DE102018202455A1 - Device and method for adjusting a backrest - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (200) for automatically adjusting (330) a seat back (120) of a vehicle seat (110), the method (200) using a step of predicating (210) a forward displacement (310) of an occupant (105) a model (430) and / or the determination (220) of a forward displacement (310, 310a, 310b) of the occupant (105) by means of sensor data (155) of an interior sensor (150, 150 '), further comprises the method (200) A step of driving (230) a seat back control unit (135) by means of a drive signal (240) using the forward displacement (310, 310a, 310b) to adjust an angle between the seat back and a seat surface.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for hiring a backrest of a vehicle for improved occupant protection in the case of a forward displacement of the occupant.

Existing systems for the automatic control of backrests and / or headrests in vehicles are often based on input signals of the vehicle's external sensor system. In this case, external sensors can, for example, be understood as a system for distance measurement which predicts a rear impact or a frontal collision. In other systems, in the event of an impending collision, the seat back is moved from an inclined position to an upright position, leaving a gap between the seat back and an occupant displaced by a pre-displaced occupant.

Against this background, with the approach presented here, a method, a device which uses this method, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the main claims are presented. The measures listed in the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the independent claim device are possible.

According to the method presented here, a forward displacement of an occupant is predicted using a model and / or determined by means of data, in particular sensor data of a sensor, in particular an interior sensor. Subsequently, in a second method step, a backrest control unit is actuated by means of a control signal in order to adjust an angle between a seat surface and the backrest, which in turn makes it possible to close a gap between the forwardly displaced occupant and the backrest.

By means of the method, for example, the gap between the backrest and the pre-displaced by the braking occupant by hiring the backrest is minimized or compensated. This achieves an earlier coupling of the occupant to the seat in the case of a rear approaching vehicle and reduces the risk of injury such as whiplash injury. In the event that a head-on collision has not been avoided despite braking, the risk of injury during rebound of the occupant can also be reduced by the earlier coupling of the occupant to the backrest. Thus, an (automatic) reduction of the gap between the occupant and the backrest can be achieved, but without resorting to signals from the outside sensors. This offers the advantage that this method can also be used if the external sensor system does not work or only works poorly, which can be possible, for example, by a thinning of the external sensor system or by a defect in the latter.

An interior sensor is here understood to mean a sensor which is located, for example, in the interior of the vehicle and / or receives and / or processes data of the vehicle itself or the occupant, such as an inertial sensor, a tire pressure sensor, a belt pullout sensor or optical sensors with associated image processing unit.

In an advantageous embodiment, the step of predicating the forward displacement of the occupant by means of the model using at least one parameter, wherein the parameter represents a vehicle deceleration and / or brake pressure and / or information of one or more personal protection systems, in particular an activation of a belt tensioner. The prediction may be done using one or more different input signals to predict or estimate an actual or imminent forward displacement of the occupant. Thus, a robust model can be used, which works reliably even in the event that a sensor supplies incorrect or no information, since sufficient other information is available.

In a proposed embodiment, in the predicting step, a model is used which is designed as a statistical model and / or as a multi-body model. The use of a statistical model offers the advantage of using a highly predictable, sophisticated model, whereby the use of a multi-body model offers the advantage of using a particularly precise and well-imaging of the individual elements.

In a further embodiment, in the step of determining, the determination is performed using the data, in particular sensor data, the data of an optical sensor and / or data of a distance sensor for detecting a distance between an occupant and the indoor sensor and / or data from a seat back sensor for measurement represent a distance between the occupant and the backrest and / or the angle of attack of the backrest and / or data from an engine of the backrest and / or data of an occupant protection system. Also in this proposed embodiment, the determination of the forward displacement of the occupant is based on interior sensors without the use of external sensors and their possible source of error instead. Furthermore, such data can be obtained very easily from most sensors already available in vehicles. By an optical system, for example, a camera with associated image processing can be understood. As data of an occupant protection system, for example, parameters of a belt extension and / or parameters of a position of the backrest, which is determined by means of sensors, and / or parameters can be via a positioning position of the motors of the backrest.

In a further embodiment, in the step of the driving, the drive signal is output in such a way that the distance between the occupant and the backrest is reduced and / or minimized. In an exemplary embodiment, a compensation of the gap between the occupant and the backrest can be achieved, which means a substantial improvement in occupant protection, since in the event of an impact, the rearward displacement of the occupant following the forward displacement of the occupant is supported by the backrest and the force acting in the rearward displacement Forces are mitigated. The gap can also be understood as distance. Thus, even possible risks of injury in the event of a frontal collision can be reduced.

