provided which are aligned with the areas to be monitored and whose video data is temporarily stored. After the impact of one of the ballast stones, the video data of the capture video cameras can be evaluated specifically.

The DE 103 40 222 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for theoretically assessing the risk of stone damage to a motor vehicle during its design phase. The assessment is made on the basis of a data model, wherein the data model comprises a surface model for at least part of an outer surface of the motor vehicle. The risk of damage is indicated at different points of impact of the outer surface as a function of at least one baffle angle. The impact angle is the angle between a throw line of a particle that causes the stone chipping, and a tangent at the point of impact of the outer surface of the motor vehicle.

The DE 28 27 845 A1 , the DE 10 2005 054 381 A1 , the DE 102 57 795 A1 , the DE 33 43 402 C2 and the DE 92 00 318.4 show different trim elements for motor vehicles to prevent damage, especially for the wheel arch, the underbody and / or the body parts of the motor vehicle, the impact of particles, in particular of gravel and / or crushed stone, are exposed.

The EP 0 456 164 B1 , the EP 2 368 781 B1 and the DE 10 2004 041 090 A1 describe structural changes, in particular by bead and or impact elements for motor vehicles or rail vehicles, with which an impact of particles, especially gravel and / or crushed stone, is held by other vehicle components.

The DE 198 17 567 C2 , the DE 298 07 563 U1 and the EP 1 360 105 B1 disclose wheel arches or wheel house shells as mechanical devices for preventing damage caused by impacts of particles, in particular gravel and / or chippings, on motor vehicles, wherein the devices additionally insulate the sound generated by the impacts.

The present invention has for its object to provide a motor vehicle and a method for detecting a gravel condition of a road surface.

The object is achieved by a motor vehicle having a device and by a corresponding method according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the subclaims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device
a wheel with a profiled tire, which is covered by a fender, at least in certain areas,
a sensor for mounting in a region of the mudguard, wherein the sensor for detecting a rockfall is formed in the region of the mudguard and an evaluation device which detects a gravel condition of a roadway to be traveled as a function of one or more detected stone chips and which depends on the ballast condition a predetermined Action triggers.

With such a motor vehicle, it is possible for the first time to reliably inform a vehicle driver about the gravel condition of a roadway and thus about a hazard to the motor vehicle and / or trigger measures against rockfalls, which are explained below. By means of information about the gravel condition, the driver can adjust his driving behavior such that damage to body components is reduced and driving safety is increased. The automatically triggered measures also serve to reduce damage to body components, ie the value retention of the motor vehicle, and the increase in driving safety.

High-quality motor vehicles have an acoustic insulation. An acoustic insulation in the area of the mudguard dampens the impact sound or the vibrations of gravel particles in the event of rockfall in such a way that a vehicle driver can hardly perceive such an impact acoustically. With the ballast detection device integrated in the motor vehicle, it is ensured that a roadway having gravel is reliably detected, so that suitable measures can be taken.

If gravel is on a road, the adhesion of a motor vehicle to the road surface is reduced, which impairs driving safety. Furthermore, gravel particles can be whirled up when driving over, which can damage the body components of motor vehicles.

Gravel or gravel particles are solid, loose and / or granular particles, wherein the term "gravel" all understood by a profiled tire particles are understood regardless of their consistency, such as. As gravel, grit, sand, hail, sleet, fruit pits, tree fruits such as chestnuts, etc.

On the body components of a motor vehicle incident gravel particles or impacting gravel is referred to as rockfall. Such stone chips damage the surface of body components depending on speed, weight (mass), momentum, shape or outer shape (protruding points, sharp edges), hardness and angle of impact of the respective ballast particle and surface hardness of the body component.

The gravel condition describes the condition of a roadway with respect to the gravel thereon. In particular, the gravel condition may include the number of particles per surface of the roadway. This gravel condition can be further provided with one or more of the information consistency, size, weight (mass), shape or outer shape and / or hardness. From the gravel condition, a hazard value for a motor vehicle can be derived. The greater the value of the gravel condition, the greater the risk to the motor vehicle from falling rocks or from an unstable driving situation.

The mudguard is a body component and may include a wheel arch that partially covers or surrounds one or more wheels of the motor vehicle and an outer body portion that forms part of the outer skin of the motor vehicle.

The wheel arch or wheel housing is the housing in which the one or more wheels are located, or the recess on a pontoon body of a motor vehicle in which the wheels are arranged.

The fender area or the area of the fender comprises the fender itself, its fastening elements and attachments, a section of a subfloor adjacent to the wheel arch with attachments, such as possibly side skirts, front apron, rear apron, etc., as well as wheel suspensions or axle constructions of the motor vehicle.

In a motor vehicle with profiled tires, particles are whirled up or thrown upwards by the mechanical action of a tire profile of the wheel by catching the respective particle of edges and / or cuts in the tire profile and / or taking it by adhesion to the tire. The throwing-off takes place in such a way that a particle is thrown tangentially away from the tire surface. The motor vehicle meets by its driving movement with the thrown up particles together, the relative speed between the particle and the motor vehicle at a constant speed of the vehicle is determined mainly by the driving speed of the motor vehicle. When accelerating the motor vehicle, the tire can slip against the road surface, whereby particles can be thrown against the direction of travel.

In the prior art explained at the outset, sensors for detecting a stone chip on rail vehicles are present. In rail vehicles particles are whirled up chaotically only by air suction or the air forces caused by the rail vehicle drag flow. There is no active throwing away on the road, here a rail, located loose particles in the direction of the provided with the sensors body components of the rail vehicle instead. The flight direction of the whirled up Particles are instead aligned in a variety of directions by the vortex formation of the air suction, so that the relative movement between the rail vehicle and the raised by means of a profiled tire particle differs significantly. In motor vehicles, air turbulence also occurs, but the upward movement of the particles on the fender causes the flight path of the particles to be so short that the air turbulence has no great influence on the particles impinging on the motor vehicle.

Preferably, a vibration sensor, in particular a sound sensor or a vibration sensor, or a pressure sensor is provided as a sensor.

In the area of the mudguard on the body impacting rockfall produces characteristic vibrations in the form of individual vibration pulses. The vibration pulses are occurring structure-borne noise in the form of sound pulses, vibrations or pressure curves of a contact pressure. Such detection of rockfalls can therefore be carried out very precisely by means of vibration or pressure sensors. The vibration sensor is a vibration sensor that can detect vibrations that are not audible sound.

