DE102021127414B3 - Method for operating a motor vehicle and a vehicle controller for operating a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (30), in which: - outside normal driving operation of the motor vehicle (30), touching an outer skin (36) of the motor vehicle (30) by a user (44) is detected (10), - an identification of the user (44) is determined (12), - movement of the motor vehicle (30) by a drive unit (28) of the motor vehicle (30) is released (22) depending on the determined identification, - a direction of movement of the User (44) is determined (24) in a movement plane (38) on which the motor vehicle (30) can be moved, and the motor vehicle (30) is moved (26) in the determined direction by means of the drive unit (28).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle and a vehicle controller for operating a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle with an outer skin, a drive unit for operating the motor vehicle in a normal driving mode, a vehicle controller for controlling the drive unit and a touch sensor for detecting a touch of the outer skin by a user.

In particular when parking a motor vehicle in a parking position, the case often occurs that the parking position is at least partially unfavorable for the surroundings. For example, the parked motor vehicle protrudes beyond one or more boundaries of a parking lot. Such a defect can often be remedied by small changes to the parking position of the motor vehicle. However, this can only be carried out with difficulty shortly after a user has got out of the motor vehicle. If, for example, the rear of the motor vehicle is positioned so that it protrudes from the parking space, correcting the position of the motor vehicle requires the user to get back into the motor vehicle and correct the position of the motor vehicle in the vehicle by starting or resuming normal driving operation carried out as part of a shunting manoeuvre. A similar problem occurs when an automobile obstructs a passageway in a narrow single garage. This too can only be corrected with great effort.

In this context, KR 10 2014 0125 247 A discloses a device and a method for assisting movement when parking. Also disclosed in this context U.S. 2010/0155165 A1 a parking assistance system. Furthermore, the DE 10 2012 012 896 A1 external control of a motor vehicle. Finally revealed the DE 10 2019 001 341 A1 a device for controlling a vehicle.

The object of the invention is to improve the positioning of the motor vehicle in a predetermined area.

As a solution, a method, a vehicle control and a motor vehicle according to the independent claims are proposed with the invention.

Advantageous developments result from features of the dependent claims.

With regard to a generic method, the invention proposes in particular that, outside normal driving operation of the motor vehicle, a user touching an outer skin of the motor vehicle is detected, an identification of the user is determined, a movement of the motor vehicle by a drive unit of the motor vehicle depends on the ascertained identification is released, a direction of movement of the user is ascertained in a movement plane on which the motor vehicle can be moved, and the motor vehicle is moved in the ascertained direction by means of the drive unit.

With regard to a generic vehicle control, the invention proposes in particular that this be designed to be coupled in terms of communication to a device for detecting contact with an outer skin of the motor vehicle by a user, and is also designed to allow a contact to be made outside of normal driving operation of the motor vehicle detecting the outer skin of the motor vehicle by the user using a touch sensor, determining an identification of the user, enabling the motor vehicle to be moved by a drive unit of the motor vehicle depending on the identification determined, determining a direction in which the user is moving in a movement plane on which the Motor vehicle is movable, and to move the motor vehicle by means of the drive unit in the determined direction.

With regard to a generic motor vehicle, the invention proposes in particular that the vehicle control be designed according to the invention.

The invention is based, among other things, on the idea that the motor vehicle can be moved outside of normal driving operation, preferably in a predeterminable area, using the drive unit of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, it is therefore no longer necessary for the driver to get back into the motor vehicle and maneuver the motor vehicle into the desired position from the driver's seat. Rather, the motor vehicle can be maneuvered in this regard without a driver. It is therefore only necessary according to the invention to touch the outer skin of the motor vehicle at a point that can be specified, for example, in order to be able to move the motor vehicle accordingly, in particular maneuver it, by moving the user.

An identification of the user is provided so that not just any person can cause the motor vehicle to move. Only if successful Once the user's identification has been verified, the motor vehicle can be moved by the drive unit of the motor vehicle. In contrast to the prior art, interaction with user interfaces of input devices inside or outside the motor vehicle is no longer required. In the case of gesture and/or voice control in particular, the recognition problems that occur here can be largely avoided.