According to an advantageous embodiment, in the step of driving the drive signal is output such that the drive signal initiates the hiring of the backrest in an inclined in the direction of travel acute angle. The backrest is thus moved as needed beyond a raised position to the occupant. In this method example, the backrest is thus not brought into an upright, so perpendicular position to the road, but reduced at a significant forward displacement of the occupant, the resulting gap, whereby corresponding injury risks are reduced.

In another embodiment, the step of predicating is performed using occupant information, in particular occupant information about height and / or weight and / or seat height and / or gender of the occupant. This information allows for advantageous accurate prediction of an impending or threatening occupant's advance, and thus allows a drive signal, better adapted to the situation, to be applied to the seat back control unit to minimize a gap between the occupant and the seat back.

In another embodiment, in the step of predicating, the occupant information is provided using an actuation signal of a manual input switch and / or using an input signal of an optical sensor and / or a weight sensor. This embodiment allows multiple input routes of occupant information, so that advantageously a favorable input path for the signal (s) to be used can be chosen, adapted to the situation.

In another embodiment, the step of driving is in response to an actuation signal of a switch for manual input and / or in response to a drive signal of a driver assistance system. A drive signal of a driver assistance system can be, for example, a signal of an autonomous brake system.

Thus, this embodiment offers additional possibilities of triggering the drive signal for adjusting the backrest.

The variants of a method presented here can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

According to a further embodiment, a backrest control unit is proposed, which is set up to execute and / or to control the steps of the method according to one of the variants described in corresponding units. By such an embodiment, the advantages mentioned above can be realized quickly and technically simple.

For this purpose, the backrest control unit can at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface to a sensor or an actuator for reading sensor signals from the sensor or outputting data or control signals to the Actuator and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The arithmetic unit may be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, wherein the memory unit may be a flash memory, an EEPROM or a magnetic memory unit. The communication interface can be designed to read or output data wirelessly and / or by line, wherein a communication interface that can read or output line-bound data, for example, electrically or optically read this data from a corresponding data transmission line or output in a corresponding data transmission line.

Under a backrest control unit can in the present case understood an electrical device be processed, the sensor signals and outputs depending on control and / or data signals. The backrest control unit may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based embodiment, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains various functions of the backrest control unit. However, it is also possible that the interfaces are their own integrated circuits or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above is used, especially when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugs mit einer Vorrichtung zum Anstellen einer Rückenlehne;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Anstellen einer Rückenlehne;
• 3A - 3D Positionen einer Rückenlehne und eines Insassen;
• 4 eine Rückenlehnensteuereinheit zum Ansteuern einer Rückenlehne, und
• 5 ein Blockschaltbild von Komponenten zur Lieferung von Eingangssignalen zum Prädizieren und/oder Ermitteln einer Vorverlagerung.

Embodiments of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle with a device for adjusting a backrest;
• 2 a flow diagram of a method for adjusting a backrest;
• 3A - 3D Positions of a backrest and an occupant;
• 4 a seat back control unit for driving a seat back, and
• 5 a block diagram of components for supplying input signals for predicting and / or determining a forward displacement.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similar acting, with a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows the schematic representation of a vehicle 100 , which is in the direction of travel 102 moves with an occupant 105 which is on a vehicle seat 110 sitting, who has a seat 115 and a backrest 120 includes. The seat 115 is here with a weight sensor 125 equipped, the backrest 120 is with a backrest sensor 130 to detect a seat back position. Furthermore, in the backrest 120 a backrest control unit 135 for controlling the backrest 120 as well as a backrest motor 140 for adjusting an angle α between seat 115 and backrest 120 arranged. The vehicle 100 also contains at least one interior sensor 150 which sensor data 155 to the backrest control unit 135 supplies. The interior sensor 150 is for example as a camera 150 ' trained and may be a position or forward displacement of the occupant 105 optically capture and this information as sensor data 155 to the backrest control unit 135 deliver. Alternatively, as an indoor sensor 150 also an inertial sensor 150 ' be provided, which is an acceleration of the vehicle 100 absorbs and this acceleration as sensor data 155 to the backrest control unit 135 supplies.

2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for adjusting the backrest 120 with a step of predicating 210 and / or a step of determining 220 and a subsequent step of driving 230 , where to drive 230 a drive signal 240 is issued. In step 210 of predicating becomes a forward displacement of an occupant 105 predicted using a model. In step 220 determining is a forward displacement of the occupant 105 from sensor data 155 an interior sensor 150 determined. Finally, it's about step 230 driving the seat back control unit 135 by means of a drive signal 240 using the forward shift actuated to the angle α between the backrest 120 and the seat 115 of the vehicle seat 110 to adjust.