Several pressure sensors can be used in the form of a sensor mat.

By means of such a sensor mat rockfalls can be detected at different locations or over a larger area in the area of the fender, so that a precise detection and thus improved evaluation of the rockfalls is made possible.

Preferably, the vibration sensor is coupled directly to the mudguard for the detection of structure-borne noise.

Since gravel often hits the fender, the detection of the stone chips can be improved by such a coupling and thus perform their evaluation more precisely.

Preferably, the evaluation device has a vibration analysis device with which typical for rockfalls vibration pulses or vibration signals detected and evaluated as a rockfall of the evaluation.

By distinguishing the rockfall typical vibration pulses or vibration signals of vibration pulses or vibration signals, which are affected by the impact of other particles such. As splashes, which is whirled up from the wheel, rainfall, insects, bird droppings, etc. are generated, it is ensured that only stone chips are evaluated. With it, rockfalls are evaluated precisely.

A vibration pulse is understood to mean a vibration signal of a single rockfall. Pressure curves can be processed analogously to the progressions of vibration pulses or vibration signals.

In a further embodiment, the motor vehicle has a movable baffle which is movable in response to a rockfall detected by the ballast detection device.

If rockfall detected, then the baffle plate can be moved so that it prevents rockfall on the body of the motor vehicle by shielding these body parts of the rockfall. The baffle plate thus blocks the trajectory of the ballast particles so that they impinge on the baffle instead of impacting sensitive surfaces of body components and damaging them. The baffle or the baffle plate is preferably made of a shock-absorbing material, so that the particles bounce off with less energy and thus this kinetic energy is taken.

The motor vehicle preferably has an output device for outputting an optical and / or acoustic warning signal.

By issuing such a warning signal, the driver is informed of the occurrence of a rockfall and can take further action, such. As a change of lane, a reduction in speed and / or increasing the distance to the person in front to reduce the impact on his motor vehicle rockfalls and to increase driving safety. In addition, with the warning signal the vehicle driver information about the type, the impulse and / or the number of stone chips are issued. This allows the vehicle driver z. B. informed of a strong rockfall with much impact energy as well as an interval of several closely spaced smaller rockfalls.

In a method according to the invention for detecting ballast for a motor vehicle, a ballast detection device is used. The ballast detection device has a sensor which is mounted in a region of a fender of a motor vehicle, wherein the fender partially covers a profiled tire of a wheel of the motor vehicle. The sensor detects rockfalls in the area of the mudguard. With an evaluation device is detected depending on one or more detected rockfalls a gravel condition of a roadway and triggered a predetermined measure depending on the gravel condition.

• – Ausgeben einer Warnmeldung,
• – maximales Geradestellen der Räder,
• – Anpassen der Lenkradsteuerung auf indirekte Lenkübertragung,
• – Reduzierung der Fahrgeschwindigkeit,
• – Reduzierung der maximalen Antriebsmomente,
• – Vergrößerung des Abstandes zum vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug,
• – Überprüfen der Fahrspuren und ggfs. Wechseln der Fahrspur,
• – Ausfahren eines Prallbleches,
• – Absenden einer Nachricht an weitere Fahrzeuge und/oder an einen externen Server, wobei mit der Nachricht der Schotterzustand beschrieben wird.

The predetermined measure may include one or more of the following measures:

• - Issue a warning,
• - maximum straightness of the wheels,
• Adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission,
• - reduction of driving speed,
• - reduction of the maximum drive torques,
• - increasing the distance to the vehicle in front,
• - Checking the lanes and, if necessary, changing the lane,
• - extension of a baffle,
• Sending a message to other vehicles and / or to an external server, the message describing the gravel condition.

By issuing a warning message, the driver is informed of rockfalls so that he can take measures as already explained above.

Due to the maximum straightening of the wheels, it can be largely avoided that gravel particles are laterally thrown so that they laterally arranged on the motor vehicle body components such. As the doors, the side skirts, etc., damage.

By adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission superfluous steering movements are avoided and thus reduces the number of laterally thrown off ballast particles. Furthermore, the driving safety is increased by an indirect steering transmission by slightly dampening abrupt steering movements, d. H. reduced in speed and deflection, are transmitted to the steered wheels of the motor vehicle. As a result, the risk is reduced that occurring lateral acceleration forces exceed the adhesive force of the motor vehicle on the road and the vehicle gets into an unstable driving situation.

A reduction in the driving speed or a reduction in the maximum drive torque reduces the number of scattered ballast particles and their speed and thus their impact intensity. Also, a reduced speed of driving safety during braking and steering operations and a reduction in the maximum drive torque driving safety during acceleration processes serve. This makes it unlikely that occurring longitudinal acceleration forces exceed the adhesive force of the motor vehicle on the road.

Increasing the distance to the vehicle in front reduces the chance of impact of ballast particles thrown off the preceding vehicle.

If adjacent or adjacent lanes are present, leading in the same direction, then the vehicle can automatically change the lane after checking whether the secondary lane is free of other road users. On the secondary lane, the presence of gravel can be detected again and, if the secondary lane is provided with more gravel, be changed back to the original lane.

By extending a baffle plate, the surface of body parts of the motor vehicle is protected, as already explained above.

The sending of a message to other vehicles and / or to an external server, which is included with the message of the gravel condition, serves the information and thus the value preservation and driving safety of motor vehicles subsequent or further road users. The message can be transmitted to an external server in a car-2-car communication and / or for later processing, in particular for route planning operations.

The measures explained above can thus serve to preserve the value and / or the driving safety of one's own motor vehicle and / or motor vehicles of other road users in areas exposed to gravel particles.

Preferably, the evaluation device triggers the predetermined measure depending on the intensity and / or frequency of detected rockfalls.

This ensures that the predetermined measure is only triggered when the gravel condition of the traveled road section or the traveled location has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

The evaluation device records a vibration signal generated by the sensor within a predetermined time interval or over a predetermined path and stores it. Thereafter, the evaluation device compares the stored vibration signal by means of a pattern comparison with stored vibration patterns of rockfalls such that it determines one or more oscillation signal-like oscillation patterns, wherein the stored Vibrational patterns gravel conditions are assigned. Then the evaluation determines the gravel condition of the roadway based on the gravel conditions of the or the similar vibration pattern.

The term "vibration pattern" is understood here to mean patterns of vibrations, such as sounds, noises, vibrations, vibrations, and patterns of pressure curves.

Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation device can record vibration pulses of individual rockfalls and link them to the vehicle speed. The evaluation device then statistically analyzes a plurality of oscillation pulses, in particular with regard to their frequency, average rockfall intensity and average rockfall velocity, in order to determine the gravel condition from statistical parameters determined therefrom.

By the pattern comparison and / or the statistical evaluation of the gravel condition of a roadway can be precisely detected.

The rockfall speed is the relative velocity between the motor vehicle and the particle impacting the motor vehicle.

Preferably, the method is used for detecting ballast in the above-described motor vehicle, which is provided with the ballast detection device.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show in:

1 1 schematically the construction of a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device,

2 schematically a rear portion of a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device,

3A . 3B a method for detecting ballast for a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device in a flow chart,

4 schematically a forward moving motor vehicle in a side view, and

5 schematically two consecutive and forward moving motor vehicles in a side view.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a motor vehicle with a ballast detection device for detecting ballast will be explained.

A motor vehicle 1 is with a ballast detection device 2 for determining on the motor vehicle 1 imparting gravel particles ( 1 . 2 ). The ballast detection device 2 has an evaluation device 3 which is a computer having a CPU memory device and appropriate interfaces and the ballast detection device 2 centrally controls.

The ballast detection device 2 has a vibration sensor 4 on, which is designed as a sound sensor or vibration sensor and with the evaluation 3 connected is. The vibration sensor 4 is in a fender 5 arranged. The fender 5 includes a wheel arch 6 , the one wheel 7 of the motor vehicle 1 partially covers, and an outer body section 8th , which is a part of the outer skin of the motor vehicle 1 forms. The vibration sensor 4 is on the peripheral surface of the wheel arch 6 coupled and recorded its structure-borne sound. When a particle hits 9 on the motor vehicle 1 be in the area of the fender 5 generates acoustic signals.

The area of the fender, that of the vibration sensor 4 is monitored while it includes the fender 5 itself, its fasteners and attachments, one to the wheel arch 6 adjacent section of a subfloor with attachments, such as possibly side skirts, front bumper, rear bumper, and wheel suspensions or axle designs of the motor vehicle 1 ,

The ballast detection device 2 has a memory device 10 on that with the evaluation device 3 connected is. In the storage device 10 is a database stored in the for different particles 9 that may impact the body components, descriptive information stored as particle information associated with associated rating information. In particular, the particle information includes vibration patterns that are characteristic of impacting ballast particles. The associated assessment information includes information regarding the gravel condition, the damage to the respective body component by incident particles 9 and / or the impairment of driving safety by the respective particles 9 describe. Next, in the storage device 10 while driving measured data collected impinging particles 9 stored with other parameters as stone chipping information.

On the evaluation device 3 software modules are stored and executable. The software modules include a capture module and a Assessment module. The detection module is designed such that it by the vibration sensors 4 receives detected vibration pulses or vibration signals and associated with other parameters as rockfall information in the memory device 10 stores. The evaluation module is designed such that it is in the storage device 10 read stored rockfall information and analyzed with the help of the particle information stored there and evaluated with the associated evaluation information stored there. These software modules represent a vibration analysis device.

• – zumindest einen Schwingungsparameter,
• – Uhrzeit (Zeitstempel), ggf. mit Datum,
• – Geschwindigkeit des Kraftfahrzeugs 1.

The detection module stores the vibration pulses or vibration signals with the following parameters, the parameter values of which are detected at the time of the occurrence of the vibration pulse or oscillation signal, as rockfall information in the memory device 10 :

• At least one vibration parameter,
• - time (time stamp), possibly with date,
• - Speed of the motor vehicle 1 ,

The vibration parameter is a parameter describing the vibration, such. As the sound (frequency or frequency response), the volume (maximum and / or average) or the damping.

The time is from the detection module from a clock (not shown) of the motor vehicle 1 with which the evaluation device 3 is connected via a data connection, read out.

Next is the evaluation 3 with a speed sensor 11 connected to the motor vehicle 1 is provided. The speed of the motor vehicle 1 At the time of the oscillation pulse or oscillation signal is stored by the detection module and can thus be included in the analysis or evaluation of the stone chipping information by the evaluation module.

Furthermore, the evaluation device 3 with output devices in the form of a display device 12 (Optical output device) and / or a speaker 13 (Acoustic output device) connected in the interior of the motor vehicle 1 are located.

The following is a method for detecting gravel for the motor vehicle 1 that with the above-mentioned ballast detection device 2 is explained in more detail, the method by means of the above-mentioned ballast detection device 2 is performed. The method for detecting ballast comprises two sub-processes ( 3A and 3B ), the in 3A represented part of the method of the acquisition module and in 3B Part of the method performed by the evaluation module.

The following explains the procedure performed by the acquisition module ( 3A ).

The process starts in step S1. If a particle hits in step S2 9 in the area of the fender 5 on the body of the motor vehicle 1 , so the resulting vibration pulse from the vibration sensor 4 recorded and to the detection module of the evaluation device 3 transmitted. Exceeds the volume of the vibration pulse of the particle in step S2 9 a predetermined trigger threshold, then the detection module is triggered so that step S3 is executed. The volume of the trigger threshold is greater than background noise caused by driving and engine noise, but so small that impinging particles 9 be reliably recognized.

In step S3, the detection module records the course of the vibration sensor for a predetermined time interval 4 transmitted vibration signal in the memory device 10 or stores it in the storage device 10 and determines further parameters. The course of the oscillation signal is sampled and digitized for storage. The length of the predetermined time interval is constant or can be determined as a function of the vehicle speed. During the time interval, all the vibration pulses of the particles impinging during this time interval become 9 recorded or saved. The other parameters that are determined by the detection module, the time and the speed of the motor vehicle 1 , The recorded vibration signal combined with these other parameters represents a rockfall information.

Thereafter, step S4 is executed in which the detection module finishes recording the vibration signal and links it to the other parameters as rockfall information as a tuple in the memory device 10 stores.

Then, step S5 is executed, in which it is checked whether the operation is to be continued. If the operation continues, then step S2 is executed again. If the operation does not continue, then the process ends in step S6.

If it is determined in step S2 that none of the vibration sensor 4 detected vibration signal or detected vibration signal is transmitted, that is, that the detection module is not triggered, the method goes directly to step S5.

The procedure followed by the assessment module is explained below ( 3B ).