Moving the motor vehicle refers to an operating mode that is outside of the intended driving mode, in which, for example, a driver is positioned inside the motor vehicle. It can therefore preferably be provided that the drive unit is limited to a predetermined maximum speed with regard to the speed that can be provided. A predefined maximum speed can, for example, be in a range of approximately a maximum of 10 km/h, preferably a maximum of approximately 6 km/h, particularly preferably approximately 3 km/h.

In addition, it can also be provided, for example, as an alternative or in addition, that a spatial mobility of the motor vehicle in the plane of movement of the motor vehicle is limited, for example by limiting the length of a route starting from an initial position from which the motor vehicle is to be moved is, for example, to a value of about 30 m, preferably about 10 m, particularly preferably about 5 m. Of course, a movement radius starting from the starting position can also be limited, which can also be limited in terms of the radius as well as the distance, for example a radius of approximately 50 m, preferably a radius of approximately 10 m, particularly preferably a radius of approximately 5 m. These values can of course be predetermined, for example during the manufacture of the motor vehicle. In addition, these values can of course also be adjustable, for example by specifying the maximum distance or the maximum radius when visiting a workshop or by the user of the motor vehicle himself. This can be done, for example, by making a corresponding entry on an input unit for the vehicle control.

The outer skin of the motor vehicle can include, for example, add-on body parts, windows, doors, a tailgate, an engine compartment lid and/or the like. The detection of touching the outer skin of the motor vehicle can basically be provided for any point on the motor vehicle. Preferably, however, it is provided that touching the motor vehicle is detected only on sides of the motor vehicle that are aligned approximately parallel and/or transverse to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. In this way it can be achieved that the driver does not have to be in an area of the route that is used by the motor vehicle while it is being moved. In particular, however, there is also the possibility of touching the motor vehicle in a front or rear area, as a result of which a direction of movement away from the user of the motor vehicle is preferably specified for the operation of the drive unit. This can prevent the motor vehicle from being moved in the direction of the user.

To detect the contact, the motor vehicle can have at least one sensor unit suitable for this purpose, for example a capacitive sensor unit, an ultrasonic sensor unit, a vehicle camera, one or more surroundings sensors of the motor vehicle and/or the like. The at least one sensor unit can be arranged at a predetermined location on the motor vehicle. In addition, it is preferably connected to the vehicle controller, which receives and evaluates the corresponding signals from the sensor unit in order to detect contact. For example, images from a vehicle camera can be evaluated in order to determine whether the user of the motor vehicle is touching the motor vehicle with a body part. The evaluation can also include determining which part of the user's body is touching the motor vehicle. For example, it can be provided that the movement of the motor vehicle is only released when one or both hands of the user touch it. In the case of other body parts, on the other hand, it can be provided that the release does not take place. As a result, it can be achieved, for example, that the user, when he leans against the outer skin with his back while waiting in a parking lot, for example, is not provided with enabling movement. The position of further sensor units can also be selected in such a way that accidental release can be largely avoided.

With the detection of touching the outer skin, a direction of movement of the user is also provided, specifically in the plane of movement of the motor vehicle. A desired direction of movement of the motor vehicle can thereby be determined. The vehicle controller evaluates this data and provides appropriate control signals for the drive unit connected to it, so that the motor vehicle can be moved in the determined direction by means of the drive unit. Among other things, this can also include a steering function.

The drive unit is the unit of the motor vehicle in the intended driving conditions engine can bring about the corresponding propulsion of the motor vehicle. This can be, for example, an internal combustion engine, one or more electrical machines, combinations thereof and/or the like.

In the case of the invention, therefore, it is basically not necessary to exert a force on the outer skin of the motor vehicle in order to activate a functionality relating to the movement of the motor vehicle. Touch is enough. As a result, no force sensor needs to be provided as a sensor unit. This is particularly advantageous for users with a disability or an illness who can only muster the corresponding forces to a very limited extent. Even if a subsurface or floor of the plane of movement is slippery or slippery or the like, the application of a force to trigger the movement of the motor vehicle is unfavorable for the user. This problem is therefore also solved with the invention.

