GB2521936A - Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2521936A
GB2521936A GB1421937.2A GB201421937A GB2521936A GB 2521936 A GB2521936 A GB 2521936A GB 201421937 A GB201421937 A GB 201421937A GB 2521936 A GB2521936 A GB 2521936A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
passenger car
passenger
signal
function
input device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1421937.2A
Other versions
GB201421937D0 (en
Inventor
Bibek Acharya
Chengappa Poonacha
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mercedes Benz Group AG
Original Assignee
Daimler AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daimler AG filed Critical Daimler AG
Priority to GB1421937.2A priority Critical patent/GB2521936A/en
Publication of GB201421937D0 publication Critical patent/GB201421937D0/en
Publication of GB2521936A publication Critical patent/GB2521936A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W10/00—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function
    • B60W10/18—Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K28/00—Safety devices for propulsion-unit control, specially adapted for, or arranged in, vehicles, e.g. preventing fuel supply or ignition in the event of potentially dangerous conditions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T17/00—Component parts, details, or accessories of power brake systems not covered by groups B60T8/00, B60T13/00 or B60T15/00, or presenting other characteristic features
    • B60T17/18—Safety devices; Monitoring
    • B60T17/20—Safety devices operable by passengers other than the driver, e.g. for railway vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
    • B60T7/02—Brake-action initiating means for personal initiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
    • B60T7/12—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
    • B60T7/14—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated upon collapse of driver
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
    • B60T7/12—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
    • B60T7/16—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger operated by remote control, i.e. initiating means not mounted on vehicle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W50/00—Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
    • B60W50/08—Interaction between the driver and the control system
    • B60W50/14—Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
    • B60T2260/00—Interaction of vehicle brake system with other systems
    • B60T2260/09—Complex systems; Conjoint control of two or more vehicle active control systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W50/00—Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit, e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
    • B60W50/08—Interaction between the driver and the control system
    • B60W50/14—Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
    • B60W2050/143—Alarm means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60W—CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
    • B60W2756/00—Output or target parameters relating to data
    • B60W2756/10—Involving external transmission of data to or from the vehicle

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Traffic Control Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus 10 for use in a passenger car 20 driven by a driver. The apparatus comprises an input device 12 which is operable by a passenger of the car and designed to deliver an activation signal 13 as a function of the operation by the passenger, and a control device 22, which is designed to operate a brake mechanism 24 and/or an engine 26 car as a function of the activation signal. The apparatus further comprises an output device 16, which is coupled to the input device by a signal path 14, wherein the output device is designed to transmit an alarm signal 17 as a function of the activation signal. The alarm signal may be provided to an external facility such as an emergency service.

