DE102021001291A1 - Warning device for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a warning device (10) for a motor vehicle (12), with a warning triangle (14) and with an unmanned aircraft (drone 16) controllable by means of a control device (28), by means of which the warning triangle (14) is at a distance (A ) can be set up relative to the motor vehicle (12), the warning triangle (14) being designed as a base body (15) of the unmanned aircraft (drone 16) on which at least one first propeller (18) and / or a wing (17) of the unmanned aerial vehicle (drone 16) is arranged. The invention also relates to a method for operating the warning device (10).

Description

The invention relates to a warning device for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a warning triangle.

A central task of autonomous vehicles or motor vehicles is to reduce the annual number of road deaths through safe and reliable driving. However, it is to be expected that, despite a conscientious design of all systems, there will be a number of unavoidable accidents in which autonomous vehicles or motor vehicles are involved. Many of the mandatory measures after a traffic accident are currently being carried out by a driver or an occupant of the vehicle. However, this is not possible, especially in the case of autonomous empty journeys without passengers. As a result, measures prescribed by law, such as the setting up of a warning triangle to secure the scene of the accident and the implementation of first aid measures, cannot be carried out.

From the DE 10 2017 009 405 A1 is a warning device with a warning triangle and with an unmanned aircraft controllable by means of a control device, by means of which the warning triangle can be set up at a distance relative to the motor vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to create a warning device of a particularly simple design, by means of which a traffic event relating to the motor vehicle can be safeguarded in a particularly reliable manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a warning device with the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating the warning device with the features of claim 5. Advantageous configurations with favorable developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The warning device according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a warning triangle which, in particular, reflects the requirements of the legislature and can be used to protect against a possible accident site of an accident involving the motor vehicle. In addition, the warning device comprises an unmanned aircraft - in particular a drone - controllable by means of a control device, by means of which the warning triangle can be set up at a distance relative to the motor vehicle.

In order to create a warning device with a particularly simple structure, the warning triangle is designed as a base body of the unmanned aircraft, on which at least a first propeller and / or a wing of the unmanned aircraft is arranged. As a result, the warning triangle is part of the drone or another unmanned, self-flying aircraft and has a double function - on the one hand it serves as a warning element in the event of an accident - and on the other hand it is designed as part of the aircraft so that it can be designed particularly simply and easily .

Here, the unmanned aircraft or the drone is designed in particular as a flight mechanism for setting up the warning device, so that the driver of the motor vehicle is not forced to get out of the motor vehicle and enter a busy road to set up the warning triangle. In addition, an ultrasound unit can also be arranged, for example, which also recognizes obstacles in the absence of light, so that the obstacles can also be recognized at night. Configurations of the drone are variable for this purpose, whereby, for example, any number of propellers can be used to stabilize a flight or a trajectory of the unmanned aircraft. Further flight mechanics with, for example, nozzle elements or the like are also possible for this purpose.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the base body has at least one holding element for the at least one first propeller. The design options can differ both in the number of propellers and in the placement of these. Here, the warning triangle is still the main body, which is designed with the nature specified by the legislator. In all construction options, the warning device has at least one propeller with which the warning device is brought into a controlled floating state.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a stand-up element is arranged on the base body, which is in this case designed, for example, as a hinged flap element, which is fastened to the warning triangle by means of a hinge, for example, and counteracts the warning triangle from tilting when it is set up, so that the warning triangle in is set up in an at least partially tilted position. Here, the folding element can be designed to be hinged, for example by means of a mechanism, so that when the predetermined distance between the warning device and the vehicle is reached, the positioning element is in the is brought into the required position to enable the warning triangle to be set up safely.

Finally, it is provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the warning device is arranged in a stowed position on an underbody below the motor vehicle, from which the warning device can be adjusted into a warning position. In the warning position, the warning triangle is set up at a distance relative to the motor vehicle. Because the warning device is stowed on the underbody of the motor vehicle, it is possible, especially after an accident, to start it so that it detaches from the motor vehicle and flies to the distance at which the warning triangle is to be set up. The release can be detected, for example, by means of a sensor unit arranged on the motor vehicle, which has acceleration sensors and by means of which an accident can be detected. This transmits a signal to the warning device, whereby an adjustment from the stowed position to the warning position is signaled and carried out. The warning device can be placed in various positions in the vehicle, for example on the vehicle roof, on the underbody, under the bonnet or in the trunk. Since the body of the motor vehicle can be severely deformed as a result of the accident, as a result of which both the bonnet and trunk can no longer be opened automatically, it is preferable to place it on the underbody.

In a method according to the invention for operating a warning device for a motor vehicle, with a warning triangle and with an unmanned aircraft controllable by means of a control device, the warning triangle can be set up at a distance relative to the motor vehicle by means of the unmanned aircraft. Here, the warning device is operated at least partially automatically by means of the control unit as a function of a traffic event relating to the motor vehicle, in particular an accident. The warning device is detached from the motor vehicle and moved at least partially automatically so that after reaching the predetermined distance relative to the motor vehicle, the warning triangle is set up by means of the warning device and thus other motor vehicles and road users are warned of the traffic event.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without the scope of the Invention to leave.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht einer Ausführungsform einer ein Warndreieck umfassenden Warnvorrichtung für einen Kraftwagen mit einer ersten Flugmechanik;
• 2 eine schematische Draufsicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Warnvorrichtung mit einer weiteren zweiten Flugmechanik; und
• 3 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform der Warneinrichtung mit einer dritten weiteren Flugmechanik.

