DE102023116254A1 - Method for performing a vehicle function and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (S1 - S9) for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle (1), in which a vehicle function is initiated by the user (S1), at least one sensor (8) assigned to this vehicle function is switched on (S3), the plausibility of the vehicle function is checked using sensor information from the at least one switched-on sensor (8) (S4, S6), the vehicle function is carried out (S7) or its execution is prevented (S8) based on a result of the plausibility check and the at least one sensor is switched off again (S9). The invention also relates to a vehicle (1), in particular an electric vehicle, which is designed to carry out the method (S1 - S9).

Description

The invention relates to a method for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle, in which a vehicle function is initiated by the user. The invention also relates to a vehicle that is designed to carry out the method. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to electric vehicles.

Currently, in most cases, vehicle sensors (e.g. radar sensors, cameras, etc.) are no longer supplied with electrical energy when the vehicle is parked, meaning that their sensor information can no longer be used. Furthermore, certain vehicle functions may still be available when the vehicle is parked (so-called "offline vehicle functions"). One example is that if a user presses the "open" button on a remote key for five seconds or longer, all of the vehicle's motorized windows will open. Certain offline vehicle functions that can use sensor information are significantly restricted when the vehicle is parked.

It is also known that certain sensors such as cameras can be operated even when the vehicle is parked, for example to monitor the environment.

US 8 433 456 B2 discloses a system and method for controlling power windows of a vehicle. This includes a vehicle-mounted receiver for wirelessly receiving a request signal to open a window from a portable device, at least one vehicle-mounted external condition sensor for detecting an adverse external condition with respect to the vehicle, and a vehicle-mounted controller for communicating with the receiver and the at least one external condition sensor. The controller commands opening of the one or more power windows when the receiver receives the request signal to open the window, provided that the at least one external condition sensor does not detect adverse external conditions with respect to the vehicle.

DE 10 2014 204 848 A1 discloses a vehicle system. This may include a plurality of external capacitive sensors, such as door handles, and a controller connected to the plurality of capacitive sensors. The controller may be configured to identify a rain situation by a vehicle controller based on sensor data received from at least one external capacitive sensor of the vehicle; ensure an absence of a remote key in the vicinity of the at least one locked handle and an absence of a subsequent door opening event performed upon unlocking to confirm the rain situation; and trigger a closing action of a power actuator associated with an open vehicle window for the confirmed rain situation.

US 9 953 230 B2 discloses systems and methods for detecting a subject in a vehicle. A temperature sensor installed in the vehicle is automatically activated when the vehicle ignition is turned off. The temperature sensor monitors the vehicle interior temperature and activates a detection module when the monitored vehicle interior temperature reaches a threshold.

DE 20 2016 105 696 U1 discloses a circuit for controlling a sliding/tilting roof of a parked vehicle, comprising: a first control module for monitoring a state of an engine of the vehicle; a second control module for monitoring a state of at least one accessory; a third control module, responsive to the first and second control modules via a communications network, for closing the sliding/tilting roof a period of time after the state of the engine changes from an ON state to an OFF state when the state of the at least one accessory is OFF.

DE 10 2016 120 511 A1 discloses that a vehicle computer is programmed to receive weather data from a remote server, determine a frequency based on the weather data, obtain precipitation data from one or more vehicle sensors. The computer is further programmed to obtain the precipitation data and close one or more vehicle windows based at least in part on the precipitation data.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide an improved possibility of carrying out vehicle functions initiated by the user in an energy-saving manner.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

• - eine Fahrzeugfunktion nutzerseitig zum Durchführen angestoßen wird,
• - mindestens ein dieser Fahrzeugfunktion zugeordneter Sensor angeschaltet wird,
• - anhand von Sensorinformation des mindestens einen angeschalteten Sensors das Durchführen der Fahrzeugfunktion plausibilisiert wird,
• - beruhend auf einem Ergebnis der Plausibilisierung die Fahrzeugfunktion durchgeführt wird oder deren Durchführen verhindert wird und
• - der mindestens eine Sensor wieder ausgeschaltet wird.

The object is achieved by a method for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle, in which

• - a vehicle function is initiated by the user,
• - at least one sensor assigned to this vehicle function is switched on,
• - the plausibility of the vehicle function is verified based on sensor information from at least one connected sensor,
• - based on a result of the plausibility check, the vehicle function is carried out or its execution is prevented and
• - at least one sensor is switched off again.

