DE102023129927A1 - Method for determining a position of an occupant of a motor vehicle by means of a support device of the motor vehicle, computer program product, and support device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a position (P) of an occupant (14) of a motor vehicle (10) by means of a support device (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of specifying body dimensions of the occupant (14) by means of an electronic computing device (16) of the support device (12), specifying a digital seat model (22) for a seat position of the occupant (14) by means of the electronic computing device (16), and determining an optimized position as the position (P) as a function of the body dimensions, the digital seat model (22), and a further predefinable environmental parameter (24) by means of the electronic computing device (16). The invention further relates to a computer program product and a support device (12).

Description

The invention relates to a method for determining a position of an occupant of a motor vehicle by means of a support device of the motor vehicle according to the applicable patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product and a support device.

Seating posture and driver position play a central role in the architecture and overall vehicle design, as a multitude of tuning-relevant technical features must be adapted to the occupants. To ensure the highest levels of comfort and safety, as well as accessibility and visibility, and much more, for the occupants, and especially the driver, the entire range of body dimensions must be taken into account. However, ideal ergonomic angles, accessibility, and visibility cannot be achieved for all body dimensions in any real development scenario. The combination of environmental conditions inevitably creates a tension that can only be resolved by compromise between all factors during positioning. Since this compromise affects a multitude of functional goals, tuning is sufficiently complex. Consequently, failure to achieve an optimal state is unlikely in a manual process in which only a few iterations are possible due to the high level of effort involved.

• - Erfassen einer Körperhaltung einer Person mittels Sensoren, die entsprechend Sensorwerte erzeugen,
• - Ermitteln anhand der erfassten Sensorwerte, ob sich die Person in einer eutonischen Körperhaltung befindet,
• - Bestimmen eines Abstands zwischen Augen der Person und der Anzeigeeinrichtung mittels zumindest eines Sensors, wenn sich die Person in einer eutonischen Körperhaltung befindet,
• - Einstellen vorbestimmter Anzeigeparameter an der Anzeigevorrichtung anhand dieses Abstands zwischen den Augen und der Anzeigeeinrichtung.

The EP 3 374 225 B1 relates to a method for controlling a display in a motor vehicle comprising the steps:

• - Detecting a person’s posture using sensors that generate corresponding sensor values,
• - Determine whether the person is in a eutonic posture based on the recorded sensor values,
• - determining a distance between the person's eyes and the display device by means of at least one sensor when the person is in a eutonic posture,
• - Setting predetermined display parameters on the display device based on this distance between the eyes and the display device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program product and a support device by means of which an improved seating position can be suggested to a user or occupant of the motor vehicle.

This object is achieved by a method, a computer program product, and a support device according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining the position of a motor vehicle occupant using a support device of the motor vehicle. The occupant's body dimensions are specified using an electronic computing device of the support device. A digital seat model for a seating position of the occupant is specified using the electronic computing device. An optimized position is determined as the position depending on the body dimensions, the digital seat model, and another predefinable environmental parameter using the electronic computing device.

In particular, an optimized seating position for the occupant can be determined based on body dimensions, the digital seat model, and other environmental parameters and suggested to the occupant. In particular, appropriate displays can be provided to show the occupant how to adjust their seat accordingly, for example, to achieve this seating position.

In particular, this creates the opportunity to generate positioning in the course of an abstracted sitting posture model with a multidisciplinary optimization in order to improve the customer experience.

When specifying the body measurements, the occupant can, for example, enter the relevant body measurements beforehand using a corresponding input device. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the relevant body measurements to be recorded, for example, using an interior camera and automatically transmitted to the support device. Furthermore, it is also possible for the relevant body measurements to be specified, for example, based on an exterior camera, which, for example, records the occupant as they approach the motor vehicle. Alternatively, the user can also enter the relevant body measurements, for example using a mobile device, such as an intelligent telephone, in particular a so-called smartphone, in order to transmit them to the support device, for example via a corresponding application.

Body measurements in this case include in particular the leg length and/or the torso length and/or This refers to the arm length and/or the head and neck length. Corresponding body parts, such as the length of the lower leg and thigh, and the corresponding bending points can also be taken into account or assigned.

The seat model also takes into account a potential movement model of the body parts, so that, for example, positions that cannot occur due to movement restrictions of the body parts are not taken into account, so that a quick determination process can be carried out.

In the state of the art, the creation of virtual geometry is typically procedural. This means, in particular, that the seat model is constructed using a predefined sequence of CA-based features. These are prefabricated code modules from which a more or less complex model can be created, with or without auxiliary geometry. If parameters are taken into account during model creation, the model can be subsequently modified using these "levers". For a reliable result, however, the parameters must then be restricted to a predefined interval and adhered to during modification using the sequence predefined during creation. For a reliable result, however, the parameters must then be restricted to a predefined interval and adhered to during modification using the sequence predefined during creation. This is not expedient for a top-down method in which one wants to influence a specific function based on a large number of non-linear and interacting parameters. This is because with the usual approach according to the state of the art, it is not clearly known what effect changing several parameters will have on the target function. To obtain this insight, the seat model is constructed algorithmically, creating a direct connection from target variables to the geometric parameters. This modeling method is complex and only effective for a limited complexity. To create larger seat models, the approach of linking the individual algorithmic models through relational relationships is now used. This allows the individual algorithmic models to be kept manageable in size. A more complex model is then constructed using the relationship knowledge between the models.