The process starts in step S10. In step S11, the evaluation module reads in the storage device 10 stored rockfall information and cleans up the memory by storing outdated rockfall information from the storage device 10 away. Obsolete rockfall information here is stonechip information acquired at a time more than a predetermined period of time ago. The time difference exceeded in this case can be determined by the evaluation module as a function of the current speed of the motor vehicle 1 be determined. The time difference preferably comprises a time interval of 0.1 s to 10 s. The garbage collection allows only rockfall information in the storage device 10 remain and be evaluated at the current position of the motor vehicle 1 relevant, and at the same time the memory device 10 not overflowed by the stored rockfall information.

This is followed by the execution of step S12 in which the evaluation module stores the data in the memory device 10 stored (relevant) rockfall information analyzed and calculates a gravel condition for the road on which the motor vehicle 1 emotional.

In order to analyze the rockfall information, the evaluation module reads it from the storage device 10 out. Furthermore, the evaluation module reads out the particle information, which in particular includes vibration patterns for impinging ballast particles.

Rockfall, precipitation or other particles that strike a body component are distinguished by the resulting vibration signal, which is characterized by sound (frequency or frequency response), volume (amplitude) and damping, and the resulting vibration vibration patterns. Here, a rockfall is the impact of one or more gravel particles, such. As gravel, grit, sand, hail, sleet, fruit pits, tree fruits such as chestnuts, etc. About the vibration pattern of the stone chipping of other impinging particles, the no risk to the motor vehicle 1 mean how B. water drops (by rain, spray, etc.) can be distinguished.

The vibration patterns can be determined by empirically detecting vibrations, such as sounds, noises, vibrations, vibrations, impinging particles 9 determine, for. B. by driving over different lying on different types of roadway particles 9 with different vehicle speed and recording the occurring vibration patterns. The vibration patterns are combined with other parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the nature of the particle 9 or gravel particles (gravel, grit, sand, hail, sleet, fruit pits, tree crops such as chestnuts, etc.) and its number per lane surface, and stored with evaluation information that includes the gravel condition.

The parameters sound (frequency or frequency response), volume (amplitude) and damping are dependent on various other parameters such as rockfall speed and rockfall angle of the respective particle 9 , its weight (mass), momentum, shape or outer shape, hardness as well as surface hardness and damping value of the body component to which the particle 9 incident.

Through the non-slipping wheel 7 become particles lying on the road surface 9 , in particular ballast particles, by mechanical action of the tire tread and / or adhesion to the tire upwards and partially in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 1 emotional. Becomes a particle 9 sufficiently high in the trajectory of body parts of the motor vehicle 1 lifted or whirled up, then he encounters the respective body component. "Sufficient high" here means that the particle 9 is accelerated downwards by gravity and must therefore be raised to a certain height to the motor vehicle 1 to be able to strike.

By means of a simulation similar to that in DE 103 40 222 A1 described method, the rockfall areas can be detected in the construction phase, which are particularly at risk and / or in which rockfalls predominantly occur. Such rockfall areas can be determined on the basis of the distribution of occurring rockfalls in the computer-aided simulation and verified by empirical methods using prototypes. Structural sound measurements can be carried out in these rockfall areas. Preferably, such structural sound measurements are at least in the area of the wheel house 6 carried out. By means of structural noise measurements, in particular the attenuation and reflection values of each individual body component can be determined at the respective points at which particles impinge.

The rockfall speed is the relative speed between the motor vehicle 1 and the respective particle 9 , The higher the rockfall velocity, the greater the momentum of the impinging particle 9 and thus the volume of the impact. The rockfall speed is determined by the vehicle speed influenced, since the motor vehicle 1 on the particle raised sufficiently high 9 moved and the vehicle speed is much greater than the particle velocity.

By a pattern comparison of the recorded vibration signals with the stored vibration patterns, the evaluation module determines whether the vibration signal is caused by rockfalls or not. In this case, the evaluation module compares all in the storage device 10 present records individually with the stored vibration patterns. If the respective vibration signal is caused by rockfalls, it is determined by what kind of ballast particles it comes from. To increase the accuracy of the evaluation module can also combine several temporally successive records together and compare the combined recording with the stored vibration patterns. The stored vibration patterns recorded at predetermined velocities are interpolated in the pattern comparison in recording length, rockfall intensity (amplitude), sound (frequency) and / or rockfall frequency until at least one of the various vibration patterns approximates the pattern of the recorded vibration signal this is similar.

The vibration patterns are linked with the respective vehicle speed applied thereto and the respective ballast condition stored as evaluation information. The evaluation module reads this information from the memory device for the similar vibration pattern 10 and thus determines the gravel condition.

If the vehicle speed stored associated with the appropriate vibration pattern deviates from the vehicle speed stored associated with the vibration signal, the evaluation module may determine the ballast condition by interpolating the value of the ballast condition of the similar vibration pattern via the associated vehicle speed to the vehicle speed stored associated with the vibration signal. In the case of interpolation, the evaluation module can also have other similar vibration patterns, for example with the same type of particles 9 like the similar vibration pattern, involve in the interpolation of the gravel condition.

Thereafter, the procedure goes to the execution of step S13, in which the evaluation module checks whether a threat to the motor vehicle 1 by rockfall or not. For this purpose, the gravel condition is evaluated with reference to the vehicle speed.

If the evaluation module determines that there is a risk of falling rocks, this is followed by the execution of step S14, in which the assessment module initiates predetermined measures that reduce the risk of falling rocks. The evaluation module gives a warning message on the display device 12 and / or on the speaker 13 out to inform the driver about rockfalls so that he can take further action.

Thereafter, step S15 is executed, in which it is checked whether the operation is to be continued. If the operation continues, then step S11 is executed again. If the operation does not continue, then the process ends in step S16.

If it is determined by the assessment module in step S13 that there is no risk of falling rocks, then the process flow proceeds to step S17, in which previously initiated measures are reset or withdrawn. The warning message on the display device 12 and / or on the speaker 13 will be terminated. If no action has been initiated or no actions are to be reset or canceled, no action is taken by the scoring module.

After the execution of step S17, step S15 is executed.

Is the motor vehicle 1 while still resting, z. B. at a red light or in a traffic jam, the clearing of the memory in step S11 is not performed to a gravel condition for a period of time or a distance immediately before the stoppage of the motor vehicle 1 to be able to determine.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 explained with a ballast detection device.

This embodiment is similar in construction to the first embodiment and includes the same devices, devices, devices, etc., wherein the same reference numerals are used for the same parts already explained above. In 1 are the additional sensors of the second embodiment with a dashed line with the evaluation 3 connected.