This method advantageously allows vehicle functions initiated by the user to use sensor information when the vehicle is parked, which can reduce user irritation and annoyance. In addition, electrical energy is saved by only switching on or activating the at least one sensor when required to carry out a vehicle function. Sensors already present in the vehicle can advantageously be used without any hardware changes.

Carrying out a vehicle function on a parked vehicle includes in particular that such a vehicle function is available to a full or limited extent even when the vehicle is parked and can be carried out accordingly. Such a vehicle function can also be referred to as an “offline vehicle function”.

• - Fahrfunktionen sind ausgeschaltet, z.B. durch Ausschalten der Zündung oder einer Antriebsbatterie;
• - es sind keine Insassen mehr im Fahrzeug anwesend;
• - das Fahrzeug ist von außen verriegelt worden.

A parked vehicle is understood to mean a vehicle in which driving functions and certain consumers or consumer groups, in particular all comfort consumers, have been switched off, e.g. via individual current paths or terminals, in order to save energy, create efficiency and/or prevent customer irritation. This particularly includes situations outside of driving operation, e.g. parking. A parked vehicle meets one or more of the following conditions in particular:

• - Driving functions are switched off, e.g. by switching off the ignition or a drive battery;
• - there are no longer any passengers in the vehicle;
• - the vehicle has been locked from the outside.

The fact that a vehicle function is initiated for execution by the user includes in particular that a user wants to trigger or execute the vehicle function and carries out at least one action to do so, e.g. operating a radio key, activating an application program installed on a mobile device, etc.

A sensor assigned to a vehicle function is understood to mean in particular a sensor which or whose sensor information can or must be used to carry out and/or check the plausibility of the vehicle function. It is a further development that at least one sensor assigned to the vehicle function can or must be used to check the plausibility, but not to carry out the vehicle function. It is a further development that at least one sensor assigned to the vehicle function can or must be used to carry out but not to check the plausibility of the vehicle function. It is a further development that at least one sensor assigned to the vehicle function can or must be used both to carry out and to check the plausibility of the vehicle function.

The fact that a sensor is switched on includes in particular that it is electrically connected to the vehicle's on-board power supply system and then generates or can generate measured values. The fact that the sensor is switched off can then analogously include that it is no longer supplied with electrical energy from the vehicle's on-board power supply system.

It is a further development that the sensor information comprises measurement or sensor data directly measured by a sensor and/or sensor information derived from directly measured sensor data.

The fact that the implementation of a vehicle function is checked for plausibility based on sensor information from at least one sensor includes, in particular, checking or determining on the basis of the sensor information whether it makes sense to implement the vehicle function or checking whether the vehicle function should be implemented or not. Another result may be that it makes sense to implement the vehicle function only to a limited extent. The implementation of the vehicle function is therefore dependent on the sensor information.

The fact that the vehicle function is carried out or its implementation is prevented based on a result of the plausibility check can be extended in a further development to the extent that the vehicle function is only carried out to a limited extent.

For example, a user wants to trigger a certain vehicle function on the parked vehicle. When the vehicle becomes aware of this user request, at least one sensor required to check the plausibility of the desired vehicle function is first connected to the vehicle's on-board power supply system. The sensor information is then used to check whether this vehicle function may or should be carried out. The vehicle function is then carried out or prevented accordingly. If the vehicle function may be carried out, this can be done by switching on the sensors required for this purpose, if these have not already been switched on for plausibility checking. In a further development, a sensor required for plausibility checking is electrically disconnected from the on-board power supply system at the latest when the vehicle function has been carried out or prevented; a sensor required for implementation is particularly disconnected when the vehicle function has been carried out.

One embodiment is that the at least one sensor is connected to the vehicle's on-board power supply system by means of an electronic fuse, and the sensor is switched on and off by switching the associated electronic fuse to the on-board or off-board position. This is advantageous because an electronic fuse (also known as an "E-Fuse") can be switched quickly and specifically and can therefore also be used as an on/off switch for connecting to or disconnecting from the on-board power supply system. An electronic fuse is also robust and compact and enables voltage and/or current measurement on the current path it protects.

It is a further development that at least one sensor is protected by its own electronic fuse and can therefore be switched on and off as required. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve particularly high energy savings.

It is a further development that several sensors are protected by a common electronic fuse. This advantageously saves electronic fuses, especially in the case that these several sensors can or even have to be used together to carry out and/or verify a test.