3 shows a representation of the principle of operation for the control of the backrest 120 when braking using representations of various positions of a backrest 120 and an inmate 105 in different 3A to 3D , This shows 3A a first starting position of the backrest 120 and inmate 105 in a normal vehicle operation position. In this 3A is shown as already due to a collision of a collision force 305 on the inmates 105 or body parts of the occupant 105 to start acting. Due to the collision force 305 becomes a forward shift 310 of the occupant 105 or of body parts of the occupant 105 causes. 3B shows one by the collision force 305 moved inmates 105 , where by the forward displacement 310 a distance 320 or a gap between inmates 105 and backrest 120 arises. 3C shows a representation in which the backrest 120 through the backrest motor 140 in the direction of the arrow 330 is moved / hired. 3D shows a representation in which the distance 320 by hiring the backrest 120 was reduced / closed.

4 shows a block diagram representation of an embodiment of a backrest control unit 135 for driving a backrest 120 , The backrest control unit 135 includes an interface 405 in which sensor data 155 as a parameter 410 be read. In this illustration, input signals of an indoor sensor (for example, an optical sensor) 150 ' , one of the interior sensor 150 ' recorded distance 412 between the occupant 105 and the interior sensor 150 ' , a personal protection system 420 , designed as a belt tensioner, a distance sensor 422 (or the backrest sensor 130 ), for detecting a distance 320 between the occupant 105 and the backrest 120 and / or an inertial sensor 425 or. 150 ' as sensor data 155 or as appropriate parameters 410 read. The backrest control unit 135 further comprises a prediction device 427 to predict the forward displacement 310 an inmate 105 using a model 430 and / or a determination device 431 for determining a forward displacement 310 an inmate 105 , The model 430 can be used as a statistical model 432 and / or as a multi-body model 434 be educated. Furthermore, the seat back control unit comprises 135 a drive unit 435 that is designed to be using the forward displacement 310 the drive signal 240 to the backrest motor 140 output.

5 shows a circuit diagram of an exemplary schematic structure of a system 500 for controlling a backrest 120 based on signals of the occupant kinematics. Through the interior sensors, acting as the detection device 431 for processing data of an indoor sensor 150 ' can be understood is a signal X issued, that is a forward displacement 310a of the occupant 105 in the vehicle 100 represents. This forward displacement 310a can, as already stated above, be optically detected and / or the distance 320 between the backrest 120 and the occupant 105 represent. This signal X can now be processed by a pre-crash seat control, which also serves as a backrest control unit 135 can be understood and the drive signal 240 outputs. By means of this drive signal 240 will now be backrest motor 140 or a power electronics circuit 505 for controlling the backrest motor 140 activated or activated, which then the angle α between the backrest 120 and the seat 115 of the seat adjusted.

Alternatively or additionally, also the signal X from a prediction unit 430 be spent in which the forward displacement of the occupant 105 using the model 430 predicated and as forward displacement 310b in the signal X is issued. This is the forward displacement 310b using different parameters or variables than the forward displacement 310a coming from the Investigation Unit 431 was determined and was therefore provided with a different reference numerals. Ideally, however, the values of the forward displacement 310a and the forward displacement 310b identical. The model 430 for the occupant forward displacement may be designed as a statistical model or a multi-body model and as an input signal, for example, inter alia, one of the inertial sensor 150 ' or. 425 recorded (vehicle) acceleration as input value 150 or. 410 , one of a braking system 510 provided brake control signal 515 and / or one of a (reversible) belt tensioner 420 provided Gurtauszugssignal as input signal 155 or. 410 use. Based on one or more of these input signals 515 . 155 or. 410 can then in the model 430 the forward displacement of the occupant 105 of the vehicle 100 be predicated. Similarly, then the backrest control unit 135 in the form of the pre-crash seat drive, the drive signal 240 for activation and / or activation of the backrest motor 140 the backrest 120 be issued. It is also conceivable that the backrest control unit 135 the drive signal 240 both using the signal representing the forward displacement X from the investigation unit 431 as well as using the signal representing the forward displacement X from the predicating unit 427 determined and according to the backrest motor 140 controls.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

In summary, it can be said that an occupant of a vehicle with strong vehicle deceleration, the occupants due to the forces acting on (vehicle accelerations) moves forward and creates a gap between the backrest and the occupant.

The forward displacement 310 of the occupant 105 due to vehicle deceleration can with the help of a model 430 (statistical model or multi-body model) predicted or via sensors 150 ' be determined in the interior. As sensor technology 150 ' For example, a video system with associated image processing, a system with direct distance measurement by means of ultrasound (or infrared, laser or the like) or a model based on the belt extraction can be used. Optionally, the position of the backrest 120 also via sensors 422 or based on the parking position of the backrest motor 140 be determined and the absolute distance 320 from backrest 120 and inmate 105 be determined.

