DE102022208806A1 - Method for operating a vehicle, computing unit and computer program product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle (1) with an accelerator pedal (8) and a travel drive controlled by the accelerator pedal (8), in particular without a clutch pedal, comprising determining, in particular not using an input means for specifying torque, whether a There is a request to increase the speed by the driver (7) when the vehicle (1) is stationary or moving at most at a predetermined very low maximum speed, - if it is determined that there is no request to increase the speed by the driver (7), setting an operating mode of the vehicle to a safety mode while the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated and a torque-transmitting connection from the traction drive to a surface exists and/or while the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated and the vehicle (1) is operated in an operating mode that occurs when the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated Accelerator pedal (8) causes torque transmission from the drive to a surface. The invention further relates to a computing unit, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying it out.

Background of the invention

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There are basically two types of drive trains for vehicles. On the one hand, drive trains with a manual transmission, in which a driver operates the clutch to change gear and start the vehicle, and on the other hand, drive trains without a clutch that can be operated by the driver. The latter drive trains can, for example, have continuously variable automatic transmissions or automatic transmissions with multiple gears, or can be gearless drive trains, e.g. B. in electric vehicles, which can only have a single pedal (“One Pedal”).

Many people are familiar with vehicles that have a manual transmission. In such vehicles, the clutch is disengaged and/or neutral is engaged when the engine is running and the engine is at a standstill. If the vehicle is then to be set in motion again, the clutch must be engaged slowly with the gear engaged.

• - ein Parkmodus, der mit „P“ bezeichnet werden kann - in diesem Betriebsmodus kann z.B. eine Getriebeblockade vorgesehen sein, die ein Anfahren oder Wegrollen des Fahrzeugs auch bei ausgeschaltetem Motor verhindert; es erfolgt bevorzugt keine Drehmomentübertragung auf den Untergrund, selbst wenn das Fahrpedal betätigt wird;
• - ein Neutralmodus, der mit „N“ bezeichnet werden kann - dieser entspricht in etwa einem Leerlaufmodus bei einem Schaltgetriebe; in diesem Neutralmodus erfolgt bevorzugt keine Drehmomentübertragung auf den Untergrund, selbst wenn das Fahrpedal betätigt wird; das Fahrzeug kann jedoch bewegt werden, z.B. in einer Waschstraße;
• - ein Fahrmodus, der mit „D“ („drive“, dt. fahren) bezeichnet werden kann - in diesem Betriebsmodus für die Vorwärtsfahrt wird ein Drehmoment vom Antriebsstrang an die Räder bzw. den Untergrund weitergeleitet, häufig in Abhängigkeit von der Betätigungsstellung des Fahrpedals, wobei auch bei Ruhestellung des Fahrpedals ein geringes Drehmoment an den Untergrund weitergeleitet werden kann, so dass das Fahrzeug langsam rollt, sofern die Bremse gelöst ist und nicht eine Auto-Hold-Funktion aktiviert ist;
• - ein Fahrmodus, der mit „R“ bezeichnet werden kann - dieser Betriebsmodus ist für das Rückwärtsfahren gedacht und funktioniert ansonsten wie der Betriebsmodus „D“.

Vehicles with an automatic transmission, but also electric vehicles without a transmission or with one-pedal control, usually have different operating modes that can be selected, for example, using a selector lever. Typically provided are:

• - a parking mode, which can be designated “P” - in this operating mode, for example, a transmission blockage can be provided, which prevents the vehicle from starting or rolling away even when the engine is switched off; There is preferably no torque transmission to the ground, even if the accelerator pedal is actuated;
• - a neutral mode, which can be designated “N” - this roughly corresponds to an idle mode in a manual transmission; In this neutral mode, there is preferably no torque transmission to the ground, even if the accelerator pedal is actuated; However, the vehicle can be moved, for example in a car wash;
• - a driving mode that can be referred to as “D” (“drive”) - in this operating mode for forward travel, torque is transmitted from the drive train to the wheels or the ground, often depending on the actuation position of the accelerator pedal , whereby even when the accelerator pedal is in the rest position, a small amount of torque can be transmitted to the ground so that the vehicle rolls slowly, provided the brake is released and an auto-hold function is not activated;
• - a driving mode that can be designated “R” - this operating mode is intended for reversing and otherwise functions like operating mode “D”.

It is understood that there may also be other modes that function similarly to mode "D", for example they are labeled "S" mode (for sport mode) or "B" mode for improved recuperation or with a Number such as "1" mode, "2" mode, "3" mode, whereby the number indicates the maximum gear up to which the automatic transmission shifts up. If reference is made to "D" mode in the following text, such modes are referred to included.

In a vehicle without a clutch (i.e. with an automatic transmission or an electric vehicle with or without a transmission), the starting process is simplified compared to a vehicle with a manual transmission. As long as the vehicle is not in operating mode “N” (neutral) or “P” (parking or transmission blocking, possibly without the service brake applied), the vehicle starts moving with the engine running or (in the case of electric vehicles with the vehicle activated) as soon as your foot is off the brake is taken. If combustion engines have a so-called start/stop system, the engine switches off as soon as the vehicle is stationary or the speed falls below a certain minimum. The combustion engine in hybrid vehicles can also be switched off when driving in pure electric mode or when an operating strategy provided in the vehicle stops purely electric or recuperative operation. Depending on the implementation, the engine can be restarted as soon as the brake pedal is released or released far enough or the accelerator pedal is pressed or the operating strategy for hybrid vehicles calls for the use of the internal combustion engine. The vehicle then drives off. When a so-called auto hold function or hill hold function is activated, the vehicle remains stationary even when the brake is released, but starts moving as soon as the accelerator pedal is pressed.

For people, among others, who have been familiar with a drive train that has a clutch for years or even decades, switching to a vehicle without a clutch can be a danger for themselves, their relatives and/or third parties. The proportion is increasing, particularly as vehicles become increasingly electrified Vehicles without an operable clutch. In addition, in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles in electric mode, there is no engine noise even when the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly. Such an engine noise can remind a driver that the vehicle is basically in motion and can accelerate quickly. Dangers can arise in particular if the vehicle behaves in a way that is unexpected, unusual, surprising or frightening for the (inexperienced) driver. Such dangers can be made worse by additional incorrect reactions and/or moments of shock on the part of the driver.

For example, dangerous situations can arise at the exit of a parking garage. Such a dangerous situation can occur, for example, if, when driving to the exit barrier, the vehicle is stopped too far away from the machine into which the parking ticket must be inserted.

