GB2600427A

GB2600427A - Method for operating a vehicle, and vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2600427A
Application number: GB2017078.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Winkler Thomas
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2020-10-28
Filing date: 2020-10-28
Publication date: 2022-05-04
Also published as: GB202017078D0

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle 10 having a body 12 bounding at least one loading space 14, and at least one lid element 16 movable between a closed position and an open position, in which an electronic control 20 unit of the vehicle determines that a distance between the vehicle and a mobility device 22 separate from the vehicle is below a threshold, and upon determining that the distance is below the threshold, the electronic control unit controls at least one actuator 18 of the vehicle thereby effecting a movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position. The vehicle may determine the distance between the vehicle and the mobility device is below the threshold through receiving a wireless signal 32 from the mobility device or a separate mobile device of the user 26. In another embodiment the vehicle may determine that the distance between the vehicle and the mobility device is below the threshold using an image taken by camera 34 of the vehicle surroundings 24. The image is subject to image processing to determine whether the whether the mobility device is arranged in the surroundings.

Description

METHOD FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] US 9 530 265 B2 shows a mobile terminal configured to be worn on a user's wrist region, the mobile terminal comprising a muscle sensor configured to sense movement of muscle in the user's wrist region. The mobile terminal further comprises a proximity sensor configured to sense a proximity of the mobile terminal to the user's wrist region, and a wireless communication unit configured to perform communication with a vehicle control device provided in a vehicle. The mobile terminal further comprises a controller configured to determine a distance between the mobile terminal and the vehicle control device. The controller is further configured to determine whether or not to transmit a control command to the vehicle control device based on the distance between the mobile terminal and the vehicle control device. The controller is also configured to transmit the control command to the vehicle control device based on at least one of a value measured by the muscle sensor or a value measured by the proximity sensor. The control command may be a control command for opening a door, a trunk, or a window of the vehicle. In the prior art, the door, the trunk, or the window may not be opened in an adequately need-based manner. In particular, the prior art lacks a communication between the vehicle and an external mobility device such as a scooter such that the trunk may not be opened automatically in a need-based manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a vehicle such that the vehicle may be operated in a particularly need-based manner.

[0004] This object is solved by the subject-matters method of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle such as, for example, a passenger vehicle. In the method, the vehicle comprises a body which may be configured as a self-supporting body. The body bounds or limits at least one loading space for receiving goods to be transported by the vehicle which may be configured as a motor vehicle. The vehicle further comprises at least one lid element which is movably, in particular pivotably, held on the body. The lid element is movable, in particular pivotable, between a closed position and at least one open position in relation to the body. In the closed position, at least a portion of the loading space is covered by the lid element. In other words, the loading space may comprise at least one opening which may be limited by the body. In the closed position, at least a portion of the opening is covered by the lid element. In the open position, said portion of the loading space or the through opening respectively is uncovered such that, in the open position, goods to be conveyed can be moved through the uncovered portion and thus into or out of the loading space.

[0006] In a first step of the method, an electronic control unit of the vehicle determines that a distance between the vehicle and a mobility device separate from the vehicle is below a threshold. For example, said mobility device may be configured as a micro mobility device such as a scooter. For example, the mobility device may comprise a base element on which a person (i.e. a user of the mobility device) may stand. The mobility device may also comprise at least one wheel rotatably held on the base element. For example, the mobility device may comprise at least or exactly two wheels rotatably held on the base element such that, for example, said person standing on the base element may roll on the mobility device along a road.

[0007] In a second step of the method, the electronic control unit, upon determining that the distance is below the threshold, controls at least one actuator of the vehicle thereby effecting a movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position. Thus, the lid element is opened automatically when the mobility device and thus the person are in close proximity to the vehicle. As a result, the person may easily and comfortably move the mobility device through the uncovered portion and thus into the loading space such that, after using the mobility device, the person may transport the mobility device by the vehicle and thus continue their journey.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle comprising a body which bounds or limits at least one loading space for receiving goods to be transported by the vehicle. The vehicle further comprises at least one lid element which is movably, in particular pivotably, held on the body. The lid element is movable in relation to the body between a closed position and at least one open position. In the closed position, at least a portion of the loading space is covered by the lid element. In the open position, said portion is uncovered. The vehicle further comprises at least one actuator which may be configured as an electrically operable actuator. The actuator is configured to cause the movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position. For example, for effecting a movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position, the actuator is controlled, in particular in such a way that the actuator is supplied with electric energy. The vehicle further comprises an electronic control unit configured to determine that a distance between the vehicle and a mobility device separate from the vehicle, and, for example, arranged in the surroundings of the vehicle, is below a threshold. The electronic control unit is further configured to control, upon determining that the distance is below the threshold, the actuator to cause the movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position by the actuator. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are to be regarded as advantages and advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention and vice versa.

