DE102015203672A1 - Apparatus and method for improved detection of any mechanical vehicle damage - Google Patents

Abstract

There is proposed a means of locomotion, a device and a method for improved detection of any mechanical damage of a means of locomotion. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a movement quantity of a part of the means of locomotion (10) by means of a sensor (1, 2, 3, 4), and / or an electrical or electronic malfunction on a part (11) of the locomotion means (10) a sensor (12), - automatic detection of user interaction, - comparison of the amount of movement or the malfunction and the detected user interaction with a predefined reference, and - detection of any mechanical damage from a result of the comparison.

Description

The present invention relates to a means of locomotion, a device and a method for improved detection of any mechanical vehicle damage. In particular, the present invention relates to a plausibility check of such sensor data, which may indicate an optionally existing vehicle damage.

Modern vehicles are equipped with a variety of sensors, some of which respond in the event of an accident safety systems to protect a driver from the consequences of a major accident. For example, acceleration sensors and pressure sensors for triggering airbags, pedestrian protection systems or so-called pop-up hoods are known and in mass production. By the sensor, an automatic detection of accidents by the vehicle electronics based on movement characteristics of the vehicle. Such motion characteristics are for example acceleration, speed, yaw rate, etc. If an accident has been detected with certainty, various actions can be initiated (for example, placing an automatic emergency call or establishing a voice connection with a service telephone number). Focussing on signals describing the movement of the vehicle leaves a certain range of uncertainty, in which it is not possible to determine unequivocally in the case of slight accidents in the low speed range whether an accident actually happened or whether, for example. only a pothole was passed through. The signals describing the movement of the vehicle are sometimes insufficient in the low speed range and especially in light accidents, to allow a safe distinction between "accident" and "rough / rough driving situation" or "bumping or driving through a pothole" ,

DE 10 2012 202 835 A1 discloses a method and a device for plausibilizing a prospective sensor system. A collision parameter determined from a sensor signal of a predictive environment sensor is plausibilized using a crash sensor signal. Through the joint use of predictive sensors and impact sensors, the influence on the triggering decision for corresponding protection systems can be selected to be correspondingly high.

DE 10 2006 038 837 A1 discloses an apparatus for detecting a collision, in which a forward displacement of a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision is used to collision determination. The arranged in the seat force measuring sensor is thus used for collision detection.

DE 103 60 893 A1 discloses a method for controlling personal protection devices in a vehicle, in which acceleration sensor signals are supplemented by signals from environmental sensors, pressure sensors and side impact sensors. The signals of the acceleration sensor are compared here with a noise threshold in order to suppress approximate vibrations, such as those caused by potholes or other events.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a detection of light accidents on the broadest possible information base in order to support the occupants of a vehicle in the event of minor accidents in the best possible way.

The above-identified object is achieved by a method for improved detection of any mechanical vehicle damage. Any mechanical damage to the vehicle according to the invention is to be understood in such a way that an actual and certainly carried out detection of a deformation process (eg on body and / or chassis) has not occurred. Rather, a "rough" or particularly "intense" driving situation is found, which makes the driver uncertain about whether a mechanical damage to the vehicle has occurred or not or which can not be safely distinguished from the vehicle as damage. First, a movement amount of a vehicle part is detected by means of a sensor for this purpose. The amount of movement can be determined, for example, by means of an acceleration sensor and / or by means of a vehicle dynamics control system. Depending on how the sensor is arranged on the vehicle, the amount of movement for a part of the vehicle or for the entire vehicle can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, an electrical or electronic malfunction is detected on a vehicle part by means of a sensor or a function restriction of a component capable of diagnostics (eg vehicle electrical system, camera, etc.) is acknowledged with a corresponding error memory entry. The vehicle part can be, for example, a lighting device, a position detection device of a movable vehicle part or another component whose malfunction can be electronically detected and evaluated. For plausibility of the aforementioned findings in the detection of any mechanical vehicle damage, a user interaction is performed in temporal context to the detection of the amount of movement or the electronic malfunction. The user interaction can be detected, for example, shortly before detecting the movement quantity indicative of a rough driving situation, during the detection or after the detection of the movement quantity. When User interaction is understood in the context of the present invention, an action of the driver. Excluded in particular are due to the amount of movement involuntarily entering movements of the occupant of the vehicle or influencing sensor sizes by the user due to the amount of movement. In other words, the user interaction should be understood as an active utterance of the user from which it can be concluded that in the present situation the user assumes mechanical vehicle damage or not. For this purpose, according to the invention, the motion variable or the malfunction and the detected user interaction are compared with a predefined reference. The predefined reference can for example comprise or characterize threshold values. Alternatively or additionally, time profiles of the aforementioned information can also be stored as a predefined reference in terms of data technology (eg, electronically) and used for the comparison. Subsequently, any mechanical vehicle damage is detected from a result of the comparison, provided that the amount of movement / malfunction / user interaction is in a predefined relationship to the predefined reference. In response, various actions can be performed automatically to assist the user as appropriate. In this way it is avoided that frequent misdetections confuse the user while improving the detection reliability of actual mechanical vehicle damage.

