FR3018489A1 - METHOD FOR MANAGING A VEHICLE DISPLACEMENT TO AVOID A SHOCK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of managing an inadvertent movement of a vehicle (1) in neutral on a roadway (3) slightly declining. The main characteristic of a management method according to the invention is that it comprises the following steps, - a step (5) of detecting a motion of the vehicle, - a step (6) of detection of a position of the gearbox in neutral, - a step (7) for detecting an obstacle (2), - a step of managing the movement of the vehicle (1) so that it does not come into contact with said obstacle .

Description

The invention relates to a method for managing a vehicle movement to prevent an impact. The invention relates to the safety of the passengers of a vehicle in the specific case where a vehicle is stationary on a traffic lane, in neutral, and initiates an inadvertent movement due to a slight slope of said lane . Such a scenario may, for example, occur at the highway toll, when a driver has stopped his vehicle and then placed it in neutral, to find a means of payment. The driver is then focused on his research, and no longer pays attention to his vehicle, which can begin a movement at very low speed, because of the slope of the road. Another case of use during sloping parking maneuver can be considered. Indeed, a motorist can use the declivity of the road to avoid a change of gear. Such displacements can lead to an impact on an external object, with possible damage to said vehicle and / or said object. It can also cause an impact with a pedestrian, which can lead to significant risk of injury. A management method according to the invention aims to prevent the vehicle from coming into contact with an object or a pedestrian, in the particular situation for which the vehicle is supposed to be stopped and in neutral , on a pavement slightly downhill.

The subject of the invention is a method of managing an untimely displacement of a vehicle in neutral on a roadway in slight slope, said method being controlled by an electronic control unit of said vehicle. The main characteristic of a management method according to the invention is that it comprises the following steps, a step of detecting a setting in motion of the vehicle, a step of detecting a position of the box of speed in neutral, - a step of detecting an obstacle, - a step of managing the movement of the vehicle so that it does not come into contact with said obstacle. In this way, the potentially dangerous situation to be handled by this process comprises three components: - the vehicle is in neutral, - the vehicle has started a movement, - an obstacle is detected. Once these three conditions are met, the method implements a step of managing this dangerous situation, either automatically by proposing a braking phase, or by proposing a warning step to inform the driver of the danger that he runs. , and take the appropriate measures to avoid a collision with the obstacle. A slight gradient means that the roadway is inclined by only a few degrees in relation to a strictly horizontal plane. The vehicle's movement is due to its inertia on an inclined plane. According to a first preferred embodiment of a management method according to the invention, the management step comprises an alerting step by means of a signal enabling the driver to be informed of the movement of his vehicle. In this way, since the vehicle is traveling at very low speed, generally less than 5 km / h, the driver will have time to activate the brake pedal before a collision with the detected obstacle occurs. He may also use the parking brake to stop his vehicle if he deems it necessary. The signal may for example be visual, sound or vibratory at the seat. Advantageously, the signal is a distinctive sound signal. Thus, regardless of its position in the vehicle, the driver will always be informed of the dangerous situation that is created, unlike a visual signal that will require a vision of the driver towards said signal.

Preferably, the management step comprises a step of braking the vehicle by the driver, which is subsequent to the warning step.

Thus, the management step is broken down into an alerting step and a braking step performed by the driver to stop the vehicle before a collision against an obstacle occurs. This braking can be done either by means of the brake pedal or by means of the parking brake.

According to another preferred embodiment of a management method according to the invention, the management step implements an automatic braking step of the vehicle. This braking step is automatically controlled by electronic means of the vehicle, regardless of the driver's desire. This automatic braking step occurs, either directly after a danger situation has been detected, or after an alerting step informing the driver of the said danger situation. Preferably, the step of detecting the obstacle is performed by means of at least one ultrasonic sensor. Generally, several ultrasonic sensors are arranged at the rear and / or the front of the vehicle so as to effectively cover the entire rear area and / or front of said vehicle. Thus, an obstacle placed at the rear or the front of the vehicle, regardless of its dimensions, will be automatically detected by these sensors. Advantageously, each ultrasonic sensor is activated only when the distance separating the vehicle from the obstacle is less than or equal to 50 cm. Indeed, the danger situations taken into consideration by a management method according to the invention involve very low vehicle speeds, generally not exceeding 5km / h, and it is therefore not necessary to detect an obstacle of too far. This parameter is adjustable within the performance limits of the sensor.

