DE102006019495A1 - Warning signal transfer for column rides - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a signal receiver (5) for receiving a condition signal (7) and for providing an output signal corresponding to the received signal. A processing device (9) processes the output signal provided by the signal receiver. A signal generator sends a warning signal (8) on a basis of the output signal processed by the processing device. An independent claim is also included for a method for sending a warning signal.

Description

The The invention relates to a transmission of signal information of a ahead vehicle to a rear vehicle.

at Column rides and traffic congestions result in accident situations typically in that the drivers, i. the riders Driver of individual vehicles, in the column often too small safety distance comply. If one of the drivers brakes his vehicle in the column off, so must all following drivers also decelerate their vehicles. In general, a driver guides his braking only in response to a delay in the him directly preceding the vehicle, since he this one higher Attention is dedicated to driving vehicles ahead. Also hinder multi-person vehicles, vans, RVs and trucks the view on the front of them Traffic, which means vehicles moving ahead even with increased attention and increased mounted brake lights do not enter the field of view of drivers, who are in the column further back.

brakes for example, a leading vehicle first, so this is in usually by means of the mounted in the rear of the vehicle and brake lights acting as brake signal are displayed. The Brake signal is directed to the directly following second vehicle, to its driver also to initiate a braking process. First if this driver indeed responds to the brake signal of the preceding vehicle first and also decelerates, the brake signal are also on his Vehicle activated. These now show the third following him Vehicle to the braking process and be the driver after cause a certain reaction time to brake. The braking process for the third vehicle is thus only with a delay of two reaction times initiated after the brake lights on the first vehicle. This reaction chain continues for all subsequent ones Vehicles continue, with the reaction times of the driver ahead Vehicles which, for the drivers following vehicles available Shorten reaction time for safe braking. This can be too short safety distances quickly lead to a rear-end collision or even a pile-up.

to Collision avoidance on convoy trips are different driver assistance systems known to the driver support by hints, warn him of a dangerous situation or even intervene directly in the vehicle. Under driver assistance system is in the context of this document every technical Device understood that a driver in his incumbent Tasks supported. The spectrum ranges from simple, to a straight behind Vehicle-directed warnings autonomous distance control and emergency braking systems for the shortening of the required braking distance to an independent braking of a follower vehicle.

at some of these systems need the participating vehicles for this purpose with transmitting and receiving devices for replacement the necessary information, e.g. Speed, distance, brake operation and such more, be equipped. The information is transmitted generally electromagnetically by radio or optically by means of light signals. Other systems do that in relation to a preceding vehicle necessary information in a passive way by means of sensors technical detection and processing accessible. These include, for example photosensitive sensors, e.g. Photodiodes or image converters, the one light emission of lights of a preceding vehicle reveal.

all These systems have in common that of a preceding vehicle Sent signals always to the vehicle directly behind it are directed and only there is a technical reaction or human Trigger action can. Vehicles moving further backwards open up the signals only through reactions the intervening vehicles.

At the Use more active, on an exchange of information between The vehicle-based systems is the desired To ensure success, also an equipment of all vehicles with each other compatible facilities required.

Of the The invention is therefore based on the object, a driver assistance system indicate that it allows a subsequent vehicle without delay on a brake signal of a, a preceding vehicle ahead moving vehicle.

These The object is according to the independent claims of Invention solved.

The invention comprises a device for emitting a warning signal as a function of a state signal related to a foreign vehicle. The device has a signal receiver for receiving the status signal and for providing an output signal corresponding to the status signal. Furthermore, the one direction processing means for processing the output signal provided by the signal receiver, and a signal generator for emitting a warning signal on the basis of the output signal processed by the processing means.

The The invention further comprises a device equipped with the device Motor vehicle.

The The invention further comprises a method for emitting a warning signal in dependence of a, related to a foreign vehicle condition signal, wherein the Method Steps for Receiving the Status Signal, Providing One, the output signal corresponding to the received state signal, for Processing the output signal and sending out a warning signal based on the processed by the processing device Output signal includes.

in this connection It should be noted that the term "comprising" as used in this specification indicates the presence the designated objects, Steps, numbers or ranges etc. indicates, but by no means the presence of additional items, steps, Excludes numbers or ranges or the like.