Description

Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car The invention relates to an apparatus for use in a passenger car driven by a driver, comprising an input device, which is operable by a passenger of the passenger car and designed to deliver an activation signal as a function of the operation by the passenger, and a control device which is designed to operate a brake mechanism and/or an engine of the passenger car as a function of the activation signal. Furthermore, the invention relates to a passenger car comprising such an apparatus and a method for operating such an apparatus.
A driver of a passenger car can cause a dangerous situation if he or she makes a driver's mistake or misjudges a traffic situation while driving the vehicle. This can decrease road safety dramatically, especially if the driver is not willing or not able to react to the necessities of the specific traffic situation.
From US 5 195 606 A there is known a specific button in a vehicle which allows a passenger to stop the vehicle upon pushing the button, for example in an emergency situation in which the driver is not capable of braking the vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for further increasing road safety, which is comfortable and easy to handle.
This object is solved by an apparatus having the features of patent claim 1, a passenger car having the features of patent claim 3 and a method having the features of patent claim 7. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.
Subject to the present invention a generic apparatus in compliance with the preamble of patent claim 1 is upgraded in such a way that the apparatus further comprises an output device which is coupled to the input device by a signal path, wherein the output device is designed to transmit an alarm signal as a function of the activation signal.
It is the benefit of the invention that there are two ways in which a passenger can interact with his environment. On the one hand, there is the possibility of acting on a brake mechanism and/or an engine of the passenger car, and on the other hand it is possible for the passenger to alert the driver of the passenger car or a third person. The apparatus according to the invention is not only intended for use in a passenger car, but also suitable for use in any road vehicle, in particular a bus or the like.
The present invention can be advantageously used in the following situations: The driver may not stop the vehicle at his own behest, probably due to his nefarious interests, or the driver does not hear the passenger calls to stop the vehicle due to surrounding traffic noise or loud music. The driver may be hurt, have a heart attack or get hurt during driving and during this he might have lost control over the vehicle. The passenger might need to stop the vehicle due to various reasons and the time elapsed to alert the driver may be huge enough for the loss to occur, hence with an initial indication it might be imperative for the passenger to stop the vehicle. In case of bus hijacks, it becomes necessary to alert the nearest police station for help and also necessary to stop the vehicle from being taken away.
In a preferred embodiment the output device is designed to provide the alarm signal for an external facility. This external facility can be the nearest police station or the nearest emergency control room. The channel by which the alarm signal is transmitted can be a mobile communications network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) or the like.
In a preferred embodiment the brake mechanism is activated and/or further acceleration is prohibited, preferably by disabling the engine, immediately at or with a settable time delay after the operation of the input device. The input device can be a push-button or the like. According to the invention, upon pushing the button a driver of the vehicle is alerted to apply the brakes. If he does not apply the brakes, the system automatically brings the vehicle to a halt. Alternatively, the button on pressing activates an alarm system which automatically alarms the nearest emergency control room and brings the vehicle to a halt and/or the vehicle does not accelerate anymore and eventually comes to a halt, preconsidering the traffic level on the road and thus coming to a halt at a suitable spot of the road (active lane assist). In a preferred embodiment an illumination device of the passenger car is activated immediately at or with a settable time delay after the operation of the input device, preferably the parking lights, which are particularly activated when the passenger car stops. Switching the parking lights on as an indication to nearby vehicles can be advantageously used as a warning signal to alert other persons to unpredictable manoeuvres of the vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment of the passenger car according to the present invention the output device is designed to transmit the alarm signal directly to a driver section of the passenger car, preferably in the form of a visual and/or an acoustic and/or a haptic signal, especially a vibration signal. This feature is useful in situations where the driver does not hear the passenger calls to stop the vehicle due to surrounding traffic noise or loud music.
In a preferred embodiment of the passenger car the input device, which is preferably a push-button, is located in the rear passenger compartment of the passenger car. The mechanism which activates/sends signals to the engine control unit (ECU) to activate the braking system is solely in control and discretion of the rear passenger. The activating mechanism could be placed anywhere within arm's length of the passenger, where it is easily accessible.
Even if the present invention is discussed with a focus on the use in a passenger car, a person skilled in the art will also understand that it is generally usable for a road vehicle, especially for a bus.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the sole figure and/or shown in the figure alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.
The advantages described for the apparatus of the invention and features and embodiments thereof are equally applicable to the method according to the invention and vice versa. Thus, corresponding method features may be provided for features of the device and vice versa.
The drawing shows in the sole figure a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the present invention with a passenger car including such an apparatus.
The figure shows an apparatus 10 according to the present invention, which can be part of a passenger car 20. An input device 12, preferably a push-button, is located in the area of the rear passenger compartment. The input device 12 is coupled by a signal path 14 to an output device 16, which transmits an alarm signal 17 as a function of an activation signal 13. The activation signal 13 is generated by the input device 12 as a function of the operation by the passenger. In the simplest case the activation signal is a binary signal, which takes one value if the passenger operates the input device 12, for example by pressing a push-button, and which takes the other value if the passenger does not operate the push-button at this moment.
The activation signal 13 is not only provided to the output device 16, but also to a control device 22, which can operate a brake mechanism 24 and/or an engine 26 of the passenger car 20 as a function of the activation signal 13. The apparatus 10 according to the present invention contains the input device 12, the signal path 14, the output device 16, and the control device 22. The apparatus 10 can be completely integrated in the passenger car 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention an illumination device 28 of the passenger car is activated immediately at or with a settable time delay after the operation of the input device 12, preferably the parking lights, which are particularly activated when the passenger car 20 comes to a halt. The output device 16 can transmit the alarm signal 17 in different ways. One way is to provide the alarm signal 17 directly to a driver's section of the passenger car 20, preferably in the form of a visual and/or an acoustic and/or a haptic signal, especially a vibration signal. In this way an inattentive driver may be alerted and a dangerous situation may be avoided.
Alternatively or additionally, the alarm signal 17 can be transmitted to an external facility, for example a police station or an emergency control room. This may be useful for obtaining help from outside. A fast arrival of help can be enabled if additionally the coordinates of the passenger car 20 are transmitted to the external facility as well. Finally, there is provided a system which extends a vehicle brake control to the passenger or the passengers in a vehicle, preferably in a passenger car or in a bus.
List of reference signs apparatus 12 input device 13 activation signal 14 signal path 16 output device 17 alarm signal passenger car 22 control device 24 brake mechanism 26 engine 28 illumination device