In a further development, the electronic fuse can also be used to protect other electrically operated components such as actuators, etc. Alternatively, at least one electronic fuse is dedicated or intended exclusively to protect at least one sensor.

It is an embodiment that at least one vehicle function includes moving at least one vehicle component. This can also be expressed in such a way that at least one vehicle function includes or enables operation of at least one actuator or motor.

In one embodiment, the at least one vehicle component is at least one window, in particular a door window. The associated motor can then be a window lifter motor.

In one embodiment, the at least one vehicle component is at least one flap, in particular a sunroof. The sunroof can be moved and/or folded up to open.

In one embodiment, the at least one sensor comprises or is a precipitation sensor and the presence or absence of precipitation such as rain or snow is or can be determined based on the sensor information of the precipitation sensor. The precipitation sensor can also be referred to as a "rain sensor" or "wiper sensor". The use of a precipitation sensor is particularly advantageous for determining whether a window or flap of the vehicle should or may be opened at the user's request. The result can be affirmative, for example, if the precipitation sensor detects no precipitation or, alternatively, no or only a small amount of precipitation. Accordingly, the result can be negative if the precipitation sensor detects precipitation or, alternatively, noticeable precipitation.

One embodiment is that the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor from the group radar sensor, camera, distance sensor, ultrasonic sensor, temperature sensor, and/or pressure sensor. For example, a user-triggered automatic door opening can be checked for plausibility based on sensor information from a camera and/or a lateral distance sensor as to whether the lateral distance to a vehicle parked nearby is sufficiently large. If this is not the case, the automatic door opening can be prevented or the door can only be unlocked to a limited extent, but the door cannot be pushed open. Other application examples can include, for example: automatic extension of the exterior mirrors when unlocking, opening of the tailgate with the foot (on the diffuser); automatic closing of the tailgate; automatic closing of the windows; opening of the bonnet and/or opening of the fuel tank cap, etc.

One embodiment is that the vehicle function is triggered remotely. The method can be used particularly advantageously for this because the sensor-based plausibility check can advantageously at least partially replace direct monitoring of the vehicle function by a user. The remote control can be triggered, for example, by operating a radio key, by an application program installed on a mobile device, etc. In order to be capable of remote control, the vehicle, as is generally known, has at least one signal receiver that can receive signals, in particular commands, sent by the remote control.

• - eine Fahrzeugfunktion nutzerseitig zum Durchführen angestoßen wird,
• - dann ein Kommunikationsmodul des Fahrzeugs aktiviert wird,
• - diese Fahrzeugfunktion betreffende Information mittels des Kommunikationsmoduls von mindestens einer externen Instanz abgefragt wird bzw. angefragt und auf das Fahrzeug übertragen wird,
• - das Kommunikationsmodul insbesondere unmittelbar nach Übertragen der Information wieder deaktiviert wird,
• - mittels dieser Information das Durchführen der Fahrzeugfunktion plausibilisiert wird und
• - beruhend auf einem Ergebnis der Plausibilisierung die Fahrzeugfunktion durchgeführt wird oder deren Durchführen verhindert wird.

It is an embodiment, alternatively an independent method for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle, that

• - a vehicle function is initiated by the user,
• - then a communication module of the vehicle is activated,
• - information concerning this vehicle function is queried or requested by at least one external entity via the communication module and transmitted to the vehicle,
• - the communication module is deactivated again, especially immediately after the information has been transmitted,
• - this information is used to verify the plausibility of the vehicle function and
• - based on a result of the plausibility check, the vehicle function is carried out or its execution is prevented.

In this method, information transmitted by the at least one external instance is used as an alternative or in addition to sensor information to carry out the plausibility check and/or the vehicle function. For example, in addition or as an alternative to a precipitation sensor, a weather report can be transmitted from a weather service server in order to verify whether windows or roof hatches or similar should be opened or not. If a weather report is transmitted from a weather service server in addition to using a precipitation sensor, the vehicle's communication module can also be permanently activated or active.

The object is also achieved by a vehicle which is designed to carry out the method as described above. The vehicle can be designed analogously to the method, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

The vehicle can be an internal combustion engine vehicle, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

• 1 zeigt eine Skizze eines Fahrzeugs gemäß einem möglichen Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 2 zeigt einen möglichen Ablauf eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

• 1 shows a sketch of a vehicle according to a possible embodiment; and
• 2 shows a possible sequence of a method according to the invention.

