DE102017202246B4 - Motor vehicle with a stop light device for displaying an impending duration of a stop process - Google Patents

Abstract

Motor vehicle (1) with an autopilot (2) and a holding light device (3), which comprises at least one control module (5) and at least one light module (4) for displaying at least one light signal in an area surrounding the motor vehicle (1), the control module being is set up to set at least one current feature (6) of the at least one light signal, which is displayed by the at least one light module (4), depending on the duration of a past and/or upcoming stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle (1), characterized in that at least one light module (4) is designed in the form of a circular bar display (11) around a wheel housing, the at least one light signal of the light module (4) having at least one respective length (14) of two bars ( 12) of the arc-shaped bar display (11), which has its origin in an underside of the arc, the respective length (14) depending on the past and/or the upcoming duration of the stopping process and/or the braking process of the motor vehicle (1) .

Description

The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an autopilot and a stop light device, which is set up to emit a light signal into the surroundings, which has a feature that depends on the duration of a past and/or upcoming stop and/or braking process.

By observing a driver, it is possible for road users to predict their intended actions to a certain extent by interpreting their gestures and facial expressions. This is not possible in a motor vehicle controlled by an autopilot. This also applies to the detection of an intention to brake and an intention to start off. In addition, in the case of electrically driven motor vehicles, it is often not possible to recognize an intention to drive. This is due to the fact that a running electric motor produces no exhaust fumes and only a small amount of noise. As a result, two indicators that indicate an intention to drive are omitted. As a result, other road users cannot estimate whether a stationary motor vehicle will start moving in the near future. As a result, it is not clear to road users whether they have to pay particular attention to the corresponding motor vehicle in traffic. A similar problem arises in relation to braking. Other road users cannot tell from a normal brake light, which signals that the brake pedal has been pressed, over what period of time the braking process will take place.

In the DE 10 2011 121 442 A1 describes a motor vehicle with an autopilot and a stop light device. It is provided that a light signal is used to indicate to a driver of the motor vehicle how long a standby mode of an autopilot for carrying out an automatic starting process is still activated.

In the DE 10 2014 226 254 A1 describes a method for operating a particularly autonomous or semi-autonomous driving/driven motor vehicle. Provision is made here for a road user detected by an environment sensor system of the motor vehicle to be informed of further behavior of the motor vehicle by means of a signaling device.

In the DE 10 2013 219 121 A1 describes a multifunctional center light for a rail vehicle. It is provided that the time until the exit from a stop or the time of stopping at the stop is signaled to other road users by means of a light signal.

The DE 203 07 293 U1 discloses a warning element on a car body.

The DE 10 2011 080 922 A1 discloses a motor vehicle with a communication unit for exchanging data with other motor vehicles in the vicinity.

US 2011/0 140 919 A1 describes vehicle assist systems for pedestrian crossings and assist methods for pedestrian crossings.

It is an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle which enables an autopilot to signal its intentions to act in relation to stopping and/or braking processes to other road users.

The object is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed by the features of the dependent patent claims, the description and the figures.

The invention provides a motor vehicle with an autopilot, which includes a stop light device. The holding light device contains at least one control module and one light module. The light module is set up to display at least one light signal for the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The at least one light signal is characterized in that at least one momentary feature of the light signal is dependent on the duration of a past and/or upcoming stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle. The duration of a past or future portion of the stopping and/or braking process can therefore be signaled, ie a past dwell time or a remaining time. In other words, its nature is configured at a specific moment in such a way that it is clear to the environment how long the period of a past and/or imminent stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle is in relation to the current point in time. The holding light device can be integrated into the existing exterior lighting device of a motor vehicle or be a device that is independent of it. A light module can be, for example, a lamp, a screen, a projector or another element that is designed to transmit visual signals via light. A light module is set up in particular in such a way that it can emit at least one light signal that has a quality that changes over time. A quality of a light signal is to be understood as the set of all features that a light signal has. With a feature it can For example, the intensity, the color, a displayed content or a form. An instantaneous feature associated with a stopping and/or braking event is designed to be dependent on the past and/or upcoming duration of an event. For example, the intensity of the light signal can be used as an instantaneous feature, which is proportional to the duration of a process. This results in the advantage that road users are informed about future actions. The control module can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor, for example. This is designed to communicate with the autopilot to find out the duration and/or braking status and to control the light modules accordingly. The control module can also be set up to measure the size of a past period of time and to record the state of the motor vehicle, in particular that of the autopilot.

It is envisaged that at least one light module is designed in the form of a circular bar display around a wheel well. The instantaneous feature of the at least one light signal is at least a respective length of two bars of the arc-shaped bar display. The respective length of the bar is dependent on the past and/or upcoming time period of the stopping process and/or the braking process of the motor vehicle. The bar display can be implemented, for example, in the form of a row of lamps in the shape of a circular arc around the wheel well. The bar can be identified, for example, by the lamps having a different color or intensity over its length than the lamps in the remaining area of the bar display. It is also possible for the bar display to be set up, for example, as an arc-shaped LCD screen or as an LED light chain. The bar display can also contain several bars. For example, the bar display can contain two bars, which each emanate from different locations of the bar display. This results in the advantage that road users who are looking at the motor vehicle from the side can read from the bar display how long the past and/or upcoming period of time of the stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle is.