[0009] The present invention may improve the time and effort it takes for said person to switch from using or riding the mobility device which may be configured as an electric scooter to start driving or using the vehicle. For example, in a scenario, the person uses the mobility device to travel from the current position to the position of the parked vehicle, intending to switch over to the vehicle for a longer journey. Upon arrival at the vehicle, the person wishes to store the mobility device in a trunk of the vehicle and thus in said loading space. Conventionally, the person needs to manually trigger the opening of the loading space, for example, by means such as pressing a button on a key, pressing a button on the trunk, the body, or the lid element, etc. This step may be eliminated or removed by the present invention by being able to sense when the person arrives at the vehicle or in the proximity of the vehicle with their motor vehicle and is about to load the motor vehicle into the loading space, for example, into the trunk or a similar compartment of the vehicle. After determining, in particular predicting this action, the vehicle automatically opens the lid element which may be configured as lift gate, in particular as a trunk lift gate.

[0010] Preferably, the vehicle or at least a system of the vehicle is configured to detect, in particular predict, with a high accuracy that the person intends to put the mobility device which is also referred to as a last mile vehicle, into the loading space (i.e. into a compartment of the vehicle that may be used for storing the mobility device). A solution to this may be to combine signals of one or more sensors and other data to make a decision whether or not a system should trigger opening the lid element (i.e. effecting a movement of the lid element from the closed position to the open position). In the following, possible scenarios and/or sensor inputs are described: For example, the mobility device is stopped and/or switched off in direct proximity to the vehicle, in particular the loading space. This may be detected by a wirelessly technology such as Bluetooth LE, where, for example, the vehicle may act as a receiver, and the mobility device (last mile vehicle) may act as a sender or beacon. The mobility device may be folded, in particular, from an active state to an inactive state thereby folding the mobility device to a smaller form factor. In this case, the mobility device may comprise a sensor detecting the storage state which is also referred to as a folding state. For example, said sensor may provide a signal indicative of the folding state. The signal may be sent to the vehicle, in particular the electronic control unit, and received by the vehicle, in particular the electronic control unit. Upon receiving said signal, the electronic control unit may determine that the mobility device is in proximity of the vehicle, and that the person intends to put the folded mobility device into the loading space. Events or signals sent from the mobility device to the vehicle and received by the vehicle may include: power on and/or off event of the mobility device, vehicle stopped, mobility device stopped, folding of the mobility device for transport has been initiated or completed, mobility device has been lifted up.

[0011] In case the mobility device does not support wireless connectivity to the vehicle, a last mile navigation app on a mobile device of the user may also serve as an input for the electronic control unit, in particular a decision-making module. For example, said mobility device may be configured as a smart phone. Said decision making module and thus the electronic control unit decides whether or not the lid element is opened automatically. For example, the last mile navigation app on the user's mobile device is used to provide a riding direction to the vehicle's current parking spot. After arriving at the vehicle, the system, in particular the vehicle, may detect close proximity of the user's mobile device to the trunk. For example, the mobility device as a smartphone or as a key configured to lock and unlock the vehicle. Other event data that may be sent to the vehicle may include acceleration sensor data to detect if the person stops driving, riding, or using the mobility device.

[0012] Moreover, alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may comprise at least one camera which may be configured as a rearview camera. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally the vehicle may comprise a wireless receiving unit that may be configured to receive said signal or events from the mobility device and/or said mobile device. For example, the wireless receiving unit is part of the electronic control unit. Moreover, alternatively or additionally, the vehicle, in particular the electronic control unit, may comprise said decision making module, which is also referred to as a decision module. The decision module may be configured to ingest events received by connected sensors, and to make a decision on whether or not the lid element should be opened based on available data.

[0013] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. 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 figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle according to the embodiments of the present invention, wherein a first embodiment of a method according to the present invention is illustrated by Fig. 1.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of a mobility device separate from the vehicle, and a person using the mobility device, wherein a second embodiment of the method is illustrated by Fig. 2.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart illustrated the method.