The dependent claims show preferred developments of the invention.

The user interaction may be, for example, a guide of the means of locomotion, e.g. a longitudinal and / or a transverse guide, serve. In other words, the user interaction is intended to influence the vehicle movement and is recognized as such. For example, a strong braking action in response to an electronic malfunction or a sensed abnormal amount of motion may be interpreted as confirmation of the need for an examination of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, opening a door of the means of locomotion may be an indicator that the user is seeking to study the exterior of his means of transportation. Such an opening can be detected and reported, for example, by a microswitch in the door. Alternatively or additionally, an assessment of an exterior of the means of locomotion using an ultrasound sensor, using a radar and / or lidar and / or laser sensor or the like, be recognized, provided that the user after detecting the amount of movement or the electronic malfunction leaves the vehicle and runs around it for the purpose of assessing his vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the user interaction may be an operation of a warning device. In other words, it is recognized whether the user has a switching device for activating e.g. of the hazard warning lights. In addition, verbal utterances (for example via a speech recognition system) can also be recorded and interpreted. Such statements may corroborate both the presence of mechanical vehicle damage and the user's attitude that presumably there is no mechanical vehicle damage. In particular, keywords can be compared as a predefined reference with the statements of the driver and used to detect any mechanical vehicle damage. The same applies to indoor cameras, which can capture the mimic or lip service of the driver to the situation and perform an interpretation device.

The amount of movement may include, for example, an acceleration (e.g., in the vertical direction, Z direction). Such acceleration occurs, for example, when the means of locomotion passes through a pothole. In such a driving situation suspension parts can be overstressed or damaged and unsettle the driver regarding the safe re-usability of his vehicle. Corresponding other quantities of movement are the yawing, slippage of the tires relative to the roadway and a reduction in speed without a corresponding braking intervention. The latter occurs when the vehicle collides with a slower or stationary environment object. The aforementioned movement variables can be easily and reliably determined by sensors used in series production and used according to the invention as an input variable of the comparison.

The electronic malfunction, which alternatively or additionally in the context of the present invention indicates any mechanical damage to the vehicle, may be, for example, in a lighting unit (dipped beam, main beam, direction indicator, daytime running light, brake light, reverse light, etc.) and / or in an environment sensor (eg a camera , an ultrasonic sensor, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor or a laser scanner) and / or be determined in an automatically adjustable and / or heated exterior mirror. Also, the response of a tire puncture sensor (e.g., a tire pressure sensor reporting a tire pressure below a predefined reference) may be used to detect an electronic malfunction as an indicator of mechanical vehicle damage within the scope of the inventively proposed comparison.

In order to assist the driver in a situation of any mechanical vehicle damage, in response to the detection of the vehicle damage, an offer may be made for call establishment with a predefined telephone number to the driver of the means of transportation. For example, a predefined service telephone number may be displayed and selected in response to a user input (acceptance of the offer). Such a number can also be an emergency number of an ambulance service, a fire brigade or a similar authority. The establishment of the voice call can also be done automatically without waiting for an acceptance of the offer by the user. Thus, the user is not left alone in a situation of uncertainty, but can discuss his concern / the vehicle damage with specially trained persons.

Preferably, a geographical position of the means of locomotion can be determined and the position can be assigned to a fault memory entry documenting the eventual mechanical damage to the vehicle. In this way, the position can be stored or reported to inform other instances of the potential threat to this position. In addition, the position can also automatically in an emergency call o.ä. be integrated to give rescue workers the opportunity to quickly search the position or to make the destination of a route planning. Also, technical assistants (e.g., ADAC staff or the like) can provide quicker and safer assistance in case a record describing the geographical position is added to the call setup or error message.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for improved detection of any mechanical vehicle damage is proposed. This includes a sensor for detecting a movement amount (e.g., acceleration, yaw, slippage, etc.) of the vehicle part and, alternatively, or additionally, a sensor for detecting an electric or electronic malfunction on a vehicle part (electric / electronic component). In addition, means are provided for automatically detecting a user interaction, which are set up to record and report the user interaction in close temporal relationship for detecting the movement variable or the malfunction, ie, before, during or after the detection of the movement variable. In addition, an evaluation unit is provided, which is set up to compare the movement variable or the malfunction as well as the detected user interaction with a predefined reference. Of course, an independent predefined reference can be provided for each of the aforementioned variables, which is stored, for example, in the form of a threshold value and / or a time characteristic. From the result of the comparison, any mechanical vehicle damage is detected under predefined conditions, in response to which optionally provided output means (eg an error memory, a wireless transceiver unit, a signaling unit for the information of the user) can be addressed to the user or other persons assist in the investigation / remedy of mechanical vehicle damage. In other words, the device proposed according to the invention is set up to carry out a method according to the first aspect of the invention. The features, combinations of features and the advantages resulting therefrom correspond to those embodied in connection with the method according to the invention in such a way that, in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above statements.