The Invention allows immediate warning of a vehicle from a dangerous situation, the one ahead of a vehicle addressed by the warning Vehicle in turn precedes moving vehicle. Especially allows the invention thus the immediate forwarding of the brake signals a decelerating vehicle to vehicles that are behind one, the vehicle following the decelerating vehicle. hereby an early warning of the following traffic is achieved as well as the danger of rear-end collisions reduced. The danger of a collision with a braking vehicle immediately following vehicle also reduces advantageous if only that is equipped with a system according to the invention.

further developments The invention is the subject of the dependent claims.

Advantageous is the signal receiver for receiving brake signals one immediately before the device formed foreign vehicle and / or for receiving a Signals from a directly behind the device be sensitive Foreign vehicle emanates, so only signals from spatially relevant segments be received.

to effective transmission to a trailing vehicle, the signal generator is useful for sending the warning signal in respect to the Device backward direction educated. Since the lighting up of a brake light generally as a warning is understood, the signal generator preferably comprises a brake light.

For capturing optical state signals, in particular for the reception of brake lights, contains the signal receiver in a preferred embodiment a photosensor or an array of photosensors.

If necessary, can the signal receiver an acoustic transducer for the conversion of incoming sound signals in electrical output signals and / or a funkmesstechnischen Converter for converting microwaves into electrical output signals and / or an optical converter for converting defined light signals in electrical output signals. Advantageously hereby radiated from a suitable transmitter and from the other vehicle than Condition signals reflected signals are received, wherein distance and relative speed of the other vehicle via the determination of the signal propagation time and the Doppler shift of the signals can be determined. For the telemetric Reception of data from a foreign vehicle, the signal receiver expediently a telemetric receiving station.

The Processing device can also be used to forward the received from the signal receiver Output signal to be formed on the signal generator. In an advantageous Further development, the processing device is designed, that from the signal receiver received output signal in a form suitable for the signal generator so that independent of the type of output signals signal generator can be used. To the information content of the output signal for an intervention in the vehicle management use, the processing device is advantageously designed, that received from the signal receiver Output signal to a vehicle dynamics system branch.

Around is to prevent a transfer far away generated state signals is the signal receiver appropriately formed, an output signal only for Provide state signals above a certain threshold and / or the signal processing device is designed as needed only To process output signals above a certain threshold.

For limiting the spatial area from which state signals are received, the signal receiver is preferably designed to provide an output signal for state nale from a limited spatial area relative to the facility.

Around to prevent an unjustified sending of a warning signal, If the processing device is preferably designed, the output signal dependent on of other factors to process.

in the Below, the invention will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments with the aid of the attached Figures closer explains of which

1 shows the application of a system according to the invention in a convoy driving situation,

2 represents a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention, and

3 shows the basic process steps of a method according to the present invention.

In the 1 are three motor vehicles in a convoy situation 100 represented, with the vehicle movement is intended from left to right. vehicle 1 drives vehicle 2 ahead, in turn, the vehicle 3 after driving. In the rear area of the respective vehicles 1 . 2 and 3 are arranged as usual brake lights. The brake lights or brake lights are usually used to indicate a braking operation of the vehicle for the rear of the vehicle, ie for the behind and around the rear area.

The brakes of the in the 1 shown vehicle 1 are actuated so that the brake lights 4 this vehicle 1 a brake signal 7 towards the vehicles following him 2 and 3 send out. The brake signal consists of light, the brake light 7 that of the brake light 4 is emitted. An inmate in the vehicle 3 becomes the brake signal 7 however, can not perceive, as his view of the brake lights 4 through the vehicle 2 is locked. Therefore, it is only then on with the deceleration of the vehicle 1 Connected dangerous situation alert when the brake lights of the immediately preceding vehicle 2 come on. If the safety distance is too short, this can lead to a rear-end collision, which could be avoided if the vehicle driver of the vehicle 3 the dangerous situation already when the brake signal lights up 7 could have recognized.

To make this possible, is in the front of the vehicle 2 a signal receiver 5 arranged the brake signal 7 received and converted into an output signal from a processing device 9 processed and the signaler 6 to send out a warning signal 8th is supplied. signal receiver 5 , Processing device 9 and signalers 6 together form a signal transmission device 10 (please refer 2 ) with the function of a relay station. In the simplest case, the signal generator 6 from the brake lights of the vehicle 2 educated. The signal processing device may in this case be formed by an amplifier which receives the output signal of the signal receiver 5 reinforced so that the bulbs of the brake light are caused to emit light.