In other words, the seat model consists of individual models, which can then be linked together using the corresponding relational relationships. This allows the modeling effort and the reliability of the results to be reliably determined. Because it is an algorithmic model, the entire geometric logic is mapped into the code. The fact that the optimization is also performed in the code itself makes the model highly performant.

For example, an algorithmic approach can be used in Python to construct a so-called manikin geometry. The advantage of this approach is that by integrating the geometry model into the script, highly performant optimization is possible within the same script. The geometric logic, including evaluation, is also contained in the script. The corresponding environmental parameter is represented, for example, by a so-called Catia model. What is new is that the geometry is composed of relational relationships. These conditions describe, for example, accessibility and visibility. Thus, the optimization approach does not return a completely coherent model to the occupant. However, by influencing individual weightings of the objective functions, it can be made visible how the concept changes when a function becomes more or less important.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a functional unit of the motor vehicle is adjusted depending on the determined optimized position. In particular, for example, corresponding control commands for the functional unit can be generated based on the determined position of the electronic computing device, and the functional unit can thus be adjusted accordingly. In particular, an automated adjustment of the functional unit takes place. This makes it possible, in particular, to increase comfort for the occupant, since corresponding functional units can be adjusted automatically.

Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if a seat device of the motor vehicle and/or a steering device of the motor vehicle and/or an acceleration device of the motor vehicle and/or a floor of the motor vehicle is adjusted as a functional unit. In particular, a corresponding seat position can be adjusted for the seat device. In this case, for example, displacement of the seat in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle can be realized. Furthermore, for example, an adjustment of the backrest and headrest can also be realized accordingly. For a steering device, for example, a relative height to the occupant can also be adjusted accordingly. The floor in the motor vehicle can also be adjusted, for example, raised or lowered. This allows for a wide range of adjustment options and allows for an optimized seating position to be achieved.

It is also advantageous if the digital seat model specifies relational relationships between body measurements and a potential seating position. This allows the individual models to be linked to each other based on the relational relationships, for example, based on body measurements. This allows the optimized seating position to be determined or calculated with minimal computing power. The corresponding different influences can then be determined using these relational relationships.

It has also proven advantageous if a geometric model of the motor vehicle is taken into account in the digital seat model. For example, the geometric model can describe the interior of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, it can be provided, in particular, that corresponding distances of an occupant to, for example, a ceiling of the motor vehicle, a door of the motor vehicle, a steering wheel of the motor vehicle, an acceleration device of the motor vehicle, or even a dashboard of the motor vehicle can be taken into account accordingly. Thus, a multitude of different positions can be taken into account.

It has also proven advantageous to consider the occupant's accessibility of at least one unit in the motor vehicle as an environmental parameter. Accessibility can be, for example, the accessibility of a steering wheel, a control unit in the motor vehicle, an acceleration device in the motor vehicle, or the like. An air conditioning system or a touch-sensitive display device can be considered an control unit, for example. Thus, an appropriately optimized seating position can be set while taking accessibility into account.

It is also advantageous if the occupant's headroom relative to the vehicle's roof is taken into account as an environmental parameter. In particular, for example, headroom can be specified accordingly by the occupant. This allows for optimization of the seating position based on headroom.

It is also advantageous if the visibility of the occupant's surroundings is taken into account as an environmental parameter. In particular, this means that the person has a clear view of the surroundings, especially the road. Thus, the seating position can be determined in such a way that the desired visibility of the surroundings can be adjusted accordingly.

The method presented is in particular a computer-implemented method.

Therefore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product with program code means which cause an electronic computing device to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device.

A further aspect of the invention therefore also relates to a computer-readable storage medium with the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to an assistance device for determining the position of a passenger of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic computing device, wherein the assistance device is designed to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by means of the assistance device.

Yet another aspect of the invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a support device according to the preceding aspect.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the computer-readable storage medium, the support device, and the motor vehicle. The support device and the motor vehicle, in particular, have physical features for this purpose in order to be able to carry out corresponding method steps.

A computing unit/electronic computing device can be understood, in particular, as a data processing device that contains a processing circuit. The computing unit can therefore, in particular, process data to perform computing operations. This may also include operations for performing indexed access to a data structure, for example, a look-up table (LUT).

The computing unit may in particular comprise one or more computers, one or more micro controller and/or one or more integrated circuits, for example one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or one or more single-chip systems (SoCs). The computing unit can also contain one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and/or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit can also contain a physical or virtual network of computers or other of the aforementioned units.

