DE102018007365A1 - Vibration signal system for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for warning a driver of the motor vehicle, when the motor vehicle falls below a defined minimum distance in the peripheral region of a body of the motor vehicle and / or deviates from a predetermined lane, with sensors (32), which the minimum distance, which the driver give corresponding warnings, and a control unit (30) which cooperates with the sensors (32) and the actuators (18, 20, 24, 26) and, if necessary, activates the actuators (18, 20, 24, 26). According to the invention, first actuators (18, 20, 24, 26) are integrated into the driver's seat (10) and, when activated, generate haptic warnings in the seat surface (12) of the driver for the latter.

Description

The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for warning a driver of the vehicle according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

Due to the attractiveness of driving a lot of importance has been placed on the increasing safety in the history of the motor vehicle. Thus, today the motor vehicle is equipped with many systems supporting the driver. These systems help the driver when parking or braking the motor vehicle automatically when, for example, a pedestrian carelessly crosses the road. The technology has arrived at a point where motor vehicles could even drive autonomously. Many systems also help the driver stay focused and keep him from being distracted.

Due to the ever faster growing technological share in motor vehicles, there are many existing safety systems. Due to the further development of the reversing sensor system, the Surround View system was developed, which also includes integrated early warning systems for pedestrians and the like. When the surround view system is used for parking, it usually relies entirely on the screen, which captures and processes the distances to external objects. For example, this method is not possible when driving in traffic. The driver would be distracted by the display on the screen and could not reconcile to the real situation. The time for such a procedure would simply be too short and the driver will only gain more and more confusion. But without an assistant, a driver has a bad overview of his vehicle, especially in tight situations, because you can only roughly estimate the actual distance to another vehicle or other objects by the unreasonableness of the body.

Taking as an example a city trip on a three-lane route network with construction site, so knows every motorist immediately, this situation is narrow and confusing. For inexperienced drivers, such a situation can already be enough to cause an accident.

The number of tools for controlling a motor vehicle is so great that hardly any innovations exist that leave the driver in full control of his motor vehicle. Since personal control and control of the motor vehicle is one of the most important aspects, a system must be developed which increases control over the motor vehicle so that it is not restricted in its actions.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device for a motor vehicle for guiding a driver of the motor vehicle through bottlenecks according to the type specified in the preamble of claim 1, which executes a clear warning function for the driver without having to take his eyes off the road or is visually distracted by the warning function.

From the DE 60 2004 002 474 T2 and the EP 1 235 052 81 B1 vibration actuators are known in the driver's seat. These are used as a warning system to warn distracted drivers and thus have a different use than the invention presented here.

This object is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with its preamble features.

The dependent claims form advantageous developments of the invention.

The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle for warning a driver of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle falls below a defined minimum distance in the peripheral region of a body of the motor vehicle. The device is provided with sensors which detect the minimum distance and / or the predetermined lane. In addition, actuators, which give the driver corresponding warnings, and a control unit is provided, which interacts with the sensors and the actuators. The control unit activates the actuators as needed. According to the invention, first actuators are integrated in the vehicle seat. When activated, haptic warnings are generated in the driver's seat. As a result, the driver is supported in a simple manner in general traffic situations. For example, when the vehicle is approaching an object while driving, the relative distance of the vehicle to the object is to be forwarded to the driver without having to turn his eyes away from the road. If it is a continuous object such as a curb, the distance to it is also passed continuously to the driver.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the first actuators are linear in shape to produce when activated linear haptic warnings for the driver in the seat.

In this case, two line-shaped first actuators can be arranged laterally in the vehicle seat, whereby the haptic warnings are generated laterally in the seat for the driver.

Preferably, the control unit activates the first actuators for warnings with respect to a minimum distance in the direction of travel of the vehicle, whereby the driver is warned that now a certain minimum distance is exceeded. The driver has to take special care now.

According to one embodiment of the invention, based on the orientation of the vehicle seat, the left line-shaped first actuator is active when the left minimum distance of the motor vehicle is reached. The right-line first actuator is analog active when the right minimum distance of the motor vehicle is below. A simple assignment of the source of danger for the driver is made possible.

Preferably, the first actuators trigger movements substantially perpendicular to the seat surface of the vehicle seat, in particular vibrations. These are easily perceived by the driver and strengthen the circulation, which is particularly advantageous for longer trips.

It is also advantageous if the movements of the first actuator with increasing distance difference or deviation from the predetermined lane in frequency and / or amplitude changes, in particular increases. As a result, the intensity of the increasing risk situation can be passed on to the driver.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, at least one second actuator is integrated in a backrest. When activated, this second actuator also generates haptic warnings in the backrest of the driver for this driver. This further enhances the warning and thus can not be accidentally ignored by the driver.