The vibration sensor 4 of the first embodiment may also be omitted in this embodiment.

The evaluation device 3 is with a sensor mat 14 which includes a plurality of pressure sensors (not shown) ( 1 and 2 ). The sensor mat 14 is in the wheel arch 6 arranged so that they are the wheel 7 covering at least in certain areas. Preferably, the sensor mat 14 in the rear of the wheelhouse 6 above the wheel 7 and / or behind the wheel 7 arranged, so covers the rear of the wheel 7 off, since most particles 9 when driving forward of the motor vehicle 1 on the back of the wheel arch 6 incident. Arrives from the bike 7 thrown off particles 9 on the sensor mat 14 , One or more of the pressure sensors contained therein at an appropriately occurred pressure, an electrical signal which is proportional to the pressure encountered or to its course, to the evaluation 3 out.

The above for the vibration sensors 4 explained method by pattern comparison can with the sensor mat 14 be carried out accordingly. The course of the pressure signal corresponds to the course of the vibration signal and is also sampled and digitized for storage.

Includes the sensor mat 14 a plurality of pressure sensors then the course of the pressure signal of each individual pressure sensor or the curves of the pressure signals of a plurality of pressure sensors combined can be recorded combined and / or evaluated.

Preferably, for the method explained above, the progressions of the pressure signals of a plurality of pressure sensors combined are recorded or stored and evaluated, while preferably the progressions of the pressure signals of several pressure sensors are individually recorded or stored and evaluated when carrying out the statistical method explained below.

Advantage of using the sensor mat 14 opposite the vibration sensor 4 is that with a suitable choice of pressure sensors and the material of the sensor mat 14 the pressure signal is less complex than the vibration signal, since the pressure signal has no or lower reflections and / or resonances. Particularly in the case of mechanically rigid pressure sensors, natural oscillations or reverberation effects occur only slightly. As the sensor mat 14 as a flexible component often has higher damping values than the fender 5 , occurring reflections and resonances are reduced.

Another advantage of the sensor mat 14 with multiple pressure sensors is that of impinging particles 9 the rockfall on the sensor mat 14 can be captured and stored. The location of a pressure sensor that has detected a rockfall represents the location of the rockfall.

The rockfall of a particle 9 depends on a place where the particle is 9 the wheel 7 leaves. At constant vehicle speed, therefore, the rockfall location is essentially determined by tire properties, and by particle properties, such as air resistance and weight (mass). The rockfall locations and in particular their distribution on the sensor mat 14 when hitting several particles 9 can therefore be determined empirically for each particle type in advance and in the memory device 10 are stored in order to be taken into account in the determination of the particle type in step S12. The rockfall site can be evaluated in particular with the statistical method for determining particle properties, which is explained below.

The above-explained devices and the above-described methods for detecting gravel can be modified in various ways, with some of these modifications being explained below.

As an alternative to the pattern comparison explained above, individual rockfalls and their temporal course can be statistically evaluated and, based on the statistical evaluation, a calculation of the gravel condition and endangerment value can be made, as explained below.

In this case, the detection module detects in step S3 the oscillation pulses of the motor vehicle 1 impinging particles 9 individually. The vibration pulses of the individual particles 9 are digitized and individually as rockfall information along with a timestamp in a tuple in the storage device 10 saved. In this case, the tuple in addition to other parameters, such as vehicle speed, location of the motor vehicle 1 and / or the rockfall location of the particle 9 on the motor vehicle 1 , include. The vehicle speed may also be stored as a function of speed versus time. The speed can then later be assigned to the individual tuples based on the stored time and the speed function. Alternatively, the vehicle speed may also be stored such that the speed value or speed function is assignable to a plurality of tuples. The location of the motor vehicle 1 is doing by a navigation device 15 read that with the evaluation device 3 connected is.

The vibration pulses of the individual impacts of particles 9 in the storage device 10 are initially analyzed by the evaluation module in step S12, with their sound (frequency or frequency response), volume (amplitude) and / or damping determined as the maximum and / or mean value.

Dependencies are explained below, which serve as a basis for the statistical evaluation of the individual vibration pulses and can be determined quantitatively by means of previously determined empirical data.

As already explained above, the vehicle speed is the essential determinant of the rockfall speed. A higher rockfall speed causes greater damage to the body components than a lower rockfall speed. The rockfall velocity determines the rockfall intensity (momentum) and thus the volume (amplitude) of impinging particles 9 , Therefore, the rockfall intensity and the volume of impacting particles are 9 proportional to the vehicle speed. In this case, the mean volume of the oscillation pulses, which is dependent on the vehicle speed, can be set to the mean mass of the impinging particles 9 shut down. From the distribution of the volume of the vibration pulses can be on the mass distribution of the impinging particles 9 shut down.

From the average mass and the mass distribution or from the average mass and the frequency of the impacts can be concluded on the particle type.

Drives the motor vehicle 1 faster, the speed of rotation of the wheels increases 7 and there are more particles 9 lifted or whirled up from the road and these are raised higher. Consequently, more particles per unit time hit the motor vehicle at higher vehicle speeds 1 on than at lower vehicle speed. The number of particles moving upwards or whirling up and thus impinging 9 per unit of time is therefore proportional to the vehicle speed.

This means that the vibration pulses or vibration signals can be evaluated as a function of speed.

Heavier particles 9 Because of their higher mass, they are not moved as far up or swirled up as lighter particles 9 , The number of particles moving upwards and thus impinging 9 per unit time is therefore inversely proportional to the particle weight (particle mass).

The more liftable particles 9 lying on the road, the more particles 9 meet the motor vehicle 1 on. The number of impinging particles 9 per unit of time is therefore proportional to the number of particles lying on the roadway 9 ,

The number of impinging particles 9 per unit of time depends on other parameters or properties, such as tire geometry, vehicle geometry, adhesion to the tire (material, temperature, humidity), friction of the wheel, etc.

In particular, the rockfall on the motor vehicle 1 depending on where the respective particle 9 leaves the tire. The respective rockfall location is characteristic for the respective particle type and their size or weight (mass). The distribution of rockfall places depends on the respective particle type. Such distributions can be determined empirically for each type of particle and the particular tire used or the particular type of tire used.