Provision is made for the drive unit to be activated only within a predetermined period of time after the end of the last normal driving operation of the motor vehicle. The period is a few minutes. In particular, the period of time can be, for example, about 10 minutes, preferably about 5 minutes, in particular about 3 minutes. The specified period of time can be permanently specified when the motor vehicle is manufactured. However, it can also be provided that the predetermined period of time can be adjusted, for example, as part of a workshop visit or by the user himself as required. For this purpose, a corresponding input by the user can be provided on the input unit of the vehicle control. The predetermined period of time makes it possible to avoid the motor vehicle being able to be moved or moved undesirably if it has already been parked for a long time. This is particularly advantageous if the motor vehicle is to be driven or moved in a public space. The predetermined period of time depends on when an ignition of the motor vehicle was last deactivated. In particular, the predefined time period can be started by deactivating the ignition.

It is also proposed that, in order to enable the movement of the motor vehicle, a vehicle brake is deactivated at least temporarily and/or the motor vehicle is held in its position at least temporarily by means of the drive unit. As a result, operational readiness with regard to the movement of the motor vehicle can be established, which initially holds the motor vehicle in the starting position. In order to move the motor vehicle, it is usually necessary for the service brake to be deactivated. So that the motor vehicle does not move automatically due to its own weight, for example if the plane of movement is inclined, the drive unit is preferably activated in such a way that it holds the motor vehicle in the current starting position. As a result, for example, the function of the parking brake can be taken over by the drive unit. However, if the plane of movement is essentially horizontal, the drive unit does not need to be activated to hold the motor vehicle in its starting position. In this case it can be provided that only the parking brake is deactivated. The deactivation of the parking brake and/or the corresponding holding of the position by means of the drive unit can, for example, already be implemented without the user being identified. However, it is preferably provided that a user identification has been carried out successfully in order to activate these functionalities.

According to a development, it is proposed that a free area in the direction in front of the motor vehicle be determined by means of at least one environment sensor. The environment sensor is preferably an environment sensor of the motor vehicle. If an obstacle is determined in the area to be driven over, provision can be made for the vehicle control system to prevent the motor vehicle from moving in the determined direction. As a result, dangerous conditions and accidents can be avoided. The at least one environment sensor can be, for example, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor, a camera sensor and/or the like.

If there is an obstacle in the area or if the area cannot be driven on due to properties of the movement plane, a corresponding signaling can be provided by an output unit of the motor vehicle, which is preferably coupled to the vehicle control by communication technology. The output can be perceptible to the user, for example an optical, an acoustic and/or a haptic output. As a result, the user can be informed that further movement of the motor vehicle is not possible.

In addition, it is proposed that a user's speed of movement of the user is determined and the drive unit is controlled as a function of the determined user's speed. It can preferably be achieved that the motor vehicle essentially moves at approximately the speed of the user.

In particular, it can be provided that moving the motor vehicle moves of the user in terms of speed follows. Deviations can of course occur if the user speed changes. As a result, it can be achieved in a simple manner that the movement of the motor vehicle can be intuitively controlled by the user.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the movement of the motor vehicle is released by a user input for a vehicle control of the motor vehicle. The user input for the vehicle control can be formed via a suitable input means, for example an input unit of the vehicle control of the motor vehicle, a mobile radio terminal, combinations thereof and/or the like. As a result, additional safety can be achieved when moving the motor vehicle, in particular with regard to an unauthorized release or activation of the movement.

It is also proposed that the identification be determined using an identification carrier that can be read wirelessly. The wirelessly readable identification carrier can be, for example, a radio key, an RFID chip, but also the user's mobile phone device, combinations thereof and/or the like. The identification carrier can be coupled to a corresponding wireless communication unit of the vehicle control, preferably for example via local radio, infrared and/or the like. Appropriate communication protocols such as WiFi, Bluetooth or the like can be used for this purpose. The wirelessly readable identification carrier can in particular also be a transponder, particularly preferably a passive transponder.