Preferably, a second actuator is integrated on each side of the backrest.

The second actuators can be designed like the first actuators, which lowers the production costs in a simple manner.

In addition, it is possible for the second actuators to be activated like the first actuators.

Thus, according to the invention, haptic signals are transmitted through the actuators, which respond to the haptic sensitivity as part of the surface sensitivity. The driver thus experiences a perception of mechanical stimuli in the form of pressure, vibration and tissue expansion. Advantageously, therefore, other stimuli are addressed than the previously known optical and acoustic stimuli for warnings.

In order to protect the affected motor vehicle and its occupants from accidents and collisions, according to the invention, the driver is warned in the event of falling below a minimum distance to another object, thus preventing the collision when the driver corrects his direction of travel as a result of the warning.

According to the invention, the driver's seat is equipped with vibration actuators which are arranged in a linear arrangement in the direction of travel. They are installed so that the driver does not feel them under his thighs when they are not active. If the actuators are activated, line-shaped signals will be transmitted according to the direction of travel when the car enters a border area to other objects. Thus, if an object is located to the left of the motor vehicle, the left vibration actuator becomes active. This is not only turned on, but is active only in the area in which the object is located to the vehicle. The information is determined and processed from the surround view system and the lane departure warning system already installed in the car. But only a locally occurring vibration is not enough to give the driver enough feeling about the object. Because not only the position itself, so whether the object is located at the front or rear of the car, but also the distance is crucial. And so the measured distance in the form of an increase in amplitude and / or frequency is transmitted to the driver noticeably. The seat thus serves as a derived side line of the vehicle. Since the rear area of the vehicle is difficult to manage, additional actuators are placed in the lower area of the backrest on the left and right. This way the entire back room can be monitored. If the car parked, you can keep track of all the mirrors and can still be sure that nothing can collide with the rear of the vehicle, unless the actuators are activated.

Further advantages, features and possible applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Fahrzeugsitz mit einer Vorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform nach der Erfindung;
• 2 eine schematische, perspektivische Explosionsansicht auf den Fahrzeugsitz von 1;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittansicht durch den Fahrzeugsitz von 1, und
• 4 ein schematisches Flussdiagramm über die Funktionsweise der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

In the description, in the claims and in the drawing, the terms and associated reference numerals used in the list of reference numerals below are used. In the drawing:

• 1 a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat with a device according to an embodiment of the invention;
• 2 a schematic, exploded perspective view of the vehicle seat of 1 ;
• 3 a schematic sectional view through the vehicle seat of 1 , and
• 4 a schematic flow diagram of the operation of the device according to the invention.

In the figures, an embodiment of a device for a motor vehicle for warning a driver of the motor vehicle is shown. In a vehicle seat 10 are below a seat 12 on the left 14 and the right side 16 each a series of linear actuators 18 and 20 intended. The left actuator 18 and the right actuator 20 generate individual movements in the vertical direction over their length, which can vary in frequency and amplitude.

They are also in a backrest 22 of the driver's seat 10 likewise linear actuators 24 and 26 below a support surface 28 the backrest 22 arranged in the lumbar region for a driver of the motor vehicle.

The actuators 18 . 20 such as 24 . 26 are with a control device 30 and distance sensors 32 connected, which detect the lateral and rearward distance of the vehicle to an object.

Again 4 can be seen, capture the distance sensors 32 continuously the lateral and rearward distance of the motor vehicle to the nearest objects. The distance data to the surrounding objects are recorded and sent to the control device 30 passed what was by the arrow 34 In the control device 30 the detected data are processed, compared with predetermined limit values which are stored in a memory, and, if appropriate, corresponding control signals for the actuators 18 . 20 such as 24 . 26 generated. The control signals are indicated by the arrow 36 illustrated. The arrow 38 illustrates the warnings by the actuators 18 . 20 . 24 . 26 the reaction of the driver and the resulting changing sensor data.

To further illustrate the operation of the invention, an example is analyzed by passing the vehicle over an object that is within a critical area.

The driver is on the left lane of a highway in the entrance to a construction site with a test vehicle, which is equipped with the device according to the invention. The driver knows that no motor vehicle drives next to him on the right lane in his field of motion, as in the driver's seat 10 installed right-hand linear actuators 20 below the seat 12 , as well as the right linear actuators 26 below the support surface 28 are not active. The device has not passed any signals because the distance sensors 32 of the motor vehicle has detected on the right side no other motor vehicles or objects in the immediate vicinity.