From the frequency of impacts of the particles 9 whose mean mass and vehicle speed can be reduced to the number of particles 9 close per area on the roadway. The number of particles 9 per area on the road is proportional to the frequency of impacts. The lower the average mass of the particles 9 , the more particles 9 are raised and the more particles 9 meet the motor vehicle 1 on. The higher the vehicle speed, the more particles 9 meet the motor vehicle 1 on.

Regulations or calculation steps can be extracted from the relationships explained above, by means of which the statistical evaluation of the individual oscillation pulses is carried out and from this the gravel condition of the roadway and the endangerment value for the motor vehicle 1 be calculated.

Thus, several oscillation pulses can be statistically analyzed, in particular with regard to their frequency, average rockfall intensity and average rockfall velocity, in order to determine the gravel condition from the statistical parameters explained above. Key parameters of the gravel condition are the number of particles 9 per area on the carriageway and their average mass.

The endangerment value is mainly determined by the rockfall velocity and the average mass of the particles 9 ie from the rockfall intensity.

Hereinafter, further modifications will be explained.

Preferably, all wheel arches 6 all wheels 7 with vibration sensors 4 and / or with sensor mats 14 provided, since then all incident particles 9 can be detected reliably.

Several vibration sensors 4 and / or multiple sensor mats 14 can on the left and be provided on the right side of the vehicle. If such sensors are present on the left and right side of the vehicle, then it can be determined by comparing the rockfalls detected on the respective vehicle sides, whether the entire roadway or only a left or only a right section of the roadway is contaminated by gravel. Also, stone chipping information and the gravel condition can be determined individually for the left and right lane sections. This information can also be transmitted as a message, as explained below.

Additionally or alternatively, the number of revolutions of the wheels 7 detected by wheel speed sensors and by the evaluation 3 accepted, stored and taken into account in the evaluation. In particular, in this case slipping wheels 7 be recognized and higher velocity incident particles 9 in the assessment of the gravel condition or the endangerment of the motor vehicle 1 to be taken into account.

Are on the vehicle 1 in the area of a fender 5 or in the wheel arch 6 several vibration sensors 4 provided, the acquisition module in step S3 additionally in about the rockfall locations of the impinging particles 9 determine via a transit time measurement of the vibration signals and in the memory device 10 to save.

If the rockfall locations detected, then in addition in the storage device 10 the body parts descriptive data are stored, which indicate a damage potential for each body component or for each area of a body component. As a result, expected damage to the body components can be estimated by the evaluation device in step S13 by extrapolation.

In addition, the rockfall sites and in particular their distribution when hitting several particles 9 be determined empirically for each particle type in advance and taken into account in the determination of the particle type in step S12.

Alternatively, steps S11 and S12 may also be performed together in one step, thereby reducing the number of memory accesses needed.

Alternatively, a simple determination of the gravel condition can be effected by the number of entries of relevant rockfall information in the storage device during the recording and storage of individual oscillation pulses 10 is counted and combined with the reciprocal of the vehicle speed.

The pattern comparison can be combined with the statistical evaluation to more accurately determine the gravel condition. For this, preferably both through the entire impinging particles 9 resulting vibration signal as well as that through the individual particles 9 resulting vibration pulses recorded and in the storage device 10 stored and processed, as explained above. The vibration signal of the total incident particles may alternatively be that of the individual particles 9 recorded vibration pulses are combined on the basis of their time stamp.

In 1 are the additional devices or devices of the modifications with a dotted line with the evaluation 3 connected.

Is the evaluation device 3 additionally with the navigation device 15 connected, it may perform the recording of the course of the vibration signal over a predetermined distance instead of for a predetermined time interval in step S3.

The length of the predetermined path is constant or can be determined as a function of the vehicle speed.

Is the evaluation device 3 additionally with the navigation device 15 connected, so the detection module in step S3 from the navigation device 15 the respective location of the motor vehicle 1 at which a rockfall has occurred, determine and together with the other parameters as rockfall information in step S4 in the memory device 10 to save. Such stored location information may serve the scoring module to provide rockfall information from the storage device in step S11 10 to remove if the current location of the motor vehicle 1 differs significantly from the location where the rockfalls occurred, as explained above for time-stale rockfall information. For this purpose, the assessment module in step S11 to the current location of the motor vehicle 1 from the navigation device 15 access. Furthermore, such stored location information can be used for the statistical evaluation explained above.

• – maximales Geradestellen der Räder,
• – Anpassen der Lenkradsteuerung auf indirekte Lenkübertragung,
• – Reduzierung der Fahrgeschwindigkeit,
• – Reduzierung der maximalen Antriebsmomente,
• – Vergrößerung des Abstandes zum vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug,
• – Überprüfen der Fahrspuren auf den Schotterzustand und ggfs. Wechseln der Fahrspur.

In addition, the evaluation device 3 with one or more driver assistance systems 16 such as a steering wheel control, a drive control or a motor control, a distance warning device and / or a lane change assistant, the corresponding driver assistance system 16 depending on the risk of falling rocks from the evaluation module of the evaluation facility 3 in step S14, as to take one or more of the following measures:

• - maximum straightness of the wheels,
• Adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission,
• - reduction of driving speed,
• - reduction of the maximum drive torques,
• - increasing the distance to the vehicle in front,
• - Checking the lanes on the gravel condition and, if necessary, changing the lane.

Due to the maximum straightness of the wheels 7 via the steering wheel control, it can largely be avoided that ballast particles are thrown sideways in such a way that they are on the motor vehicle 1 laterally arranged body components, such. As the doors, the side skirts, etc., damage.

By adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission unnecessary steering movements are avoided and thus reduces the impact of laterally thrown off ballast particles. Next, the driving safety is increased by an indirect steering transmission by abrupt steering movements slightly damped, ie reduced in speed and deflection, to the steered wheels 7 of the motor vehicle 1 be transmitted. This will increase the liability of the motor vehicle 1 increased on the road surface.

A reduction of the driving speed or a reduction of the maximum drive torque via the drive control or the engine control reduces the number of scattered ballast particles and their speed and thus their rockfall intensity. Also, a reduced speed of driving safety during braking and steering operations and a reduction in the maximum drive torque driving safety during acceleration processes serve.

Increasing the distance to the vehicle in front via the distance warning device reduces the probability of impact of ballast particles being thrown off the preceding vehicle.

Are adjacent or adjacent lanes available, so lanes that lead in the same direction, then the motor vehicle 1 through the lane change assistant check whether the secondary lane is free of other road users, and if this is free automatically change the lane. On the secondary lane, the presence of gravel is detected again and, if the secondary lane is provided with more gravel, changed back to the original lane.