1 shows a sketch of a vehicle 1 according to a possible embodiment. The vehicle 1 has an on-board power supply system 2 that is fed from an electrical energy storage device 3. A main control unit 4 of the vehicle 1 is permanently connected to the on-board power supply system 2, e.g. via a permanently connected fuse element such as an electronic fuse that is permanently connected (until a fuse blows) (not shown). The vehicle 1 also has several sensors 5 to 9 such as a temperature sensor 5, a radar sensor 6, a first camera 7, a precipitation sensor 8, a second camera 9, etc. The sensors 5 to 9 are connected to the on-board power supply system 2 via respective electronic fuses EF1 to EF5. The electronic fuses EF1 to EF5 can be switched to either conducting or blocking using the main control unit 4. The sensors 5 to 9 can therefore be switched on and off in a targeted manner using the electronic fuses EF1 to EF5.

Other electrically operated vehicle components and component groups can also be connected to the on-board power supply system 2 via electronic fuses, such as a permanently connected door control unit 10 here, which can be protected by an electronic fuse EF6, but is not switched off by this during normal operation. The door control unit 10 is designed, for example, to control at least one window lift motor 11 for selectively raising or lowering at least one door window (not shown). At least one sensor 12 can also be coupled to the door control unit 10, which can detect a position, in particular end position, of an associated door window, e.g. a microswitch. The door control unit 10 can also be designed to selectively lock or unlock at least one door lock (not shown). The door control unit 10, the at least one window lift motor 11 and the at least one sensor 12 can, as shown, be protected by the common electronic fuse EF6. In another development, the at least one window lift motor 11 and/or the at least one sensor 12 can be protected by respective electronic fuses and can thus be switched on and off individually. This advantageously enables a reduction in power consumption of at least the at least one sensor 12. Furthermore, the at least one dedicated sensor 12 can also be dispensed with, for example if a stopping of a window movement can be detected by evaluating a motor current of the associated window lift motor 11.

The main control unit 4 is also coupled in terms of data technology to a permanently connected signal receiver 13, which is set up to receive data signals, in particular commands, from an external entity that can be used as a remote control, such as a radio key 15 in this case. The signal receiver 13 can be, for example, a radio module, in particular a Bluetooth module, but also, for example, an IR receiver, etc.

The main control unit 4 is also coupled in terms of data technology to a communication module 14, which is set up to exchange data signals with external network instances such as a cloud computer, a network server, a backend, etc. The communication module 14 can, for example, be a radio module, in particular a GSM, EDGE, 4G, 5G, WiFi, etc. module. The communication module 14 can optionally be connected to the on-board power network 2 via an electronic fuse (not shown), whereby it can advantageously be switched on and off individually, e.g. to save electrical energy.

2 shows a possible sequence of a method according to the invention based on an embodiment that can be carried out when the vehicle 1 is parked. When the vehicle 1 is parked, the main control unit 4, the door control unit 10 and the signal receiver 13 are connected to the on-board power supply system 2 and are thus switched on, possibly in a rest or standby mode. The electronic fuses EF1 to EF5 are switched to block so that the sensors 5 to 9 are switched off and do not draw any current.

In a step S1, a user outside the vehicle 1 issues a command via the radio key 15 to open all door windows. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing an "Open" button on the radio key 15 for more than 5 s. This actuation can be intentional or unintentional/accidental. By actuating the button, a vehicle function is thus triggered on the user side to open all door windows.

In a step S2, the command issued by the radio key 15 in accordance with the vehicle function initiated by the user is received by the signal receiver 13 and forwarded to the main control unit 4, which can also be regarded as a trigger. If the precipitation sensor 8 remained switched off, the main control unit 4 could instruct the door control unit 10 to operate all window lift motors 11 to open the door windows, which would then be carried out without further ado by the door control unit 10.

However, the main control unit 4 is advantageously set up to switch the electronic fuse EF4 on in step S3 when the vehicle 1 is parked and the above command is received, thereby switching on the precipitation sensor 8.

In step S4, sensor information is generated by the now switched on precipitation sensor 8 and transmitted to the main control unit 4, namely whether or not there is currently - possibly at least noticeable - precipitation such as rain or snow.

In step S5, the electronic fuse EF4 is switched to blocking mode and the precipitation sensor 8 is switched off again.

In step S6, the plausibility of the vehicle function is checked based on this sensor information: if precipitation is present according to the precipitation sensor 8, opening all windows is classified as not sensible, for example because the vehicle interior could potentially be damaged by moisture. If there is no precipitation, however, it is assumed that nothing stands in the way of opening all windows.