The driver recognizes the lane boundary beginning in front of him in the form of a boundary wall on the left side and at the same time sees a lorry driving in front of him on the right lane, which due to the narrow lanes again and again makes easy use of the left lane. His car is now at the beginning of the boundary wall and immediately the driver feels a slight vibration, starting from the foremost area in the seat 12 built left linear actuator 18 that quickly reach the end of the seat 12 and in the support surface 28 spreads where the left linear actuator 24 below the support surface 24 is installed. The driver now knows that to the left of him is a lane boundary, but the lane boundary is located in a more than sufficient distance to his motor vehicle. Looking out of the window, the driver makes sure that there is still half a meter of space left to the perimeter wall. The view is once again directed to the lane, where the truck is approaching on the right lane. The driver sees that the truck occupies a small part of its lane. The device according to the invention now sends him in the foremost right area of the seat in the seat 12 installed actuator 20 a pulsating vibration that means to the driver that if he does not change his current position he would touch the trailer of the truck. So he maneuvers his motor vehicle closer to the left boundary wall. The vibration of the right foremost area of the actuator 20 stops pulsing and the intensity also decreases slowly, while the vibration of the left actuators 18 and 24 increases. Now the motor vehicle can be controlled between the truck and the boundary wall. The driver adjusts his position as the motor vehicle moves alongside the truck and both right actuators 20 . 26 Now also fully turned on, that the vibrations on both sides have the same strength and thus he keeps the track exactly in the middle between the two obstacles. Even if the truck now pulls a bit to the left, because the road is very uneven, the driver feels this immediately by the different intensity of the signals left and right and adjusts its position. After passing the construction site, he can continue his journey unhindered and without worrying about overlooking anything.

The device according to the invention thus guides the driver by scanning the environment with given sensors and surrounding the distances Measures objects. If these are within the range of concern for the vehicle, the system forwards the information about vibration signals to the driver. The information is changed via the amplitude, frequency and range of the vibration, so that the position of the object can be displayed. The driver can now locate the danger without distraction, act and continue to keep track of the direction of travel.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

driver's seat

12

Seat of the driver's seat 10

14

left side

16

right side

18

left linear actuators below the seat 12th

20

right linear actuators below the seat 12th

22

Backrest of the driver's seat 10

24

left linear actuators below the support surface 28th

26

right linear actuators below the support surface 28th

28

support surface

30

control unit

32

distance sensors

34

Arrow - Forward the data of the distance sensors

36

Arrow - Forward the control signal of the control device 30

38

Reaction of the driver to the warnings by the actuators 18, 20 , 24, 26

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 602004002474 T2 [0007]
• EP 123505281 B1 [0007]

Claims (11)

Device for a motor vehicle for warning a driver of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle falls below a defined minimum distance in the peripheral region of a body of the motor vehicle and / or deviates from a predetermined lane, with sensors (32) which give the minimum distance, which gives the driver corresponding warnings, and a control unit (30) which interacts with the sensors (32) and the actuators (18, 20, 24, 26) and, if necessary, activates the actuators (18, 20, 24, 26), characterized in that first actuators (18 , 20, 24, 26) are integrated in the driver's seat (10) and, when activated, generate haptic warnings in the driver's seat (12) for the latter. Device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the first actuators (18, 20, 24, 26) are formed linearly to produce when activated linear haptic warnings for the driver in the seat surface (12). Device after Claim 2 , characterized in that two line-shaped first actuators (18, 20) are arranged laterally in the driver's seat (10), whereby the haptic warnings are laterally generated in the seat surface (12) for the driver. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (30) activates the first actuators (18, 20) for warnings with respect to a vehicle in the direction of travel minimum distance and / or a lateral offset to a predetermined lane. Device after Claim 3 and 4 , characterized in that based on the orientation of the driver's seat (10) of the left line-shaped first actuator (18) is active when the left minimum distance of the motor vehicle falls below or the motor vehicle with respect to the predetermined lane is too far left, and the right line-shaped first actuator (20) is active when the right minimum distance of the motor vehicle falls below or the motor vehicle with respect to the predetermined lane is too far to the right. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first actuators (18, 20) trigger movements substantially perpendicular to the seat surface (12) of the vehicle seat, in particular vibrations. Device after Claim 6 , characterized in that the movements of the first actuator (18, 20) with increasing distance difference or deviation from the predetermined lane in frequency and / or amplitude change, in particular increase. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second actuator (24, 26) is integrated in a backrest, and upon activation generates haptic warnings in the backrest (22) of the driver for this. Device after Claim 8 , characterized in that on each side of the backrest (22), a second actuator (24, 26) is integrated. Device after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the second actuators (24, 26) as the first actuators (18, 20) are formed. Device according to one of Claims 8 to 10 , characterized in that the second actuators (24, 26) as the first actuators (18, 20) are activated.

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