The invention also includes optional developments, the features of which result in additional advantages.

A development provides that the at least one momentary feature is designed in the form of numbers that indicate the duration of a process. In this development, the duration can be displayed directly in SI units for the environment using digits. In other words, duration is not translated into a characteristic of a particular feature. For example, this can be done by a countdown, which counts down the number of seconds remaining until the end of the holding process. This has the advantage that the duration is displayed directly to other road users. It is therefore not necessary for other road users to have to interpret a specific feature. This enables exact information to be given and misinterpretations can be prevented.

In a further development it is provided that the motor vehicle comprises at least one further light module which emits a light signal in a different direction than the first light module. The at least one further light module is preferably located in a position of the motor vehicle which differs from the position of the first light module. This makes it possible for light signals to be emitted in different directions. Thus, a larger area of the environment is informed. In addition, it is possible for light signals to be emitted selectively. The selection of the light modules used can depend on certain traffic situations. For example, the stop light device can be configured in such a way that light modules, which are arranged on the side of the motor vehicle, are only used in the vicinity of intersections when other road users are detected. This results in the advantage that the transmission of a light signal can be restricted to road users in relevant directions. This reduces the risk of sensory overload for road users.

A development provides that a feature of the light signal is dependent on a current operating state of the motor vehicle. In other words, a specific feature of the light signal can be used to identify the operating state of the motor vehicle. In particular, the operating state of the autopilot and/or the engine is to be understood as an operating state of the motor vehicle. For example, a feature of the light signal can be used to identify whether a parked motor vehicle was parked by an autopilot or a human driver. This results in the advantage that road users are informed about an operating state of the motor vehicle.

In one development, the motor vehicle includes a status light device, which includes at least one status light module and one status light control module. The at least one state light module is set up to a Visually display the current operating status of the autopilot for the environment. In other words, the surroundings are given a visual indication of whether the motor vehicle is being controlled by an autopilot. A status light module can be, for example, an illuminant, a display or a projector. The status light control module can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor, for example. This is set up to control the at least one status light module depending on an operating status of the autopilot. The status light device can contain, for example, a lamp which is positioned on the roof of the motor vehicle and lights up when the autopilot is activated. This results in the advantage that other road users are aware of whether the motor vehicle is being controlled by an autopilot. In particular, road users know whether they can expect certain light signals from the stop light device, which are only displayed when the autopilot is activated.

In one development, the motor vehicle includes at least one status light module, which is designed as a linear bar display. The term linear here refers to the shape of the bar graph. The instantaneous feature of the at least one light signal is at least a length of at least one bar of the linear bar display. The length of the bar is dependent on the past and/or upcoming time period of the stopping process and/or the braking process of the motor vehicle. The bar graph can be implemented, for example, as an elongated LCD screen or as a chain of LED lamps. The bar display can be attached, for example, to a sill, the roof, the front, the rear, or along a side window of the motor vehicle. Preferably, a bar graph mounted on a side window is at shoulder height so that it can be seen by cyclists and pedestrians.

A development of the motor vehicle provides that it includes a radio unit which is set up to send out or receive a radio signal, which serves to coordinate with traffic facilities and/or road users and which provides information about the duration of a past and/or forthcoming includes the stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle. The radio unit can be, for example, a radio unit for communication processes with other motor vehicles or an LTE direct transmission unit. This has the advantage that road users can also be informed via radio and are therefore not dependent on visual contact. In addition, an autopilot of another road user can take the received radio signal into account when planning his driving manoeuvres. It is also possible that the radio unit can communicate with traffic devices such as a compatible traffic light. Information about the duration of a traffic light phase can be transmitted. In this way, the autopilot can receive information about how long a hold process will last. It is also conceivable that motor vehicles can coordinate at intersections. If, for example, four motor vehicles with the same right of way are standing at an intersection, the right of way can be regulated via radio communication.

The invention also includes developments of the motor vehicle according to the invention.

• 1 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfahrzeugs;
• 2 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;
• 3 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls;
• 4 eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Lichtmoduls; und
• 5 einen möglichen Austauschvorgang von Funksignalen.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

• 1 an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention;
• 2 an embodiment of a light module according to the invention;
• 3 an embodiment of a light module according to the invention;
• 4 an embodiment of a light module according to the invention; and
• 5 a possible exchange of radio signals.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore also to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than the one shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

Elements with the same function are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a motor vehicle 1, which can be, for example, a passenger car or a truck. The motor vehicle 1 can include an autopilot 2 . The motor vehicle 1 can include a holding light device 3 which can contain at least one light module 4 and at least one control module 5 . A light module 4 can be set up in such a way that it can display an instantaneous 6 as well as a state-dependent feature 7 . The motor vehicle 1 can include a status light device 8 which contains at least one status light control module 9 and at least one status light module 10 .