The signal transmission device 10 causes as soon as the signal receiver 5 the brake signal 7 receives the brake lights of the vehicle 2 regardless of whether this is slowed down or not. The brake lights 6 thus light up in sync with the brake lights 4 of the vehicle 2 Immediately preceding foreign vehicle 1 and thereby enable the driver of the vehicle 2 immediately behind the vehicle 3 a timely initiation of the braking process.

In In this context, it should be noted that under this Scripture under an immediately preceding vehicle understood a vehicle is that of the respective reference point or reference object in the Movement direction the nearest Vehicle is. It does not matter that this vehicle actually drives. It could e.g. also be stalled at a jam end and using the brake lights or other warning signals the approaching traffic to warn. The concept of an immediately following vehicle is to be understood analogously. The use of the terms "rear" and "front" is always with Reference to the imaginary or assumed direction of movement of the respective Reference object.

For the purposes of this description, foreign vehicles are to be understood as meaning all vehicles which do not correspond to the vehicle which contains or forms the respective reference point or reference object. In the in the 1 illustrated case forms vehicle 2 the reference point for the receipt and forwarding of the vehicle 1 emitted brake signals 7 , vehicles 1 and 3 make for this reference vehicle 2 Of course, the vehicles are of course 1 and 2 Foreign vehicles for the vehicle 3 , or vehicles 2 and 3 Foreign vehicles for the vehicle 1 represents.

In the case described can be to the brake signal 7 to detect a photosensor as a signal receiver 5 be used. In order to limit the receiving range of the sensor to immediately preceding vehicles, in front of the sensor suitable optics may be arranged. A receipt of signals from vehicles on adjacent lanes can be excluded. Furthermore, the wavelength range can be limited to spectral ranges typical for warning signals, such as, for example, brake lights, hazard warning lights or blue lights, by means of suitable filter devices. The filters can be integrated directly on the surface of the photosensor, for example in the form of dielectric layer sequences or the like, or arranged in the form of discrete filter elements in the field of vision in front of the sensor.

The Photo sensors themselves can as individual elements, e.g. Photodiodes, phototransistors, photoconductors or photoresistor, avalanche photodiodes or the like be executed more. The arrangement of several of these elements to a field can be a support location- and distance-oriented signal evaluation. at Use of image sensors, i. of sensors whose output signal a picture of an environmental detail in the field of view of the sensor are about it in addition image evaluations possible, what information for a more complex assessment of a received warning signal can be obtained can. When using two image sensors are in particular stereoscopic Evaluations possible.

alternative or in addition for the use of photosensors offer acoustic or funkmesstechnische Transducer for use in a signal receiver. Radio Measurement Converters are commonly used with the acronym Radar (Radio detection and ranging). They receive the from a remote object reflected free electromagnetic waves, usually Microwaves, and convert them into conducted waves for signal processing around. Acoustic sensors, on the other hand, are sensitive to the reception of sound waves They set up in electrical or optical, usually convert conducted signals. The radar system corresponding Runtime measurements can but also using optical signals - primarily in the infrared range - for a determination of the Distance to a preceding or following vehicle made become. For this purpose, optical converters are required, which reflect the Light signals into electrical signals to determine the transit time to convert the respective light signals. Acoustic, optical and Radio-controlled sensors of the type described are suitable as components in a system for determining the distance with respect to a foreign vehicle and to recognize the change this distance. Receive this the converter sends a signal that is directed towards the other vehicle and was reflected by this. The distance values can be from the running time of the signal, the relative speed from the Doppler shift between transmitted and received signal determine.

Another additional or alternative possibility is the use of a telemetric receiving device for receiving data of a driver assistance system of an immediately preceding and / or following third party vehicle. Thus, for example, data directly from the vehicle dynamics systems of other vehicles, for example, from their distance control or emergency braking can be received and evaluated. The signal generator 6 Thus, provided that the relevant third-party vehicles are equipped with appropriate transmitters, they can be driven on the basis of the evaluation of the received data. This allows, for example, the control of a warning signal 8th as a function of a combination of the data from a preceding vehicle and a subsequent third-party vehicle.