Show:

• 1 a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a warning device comprising a warning triangle for a motor vehicle with a first flight mechanism;
• 2 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of the warning device with a further second flight mechanism; and
• 3 a schematic side view of a third embodiment of the warning device with a third further flight mechanism.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a warning device 10 for a motor vehicle 12th , with a warning triangle 14th , which is used as a base body 15 of an unmanned aerial vehicle 16 , in particular an aircraft designed as a drone 16 , is trained. At least one first propeller is located on the base body 15 18th and / or a wing 17th of unmanned aircraft 16 arranged.

In the 1 shown warning device 10 points next to the first propeller 18th , a second propeller 20th and a third propeller 22nd on. The propeller 18th , 20th , 22nd are in particular at the respective corners of the warning triangle 14th attached.

Furthermore, the warning device 10 a support element 24 on the back of the warning triangle 14th on, which in particular at one of the corners of the warning triangle 14th Is hinged attached. The warning triangle 14th is accordingly by means of the mounting element 24 , which is opened when setting up, designed to be erectable. The mounting element 24 is designed in particular as a folding element, which by means of, for example, a hinge 25th to the warning triangle 14th is attached and tilting the warning triangle 14th counteracts. Here, the mounting element 24 be designed to be hinged by means of a mechanism, so that when a distance is reached A. the support element 24 is brought into the required position.

Finally, the warning device comprises 10 a control device 28 to control the unmanned aerial vehicle 16 , by means of which the warning triangle 14th in the distance A. can be set up relative to the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the warning device knows 10 at least one drive 26th to operate the drone 16 and for setting up the support element 24 on.

To the warning device 10 on the car 12th to attach, this has at least one securing element 30th on, which for example in an accident by means of a sensor device 32 of the motor vehicle 12th can solve. After loosening the securing element 30th starts the warning device 10 the drone 16 to be set up in the desired place. Here, the warning device 10 on a sub-floor 34 of the vehicle, so that in the event of an accident, in which wing doors 36 of the motor vehicle 12th are damaged and can therefore no longer be opened, the warning device 10 is actuatable.

2 shows a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of the warning device 10 , in which the base body 15 has at least one holding element 40 for the at least one first propeller 18th having. Likewise shows the 2 thus a further second flight mechanism, in which on the holding element 40 an additional fourth propeller 38 is arranged. That fourth propeller 38 is in particular for a further possibility of stabilizing the flight of the warning device 10 by means of the unmanned aerial vehicle 16 educated. The first and fourth propellers 18th , 38 are on the retaining element 40 arranged, which in a center of an extension direction of the holding element 40 at an attachment point 42 , at least partially around the attachment point 42 and relative to the attachment point 42 , is pivotably fixed. The holding element 40 is designed to be a mechanism of the drive 26th to the propellers 18th , 38 forward.

3 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the warning device 10 with another third flight mechanic. Here is the holding element 40 also at the attachment point 42 , at least partially around the attachment point 42 and relative to the attachment point 42 , pivoted. The present embodiment differs from the embodiment according to FIG 2 in the direction of extension of the holding element 40 , which is at least partially transverse to a triangular surface 44 of the warning triangle 14th is arranged. Here is the mounting element 24 of the warning triangle 14th already unfolded so that the warning device 10 at least partially at an angle perpendicular to the ground 46 is set up. The mounting element 24 is in particular designed as a folding element, which by means of, for example, the hinge 25th at the warning triangle 14th is attached and tilting the warning triangle 14th counteracts so that the warning triangle 14th is set up in an at least partially tilted position.

List of reference symbols

10

Warning device

12th

Motor vehicle

14th

Warning triangle

16

drone

17th

Carrying surface

18th

first propeller

20th

second propeller

22nd

third propeller

24

Mounting element

25th

hinge

26th

engine

28

Control device

30th

Fuse element

32

Sensor device

34

Subfloor

36

Double door

38

fourth propeller

40

Retaining element

42

Attachment point

44

Triangular face

46

ground

P

Relative position

A.

distance

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102017009405 A1 [0003]

Claims (6)

Warning device (10) for a motor vehicle (12), with a warning triangle (14) and with an unmanned aircraft (drone 16) controllable by means of a control device (28), by means of which the warning triangle (14) is at a distance (A) relative to the motor vehicle (12) can be set up, characterized in that the warning triangle (14) is designed as a base body (15) of the unmanned aircraft (drone 16), on which at least a first propeller (18) and / or a wing (17) of the unmanned Aircraft (drone 16) is arranged. Warning device (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the base body (15) has at least one holding element (40) for the at least one first propeller (18). Warning device (10) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a positioning element (24) is arranged on the base body (15). Warning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element (24) can be opened. Warning device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged in a stowed position on an underbody (34) below the motor vehicle (12), from which the warning device (10) can be adjusted into a warning position in which the warning triangle (14) is set up at a distance (A) relative to the motor vehicle (12). Method for operating a warning device (10) for a motor vehicle (12), with a warning triangle (14) and with an unmanned aircraft (drone 16) controllable by means of a control device (28), by means of which the warning triangle (14) is spaced apart (A ) Can be set up relative to the motor vehicle (12) is characterized in that the warning device (10) is operated at least partially automatically by means of the control device (28) as a function of a traffic event relating to the motor vehicle (12).

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