Preferably, the sensor for detecting a movement quantity can be assigned to a vehicle dynamics control system. Vehicle dynamics control systems are by their very nature well suited for detecting and correcting critical driving situations. Accordingly, the predefined reference may comprise threshold values for sensor variables determined by the vehicle dynamics control system, by means of which any mechanical vehicle damage can be determined or reported precisely if the user interaction also makes such mechanical vehicle damage appear likely.

Further sensors for detecting a movement quantity can be connected to an information bus of the means of locomotion to which the device according to the invention also has access. In other words, the device can receive the information required for carrying out the method according to the invention wholly or partly from one or more information buses of the means of locomotion. The means for automatically detecting a user interaction may include, for example, a microswitch in a driver's door, via which the opening of the driver's door is detected in close temporal relationship after determining the predefined amount of movement of the means of locomotion. An inspection of the exterior of the means of locomotion by the user can be subsequently determined, for example, by using an ultrasound sensor (a parking assistance) and / or a lidar sensor and / or a radar sensor and / or a laser and / or another environment sensor. In addition, further sensors of the means of locomotion, in particular of the interior of the means of locomotion, may lay information about user interactions on an information bus which the device according to the invention can read out and evaluate the information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a means of transportation comprising a device according to the second aspect of the invention. In this way, the means of locomotion (e.g., a car, van, truck, motorcycle, air and / or water vehicle) is arranged to appropriately realize the features, feature combinations, and benefits resulting therefrom of the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

According to the invention, in addition to the sensor quantities used in the prior art, user interaction is automatically detected and used to evaluate the likelihood of any mechanical vehicle damage being present. For example, previously determined sensory movement quantities according to the invention can be made plausible or falsified if the behavior of the user also suggests a mechanical vehicle damage or the presence of a mechanical vehicle damage seems unlikely. In this way, a better detection probability of a mechanical vehicle damage and user-specific assistance can be issued. In other words, the evaluation of the user interaction in a narrow temporal context to a rough driving situation can increase or decrease the probability measure for a mechanical vehicle damage, so that an estimate of the actual vehicle situation that is less error-prone than the prior art can be made.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. Show it:

1 a plan view of components of an embodiment of a means of transport according to the invention with an embodiment of a device according to the invention; and

2 a flowchart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

1 shows a car 10 as a means of transport, which acceleration and wheel speed sensors 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 having, which with an electronic control unit 5 are connected as an evaluation of a vehicle dynamics control system information technology. A data store 6 within the electronic control unit 5 holds thresholds as references for the inventive comparison of the amount of motion or malfunction and detected user interactions. About an antenna 9 as a symbol of a wireless transceiver can be a geographical position of the car 10 determined and error entries in the data memory 6 be assigned. In addition, the antenna is used 9 a warning of other road users and to make phone calls, which eg via a touch screen 7 offered, initiated and accepted as a user interface. In the front headlights 11 are diagnostic light bulbs 12 provided as sensors for detecting an electrical malfunction and information technology with the electronic control unit 5 connected. In the doors 13 are microswitches 14 provided as means for automatically detecting user interaction. About the microswitch 14 can the electronic control unit 5 recognize a disembarkation of the driver after a particularly rough ride section. If the driver has dropped out, the electronic control unit 5 the ultrasonic sensors 15 use in the front bumper to detect the user's inspection of the exterior of the vehicle. There is also a microphone 16 provided, via which the electronic control unit 5 capture a verbal utterance of the user and evaluate it as user interaction. Such a speech event may be a mere utterance or an utterance directed to another occupant. If this speech event contains certain keywords, the likelihood of mechanical damage to the means of transport may be higher or lower.