All mentioned examples of signal receivers 5 It is common that the spatial area from which they receive a, a state or a change in state of a foreign vehicle signal reproduced by appropriate design or in combination with additional facilities can be limited. In this context, the term "state signal" is understood to mean any signal that emanates from a foreign vehicle by transmission or by reflection and is directly or indirectly the carrier of information relevant to a collision situation. In optical transducers, such as photosensors or the like, the confinement of the detection range can be achieved via an optical system, for example a lens arranged between the signal receiver and the source of the state signal to be received, or a lens system. For microwave receivers, for example, paraffin lenses or phase-shifted radio-controlled transducer matrices can be used. The phase-shifted control of several acoustic transducers allows the spatial limitation to a desired range. The desired range is generally limited to a vehicle that travels directly ahead or behind within a safety-related distance. A limitation of the range of the respective signal receiver 5 can also be achieved by setting its reception strength or by establishing a threshold for the implementation of the received state signal into an output signal.

That of the respective signal receivers 5 generated output signals are from a processing device 9 for controlling the signal transmitter 6 processed. When using optical sensors, this processing can be amplified by the brake light 7 of driving ahead the vehicle 1 consist in the signal receiver generated photocurrents. For more complex optical sensors, such as imagers or camera systems, the processing usually involves an evaluation of the image signals with reference to warning signals emanating from the vehicle in front. In particular, in these systems, it is also advisable to extend the detection range for certain warning signals, such as for flashing lights of emergency vehicles so that they can be detected outside the range of an immediately preceding; because this danger of traffic jams are quickly recognizable.

When using telemetric receiving points, if the signal transmitter 6 is executed as a telemetry transmitter, the processing consist in a simple forwarding of the output provided by the receiving point output signals to the signal generator. The processing device 9 would in this case of a signal path between signal receiver 5 and signalers 6 formed, wherein the signal processing would be limited to the transmission of the output signal over the signal path. In general, the processing device 9 however, a more complex control means than that of the signal receiver 5 supplied output signals evaluated, evaluates and the signal generator 6 depending on the processing results or operates.

In order to limit the transmission of warning signals of a preceding vehicle to a subsequent vehicle to situations with a serious risk potential, the processing device 9 be provided with a Schwellwertprüfeinrichtung. In particular, signal strengths of the state signal come as threshold values 7 into consideration, so that, for example, a triggering of the signal generator 6 is omitted if the distance to the vehicle in front is much greater than the safety distance or if, for example, only the rear lights of the vehicle ahead is turned on. However, threshold values may also be data relating to the distance or a change in distance to relevant third-party vehicles, so that the warning signal 8th eg only when the distance to the rear vehicle does not preclude the risk of collision.

Since a driver is usually used to taking the flashing of the brake lights of the preceding vehicle as a warning that the distance will shorten without its own braking, includes the signal generator 6 in a preferred embodiment, a brake light at the rear, wherein in a simple embodiment of the signal generator 6 can be formed by the brake light itself.

In a further embodiment, the signal generator 6 include a transmitter, one with the warning signal 8th acted upon information carrier to a subsequent foreign vehicle 3 sends. Has the vehicle 3 via a compatible driver assistance system, it may be the warning signal 8th receive and warn the driver of the danger situation or even automatically intervene by means of a vehicle dynamics system in the vehicle. As information carrier electromagnetic waves, sound and light waves are suitable.

The 2 contains a schematic representation of the described signal transmission device 10 , It includes a signal receiver 5 , a processing device 9 and a signal generator 6 ,

The signal receiver 5 is for receiving status signals 7 formed, which are emitted by a foreign vehicle. In the first place, these status signals are warning signals of an immediately preceding vehicle, for example light emissions of the brake lights. The status signals may, however, also include data sent by a driving assistance system of the preceding vehicle and containing eg information about the distance of the vehicle to other vehicles, its speed or acceleration values or the like. In a further embodiment, corresponding state signals can also be received by a following vehicle, with which inter alia the local traffic situation of the vehicle 2 can be assessed and a more accurate assessment of, over that of the preceding vehicle 1 emitted status signal 7 mediated risk potential is made possible. Finally, the signal receiver can also be designed to receive signals emitted by the vehicle housing it and reflected by a foreign vehicle as status signals. Regardless of the type of received condition signal, the signal receiver is 5 configured to convert the signal into a lead-bound signal supplied by the processing device 9 as described above for driving or operating the warning signal generator 6 can be processed.

This ensures that the driver of the vehicle 3 at a deceleration of vehicle 1 also be warned when the driving condition of the vehicle 2 has not changed accordingly.