Is that the evaluation device 3 Connected driver assistance system 16 a distance warning device, the detection module may determine the distance to a preceding vehicle from the distance warning device in step S3 and in step S4 as part of the rockfall information in the memory device 10 to save. This stored distance can then be read by the assessment module in step S12 and taken into account in the determination of the risk value. The smaller the distance to the vehicle in front 1 , the greater is the risk of particles being thrown off 9 ,

In addition, the evaluation device 3 with a radio communication device 17 be connected, via which the evaluation 3 in case of a rockfall hazard in step S14, the gravel condition to other motor vehicles 1 in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 For example, with a car-2-car communication transmits and / or receives and initiates appropriate measures in case of danger. Sending a message to other vehicles, which is described with the message of the gravel state, is used for information and thus the value preservation of motor vehicles 1 other road users and their driving safety.

Is the evaluation device 3 with the radio communication device 17 connected, then the evaluation device 3 the detected stone chipping information, before it in step S11 as outdated rockfall information from the storage device 10 be removed to other motor vehicles 1 in the vicinity of the motor vehicle 1 For example, transmitted with a car-2-car communication and / or receive from these and initiate appropriate measures in case of danger.

In addition, the evaluation device 3 if you are using the navigation device 15 and the radio communication device 17 is connected, the gravel condition for a planned or to be traveled route or for a route section lying ahead or for the current location of the motor vehicle 1 transmitted to and / or received from an external server. In the route planning, the evaluation 3 then at a received endangered gravel condition of the route to be traveled a warning to the output device 12 . 13 output and the calculation of an alternative route on the navigation device 15 suggest.

Is the evaluation device 3 with the navigation device 15 and the radio communication device 17 It may, in step S11 as obsolete stone chipping information from the storage device 10 be removed along with the place of the motor vehicle 1 where the rockfall information was detected, transmitted to the external server, and / or receive rockfall information therefrom for transmitted locations and / or routes.

In addition, the evaluation device 3 if you are using the lane change assistant as a driver assistance system 16 and the radio communication unit 17 is connected, receive the gravel condition of the oncoming traffic via the car-2-car communication and change depending on the gravel condition on an outside or more external lane to increase the distance to oncoming traffic and thus reduce the impact of gravel particles. In this case, information from other impinging particles, which can not endanger the motor vehicle 1 mean how B. water droplets that are fluidized on wet roads as spray, for example, be transmitted with a car-2-car communication. By transmitting such information, the lane change assistant can also change lanes when visibility is obstructed by spray.

In addition, all rockfalls which, due to their parameters, such as rockfall velocity, weight (mass), stone impact intensity (momentum), type of rockfall, etc., pose a risk to the individual body components to which they have impacted, in the storage facility 10 be stored permanently, to be later read and possibly deleted. As a result, a damage pattern, which is damaged by stone chips surface sections of the motor vehicle 1 through the ballast detection device 2 automatically save and if necessary to a workshop, such. B. a Lackierbetrieb, a leasing or Mietfahrzeugunternehmen and / or an insurance company.

In addition, the evaluation device 3 be connected to an outdoor thermometer (not shown) and / or a precipitation sensor (not shown) or, if equipped with the navigation device 15 and the radio communication device 17 is connected, query corresponding weather data for the current vehicle position from the Internet. By taking into account precipitation data or the outside temperature, as it falls during a precipitation, rockfalls and precipitation, such as hail, rain, sleet etc. can be distinguished more precisely.

In addition, the evaluation device 3 with one or more servomotors 18 be connected. With every servomotor 18 becomes one or more baffles 19 from the body of the motor vehicle 1 extended or retracted ( 2 ).

Here is in 2 shown that the servomotor 1.18 the baffle 1.19 in a direction of extension 1.20 , the servomotor 18.02 the baffle 2.19 in a direction of extension 2.20 and the servomotor 3.18 the baffle 3.19 in a direction of extension 3.20 from the body of the motor vehicle 1 moved out. While the baffles 1.19 and 2.19 be extended linear, is the baffle 3.19 by an angle of attack relative to the motor vehicle 1 pivoted. Accordingly, the actuators pull or pivot 1.18 . 2.18 and 3.18 the respective baffle plate 1.19 . 2.19 and 3.19 contrary to the respective extension direction 1.20 . 2.20 and 3.20 back in the body of the vehicle 1 one.

Such a baffle 19 serves to the bodywork components of the motor vehicle 1 and / or other motor vehicles 1 in the near field of the motor vehicle 1 against thrown particles 9 , in particular ballast particles, shield or protect by the baffle plate 19 in the trajectory 21 of the thrown particle 9 is moved in and thus its trajectory 21 blocked. The extension of the baffles 1.19 and 2.19 as well as the angle of attack of the baffle plate 3.19 can be varied depending on the gravel condition, the frequency of rockfalls, the weight (mass) of the rockfalls, the rockfall speed and / or the vehicle speed. Preferably, with frequent impact of particles 9 , Impact of particles 9 with high weight and / or high rockfall speed or high vehicle speed, the baffles 19 further extended or swung, while at low impact of particles 9 , Impact of particles 9 be driven out or swung less far with low weight and / or low rockfall speed or low vehicle speed. In 2 are several scattered particles 9 represented, whose trajectories 21 from the respective baffle plates 19 be blocked. More thrown particles 9 are shown with a trajectory 21 that the scattered particles 9 on the fender 5 or the trained by him wheel well 6 so that a vibration sensor 4 and / or a sensor mat 14 detect the rockfall.

The trajectories 21 with regard to the direction of travel 22 forward moving motor vehicle 1 are only approximately shown because the inertial system in 2 that of the wheel 7 is and the trajectories 21 tangential from the wheel 7 are shown without having a directional component resulting from the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 1 results.

Both methods explained above, which are incorporated in the 3A and 3B can also be considered as a common procedure of one in the evaluation 3 stored software module are executed sequentially.