2 shows steps of an embodiment of a method according to the invention for improved detection of any mechanical damage of a means of transport. In step 100 For this purpose, a movement amount of a part of the means of locomotion is detected by a sensor. Based on a predefined threshold value, the movement variable can characterize a particularly rough driving situation (for example driving through a pothole, an accident-related collision or just a parking bump). In step 200 a user interaction of the driver is automatically detected. In step 300 The motion size and the detected user interaction is compared with a predefined reference and in step 400 any mechanical damage is detected from a result of the comparison. In other words, a high probability is found that the user fears mechanical damage to the means of locomotion. In step 500 Therefore, an offer for a call setup with a predefined telephone number is output to the user, which the user in step 600 through a predefined input. In step 700 Therefore, a voice call is established. In support of a Accident statistics and a precautionary measure will be taken in step 800 a geographic position of the means of locomotion determined by a satellite-based positioning system and in step 900 the position of an error message documenting the eventual mechanical damage (in the form of a fault memory entry and a wirelessly sent message to a competent authority).

The overall objective of the patent is to increase the confidence for an accident event. The data of the sensors are in an area in which an accident seems possible, but not clearly different from a "negative" event. The time-based review of the amount of movement / malfunction / user interaction increases the confidence for an accident event. The present invention thus makes it possible to improve the detection of accidents, in particular in low speed ranges, in which the acceleration acting on the vehicle can not be identified with ultimate certainty as "accident" or "mechanical vehicle damage". By the improved algorithm according to the present invention, in scenarios with ambiguous motion variables or electric / electronic malfunctions of the means of locomotion, a higher reliability of the accident detection can be achieved in response to which measures to assist in the remedial action can be taken automatically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 to 4

Combined acceleration / speed sensors

5

electronic control unit

6

data storage

7

Touch Screen

9

antenna

10

car

11

headlights

12

diagnosable illuminant

13

door

14

microswitch

15

ultrasonic sensors

16

microphone

100 to 900

steps

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012202835 A1 [0003]
• DE 102006038837 A1 [0004]
• DE 10360893 A1 [0005]

Claims (10)

Method for improved detection of any mechanical damage of a means of locomotion comprising the steps: - detecting ( 100 ) a movement amount and / or a state of a part of the means of locomotion ( 10 ) by means of a sensor ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ), and / or an electrical or electronic malfunction on a part ( 11 ) of the means of locomotion ( 10 ) by means of a sensor ( 12 ), - automatic detection ( 200 ) user interaction, - compare ( 300 ) of the movement size or the malfunction as well as the detected user interaction with a predefined reference, and 400 ) of any mechanical damage resulting from a result of the comparison. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interaction - a guidance of the means of locomotion ( 10 ), in particular a longitudinal and / or transverse guide, and / or - opening a door of the means of locomotion ( 10 ), and / or - an assessment of an exterior of the means of locomotion ( 10 ), and / or - an operation of a warning device, and / or - a predefined, verbal utterance.  A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of movement An acceleration, in particular in the vertical and / or horizontal direction, and / or A yaw, and / or - a slip, and / or A speed reduction without a corresponding brake intervention includes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic malfunction - a lighting unit ( 11 ), and / or - an environmental sensor ( 15 ), and / or - an exterior mirror, and / or - a tire puncture sensor, and / or - due to a component capable of entering a fault memory in the means of locomotion ( 10 ) is recognized. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising in response to the detection of the eventual mechanical damage - outputting ( 500 ) an offer for a call setup with a predefined telephone number, and / or - automatic establishment of a voice call. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - receiving ( 600 ) user input for accepting an automatically in response to the detection of the damage to the means of transportation ( 10 ) for a call establishment with a predefined telephone number within a predefined period of time since the offer was issued, and in response thereto - building ( 700 ) of a voice call. Method according to one of the preceding claims further comprising - determining ( 800 ) of a geographical position of the means of transport ( 10 ), and - Assign ( 900 ) of the position to an error message documenting the eventual mechanical damage. Device for improved detection of any mechanical damage to a means of locomotion comprising - a sensor ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) for detecting a movement amount of the means of locomotion ( 10 ), and / or a sensor ( 12 ) for detecting an electrical or electronic malfunction on a part of the means of locomotion ( 10 ), - Medium ( 14 . 15 . 16 ) for automatically detecting a user interaction, and - an evaluation unit ( 5 ), which is set up to compare the movement variable or the malfunction as well as the recorded user interaction with a predefined reference, and a possible mechanical damage to the means of transportation ( 10 ) from a result of the comparison. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensor ( 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 ) for detecting a movement amount - is assigned to a vehicle dynamics control system, and / or - a bus subscriber of an information bus of the means of transportation ( 10 ) and / or wherein the means for automatically detecting a user interaction - a microswitch ( 14 ) in a driver's door ( 13 ), and / or - an ultrasonic sensor ( 15 ) and / or a lidar sensor and / or a radar sensor and / or a laser, and / or - a bus subscriber of an information bus of the means of locomotion ( 10 ).  Means of transport comprising: - A device according to any one of the preceding claims 8 or 9.

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