If it is determined in step S6 according to the result of the plausibility check that nothing stands in the way of opening all windows because no precipitation is falling ("N"), in step S7 the main control unit 4 issues a corresponding command to the door control unit 10, which carries out this user-triggered vehicle function, i.e. opens the windows.

If it is determined in step S6 according to the result of the plausibility check that opening the door windows is not advisable because precipitation is falling ("Y"), the main control unit 4 prevents the windows from opening, for example by not issuing a corresponding command from the main control unit 4 to the door control unit 10.

Following steps S7 and S8, the method is terminated in step S9.

Alternatively, the precipitation sensor 8 can also be switched off again at other times in the process, for example after step S6 or with step S9.

Alternatively or in addition to using the precipitation sensor 8, the main control unit 4 can switch on the communication module 14 after receiving the command via the signal receiver 13 (if it is not already permanently connected) and use it to obtain a weather report for the location of the vehicle 1 and then use the weather report to determine whether the door windows should be opened or not. For example, opening could be prevented if the weather report currently reports precipitation and/or predicts it for a certain period of time, e.g. for the next half hour. The communication module 14 can be switched off again after transmitting the weather report if it is not or should not be permanently connected to the on-board power supply system.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

In an alternative, the described window opening function with intelligent control of the electronic fuse EF4 etc. can also be carried out directly by the door control unit 10, bypassing the main control unit 10.

In general, “a”, “an”, etc. can be understood to mean a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of “at least one” or “one or more”, etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression “exactly one”, etc.

A numerical value may also include the exact number stated as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

list of reference symbols

1

vehicle

2

on-board power grid

3

Electrical energy storage

4

main control unit

5

temperature sensor

6

radar sensor

7

First Camera

8

precipitation sensor

9

Second Camera

10

door control unit

11

window lift motor

12

sensor

13

signal receiver

14

communication module

15

remote key

Ef1-EF6

Electronic fuse

S1-S9

procedural steps

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8 433 456 B2 [0004]
• DE 10 2014 204 848 A1 [0005]
• US 9 953 230 B2 [0006]
• DE 20 2016 105 696 U1 [0007]
• DE 10 2016 120 511 A1 [0008]

Claims (11)

Method (S1 - S9) for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle (1), in which - a vehicle function is initiated by the user for execution (S1, S2), - at least one sensor (8) assigned to this vehicle function is switched on (S3), - the execution of the vehicle function is checked for plausibility using sensor information from the at least one switched on sensor (8) (S4, S6), - based on a result of the plausibility check, the vehicle function is carried out (S7) or its execution is prevented (S8) and - the at least one sensor is switched off again (S9). Procedure (S1 - S9) according to claim 1 , in which the at least one sensor (8) is connected to an on-board power supply system (2) of the vehicle (1) by means of an electronic fuse (EF4) and the switching on and off of the sensor (8) is achieved by switching the associated electronic fuse (EF4) on or off. Method (S1 - S9) according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one vehicle function comprises moving at least one vehicle component (S8). Procedure (S1 - S9) according to claim 3 , in which the at least one vehicle component is at least one window, in particular a door window. Method (S1 - S9) according to one of the Claims 3 until 4 , in which the at least one vehicle component is at least one flap, in particular a sliding roof. Method (S1 - S9) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one sensor (8) comprises a precipitation sensor and the presence or absence of precipitation is determined (S4) based on the sensor information of the precipitation sensor (8). Method (S1 - S9) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor from the group - radar sensor (6), - camera (7, 9), - distance sensor, - ultrasonic sensor, - temperature sensor (5), - pressure sensor. Method (S1 - S9) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle function is initiated remotely (S1). Method (S1 - S9) for carrying out at least one vehicle function on a parked vehicle (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a vehicle function is initiated for execution by the user (S1, S2), - a communication module (14) of the vehicle is then activated, - information relating to this vehicle function is transmitted by means of the communication module from at least one external entity to the vehicle (1), - the communication module (14) is deactivated again after the information has been transmitted, - the execution of the vehicle function is checked for plausibility using this information and - based on a result of the plausibility check, the vehicle function is carried out or its execution is prevented. Procedure (S1 - S9) according to claim 9 where the information includes a weather report. Vehicle (1), in particular electric vehicle, wherein the vehicle (1) is designed to carry out the method (S1 - S9) according to one of the preceding claims.

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