Herein differs the signal transmission device 10 of signal processing systems that first send the signal generated by a signal receiver to other driving dynamics systems To transmit, for example, an emergency braking assistance system, for example, a decision for autonomous braking of the vehicle 2 bring about. Such a system would be a warning signal 8th only after a decision to initiate a braking process. The driver of the vehicle 3 available response time would be shorter in this case than with the system presented and, if vehicle 3 a corresponding electronic control system does not own, sometimes too short.

Will be a driver assistance system 11 parallel to a signal transmission device 10 used, the processing device 9 , as in 2 shown in phantom by the signal receiver 5 supplied values to the driver assistance system 11 pass it on directly or in prepared form.

The 3 shows a method 200 for emitting a warning signal as a function of a state signal related to a foreign vehicle, that of a signal transmission device 10 according to one of the embodiments described above can be performed. After the start of the process in step S0, in step S1 by means of a signal receiver 5 receive a status signal of the types specified above. The received signal is in the signal receiver 5 converted and the resulting output signal provided in step S2 of the method. The value, the type or the form of the output signal contains an information representing the received state signal; In this respect, the output signal corresponds to the state signal on which it is based. In step S3, the output signal is processed so that a signal generator 6 can be controlled or operated. The processing can, as mentioned above, simply forward the output signal from the signal receiver 5 to the signal generator 6 restrict. Usually, however, this involves a signal processing which comprises an amplification of the output signal or its logical or program-technical processing or else both. On the basis of the processed output signal, in step S4, by means of the signal generator 6 a warning signal 8th broadcast. The transmission takes place only, as described in more detail above, if the result of the received condition signal actually a warning or hazard warning. In step S5, it is checked whether the vehicle is still in operation. If this is the case, the method continues with step S1. Incidentally, the process ends in step S6.

1

vehicle 1

2

vehicle 2

3

vehicle 3

4

Brake light of vehicle 1 , Source of the status signal

5

signal receiver

6

signaler

7

state signal

8th

warning

9

processing device

10

Signal transmission means

11

Driving Assistance System

100

Driving situation

200

method

S1 to

S6 steps

Claims (16)

Device for emitting a warning signal ( 8th ) depending on one, on a foreign vehicle ( 1 ) related state signal ( 7 ), with - a signal receiver ( 5 ) for receiving the status signal ( 7 ) and for providing a received condition signal ( 7 ) corresponding output signal, - a processing device ( 9 ) for processing the signal receiver ( 5 ) output signal, and - a signal generator ( 6 ) for emitting a warning signal ( 8th ) on the basis of the processing equipment ( 9 ) processed output signal. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ) for receiving brake signals ( 7 ) one immediately before the institution ( 10 ) ( 1 ) and / or for receiving a signal coming from an immediately behind the device ( 10 ) foreign vehicle. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the signal transmitter ( 6 ) for sending the warning signal in a direction behind the device ( 10 ) is trained. Device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the signal transmitter ( 6 ) comprises a brake light. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ) comprises a photosensor or an array of photosensors. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ) an acoustic transducer for Conversion of incoming sound signals into electrical output signals and / or a Funkmsesstechnischen converter for converting microwaves into electrical output signals and / or an optical converter for converting defined light signals into electrical output signals comprises. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ) comprises a telemetric receiving station. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device ( 9 ) formed by the signal receiver ( 5 ) received signal to the signal generator ( 6 ) forward directly. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the processing device ( 9 ) formed by the signal receiver ( 5 ) received in one of the signal generator ( 6 ) to prepare suitable form. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device ( 9 ) formed by the signal receiver ( 5 ) to branch output signal to a vehicle dynamics system. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ) is adapted to provide an output signal only for state signals above a certain threshold value and / or that the processing device ( 9 ) is adapted to process only output signals above a certain threshold. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal receiver ( 5 ), the provision of an output signal to status signals ( 7 ) from a limited spatial area relative to the facility ( 10 ) to limit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device ( 9 ) is adapted to process the output signal in dependence on further factors. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that that the factors by the distance and / or the speed and / or the acceleration of one located behind the device Foreign vehicle are determined. Motor vehicle with a device according to one of preceding claims. Method for emitting a warning signal ( 8th ) depending on one, on a foreign vehicle ( 1 ) related state signal ( 7 ), comprising the following steps: - receiving the status signal ( 7 ), - providing a received condition signal ( 7 ) output signal, - emitting a warning signal on the basis of the signal from the processing device ( 9 ) processed output signal.