The determined forward displacement 310a , or the distance 320 from backrest 120 and inmate 105 should have an automatic adjustment of the backrest 120 compensated / minimized. This will cause the occupant 105 in the case of a strong rear impact by a vehicle 100 better protected from the rear traffic area. In this case, the inmate 105 earlier through the backrest 120 stopped and the transmitted kinetic energy is minimized.

The operating principle is identical to functions that monitor the rear traffic area and the backrest 120 in the event of an impending rear impact. However, the invention only compensates for the resulting gap and moves the occupant 105 not to diminish the effectiveness of the restraint system in the event of a frontal collision. Possible injury risks due to the rebound in a frontal collision can even be reduced.

In case that the forward displacement 310b and therefore the distance 320 between inmates 105 and backrest 120 with the help of a model 430 can be determined, other input signals such as vehicle deceleration 410 , Brake pressure 515 and / or activation of the reversible belt tensioner 420 used to advance the forward 310b to determine. Optionally, information about the occupant can also be provided 105 such as height (height of seat), mass and / or gender used to improve the quality of the model statement. This information can be determined, for example, by video algorithms or in advance by the occupant 105 (for example, manually) have been entered.

With the help of the approach presented here, the gap becomes 320 between backrest 120 and the inmates displaced by the braking 105 by adjusting the backrest 120 minimized or compensated. This will cause an earlier coupling of the occupant 105 to the seat 115 achieved in the case of a rear approaching vehicle and reduces the risk of injury (eg whiplash or whiplash).

In the event that a head-on collision was not avoided despite braking, the risk of injury during rebound can also be reduced by the earlier coupling.

This method can be used in the case of "stronger" braking maneuvers triggered by the driver, by an autonomous braking system or other driving functions. A monitoring of the rear traffic is not required and the invention can also be used without environment sensors.

Claims (12)

A method (200) for effecting deployment of a seat back (120) of a vehicle seat (110), the method (200) comprising the steps of: Predicting (210) a forward displacement (310a) of an occupant (105) using a model (430) and or Determining (220) a forward displacement (310b) of the occupant (105) from data, in particular sensor data (155) of a sensor (130, 150, 150 ', 422, 455), in particular an interior sensor (150, 150'); and Driving (230) a seat back control unit (135) by means of a drive signal (240) using the forward displacement (310a, 310b) to adjust an angle (a) between the seat back (120) and a seat surface (115) of the vehicle seat (110) , Method (200) according to Claim 1 wherein in the step of predicating the forward displacement (310a) of the occupant (105) is predicated by the model (430) using at least one parameter (410), the parameter (410) being a vehicle deceleration and / or a brake pressure (515) and / or information of one or more personal protection systems (420), in particular an activation of a belt tensioner represents. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of predicating (210) a model (430) is used which is designed as a statistical model (432) and / or a multi-body model (434). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of determining (220) determining (220) using the data, in particular sensor data (155), the sensor data (155) of an optical sensor (150 ', 455 ) and / or sensor data (155) of an interior sensor (150, 150 ') for detecting a distance (412) between an occupant (105) and the interior sensor (150, 150') and / or sensor data (155) from a backrest sensor (130 , 422) for measuring a distance between the occupant (105) and backrest (120) and / or the angle of attack (a) of the backrest (120) and / or data from a backrest motor (140) and / or occupant protection system (420) data. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of the driving (230) the drive signal (240) is output such that the distance (320) between the occupant (105) and the backrest (120) is reduced and / or minimized. Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of driving (230) the drive signal (240) is output such that the drive signal (240) initiating (330) of the backrest (120) in the direction of travel (102) is initiated to form an acute angle as the angle of attack (a). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of predicating (210) using occupant information, in particular occupant information, about a height and / or weight and / or a seat height and / or a gender of the occupant ( 105) is executed. Method (200) according to Claim 7 wherein in the step of predicating (210), the occupant information is provided using an actuation signal of a manual input switch and / or using a signal of an optical sensor (455) and / or a weight sensor (125). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of driving (230) in response to an actuation signal of a switch for manual input and / or in response to a drive signal of a driver assistance system (150). A seat back control unit (135) arranged to execute and / or drive the steps (210, 220, 230) of the method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims in respective units (427, 431, 435). A computer program adapted to perform the method (200) of one of the preceding Claims 1 to 9 execute and / or control. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program is based Claim 11 is stored.

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