[0018] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0020] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0021] The terms "comprises', "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises.., a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0022] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient details to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows in a schematic side view, a vehicle 10 which is configured as a passenger vehicle. The vehicle 10 comprises a body 12 which may be configured as a self-supporting body. The body 12 bounds or limits at least one loading space 14 for receiving goods to be transported by the vehicle 10. This means, the loading space 14 is a compartment in which goods to be conveyed by the vehicle 10 may be arranged. The loading space 14 is also referred to as a trunk of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 further comprises a lid element 16 which is pivotably and thus movably held on the body 12. The lid element 16 is pivotable and thus movable in relation to the body 12 between a closed position and at least one open position. Said closed position is shown in Fig. 1. In the closed position, at least a portion of the loading space 14 is covered by the lid element 16. In the open position, at least said portion is uncovered so that goods to be conveyed by the vehicle 10 may be moved through the uncovered portion and thus into or out of the loading space 14. The vehicle 10 further comprises at least one actuator 18 which is also referred to as an actuator module or a trunk actuator module. The actuator 18 is configured to, in particular automatically, open and close the lid element 6 and by opening the lid element 16, the lid element 16 is moved from the closed position to the open position. By closing the lid element 16, the lid element 16 is moved from the open position to the closed position. For example, the actuator 18 is electrically operable such that the lid element 16 can be moved by the actuator 18 by using electrical energy. The vehicle 10 further comprises an electronic control unit 20 which may comprise a decision module.

[0024] Fig. 1 also shows, in a schematic side view, a mobility device 22 separate from the vehicle 10, and arranged in the surroundings 24 of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the mobility device 22 is configured as a scooter, in particular an electric

S

scooter. The mobility device 22 is used by a person 26 which is also referred to as a user. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the person 26 uses the mobility device 22 in such a way that the user 26 rides the mobility device 22 thereby travelling from a first location to a second location at which the vehicle 10 is parked.

[0025] On the basis of Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a method for operating the vehicle 10 is described. In a first step of said method, the electronic control unit 20, in particular its decision module, determines that a distance between the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22 is below a predeterminable or predetermined threshold. In a second step of said method, the electronic control unit 20, in particular its decision module, controls, upon determining that a distance is below the threshold, the actuator 18 thereby effecting a movement of the lid element 16 from the closed position to the open position.

[0026] For example, the vehicle 10 may comprise a wireless communication module which may comprise at least one antenna. The mobility device 22 may comprise a second wireless communication module 30 which may comprise at least one antenna. The wireless communication module 30 of the mobility device 22 is configured to wirelessly provide at least one signal 32 which may be wirelessly received by the wireless communication module 28 of the vehicle 10. The signal 32 may be indicative of at least one of power on/off event, mobility device 22 stopped, a folding process for folding the mobility device 22 in order to transport the mobility device 22 has been initiated or completed, and the mobility device 22 has been lifted up. The wireless communication module 28 may be configured to wirelessly receive the signal 32 and/or at least one second signal which may be provided by a mobile device of the user (person 26). Said mobile device is separate from the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22. In other words, the mobile device is an additional component. Alternatively or additionally, the wireless communication module 28 may be configured to determine a distance between the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22 and/or a distance between the vehicle 10 and said mobile device.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle 10 may comprise at least one camera 34, which is configured to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the surroundings 24. In particular, the camera 34 may be configured as a rearview camera which may be configured to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the surroundings 24, wherein said portion being arranged behind the vehicle 10. For example, the camera 34 may be configured to provide a camera feed comprising images of the portion captured by the camera 34. For example, the camera feed or the respective image is used, in particular by the electronic control unit 20, to visually detect the presence of the mobility device 22 in the surroundings 24 and/or an intend of the person 26 to store the mobility device 22 (i.e. to put the mobility device 22 into the loading space 14). Said signals and the image or the camera feed provided by the camera 34 are events or data which are transmitted to and received by the electronic control unit 20. Thus, said data are indicative of the mobility device 22 being in proximity to the vehicle 10. In particular, said data are indicative of an electronic device and/or a motor, such as an electric motor of the mobility device 22 has been switched off. Alternatively or additionally, the data may be indicative of at least one of a folding state of the mobility device 22, a size of the mobility device 22, a state of the motor of the mobility device 22, a location of the mobility device 22 on earth, a speed, in particular a current speed, of the mobility device 22, a geodetic altitude of the mobility device 22, and at least one acceleration of the mobility device 22. Alternatively or additionally, said data may be indicative of at least one of a location of said mobile device, a speed, in particular a current speed, of the mobile device, a geodetic altitude of the mobile device, and at least one acceleration of the mobile device. The electronic control unit 20 analyses data and decides on the basis of the data, and of the basis of defined rules whether or not the lid element 16 should be opened automatically. In other words, the electronic control unit 20, in particular the decision module, decides whether or not to automatically open the lid element 16 by the actuator 18 on the basis of at least one of events or signals wirelessly sent from the mobility device 22 and/or the mobile device, and received by the vehicle 10, estimated distance between the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22 and visual data from the camera 34. Preferably, the distance between the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22 and/or the mobile device is determined on the basis of a signal strength of the signal provided by the mobility device 22 and/or by the mobile device, and received by the vehicle 10, in particular the electronic control unit 20.