Claims (7)

  1. Patent Claims An apparatus (10) for use in a passenger car (20) driven by a driver, comprising: -an input device (12), which is operable by a passenger of the passenger car (20) and designed to deliver an activation signal (13) as a function of the operation by the passenger, and -a control device (22) , which is designed to operate a brake mechanism (24) and/or an engine (26) of the passenger car (20) as a function of the activation signal (13), characterised in that the apparatus (10) further comprises: -an output device (16), which is coupled to the input device (12) by a signal path (14), wherein the output device is designed to transmit an alarm signal (17) as a function of the activation signal (13).
  2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, characterised in that the output device (16) is designed to provide the alarm signal (17) for an external facility.
  3. 3. A passenger car (20) comprising the apparatus (10) of one of the previous claims.characterised in that the brake mechanism (24) is activated and/or further acceleration is prohibited, preferably by disabling the engine (26), immediately at or with a settable time delay after the operation of the input device (12).
  4. 4. The passenger car (20) of claim 3, characterised in that a illumination device (28) of the passenger car is activated immediately at or with a settable time delay after the operation of the input device (12), preferably the parking lights, which are particularly activated when the passenger car (20) comes to a halt.
  5. 5. The passenger car (20) of one of the claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the output device (16) is designed to transmit the alarm signal (17) directly to a driver section of the passenger car (20), preferably in the form of a visual and/or an acoustic and/or a haptic signal, especially a vibration signal.
  6. 6. The passenger car (20) of claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the input device (12), preferably a push-button, is located in the rear passenger compartment of the passenger car (20).
  7. 7. A method for operating the apparatus (10) of claim 1, comprising the steps: -providing an activation signal (13) as a function of the operation by a passenger, and -operating a brake mechanism (24) and/or an engine (26) of the passenger car (20) as a function of the activation signal (13), characterised by -transmitting an alarm signal (17) as a function of the activation signal (13).
GB1421937.2A 2014-12-10 2014-12-10 Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car Withdrawn GB2521936A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1421937.2A GB2521936A (en) 2014-12-10 2014-12-10 Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1421937.2A GB2521936A (en) 2014-12-10 2014-12-10 Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201421937D0 GB201421937D0 (en) 2015-01-21
GB2521936A true GB2521936A (en) 2015-07-08

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GB1421937.2A Withdrawn GB2521936A (en) 2014-12-10 2014-12-10 Apparatus and method for alarming usable in a passenger car

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE1830030A1 (en) * 2018-01-29 2019-07-30 Etsmar Aake EMERGENCY STOP FOR VEHICLES

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB285231A (en) * 1927-01-20 1928-02-16 Leopold Fazekas Improvements in emergency brake and signalling devices for motor cars
US4209075A (en) * 1978-10-30 1980-06-24 Frank Messina Automobile safety assembly
DE3247065A1 (en) * 1982-12-20 1983-08-04 Erler Karl Heinz Emergency, stop, warning and safety device for motor vehicles with internal combustion engine
US5775456A (en) * 1995-06-05 1998-07-07 Reppas; George S. Emergency driver system
DE202008005984U1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2008-10-16 Bialas, Norbert, Dipl.-Ing. Emergency braking system for buses and cars
CN203005413U (en) * 2013-01-06 2013-06-19 南车株洲电力机车有限公司 Passenger emergency braking circuit for motor train set

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB285231A (en) * 1927-01-20 1928-02-16 Leopold Fazekas Improvements in emergency brake and signalling devices for motor cars
US4209075A (en) * 1978-10-30 1980-06-24 Frank Messina Automobile safety assembly
DE3247065A1 (en) * 1982-12-20 1983-08-04 Erler Karl Heinz Emergency, stop, warning and safety device for motor vehicles with internal combustion engine
US5775456A (en) * 1995-06-05 1998-07-07 Reppas; George S. Emergency driver system
DE202008005984U1 (en) * 2008-04-30 2008-10-16 Bialas, Norbert, Dipl.-Ing. Emergency braking system for buses and cars
CN203005413U (en) * 2013-01-06 2013-06-19 南车株洲电力机车有限公司 Passenger emergency braking circuit for motor train set

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE1830030A1 (en) * 2018-01-29 2019-07-30 Etsmar Aake EMERGENCY STOP FOR VEHICLES

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201421937D0 (en) 2015-01-21

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)