Advantageously, the step of detecting the setting in motion of the vehicle is carried out by means of at least one sensor for measuring the wheel speed. Preferably, a management method according to the invention is controlled by an electronic control unit, embedded in said vehicle.

A management method according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be implemented in a vehicle, with measuring means already present in said vehicle for other functions. As a result, it is inexpensive and limits the number of additional pieces to be implanted. The following is a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of a management method according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a logic diagram showing all the steps of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic figure on the side of the rear part of a vehicle, equipped with sensors for detecting an obstacle. Referring to FIG. 1, a management method according to the invention makes it possible to avoid a vehicle shock 1 against an obstacle 2, in a situation for which said vehicle 1 is stationary and in neutral, and when such a scenario may occur, for example, at a motorway toll, when the driver has put his vehicle 1 at a standstill and when he initiates a movement at a low speed due to a slight incline of the roadway. he is busy looking for a means of payment. In this case, it may inadvertently release the brake pedal and the vehicle 1 can then initiate a movement in the direction of the slope of the roadway 3. It should be noted that the inclination of the roadway does not exceed a few degrees. A management method according to the invention, which is controlled by an electronic control unit embedded in the vehicle 1, implements a step 4 of detecting a potential danger situation for the vehicle 1. This step 4 comprises a step 5 of detecting a setting in motion of the vehicle 1, a detection step 6 of a gearbox position at the neutral point, and a step 7 of detecting an obstacle 2. The detection step 5 the vehicle is set in motion by means of at least one sensor for measuring the wheel speed 8. The measurement of the wheel speed 8 is an operation which is common on a vehicle 1 in phase rolling, and that is well mastered. Step 6 of detecting a dead gear position is also a usual operation with a suitable sensor.

The step 7 of detecting an obstacle 2 is performed by means of ultrasonic sensors 9 placed on the rear part of the vehicle 1 and possibly on the front part of said vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2. These sensors 9 are analogous to those used to identify the presence of an obstacle at the rear of a vehicle 1, and evaluate the distance separating said obstacle of said vehicle 1, when a driver is required to perform a maneuver to park his vehicle 1 in a place parking. The different types of sensors 9 used in the previous detection steps 5, 6, 7 transmit signals to the electronic control unit. As soon as a danger situation is detected from these different signals, namely a movement of the vehicle 1 in neutral to an obstacle 2, a management method according to the invention implements a warning step 10 to inform the driver of this dangerous situation. The most effective warning step is that which involves the transmission of a distinctive and marked sound signal in the vehicle 1, allowing the driver to instantly become aware of the danger situation that is created, and to react as soon as possible. A management method according to the invention comprises a step 11 of braking the vehicle 1, to avoid a shock of said vehicle 1 with the obstacle 2 detected. This braking step 11 may be performed by the driver of the vehicle 1 itself, which will immediately exert pressure on the brake pedal, as it would usually to stop its vehicle 1 in the driving phase. He can also use the handbrake. Since the vehicle is traveling at a reduced speed, typically at speeds below 5 km / h, the driver will have ample time to brake his vehicle before he hits the obstacle. According to another preferred embodiment of a management method according to the invention, the braking step 11 is automatically controlled by the electronic control unit, without the driver having to intervene.

This braking step 11 of the vehicle 1 is naturally followed by a final stopping step 12 of said vehicle 1 before it comes into contact with the obstacle 2.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method for managing an inadvertent movement of a vehicle (1) in neutral on a pavement (3) in a slight incline, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, a step (5) of detecting a bet in motion of the vehicle, a step (6) for detecting a position of the gearbox in neutral, a step (7) for detecting an obstacle (2), a step of managing the movement of the vehicle (1). ) to prevent it coming into contact with said obstacle. 2. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the management step comprises an alert step (10) by means of a signal allowing the driver to be informed of the movement of his vehicle (1). 3. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that the signal is a distinctive sound signal. 4. Management method according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the management step comprises a braking step (11) of the vehicle (1) by the driver, which is subsequent to step d alert (10). 5. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the management step implements an automatic braking step (11) of the vehicle (1). 6. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the step (7) for detecting the obstacle (2) is effected by means of at least one sensor (9). ultrasound. 7. Management method according to claim 6, characterized in that each sensor (9) is activated ultrasonic only when the distance between the vehicle (1) of the obstacle (2) is less than or equal to 50cm. 8. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the step (5) for detecting the setting in motion of the vehicle (1) is effected by means of at least one sensor of measuring the wheel speed (8). 9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is controlled by an electronic control unit embedded in said vehicle (1).