[0028] In the following, Fig. 2 is used to describe a second embodiment of said method. For example, in the second embodiment, the same vehicle 10, in particular the very same vehicle 10, is used. As shown in Fig. 1, in the first embodiment, the signal 32 is provided by the mobility device 22. In the second embodiment, a signal 35 is provided by said mobile device, which is, in Fig. 2, indicated by mobile device 36 and carried along by the person 26. For example, an application of the mobile device 36 provides or transmits the signal 35 which is wirelessly transmitted or provided by the mobile device 36. The signal 35 is also referred to as an event. For example, the signal 35 may be indicative of at least one of riding guidance finished, destination reached, and at least one acceleration of the mobility device 22 and/or the mobile device 36. For example, said acceleration is captured or measured by an acceleration sensor of the mobile device 36. On the basis of the acceleration it may be determined whether or not the person 26 has stopped riding the mobility device (i.e. the mobility device 22 has stopped). On the basis of the signal 35, provided by the mobile device 36 and received by the vehicle 10, in particular the electronic control unit 20, the electronic control unit 20 may determine that the distance between the vehicle 10 and the mobility device 22 is below the threshold value. As a consequence, the electronic control unit 20 may control the actuator 18 in such a way that the actuator 18 automatically effects a movement of the lid element 16 from the closed position to the open position. Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows a flow chart further illustrating the method.

Reference signs vehicle 12 body 14 loading space 16 lid element 18 actuator electronic control unit 22 mobility device 24 surroundings 26 person 28 wireless communication module wireless communication module 32 signal 34 camera signal 36 mobile device

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for operating a vehicle (10) comprising a body (12) bounding at least one loading space (14) for receiving goods to be transported by the vehicle (14), and at least one lid element (16) movably held on the body (12), the lid element (16) being movable in relation to the body (12) between a closed position in which at least a portion of the loading space (14) is covered by the lid element (16), and at least one open position in which the portion is uncovered, wherein the method comprises: -determining, by an electronic control (20) unit of the vehicle (10), that a distance between the vehicle (10) and a mobility device (22) separate from the vehicle (10) is below a threshold; and upon determining that the distance is below the threshold: controlling, by the electronic control unit (20), at least one actuator (18) of the vehicle (10) thereby effecting a movement of the lid element (16) from the closed position to the open position.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle (10) wirelessly receives at least one signal (32) provided by the mobility device (22).
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the signal (32) is indicative of that an electronic device and/or a motor of the mobility device (20) has been switched off.
4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the signal (32) is indicative of at least one of: -a folding state of the mobility device (22); size of the mobility device (22); a state of a motor of the mobility device (22); a location of the mobility device (22); a speed of the mobility device (22); a geodetic altitude of the mobility device (22); and at least one acceleration of the mobility device (22).
5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle (10) wirelessly receives at least one signal (35) provided by a mobile device (36) separate from the vehicle (10) and the mobility device (22).
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the signal (35) is indicative of at least one of: a location of the mobile device (36); -a speed of the mobile device (36); a geodetic altitude of the mobile device (36); and at least one acceleration of the mobile device (36).
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: at least one image of at least a portion of a surroundings (24) of the vehicle (10) is captured by at least one camera (34) of the vehicle (10); the image is subject to image processing by the electronic control unit (20) thereby determining that the mobility device (22) is arranged in the surroundings (24), and the distance between the vehicle (10) and the mobility device (22) is below the threshold.
8. A vehicle (10) comprising: -a body (12) bounding at least one loading space (14) for receiving goods to be transported by the vehicle (10); at least one lid element (16) movably held on the body (12), the lid element (16) being movable in relation to the body (12) between a closed position in which at least a portion of the loading space (14) is covered by the lid element (16), and at least one open position in which the portion is uncovered; at least one actuator (18) configured to effect a movement of the lid element (16) from the closed position to the open position; and an electronic control unit (20) configured: o to determine that a distance between the vehicle (10) and a mobility device (22) separate from the vehicle (10) is below a threshold; and o to control, upon determining that the distance is below the threshold, the actuator (18) to effect a movement of the lid element (16) from the closed position to the open position by the actuator (18).