In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and/or software interfaces and/or one or more memory units.

A memory unit can be a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), or a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), or a Phase-change random access memory (PCRAM) can be used.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Kraftfahrzeugs mit einer Ausführungsform einer Unterstützungsvorrichtung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The sole figure shows:

• 1 a schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of a support device.

In the figure, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 has at least one support device 12. The support device 12 is designed to determine a position P of an occupant 14 of the motor vehicle 10. For this purpose, the support device 12 has, in particular, at least one electronic computing device 16.

In particular, it is provided that, in order to determine the position P of the occupant 14, the body measurements of the occupant 14, for example, arm length, leg length, torso length, head position, and the like, in particular also of the individual limbs relative to one another, are determined. The body measurements are in particular specified to the electronic computing unit 16. For example, it can be provided that the body measurements are recorded via an interior camera 18 and specified to the electronic computing unit 16. Alternatively or additionally, the occupant 14 can also enter the body measurements via a corresponding input device 20.

A digital seat model 22 for a seating position of the occupant 14 is specified by means of the electronic computing device 22. An optimized position, as position P, is then determined by means of the electronic computing device 22 as a function of the body dimensions, the digital seat model 22, and a further predeterminable environmental parameter 24.

In particular, it is shown here that, for example, the motor vehicle 10 can have a seat device 26, a steering device 28 and an acceleration device 30. In particular, it can be provided, for example, that the seat device 26 and the steering device 28 can be designed as so-called functional devices 26, 28, 30. A corresponding adjustment of the functional devices 26, 28, 30 can then be carried out on the basis of the determined position P. For this purpose, for example, an actuator 32 can be provided, which in the following exemplary embodiment adjusts the seat device 26 can take over. For example, it can be provided that the seat can be moved longitudinally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a backrest can be adjusted, for example. Of course, other adjustments are also possible. The steering device 28 can, for example, be adjusted in height.

In particular, the environmental parameter 24 describes, for example, the accessibility of at least one unit, for example a head unit, in the motor vehicle 10 by the occupant 14. Alternatively or additionally, the headroom of the occupant 14 to a roof 34 of the motor vehicle 10 can be taken into account as the environmental parameter 24. Again alternatively or additionally, the visibility 36 of an environment 38 of the motor vehicle 10 can be taken into account as the environmental parameter 24.

In particular, it describes 1 that despite the simplified assumption that an ergonomically ideal position P can be defined by a unique state, there is no motor vehicle 10 that can fulfill the ideal positions with unlimited variance in existing body dimensions. The reason for this is the non-configurable or only slightly configurable environmental conditions, in particular the environmental parameters 24, such as visibility, headroom and space conditions, pedal position or limited modifiability of the seat and steering wheel, as well as accessibility. However, using the new approach of the proposed method, the design space can be investigated using optimized approximate solutions. By influencing the importance of different goals, the occupant 14 can investigate which changes in the geometric concept result from weighing up different goals. Assuming that global optima can be located during optimization, all states correspond to an optimized solution on the Pareto front.

List of reference symbols

10

motor vehicle

12

Support device

14

inmate

16

electronic computing device

18

Recording device

20

Input device

22

Seat model

24

Environmental parameters

26

Seating device

28

Steering device

30

Accelerator

32

Actuator

34

Roof

36

visibility

38

Vicinity

P

position

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This 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

• EP 3 374 225 B1 [0003]

Claims (10)

A method for determining a position (P) of an occupant (14) of a motor vehicle (10) using a support device (12) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: - specifying body dimensions of the occupant (14) using an electronic computing device (16) of the support device (12); - specifying a digital seat model (22) for a seat position of the occupant (14) using the electronic computing device (16); and - determining an optimized position as the position (P) as a function of the body dimensions, the digital seat model (22), and a further predefinable environmental parameter (24) using the electronic computing device (16). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a functional unit (26, 28, 30) of the motor vehicle (10) is adjusted as a function of the determined optimized position. Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that a seat device (26) of the motor vehicle (10) and/or a steering device (28) of the motor vehicle (10) and/or a floor of the motor vehicle (10) is set as the functional unit (26, 28, 30). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that relational relationships between the body dimensions and a potential seating position are specified in the digital seat model (22). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a geometric model of the motor vehicle (10) is taken into account in the digital seat model (22). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accessibility of at least one unit in the motor vehicle (10) by the occupant (14) is taken into account as an environmental parameter (24). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a headroom of the occupant (14) to a roof (34) of the motor vehicle (10) is taken into account as an environmental parameter (24). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a visibility (36) of an environment (38) of the occupant (14) is taken into account as an environmental parameter (34). Computer program product with program code means which cause an electronic computing device (16) to carry out a method according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 to carry out. Support device (12) for determining a position (P) of an occupant (14) of a motor vehicle (10), with at least one electronic computing device (16), wherein the support device (12) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the Claims 1 until 8 is trained.

Images