If the vehicle is brought to a standstill - especially in a vehicle with an automatic transmission or an electric vehicle - the vehicle setting often remains in operating mode "D" and the driver presses the brake pedal. If the “Auto-Hold” function is activated, the vehicle remains at a standstill even when the brake pedal is released, despite the operating mode “D” being set, but is ready to drive. For example, if the driver tries to rise slightly from the seat to insert the parking ticket into the machine, he may accidentally press the accelerator pedal. This leads to an immediate (actually unintentional) start, which can endanger the driver and/or third parties. Especially when the accelerator pedal is pressed hard (e.g. if the driver's foot slips when he leans out of the window), the vehicle can start moving quickly (“cavalier start”), which poses a significant danger to the person leaning out of the window driver or third parties in the area of the exit barrier. A collision with another object (walls, other parked vehicles, benches, trash cans, etc.) can also result in significant damage to property or, in the worst case, injuries to the occupants, such as children in the vehicle. The driver can be very surprised by such a situation in which he actually has no desire to increase the speed (he just wants to stop). Therefore, it may take too long for him to find the brake and bring the vehicle to a stop (just releasing your foot from the accelerator pedal does not stop the car in operating mode “D”). There is therefore a great risk that the vehicle will collide with objects (e.g. a parking garage barrier), people, etc.

Changing the driver by changing seats in the interior also poses a significant risk. This can be the case, for example, if the operating mode “D” is selected and the vehicle has come to a standstill by pressing the brake pedal before changing seats and in particular the auto-hold function is switched on. If the driver now moves to the front passenger seat, for example, supports himself with his left foot in the pedal space while swinging his right leg over to the front passenger seat and then accidentally slides his left foot on or onto the accelerator pedal, the vehicle sits down immediately (and completely unexpectedly for the driver and uncontrolled by the driver) in motion.

Another dangerous situation can occur, for example, when stopping at a traffic light if the driver turns to the back seat to look after children sitting on it or to look for items in a bag in the back seat. If the operating mode “D” is selected here and the vehicle comes to a standstill by pressing the brake pedal, the driver's foot can slip from the brake pedal onto the accelerator pedal and cause the vehicle to start moving quickly. If the auto hold function is activated, even accidental touching of the accelerator pedal can set the vehicle in motion without the driver expecting it. Because in this example he is still focused on communicating with the children sitting in the back seat or on looking for the items in the bag.

Parking on a river bank or lake, for example, can also be a dangerous situation. If the front of the vehicle has come to a stop directly in front of the bank and the driver now wants to reverse away from the river, but mixes up the operating modes (e.g. “D” mode instead of “R” mode), he drives the vehicle when pressed of the accelerator pedal into the river or lake while looking behind him. The startle reaction when driving forward can be a further depressing of the accelerator pedal, causing the car to drive suddenly into the river or lake.

Such a risk is significantly reduced in vehicles with clutches, since when the clutch is activated, pressing the accelerator pedal only causes the engine to roar without setting the vehicle in motion. Furthermore, if the clutch is released abruptly, the engine usually stops (“stalls”) without covering a greater distance or accelerating (for a longer period of time). A long journey with potentially high acceleration is therefore unlikely.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a method for operating a vehicle with an accelerator pedal and a traction drive controlled by the accelerator pedal, in particular without a clutch pedal, as well as a computing unit, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium for its implementation are proposed with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

The invention provides a simple and reliable way to prevent an unintentional start or even a "cavalier start", i.e. a quick start of a vehicle from a standstill or at a low speed of the vehicle, by - in particular not using an input device Torque specification - it is determined whether there is (actually) a request to increase the speed. The fact that it is not determined using an input means for specifying torque whether there is a desire to increase the speed means that the actuation or position of usual input means for specifying torque, such as the accelerator pedal or a cruise control, are not taken into account in the determination. If the accelerator pedal is pressed while the vehicle is stationary or while the driver is parking or maneuvering, for example, this alone does not mean that there is a desire to increase the speed. Rather, other conditions are checked that can be used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed. The test can also determine whether an increase in speed is taking place in the correct direction: e.g. it can be recognized that there is a request to increase the speed in the forward direction, but the vehicle would move backwards.

If it turns out that there is no desire to increase the speed, an operating mode of the vehicle is set to a safety mode or the vehicle is operated in a safety mode.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the safety mode is set while a torque-transmitting connection from the traction drive to a surface exists and before or during or without a torque specification being received from the accelerator pedal. Alternatively or additionally - if there is no desire to increase the speed - an operating mode of the vehicle is set to the safety mode or the vehicle is operated in the safety mode if or while the vehicle is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal is actuated, transmits torque from the drive to a surface, whereby the safety mode is set without the accelerator pedal being pressed or before the accelerator pedal is pressed or while the accelerator pedal is being pressed (and thus the torque specification is obtained from the accelerator pedal).

In other words, the operating mode is set to the safety mode when a forward or reverse gear is engaged (e.g. operating mode “D” or “R”) and the accelerator pedal is pressed. If the vehicle's transmission is in idle (gear lever in position "N") or in parking mode (gear lever in position "P") and the accelerator pedal is pressed, it is not absolutely necessary to set the operating mode to safety mode, as there is no torque specification anyway leads to a change in the state of motion of the vehicle, but it is possible.

In other words: a plausibility check is carried out as to whether a (sudden and/or very high (e.g. greater than 80% of the maximum strength) torque request by the accelerator pedal can actually be desired in the current state of the vehicle and/or the driver. This is not the case If this happens, the safety mode is activated. You can then react differently to the torque request in order to prevent damage to the driver, the vehicle and third parties.

The safety mode can, for example, be designed to reduce or minimize the risk of an unwanted collision; for example, it can alternatively or additionally be designed to prevent or limit the unwanted increase in speed.

The determination of whether there is a desire to increase the speed is only carried out when the vehicle is stationary, in particular when the vehicle has been brought to a standstill while driving by pressing the brake and the vehicle is still in an active state (“ignition on "), or moves at most at a predetermined very low maximum speed, such as a maximum of 3 km/h or 5 km/h. Such low speeds occur, for example, when maneuvering or parking or rolling off. However, if the vehicle is driving normally on a street, for example in an urban area, and is moving at a normal driving speed, the safety mode is not activated.

In principle, the operating mode can be set to security mode or Operation of the vehicle in safety mode can begin before the accelerator pedal is pressed if it is determined that there is no desire to increase the speed - operation in safety mode then continues when the accelerator pedal is pressed. The safety mode can, for example, only be set after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (eg 1 to 5 seconds or 1 to 10 seconds, eg 3 seconds or 5 seconds) after determining that there is no desire to increase the speed. In this way, it can be achieved, for example, that a driver is not warned unnecessarily if he only briefly lounges in his seat when the vehicle is stationary.

Setting to safety mode or operating the vehicle in safety mode can also only take place while the accelerator pedal is being pressed - e.g. since in modern vehicles the accelerator pedal is no longer directly connected to the drive train, but the accelerator pedal position is usually controlled by electronics or Computing unit (e.g. in a control unit) is evaluated and only then is the torque specification determined from this passed on to the drive train or the motor (s). Setting the safety mode or operating the vehicle in safety mode can also take place in particular after pressing the accelerator pedal and during a subsequent acceleration phase, for example if it is only then determined that there is no desire to increase the speed (e.g. because an occupant calls for help or becomes recognizable that the driver has lost control of the vehicle, e.g. is not sitting correctly in the driver's seat, has possibly left it, etc.).