The autopilot 2 can be implemented as a computer which can navigate the motor vehicle 1 . The autopilot 2 is set up to communicate with the control module 5 and the status light control module 9 . In particular, it can transmit a current operating status and the duration of an upcoming stopping and/or braking process.

The at least one light module 4 of the holding light device 3 can display at least one light signal, the nature of which can have both a condition-dependent 7 and a momentary feature 6 . The control module 5 of the holding light device can be a microprocessor, which measures the duration of past processes and, depending on this and on transmitted values from the autopilot 2, can control at least one light module 4.

The status light device 8 can include a status light control module 9 and at least one status light module 10 . The status light control module 9 can be a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The status light control module 9 is set up to determine the current operating status of the motor vehicle 1 and to display an associated signal via a status light module 10 .

The motor vehicle can also have a radio module F. This can be, for example, a radio module F for communication with other motor vehicles or a module for LTE direct.

2 1 shows a light module 4 according to the invention of a motor vehicle 1. This can be set up in the form of a bar display 11 in the shape of a circular arc, which is arranged around a wheel housing. Two bars 12 can be displayed in the bar display 11, which can have their origin in the underside of the circular arc. The light module 4 can contain a display for displaying digits 13 .

The light module can have two instantaneous features 6 . A momentary feature may be a duration, represented by numerals 13, of the upcoming hold. A second instantaneous feature may be the respective length 14 of the beams 12 . This can increase or decrease as the duration of the forthcoming holding process decreases, it being possible for the lengths 14 to include the entire bar display 11 at the time when the holding process is completed.

The light module 4 can also be set up to display a condition-dependent feature 7 . This can be the color of the backlighting of the digital display 13 . For example, this can be blue in the case of an activated autopilot and white otherwise.

The motor vehicle 1 can also include a status light module 10 which runs along the lower edge of the pane. This can be set up in such a way that it lights up in a specific color when the autopilot is activated.

3 12 shows a light module 4 according to the invention of a motor vehicle 1. This can be realized in the form of a display for showing numbers 13, which is positioned above a wheel housing of the motor vehicle.

4 shows a light module according to the invention of a motor vehicle. This can be implemented by two linear bar displays 15, one located on the sill of the motor vehicle and the other along the side windows. The current feature can be given by the length 14 of a bar.

5 12 shows a communication process of a motor vehicle 1 at an intersection. The motor vehicle includes a radio module F. A traffic light A, which is set up to communicate with a radio module F, is located at the intersection. Another road user T who can exchange radio signals FS with the traffic light A and a radio module F of a motor vehicle 1 is also located at the intersection. The traffic light A transmits radio signals to the road user T and the radio module F of the motor vehicle, which include the time periods of the next traffic light phases. The autopilot then transmits a radio signal FS to the road user, which includes the time at which the autopilot initiates an approach process.

Overall, the examples show how the invention provides a motor vehicle that enables an autopilot to signal its intentions to act with regard to stopping and/or braking processes for other road users.

Claims (7)

Motor vehicle (1) with an autopilot (2) and a holding light device (3), which has at least one control module (5) and at least one light module (4) for displaying at least one light signal in an area surrounding the motor vehicle (1), the control module being set up to display at least one momentary feature (6) of the at least one light signal which is displayed by the at least one light module (4), depending on the duration of a past and/or upcoming stopping and/or braking process of the motor vehicle (1), characterized in that at least one light module (4) is designed in the form of a circular bar display (11) around a wheel housing, the at least a light signal of the light module (4) has at least one respective length (14) of two bars (12) of the circular arc-shaped bar display (11) as a momentary feature (6), which have their origin in an underside of the circular arc, the respective length (14 ) depends on the past and/or upcoming duration of the stopping process and/or the braking process of the motor vehicle (1). Motor vehicle (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one instantaneous feature (6) comprises digits (13) indicating a value of the duration. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle (1) comprises at least two light modules (4), one light module being set up to emit a light signal in a different direction than the other light module. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light signal has a status-dependent feature (7) which is dependent on a current operating status of the motor vehicle (1). Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a status light device (8) which comprises at least one status light module (10) and one status light control module (9), the at least one status light module (10) being set up to show the current operating status of the autopilot (2) for the environment. Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one light module (4) is designed in the form of a linear bar display (15), the at least one light signal of the light module (4) as a momentary feature (6) having at least one length (14) has at least one bar (12) of the linear bar display (15), which depends on the past and/or upcoming duration of the stopping process and/or the braking process of the motor vehicle (1). Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle comprises a radio unit (F) which is set up to exchange a radio signal which is used for coordination with traffic facilities and/or road users and information about the duration of a past and / or impending stopping and / or braking of the motor vehicle (1).

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