4 schematically shows a motor vehicle 1 in a side view, by means of which it is shown which body components with the corresponding trajectory 21 thrown particles 9 impinge and these body parts of the motor vehicle 1 can damage. The car 1 moves in the direction of travel 22 Forward. Thrown away particles 9 can do it on the fender 5 , at the wheel arch 6 , on side doors 23 , on side skirts 24 , on a subfloor 25 and / or on a rear apron 26 impact and damage the surfaces of these body panels. Moves the motor vehicle 1 against the driving direction 22 backwards, then in a similar way as in the forward movement particles 9 be thrown so that they are on the fender 5 , at the wheel arch 6 , at the side doors 23 , on the side sills 24 , at the bottom 25 and / or on a front apron 27 of the motor vehicle 1 impact and damage the surfaces of these body panels. Therefore, it may also be appropriate to the ballast detection device 2 form such that even when reversing fluidized particles 9 be detected.

5 schematically shows two motor vehicles 1 in a side view, wherein at least the front motor vehicle 1 in the direction of travel 22 moves forward and trajectories generated by this movement 21 of thrown particles 9 as well as the respective body components of motor vehicles 1 where the particles thrown off 9 can hit. The scattered particles 9 can on the fender 5 , at the wheel arch 6 , at the bottom 25 and / or on the rear apron 26 of the preceding vehicle 1 as well as on the fender 5 , on the front apron 27 , on a bonnet 28 and / or on a windshield 29 of the following motor vehicle 1 incident.

• – Ausgeben einer Warnmeldung,
• – maximales Geradestellen der Räder,
• – Anpassen der Lenkradsteuerung auf indirekte Lenkübertragung,
• – Reduzierung der Fahrgeschwindigkeit,
• – Reduzierung der maximalen Antriebsmomente,
• – Vergrößerung des Abstandes zum vorausfahrenden Fahrzeug,
• – Überprüfen der Fahrspuren auf den Schotterzustand und ggfs. Wechseln der Fahrspur,
• – Ausfahren eines Prallbleches,
• – Absenden einer Nachricht an weitere Fahrzeuge und/oder an einen externen Server, wobei mit der Nachricht der Schotterzustand beschrieben wird.

Hereinafter, the predetermined measures explained above will be summarized. The predetermined measures include one or more of the following measures:

• - Issue a warning,
• - maximum straightness of the wheels,
• Adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission,
• - reduction of driving speed,
• - reduction of the maximum drive torques,
• - increasing the distance to the vehicle in front,
• - Checking the lanes on the gravel condition and, if necessary, changing the lane,
• - extension of a baffle,
• Sending a message to other vehicles and / or to an external server, the message describing the gravel condition.

The predetermined measures are depending on the gravel condition of the road and the associated risk to the motor vehicle 1 initiated and reset or withdrawn. They can be carried out individually or in combination depending on the particular ballast condition or hazard value. The execution of the measures is preferably determined empirically in advance.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2

Dirt detection device

3

evaluation

4

vibration sensor

5

fender

6

wheel well

7

wheel

8th

Outer body section

9

particle

10

memory device

11

speed sensor

12

display

13

speaker

14

sensor mat

15

navigation device

16

Driver assistance system

17

Radio communication device

18

servomotor

19

baffle

20

of extension

21

trajectory

22

direction of travel

23

side door

24

side skirts

25

underbody

26

rear apron

27

front apron

28

Engine Hood

29

Windshield

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

• EP 1867545 A1 [0002]
• US 2010/0127133 A1 [0003]
• DE 10340222 A1 [0004, 0086]
• DE 2827845 A1 [0005]
• DE 102005054381 A1 [0005]
• DE 10257795 A1 [0005]
• DE 3343402 C2 [0005]
• DE 9200318 [0005]
• EP 0456164 B1 [0006]
• EP 2368781 B1 [0006]
• DE 102004041090 A1 [0006]
• DE 19817567 C2 [0007]
• DE 29807563 U1 [0007]
• EP 1360105 B1 [0007]

Claims (13)

Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with a ballast detection device ( 2 ) comprising a wheel ( 7 ) with a profiled tire that comes from a fender ( 5 ) is at least partially covered, a sensor ( 4 . 14 ) located in one area of the fender ( 5 ) is mounted for the detection of a rockfall, and an evaluation device ( 3 ), which detects a gravel condition of a roadway to be traveled as a function of one or more detected stone chips and which triggers a predetermined measure depending on the gravel condition. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor is a vibration sensor ( 4 ), in particular a sound sensor or a vibration sensor, or a pressure sensor. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that a sensor mat ( 14 ) is provided, which comprises a plurality of the pressure sensors. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the vibration sensor ( 4 ) is coupled directly to the fender for the detection of structure-borne noise. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 3 ) has a vibration analysis device with which recorded for rockfalls typical vibration signals detected and as a rockfall from the evaluation ( 3 ) be rated. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 1 ) a movable baffle plate ( 19 ), which depends on one of the ballast detection device ( 2 ) detected rockfall is movable. Motor vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 1 ) an output device ( 12 . 13 ) for outputting an optical and / or acoustic warning signal. Method for detecting ballast for a motor vehicle ( 1 ) with a ballast detection device ( 2 ), which has a sensor ( 4 . 14 ) for mounting in a region of a fender ( 5 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ), wherein the fender ( 5 ) partially a profiled tire of a wheel ( 7 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and with the sensor ( 4 . 14 ) Rockfalls in the area of the mudguard ( 5 ) are detected, and with an evaluation device ( 3 ) detects a gravel condition of a roadway to be traveled as a function of one or more detected stone chips and a predetermined measure is triggered depending on the gravel condition. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the predetermined measure comprises one or more of the following measures: issuing of a warning message, maximum ratcheting of the wheels ( 7 ), - adjusting the steering wheel control to indirect steering transmission, - reducing the driving speed, - reducing the maximum drive torque, - increasing the distance to the vehicle in front, - checking the lanes and, if necessary, changing the lane, - extending a baffle plate ( 19 ), - sending a message to other vehicles and / or to an external server, the message describing the gravel condition. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 3 ) triggers the predetermined measure depending on the intensity and / or frequency of detected rockfalls. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 3 ) within a predetermined time interval or over a predetermined distance from the sensor ( 4 . 14 ) and records the stored vibration signal by means of a pattern comparison with stored rockfall vibration patterns such that it detects one or more vibration patterns similar to the vibration signal, with gravel conditions associated with the stored vibration patterns such that the gravel conditions of the or the like Vibration pattern of the gravel condition of the carriageway is determined. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that of the evaluation device ( 3 ) Vibration pulses of individual rockfalls are recorded and linked to the vehicle speed, and several vibration pulses are statistically analyzed, in particular with respect to their frequency, average rockfall intensity and average rockfall velocity to determine from this statistical parameters determined the gravel condition. Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that a Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with a ballast detection device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is used.

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