The invention makes it possible to reduce or avoid the danger to people inside or outside the vehicle or the risk of damage to property.

In one embodiment it is provided that the safety mode includes or provides for limiting a maximum acceleration to an acceleration safety value. In other words: in safety mode, a maximum acceleration of the vehicle is or is limited. This advantageously ensures that accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal does not lead to very strong acceleration, which can be particularly important for powerful vehicles (e.g. vehicles with more than 100 HP or more than 200 HP). In this way, a driver is advantageously not surprised and does not lose orientation. In addition, this advantageously reduces the “second of shock” or at least the distance traveled by the vehicle during this “second of shock”. Furthermore, this advantageously prevents the driver (who, for example, leans far out of the window) from being thrown into an even more maneuverable position by the acceleration forces during a very strong acceleration. The lower the acceleration safety value, the less distance the vehicle travels before the driver can regain control and therefore the lower the danger to vehicle occupants, outside living beings and objects outside the vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the safety mode limits or provides for a limitation of the maximum speed of the vehicle to a speed safety value. In other words: in safety mode, a maximum speed of the vehicle is or is limited. This advantageously ensures that accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal does not lead to high speed, which can be particularly important for powerful vehicles (e.g. vehicles with more than 100 HP or more than 200 HP). In this way, the distance traveled by the vehicle during a “second of shock” is advantageously reduced, i.e. the distance until the driver regains control of the vehicle. The lower the speed safety value, the less distance the vehicle travels before the driver can regain control and therefore the less danger there is to vehicle occupants, outside creatures and objects outside the vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the safety mode includes or effects the transfer of the vehicle into a safety operating mode, which does not cause any torque transmission of the traction drive to a surface when the accelerator pedal is actuated. This safety operating mode can be, for example, the operating mode “P” or “N” of the vehicle. This advantageously ensures that the vehicle - especially one that is already stationary - cannot accelerate or pick up speed at all, or that the slowly rolling vehicle (e.g. when maneuvering during a parking maneuver or with a trailer) only continues to roll (e.g. in mode "N “) and not accelerated beyond the maneuvering speed. In addition, such a safety operating mode is particularly easy to realize or implement.

• -- ein Begrenzen einer maximalen Beschleunigung auf einen Beschleunigungssicherheitswert erfolgt, und/oder
• -- ein Begrenzen einer maximalen Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs auf einen Geschwindigkeitssicherheitswert erfolgt, und/oder
• --ein Überführen des Fahrzeugs in einen Sicherheits-Betriebsmodus, der bei Betätigung des Fahrpedals keine Drehmomentübertragung des Fahrantriebs zu einem Untergrund bewirkt.

In the embodiments mentioned, it is therefore provided that if it is determined that there is no desire to increase the speed by the driver, a safety mode is set, for example

• -- a maximum acceleration is limited to an acceleration safety value, and/or
• -- a maximum speed of the vehicle is limited to a speed safety value, and/or
• --a transfer of the vehicle into a safety operating mode, which does not cause any torque transmission from the traction drive to a surface when the accelerator pedal is pressed.

In particular, it is provided that a safety operating mode is set while a) a torque-transmitting connection from the traction drive to a surface exists and during or before or without the accelerator pedal being actuated or b) while the vehicle is being operated in an operating mode which is at Actuation of the accelerator pedal causes a torque transfer from the drive to a surface (e.g. when the auto-hold function is activated) and during or before or without the accelerator pedal being actuated.

In principle, the safety mode can, for example, alternatively or additionally include or include activating an internal combustion engine of the vehicle so that an engine noise can be heard and/or activating a sound generator that indicates the operation of the vehicle (as is common, for example, in electric vehicles) and/or that Issuing warning messages to the interior and/or the exterior environment and the like. It is understood that these measures can begin before the accelerator pedal is pressed if it is determined that there is no desire to increase the speed. They are (continued to) be applied when the accelerator pedal is pressed.

In one embodiment, the acceleration safety value is 0 m/s ² , or at most 2 m/s ² , 1.5 m/s ² , 1 m/s ² or 0.5 m/s ² , and/or the speed safety value is 0 km /h or a maximum of 5 km/h, 3 km/h, 2 km/h or 1 km/h. Alternatively or additionally, the safety operating mode can be given by a neutral mode (comparable to the N position, for example) or a parking mode (comparable to the P position, for example). As a result, the acceleration and/or the speed of the vehicle are completely avoided or kept within a certain safe range, which avoids the driver being surprised too much and which prevents the driver from being thrown from an unfavorable position into an even more unfavorable or maneuverable position . Furthermore, this advantageously reduces the distance traveled until the driver regains control of the vehicle. This means that the danger to the driver or other people or the risk of property damage can be effectively reduced or avoided.

According to one embodiment, when determining whether there is a desire to increase the speed, at least one signal is first read in and compared with a threshold or threshold value. Depending on the comparison result, it is then determined whether the driver wants to increase the speed. The threshold value can be a previously determined value or a variable value that was determined, for example, before the vehicle came to a standstill. By reading in the signal and comparing it with the threshold or threshold value, the invention can be implemented in a simple manner and with little computing power and therefore cost-effectively. Examples of suitable signals are explained below.

In one embodiment, when determining whether there is a desire to increase the speed, at least one signal is first read in and entered or read into a machine learning method. It is then determined, depending on an output from the machine learning method, whether the driver wants to increase the speed. By using a machine learning method, the reliability of the invention can be increased since the method can independently adapt to different conditions and/or situations.

According to one embodiment, the signal contains (at least) information that comes from or is detected by one or more interior sensors of the vehicle and/or one or more environmental sensors of the vehicle and/or one or more vehicle sensors. This advantageously means that the desire to increase the speed can be determined based on means that are already present in or on the vehicle. In this way, the method can advantageously be implemented and realized cost-effectively and easily without major additional hardware expenditure. The safety for the driver and third parties is thereby advantageously improved cost-effectively and easily.

The one or more interior sensors are sensors that record information about the interior. By using them, for example, a movement or a condition of the driver can be determined, e.g. whether the driver is concentrating on the road ahead or is sitting normally in the seat.

The environmental sensors are sensors that collect information about the vehicle's surroundings. By using them, for example, a position of the vehicle can be determined, an obstacle in front of the vehicle, a weather situation or outside temperature or even an ambient pressure can be recorded, e.g. whether or where there are objects or people in the area around the vehicle.

Vehicle sensors are sensors that collect information about the vehicle itself. By using them, for example, an (operating) state of vehicle components can be recorded, e.g. an opening state of doors, windows, trunk or tank or power flap, or the use of a trailer hitch.

Using one or more of the signals mentioned so far, it can be reliably and easily determined whether there is a desire to increase the speed.

In one embodiment, the one or more interior sensors detect as information, for example, a weight on the driver's seat, which decreases when, for example, a driver leans out of the window to insert a parking ticket into a machine or when looking over the shoulder when parking for a better view lifts out of the driver's seat. For evaluation purposes, for example, the recorded value can be compared with a recorded value of the weight before the vehicle comes to a standstill or before reaching the very low speed or with a predetermined threshold value. For example, if the detected weight is too far (e.g. 10%) below the threshold value, it is determined that the driver does not want to increase the speed.

Furthermore, for example, the existence of a contact with a steering wheel can also be determined as information, in particular whether the steering wheel is touched with one or both hands. Furthermore, it can be determined as information how high the pressure exerted by the driver on the steering wheel is. For example, if the driver pushes himself out of the window and supports himself on the steering wheel with only one hand, a different signal is produced than if the driver touches the steering wheel with both hands in a normal driving position and does not support himself on it. This can also be used to determine whether the driver has no hands on the steering wheel. In such situations it can be determined that there is no desire to increase the speed.

Furthermore, for example, the direction of view of a driver can be recorded as information, in particular whether the direction of view corresponds to a direction that deviates by more than 90° or more than 60° or more than 45° (threshold values or threshold values) from the direction in which the speed increase (i.e. whether the driver is looking in the direction of travel or not). Since the driver in such a situation does not focus his attention on the road ahead, it can be assumed that the driver does not want to increase the speed. When reversing, for example, it can also be recorded whether the driver is looking at the display of a reversing camera or in one of the rear-view mirrors (interior mirror, exterior mirror) or how much his line of sight deviates from these elements.

Furthermore, by way of example, sound in the interior of the vehicle can also be recorded as information, for example vocalizations from at least one occupant of the vehicle, such as a surprised scream or a cry for help. Background noise such as music or news from a radio can be suppressed to increase recognition accuracy.

Furthermore, by way of example, camera images can be recorded as information, in particular from interior cameras, which are also used, for example, to detect fatigue. These cameras can be used, for example, to record the driver's line of sight, head position or body posture, or whether the driver is still (completely) in the driver's seat.

In one embodiment, the one or more indoor sensors include at least one sensor selected from a weight sensor, a camera, a touch sensor and a microphone. The camera can be, for example, an interior camera that is used by the vehicle to detect fatigue or for interior monitoring. Many of these interior sensors are already installed in vehicles for other purposes and work reliably. The invention can therefore be implemented reliably, in a simple manner and also in existing vehicles, for example through a software upgrade. Furthermore, by using already known and frequently used sensors, the invention can be implemented cost-effectively and reliably in new vehicles.

According to one embodiment, the one or more environmental sensors capture information about a vehicle environment or the exterior of the vehicle, such as a current position of the vehicle, lidar signals, radar signals, ultrasound signals, camera images of the vehicle's surroundings and environmental conditions. In particular, the position can be used to determine whether the vehicle is, for example, at the exit of a parking garage, in a parking lot, at a campsite or at a traffic light. In these locations, strong acceleration is usually undesirable and it can therefore be assumed that there is a desire to increase speed not present. Using the captured lidar signals, radar signals, camera images and/or ultrasound signals, obstacles in the area surrounding the vehicle, such as a curb, people, animals, other vehicles or a barrier, can be detected, but also what color the traffic light is currently showing (e.g. traffic light is still standing on red). By using one or more of the information recorded by environmental sensors, it can also be determined whether there is a desire to increase the speed, and an acceleration or a speed of the vehicle can, if necessary, be limited or the safety operating mode can be set or the vehicle can operated in this safety operating mode. This allows the invention to be implemented reliably and robustly and thus reduce the risk to people or the risk of damage to property.

In one embodiment, the environmental sensors include a positioning system sensor that determines the position of the vehicle using, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Galileo satellite system or the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). However, a WLAN module or a mobile radio module or the like can also be viewed as a positioning sensor - such modules can, for example, determine where the vehicle is based on WLAN networks or their MAC addresses. This can be of great use in parking garages, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more environmental sensors may include one or more sensors selected from a lidar sensor, radar sensor, ultrasonic sensor, a camera, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, with which the surroundings of the vehicle can be recorded. A camera can, for example, be installed in mirrors and/or the windshield and/or at the rear of the vehicle. A temperature sensor can be used to determine the outside temperature as information that allows conclusions to be drawn about the weather conditions. For example, it can be prevented from starting quickly in slippery conditions (temperatures below freezing), which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle. A pressure sensor can, for example, record the external pressure and in this way improve location determination. Through the use of environmental sensors, the determination of whether there is a desire to increase the speed can be improved, whereby the invention can be carried out more reliably and precisely and thus the danger to people and the risk of damage to property can be reduced.

According to one embodiment, the one or more vehicle sensors can record information about the vehicle or various components of the vehicle, such as the opening status of doors and/or windows of the vehicle. In particular, the opening state of a driver's door and/or a driver's window and/or all doors and/or windows, including the trunk lid, can be recorded. It is advantageous, for example, to record whether the passenger door and/or the rear doors are open or were opened within the last 5 or 10 seconds, for example, since this can indicate, for example, that people are still getting out or getting in. A particularly unwanted and surprising start in such a situation would put these people at great risk. It can also be recorded whether the door was opened from the inside or outside and/or whether a door lock was deactivated. Opening the door from the inside and/or deactivating the door lock makes it unlikely that strong acceleration will occur in an immediate time period (e.g. less than 10 or 20 seconds). However, if a door is opened from the outside or an attempt is made to open a locked door from the outside, this can indicate an attack, which at least does not rule out a desire to increase speed. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the opening state of the tank flap is determined. Further information that can be recorded by the one or more vehicle sensors is, for example, switch positions, an operating state of an interior lighting, an operation of the seat adjustment, an adjustment of a belt height, an exterior mirror or a multimedia system, a closed state of the driver's belt or the seat belt of another occupant (a seat belt that has just been opened can be an indication that a cavalier start is not desired, as in this case the occupant would be at risk in the event of a collision), a history of torque requests (e.g. it may be unlikely that a request to increase speed, especially with strong acceleration , is present if, for example, in more than 90% or more than 95% of the last trips there was no such increase in speed in comparable situations or conditions of the vehicle) and/or a trailer hitch signal. For example, an applied torque and the resulting angular velocity or angular acceleration of the wheels can also be determined or the resistance to rolling - if the vehicle is, for example, on a high curb or at a rollover threshold, for example on a river bank, then an unusually high rolling resistance can be detected indicate that there is no desire from the driver to increase the speed. Gathering information about the condition ver Various components of the vehicle can also allow it to be determined whether there is a desire to increase the speed.

In one embodiment, the one or more vehicle sensors include at least one sensor selected from a door closing sensor, a window position sensor, a tank cap sensor, e.g. a tank flap closing sensor, a switch or button or operating lever or a touch control element or a touch display or a microphone, a trailer hitch sensor and a control unit. Door closing sensors can be used to determine the opening or closing status of doors. If a door is open, there is probably no request to increase the speed. A window position sensor can be used, for example: B. determine that the driver's window is open. This information can, for example, make weight information easier to evaluate. Furthermore, switches or buttons or control levers or touch controls or touch displays can be used as vehicle sensors that have to be actuated, for example, to set interior lighting, a seating position, a belt height or an exterior mirror or an interior temperature or a music request or a navigation destination. If one of these switches or buttons, etc. is currently being pressed, it can be assumed or this can be an indication (possibly using further signals or information to check plausibility) that there is no desire to increase the speed. If the interior lighting is switched on, especially if the interior lighting has only recently been switched on (e.g. switched on less than 10 or less than 20 seconds ago), it can be assumed or this can be an indication that there is no desire to increase the speed. A trailer hitch sensor could be used to determine whether a trailer is attached to the vehicle or that a light strip plug of a trailer is plugged into the light strip socket of the vehicle. In this case, there is probably no desire to increase the speed, in particular a desire to increase the speed in the manner of a cavalier start. Furthermore, information such as a history of torque requests may be available in a control unit, which indicates whether there is a request to increase the speed or not. For example, driver recognition can be used to determine whether the driver has already made sudden speed increases from a standstill or from a crawl or maneuvering drive in the past. Using vehicle sensors, determining whether a speed request is present can be carried out more precisely and robustly, which can reduce the danger to people and the risk of damage to property. Advantageously, by using vehicle sensors, components already installed in the vehicle can be used, so that the method can be realized or implemented cost-effectively and without installing additional components. In addition, the characteristics of the installed components are known, so that the method can be designed to be particularly reliable and safe.

In order to draw the driver's attention to the dangerous situation caused by the (strong) actuation of the accelerator pedal (since a speed increase request or torque request is transmitted to the vehicle), a warning message can be issued in one embodiment. The warning message can be, for example, an acoustic and/or haptic and/or visual warning message. For example, as a visual warning, turn signals can be caused to flash, similar to when the hazard warning lights are activated, and/or the driver can be shown a corresponding warning message on the dashboard and/or the windshield. It is also possible, for example, to emit a horn signal as an acoustic warning and/or to activate a possibly existing siren of the vehicle's anti-theft system. In this way, for example, not only the driver of the vehicle can be made aware of the dangerous situation, but also people in the vicinity of the vehicle. It is also possible, for example, to give the driver haptic feedback via the steering wheel and/or the accelerator pedal, such as a shake or vibration, as a haptic warning message.

The warning message can be issued to the driver before operating the accelerator pedal and/or while operating the accelerator pedal and/or before and/or while setting the operating mode to or in the safety mode. By issuing the warning signal early, the driver may be able to react in good time and avoid the dangerous situation on his own, or people in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle may be able to avoid the vehicle. This reduces the danger to people and/or the risk of property damage.

According to one embodiment, the setting of the operating mode of the vehicle to or in the safety mode or the operation of the vehicle in the safety mode, in particular the limitation of the maximum acceleration to the acceleration safety value or the maximum speed of the vehicle to the speed safety value or the transfer of the vehicle into safety mode mode, for a predetermined period of time while the vehicle's accelerator pedal is depressed. For example, the limiting can be maintained for 1 s, 2 s, 5 s or 10 s while an accelerator pedal is pressed. If the accelerator pedal is operated for a longer period of time, it can be assumed, for example, that the driver actually wants to increase the speed (e.g. to avert a dangerous situation), and setting the operating mode of the vehicle to or in safety mode or operating the vehicle in Security mode can be canceled after the predefined time has elapsed. Alternatively or additionally, a predetermined route can also be set, after which the operation of the vehicle in safety mode is canceled. For example, after a distance of the entire vehicle length or of 5 m, 10 m, 25 m or 50 m, it can be concluded that there is a desire to increase the speed and therefore operation in safety mode can be ended, in particular the limitation of the maximum acceleration and / or the maximum speed of the vehicle. The selected period of time and/or route can be made dependent, for example, on the acceleration and/or speed safety value. The time or distance after which the limitation is lifted can be chosen to be longer with a higher value than with a lower value. By maintaining the limitation of the maximum acceleration and/or the maximum speed for a certain time or distance, it can be ensured that the limitation is maintained until it can be assumed that the driver has accidentally pressed the accelerator pedal in the meantime would have ended.

In a further embodiment, the setting of the safety mode or the operation of the vehicle in the safety mode can be ended in response to reading in a release signal, in particular limiting the maximum acceleration to the acceleration safety value or limiting the maximum speed of the vehicle to the speed safety value or operation in safety operating mode. The release signal can be entered by the driver, for example, using a human-machine interface (HMI), for example by gripping the steering wheel with both hands or, for example, by pressing one or more buttons, levers, etc .similar, or via a touch on a touch control or a touch on a touch display. On the one hand, the driver can override an automatic system. This makes it possible to cope with situations in which a (quick) start is necessary, for example if the vehicle is stuck or there is an external danger that the driver would like to escape by starting quickly or if the driver, for example from the You want to maneuver the vehicle with your seat braced. On the other hand, incorrect detection can also be identified so that, for example, the signal evaluation can be improved, for example a threshold value comparison or machine learning method. Determining whether there is a request to increase the speed can be carried out more robustly and reliably and thus the danger to people or the risk of property damage can be reduced.

A computing unit according to the invention, for example a control unit of a vehicle, is set up, in particular in terms of programming, to carry out a method according to the invention.

The implementation of a method according to the invention in the form of a computer program or computer program product with program code for carrying out all method steps is also advantageous because this causes particularly low costs, especially if an executing control device is used for additional tasks and is therefore present anyway. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium is provided with a computer program stored thereon as described above. Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program are, in particular, magnetic, optical and electrical memories, such as hard drives, flash memories, EEPROMs, DVDs, etc. It is also possible to download a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.). Such a download can be wired or wired or wireless (e.g. via a WLAN network, a 3G, 4G, 5G or 6G connection, etc.).

Further advantages and refinements of the invention result from the description and the accompanying drawing.

The invention is shown schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 shows schematically a vehicle with various components for carrying out an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 shows schematically a vehicle, in particular with various interior sensors and vehicle sensors for carrying out an embodiment of the invention;
• 3 shows schematically a vehicle with environmental sensors for carrying out an embodiment of the invention, with people and other vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle;
• 4 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a vehicle.

Embodiment(s) of the invention

1 shows schematically a vehicle 1, which is designed or set up here as an example to carry out an embodiment of the invention. Here, the vehicle 1 has, for example, a control device 2, which is connected to interior sensors 3, which record information about an interior 1b of the vehicle 1, environmental sensors 4, which record information about an environment or an exterior 1a of the vehicle 1, and vehicle sensors 5, capture the information about the vehicle 1 itself. The control device 2 can also be a distributed computing unit, which can, for example, have several modules or partial computing units. In principle, it is also conceivable that the control device is not arranged in the vehicle, but is located at an external location and receives the data or information and sends other data, signals and / or information back to the vehicle 1, which sends this data, receives signals and information. This can be the case, for example, with a cloud implementation. The control unit 2 is further connected to a travel drive with at least one motor 6 (e.g. electric and/or internal combustion engine) of the vehicle 1 and controls the motor 6 based on a torque specification that a driver 7, who is sitting in a driver's seat 9 for example, over the operation of an accelerator pedal 8 (eg an accelerator pedal) specifies. The vehicle 1 can have a drive train with or without a transmission 10. The transmission 10 can be, for example, a continuously variable automatic transmission or an automatic transmission with several gears.

• -- bestimmt wird, ob ein Geschwindigkeitserhöhungswunsch vorliegt und,
• -- falls kein Geschwindigkeitserhöhungswunsch vorliegt,
• ---- ein Einstellen eines Betriebsmodus des Fahrzeugs 1 auf einen Sicherheitsmodus erfolgt bzw. das Fahrzeug 1 in dem Sicherheitsmodus betrieben wird, insbesondere ohne dass das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder bevor das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder während das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird und eine drehmomentübertragende Verbindung von dem Fahrantrieb zu einem Untergrund existiert und/oder
• ---- ein Einstellen eines Betriebsmodus des Fahrzeugs auf einen Sicherheitsmodus erfolgt bzw. das Fahrzeug in dem Sicherheitsmodus betrieben wird, insbesondere ohne dass das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder bevor das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder während das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird und das Fahrzeug 1 in einem Betriebsmodus betrieben wird, der bei Betätigung des Fahrpedals 8 eine Drehmomentübertragung von dem Fahrantrieb zu einem Untergrund bewirkt (z.B. bei Stillstand des Fahrzeugs 1, insbesondere nach einem Abbremsen, bei gleichzeitig ausgewähltem Betriebsmodus „D“ oder „R“ sowie bei optional ausgewählter bzw. aktivierter Auto-Hold-Funktion). Das heißt, wenn bestimmt wird, dass kein Geschwindigkeitserhöhungswunsch vorliegt, dann wird - zumindest während ein Vorwärts- oder Rückwärtsgang eingelegt ist und insbesondere ohne dass das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder bevor das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird oder während das Fahrpedal 8 betätigt wird - ein Sicherheitsmodus aktiviert bzw. ein Betriebsmodus des Fahrzeugs 1 auf einen Sicherheitsmodus eingestellt bzw. dann wird das Fahrzeug 1 in dem Sicherheitsmodus betrieben. Dieser Sicherheitsmodus kann lediglich beispielhaft beinhalten, dass die maximale Beschleunigung bzw. die maximale Geschwindigkeit auf einen Beschleunigungs- bzw. Geschwindigkeitssicherheitswert begrenzt wird oder dass sein Sicherheits-Betriebsmodus ausgewählt bzw. aktiviert wird. Ein solcher Sicherheits-Betriebsmodus kann z.B. das Aktivieren des Parkmodus („P“-Modus) oder des Neutralmodus („N“-Modus) beinhalten bzw. umfassen oder darin bestehen. Der Sicherheitsmodus kann alternativ oder zusätzlich auch ein Ausgeben einer Warnmeldung (z.B. in einem Display des Fahrzeugs 8 und/oder durch einen Signalton und/oder durch ein haptisches Feedback im Sitz, im Lenkrad, in einem der Pedale, etc.) umfassen.

In order to avoid dangerous situations, the control unit 2 is set up in terms of programming to carry out a preferred embodiment of the invention, whereby

• -- it is determined whether there is a request to increase the speed and,
• -- if there is no request to increase the speed,
• ---- an operating mode of the vehicle 1 is set to a safety mode or the vehicle 1 is operated in the safety mode, in particular without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated or before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is being actuated and a There is a torque-transmitting connection from the drive to a surface and/or
• ---- an operating mode of the vehicle is set to a safety mode or the vehicle is operated in the safety mode, in particular without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated or before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is being actuated and the vehicle 1 is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated, causes a torque transmission from the traction drive to a surface (e.g. when the vehicle 1 is at a standstill, in particular after braking, with the operating mode “D” or “R” selected at the same time and with the optionally selected or . activated auto-hold function). This means that if it is determined that there is no desire to increase the speed, then - at least while a forward or reverse gear is engaged and in particular without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated or before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is being actuated - a safety mode activated or an operating mode of the vehicle 1 is set to a safety mode or then the vehicle 1 is operated in the safety mode. This safety mode can only include, by way of example, that the maximum acceleration or the maximum speed is limited to an acceleration or speed safety value or that its safety operating mode is selected or activated. Such a safety operating mode can, for example, include or consist of activating the parking mode (“P” mode) or the neutral mode (“N” mode). The safety mode can alternatively or additionally also include issuing a warning message (e.g. in a display of the vehicle 8 and/or through a signal tone and/or through haptic feedback in the seat, in the steering wheel, in one of the pedals, etc.).

Whether there is a desire to increase the speed is determined by the control unit 2, for example by evaluating one or more pieces of information from at least one signal or the signals of at least one of the various sensors 3, 4, 5, for example the interior sensors 3, the environmental sensors 4 and the vehicle sensors 5, as well as from at least one piece of information or information that is present in the control unit 2. The accelerator pedal or another input device, which which is usually used to determine the torque requirement or a speed increase request, is preferably not taken into account by the method. Sensors on the accelerator pedal or on an input unit of a cruise control, for example sensors for the angular position, etc. of an accelerator pedal, are also preferably not used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed. The evaluation can also be based on threshold value comparisons and/or a machine learning process. The various information or signals that are included in the evaluation via the interior sensors 3, the environmental sensors 4 and the vehicle sensors 5 can thus be used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed, for example whether the driver 7 is concentrating on driving. If it turns out that there is no desire to increase the speed, the safety mode is set or the vehicle is operated in safety mode. This can, for example, include or consist of a limitation of the maximum acceleration and/or the maximum speed to an acceleration or speed safety value. Alternatively or additionally, it can include switching to a safety operating mode. This setting of the safety mode can be done while a torque-transmitting connection exists between the traction drive and the ground and without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated or before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is being actuated and/or the setting takes place without the accelerator pedal being actuated 8 is actuated or before or while the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated and the vehicle 1 is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated, causes torque to be transmitted from the traction drive to a surface. To limit the acceleration and/or speed, the control unit 2 can act on the motor 6 accordingly.

2 shows schematically a structure of the vehicle 1 with a variety of different interior sensors and vehicle sensors for carrying out an embodiment of the invention. Interior sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are installed in the interior 1b of the vehicle 1 in order to record information about the interior 1b, which can be used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed.

In the present example, one of the interior sensors is a weight sensor 3a, which is installed in the driver's seat 9 and is designed to measure the weight of a driver 7 ( 1 ) capture. The detected weight can be compared with a threshold value by the control device 2, which receives the signals from the weight sensor 3a. The threshold value can be, for example, a predetermined weight or a weight that was detected before coming to a standstill or falling below a predetermined speed. For example, if the recorded weight deviates by more than 10% from the threshold value, in particular downwards, it can be assumed that the driver has risen from the seat, for example to lean out of the window or backwards, and therefore there is no desire to increase the speed . If the accelerator pedal 8 is now actuated, this presumably happens unintentionally and the safety mode is activated. For example, the maximum acceleration and/or the maximum speed of the vehicle 1 is limited to an acceleration and/or speed safety value or a safety operating mode is activated which, when the accelerator pedal is actuated, does not cause the drive drive to transmit torque to a surface, for example by activating it the parking mode or the neutral mode.

Furthermore, an interior camera 3b can also be installed as an interior sensor, which records images that are transmitted to the control unit 2. The control unit 2 can use these images to determine, for example, whether the driver's line of sight deviates by more than 90°, more than 60° or more than 45° (threshold values) from the direction in which the speed increase would take place. In a case in which the viewing direction deviates significantly from the (predicted) direction of travel, the control unit 2 can determine that the driver 7 is not concentrating on driving the vehicle and therefore there is no desire to increase the speed.

In addition, the touch of the steering wheel 11 by a driver 7 can be detected via a touch sensor 3c, which is installed in the steering wheel 11. The control unit 2 can use the information recorded by the touch sensor 3c to determine whether the driver is touching the steering wheel 11 with two hands, with one hand or not at all. In addition, it can be provided that the touch sensor 3c or a further sensor not shown here can also detect how great the pressure is that is exerted by the hands on the steering wheel 11. From this, the control unit 2 can determine, for example, whether the driver 7 is supporting himself on the steering wheel 11, for example to lean out of the window or turn to the back seat or climb over to the passenger side. If the control unit 2 detects that contact only occurs with one or no hand and/or the driver 7 is supported on the steering wheel 11, the control unit 2 determines that there is no desire to increase the speed. In this situation an actuation of the accelerator pedal 8 by the driver 7 is assumed to be unintentional and the vehicle 1 is operated in the safety mode or the operating state of the vehicle 1 is set to the safety mode. For this purpose, for example, the control unit 2 can limit the maximum acceleration to an acceleration safety value and/or the maximum speed of the vehicle 1 to a speed safety value or activate a safety operating mode, at least or in particular while a torque-transmitting connection exists between the traction drive and the ground or while that Accelerator pedal is actuated and the vehicle is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal is actuated, causes a torque transmission from the traction drive to a surface.

Furthermore, microphones 3d can be installed in the interior, which record the sound, for example to record a cry for help or a scream from an occupant, e.g. the driver or front passenger or another passenger, which is emitted by a surprising and unexpected acceleration. From this, the control unit 2 can also determine that there is no desire to increase the speed.

Furthermore, the control unit 2 can receive information from vehicle sensors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, which can be used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed. The control unit 2 can thus receive information about an opening state of doors, windows, trunk, hood, fuel tank or power flap, for example a driver's door and/or passenger door and/or one or both rear doors and/or a driver's window and/or a fuel tank flap a door closing sensor 5a, a window position sensor 5b, or a fuel filler flap sensor 5c. The control unit 2 can determine that there is no desire to increase the speed based on signals that indicate that a door, fuel filler flap, trunk or hood is open. The position of a window can in particular be included as additional information.

In addition, a trailer coupling sensor 5d can be installed in the vehicle 1, which outputs a signal to the control unit 2 indicating whether a trailer is attached. It can be concluded from this that there is no desire to increase the speed, in particular no rapid acceleration of, for example, more than 2m/s ² or more than 1m/s ² .

Other vehicle sensors that can be installed in vehicle 1 and in 2 Not shown can be switches or buttons or control levers or touch controls or touch displays that output signals to the control unit 2, which contain information about an operating state of an interior lighting, an operation of the seat adjustment, an adjustment of a belt height, an adjustment of an exterior mirror , a setting of a multimedia system or a setting of temperature and/or ventilation intensity or a fastening state of the driver's belt. The control unit 2 can also use this information to determine whether there is a request to increase the speed.

The evaluation can be improved in particular by combining several sensor signals, e.g. weight sensor 3a, window position sensor 5b and interior camera 3b can together determine the current state of the driver relatively reliably. The sensor signals can thus be used mutually to check the plausibility of the determination that there is no desire to increase the speed.

3 shows schematically the vehicle 1 with environmental sensors 4a, 4b, 4c for carrying out an embodiment in a situation in which the driver 7 wants to reverse the vehicle 1 into a parking space. There is a person 12a and several other vehicles 12b in the vicinity of the vehicle 1, which could be endangered or damaged if the vehicle drives off quickly. The vehicle 1 is equipped with a large number of environmental sensors 4a, 4b, 4c to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed. In the present example, this is a temperature sensor 4a with which the outside temperature can be recorded, using which the control unit 2 can, for example, determine that the road is slippery when the temperature is below freezing point. In such a case, it can be determined that there is no desire to increase the speed. Furthermore, one or more cameras 4b can be installed in one or more of the side mirrors, which record the surroundings 1a of the vehicle 1 in the front and/or side and/or backward direction. Based on the images recorded by the one or more cameras 4b, the control device 2 can, for example, determine other people 12a, other vehicles 12b or other objects that are in the vicinity of the vehicle 1, in particular obstacles. In addition, a radar sensor 4c is installed in the rear direction of the vehicle. Based on the radar signal received by the radar sensor 4c, the control unit 2 can determine whether there are obstacles in the rearward direction of the vehicle 1, for example people, vehicles, a barrier or a wall. In addition to or as an alternative to the radar sensor 4c, cameras, lidar sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors can also be installed. Furthermore, the positions of the environmental sensors can be swapped or several environmental sensors can be installed in the same place. It is possible, for example, for both a camera to take images and a radar and/or lidar sensor to be installed in the backward and forward directions in order to improve the detection of objects. If there is an obstacle, such as a person 12a or another vehicle 12b or object in the direction of travel (here backwards) of the vehicle, the control unit 2 can determine that the driver of the vehicle 1 does not want to increase the speed. It can then, in particular while there is a torque-transmitting connection between the traction drive and the ground and the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated and / or while the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated and the vehicle 1 is operated in an operating mode, which, when the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated, a torque transmission of the traction drive to a surface causes an operating mode of the vehicle 1 to be set to a safety mode or initiated by the control unit 2. In this safety mode, for example, only the maximum acceleration and/or the maximum speed of the vehicle 1 can be limited to an acceleration and/or speed safety value. Alternatively or additionally, the safety mode can have or represent a safety operating mode which does not cause any torque transmission of the traction drive to a surface when the accelerator pedal is actuated.

It is understood that the sensors from the vehicles 1 , 2 and 3 all or in other compositions can also be present in a single vehicle 1. Depending on the equipment of the vehicle 1, the signals or information from the existing interior sensors 3, environmental sensors 4 and/or vehicle sensors 5 can be used to determine whether there is a desire to increase the speed or not.

In 4 a block diagram of an embodiment of the method for operating a vehicle 1 is shown. A computing block 210, which is, for example, part of the control unit 2 installed in the vehicle 1 (but can also be provided externally to the vehicle 1 in a cloud version), receives signals 301, 401 and 501, which are from the interior sensors 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the environmental sensors 4, 4a, 4b, 4c and/or the vehicle sensors 5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are transmitted to the computing block 210. Furthermore, the computing block 210 receives signals 201 that are contained in the control unit 2. Signals from the accelerator pedal 8 or another input means for transmitting a torque request are preferably not used.

The calculation block 210 first determines whether the vehicle is at a standstill or is moving at a predetermined very low speed of, for example, less than 3 km/h or less than 5 km/h or in maneuvering mode.

If this is the case, the computing block 210 uses the signals 201, 301, 401, 501 to determine whether there is a request to increase the speed. This can be done, for example, by comparing the information contained in the signals with a respective threshold value and/or by feeding the information contained in the signals into a machine learning method.

If the calculation block 210 determines that the signals indicate a situation in which there is no desire to increase the speed, an operating mode of the vehicle 1 is set to a safety mode or the vehicle is operated in a safety mode. The safety mode can be set in particular without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated, before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is being actuated and while a torque-transmitting connection from the traction drive to a surface exists and/or the safety mode can be set in particular , without the accelerator pedal 8 being actuated before the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated or while the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated and while the vehicle 1 is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal 8 is actuated, causes a torque transmission from the traction drive to a surface. Setting the safety mode or operating the vehicle in safety mode can, for example, bring about or include one or more of the following steps: it can, for example, limit the maximum acceleration to an acceleration safety value and/or the maximum speed of the vehicle 1 to a speed safety value and/or activate a safety operating mode, which does not cause any torque transmission of the traction drive to a surface when the accelerator pedal is actuated. This can be done in particular by the control unit controlling the engine 6 of the vehicle 1 accordingly (block 202). Alternatively or additionally, the security mode may include issuing a warning message (visual, acoustic, haptic or the like).

Claims (19)

Method for operating a vehicle (1) with an accelerator pedal (8) and a traction drive controlled by the accelerator pedal (8), in particular without a clutch pedal, comprising the following steps: -- Determine, in particular not using an input means for torque specification, whether there is a request to increase the speed by the driver (7) when the vehicle (1) is stationary or moving at most at a predetermined very low maximum speed, -- if it is determined that there is no request to increase the speed by the driver (7). , Setting an operating mode of the vehicle to a safety mode. Method according to the preceding claim, whereby the setting takes place - without the accelerator pedal (8) being pressed or - before the accelerator pedal (8) is pressed or - While the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated and there is a torque-transmitting connection from the drive to a surface and or whereby the setting takes place - without the accelerator pedal (8) being pressed or - before the accelerator pedal (8) is pressed or - While the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated and the vehicle (1) is operated in an operating mode which, when the accelerator pedal (8) is actuated, causes torque to be transmitted from the drive to a surface. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the security mode includes -- Limiting a maximum acceleration to an acceleration safety value, and or -- Limiting a maximum speed of the vehicle (1) to a speed safety value, and or -- Transferring the vehicle (1) into a safety operating mode, which does not cause the drive drive to transmit torque to a surface when the accelerator pedal is pressed. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the acceleration safety value is 0 m/s ² , or at most 2 m/s ² , 1.5 m/s ² , 1 m/s ² or 0.5 m/s ² and/or where the speed safety value is 0 km/h, or at most 5 km/h, 3 km/h, 2 km/h or 1 km/h and/or the safety operating mode is a neutral mode or a parking mode. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein determining whether there is a request to increase the speed by the driver (7) comprises: -- Reading in at least one signal and -- comparing the signal with a threshold, and -- Determine whether the driver (7) wants to increase the speed, depending on the comparison result. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein determining whether there is a request to increase the speed by the driver (7) comprises: -- Reading in at least one signal and -- inputting the at least one signal to a machine learning method, and -- Determine whether the driver (7) wants to increase the speed, depending on an output from the machine learning method. Procedure according to Claim 4 or 5 , wherein the at least one signal contains information that is detected by one or more interior sensors (3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and/or by one or more environmental sensors (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) and/or by one or more vehicle sensors (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d). Procedure according to Claim 6 , wherein the one or more interior sensors (3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) detect one or more selected from the group comprising: weight on the driver's seat (9); Existence of touching a steering wheel (11), in particular touching the steering wheel (11) with both hands, direction of view of a driver, sound in an interior of the vehicle, camera images. Procedure according to Claim 6 or 7 , wherein the one or more interior sensors (3, 3a, 3b, 3c) comprise one or more selected from the group comprising: weight sensor (3a), camera (3b), touch sensor (3c), microphone (3d). Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 until 8th , wherein the one or more environmental sensors (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) detect one or more selected from the group comprising: current position of the vehicle, lidar signals, radar signals, ultrasound signals, camera images of the environment (1b) of the vehicle (1) , Environmental conditions. Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 until 9 , wherein the one or more environmental sensors (4, 4a, 4b, 4c) comprise one or more selected from the group comprising: positioning system sensor, lidar sensor, radar sensor (4c), ultrasonic sensor, camera (4b), temperature sensor (4a) , pressure sensor. Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 until 10 , wherein the one or more vehicle sensors (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) detect one or more selected from the group comprising: opening state of doors and / or windows and / or a fuel filler flap, operating state of an interior lighting, setting of an exterior mirror , operating the seat adjustment, adjusting a belt height, adjusting a multimedia system, closing status of the driver's belt, torque request history, trailer hitch signal. Procedure according to one of the Claims 6 until 11 , wherein the one or more vehicle sensors (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) comprise one or more selected from the group comprising: door closing sensor (5a), window sensor (5b), fuel filler flap sensor (5c), switch, button, operating lever , touch control, touch display, microphone, trailer hitch sensor (5d), control unit (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising issuing a warning message. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein setting an operating mode of the vehicle to a safety mode comprises: -- setting to the safety mode for a predetermined period of time while the accelerator pedal (8) of the vehicle (1) is actuated and / or -- setting to safety mode for a predetermined route. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising terminating the security mode in response to reading in a release signal. Computing unit which is set up to carry out all method steps of a method according to one of the preceding claims. Computer program that causes a computing unit to carry out all process steps of a process according to one of the Claims 1 until 15 to be carried out when it is executed on the computing unit. Machine-readable storage medium with a computer program stored on it Claim 17 .

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