According to one development, it is proposed that the user's biometric data be recorded and the movement of the motor vehicle enabled as a function of the biometric data recorded. The biometric data of the user can include, for example, one or more fingerprints, an iris scan, but also camera images in connection with an evaluation as part of face recognition and/or the like. Corresponding sensor units can be provided for this purpose, for example in the area of the motor vehicle or also on a corresponding mobile end device of the user, on which the user can make entries. For example, it can be provided that the radio key has a corresponding fingerprint sensor. Combinations of these can of course also be provided.

The advantages and effects specified for the method according to the invention naturally also apply equally to the vehicle control according to the invention and the motor vehicle equipped with the vehicle control according to the invention and vice versa. In this respect, method features can also be formulated as device features and vice versa.

The invention also includes developments of the vehicle control according to the invention, which have features as have already been described in connection with the developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding developments of the vehicle control according to the invention are not described again here.

The invention also includes the combinations of features of the described embodiments.

• 1 in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein Kraftfahrzeug;
• 2 in einer schematischen Diagrammdarstellung ein Flussdiagramm für einen Verfahrensablauf zum Bewegen des Kraftfahrzeugs außerhalb eines bestimmungsgemäßen Fahrbetriebs.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. For this shows:

• 1 a motor vehicle in a schematic side view;
• 2 in a schematic diagram representation, a flowchart for a method sequence for moving the motor vehicle outside of normal driving operation.

The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention that are to be considered independently of one another, which also develop the invention independently of one another and are therefore also to be regarded as part of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments described can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

Elements with the same function are each provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows a motor vehicle 30, which is a passenger car in the present case, in a schematic side view. The motor vehicle 30 has an outer skin 36 with bodywork attachments, a drive unit 28 for operating the motor vehicle in a normal driving mode, and a vehicle controller 32 which is designed, among other things, to control the drive unit 28 . Furthermore, the motor vehicle 30 has a sensor unit 34 as a touch sensor, which is in a wired communication connection with the vehicle controller 32 . There is also an output to the sensor unit 34 and the vehicle controller 32 unit 40 connected, which is able to output both acoustic and visual signals in the present case. In the present case, this is a monitor with a loudspeaker. In the present case, the sensor unit 34 is designed as a surroundings camera and is arranged on the outer skin 36 . The area camera is designed to detect a contact by a user of motor vehicle 30 . The motor vehicle 30 is arranged on a movement plane 38 on which the motor vehicle 30 can be moved.

2 FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic diagram representation, a flow chart for a method sequence for moving the motor vehicle 30 outside of normal driving operation. The method sequence begins in step 10, in which touching of the outer skin 36 of the motor vehicle 30 by the user 44 is detected when the motor vehicle 30 is not being driven as intended. The detection of the touch by the user 44 takes place after the end of the intended use, after which the user 44 has parked the motor vehicle 30 in the area of a parking lot. However, the user 44 has determined that the motor vehicle 30 protrudes beyond a rear boundary line of the parking space. In order to avoid the user 44 having to get back into the motor vehicle 30 in order to move it to the desired parking position, the user 44 instead touches the outer skin 36 of the motor vehicle 30, in this case in the area of a rear 46 of the motor vehicle 30.

Then in a step 12 an identification of the user 44 is determined. For this purpose, the user 44 carries a vehicle key 42 as a wirelessly readable identification carrier. In the present case, it is provided that the radio key 42 can communicate with the vehicle controller 32 via a short-range radio link, in order in this way to transmit identification data corresponding to the identification to the vehicle controller 32 .

The vehicle controller 32 checks the transmitted identification data and, if the check is successful, in a step 14 deactivates a vehicle brake (not shown) of the motor vehicle 30. At the same time, the motor vehicle 30 is held in its current position in a step 16 by activating the drive unit 28 accordingly, so that rolling away is avoided can be. As a result, the drive unit 28 now assumes the function of the vehicle brake.

The vehicle control 32 now determines a user speed of the movement of the user 44 in a step 18. In a step 20 the drive unit 28 is controlled depending on the determined user speed. As a result, the user 44 can intuitively control the movement of the motor vehicle 30 through his own movement, which is tracked by the drive unit 28 for the motor vehicle 30 . This enables him to maneuver the motor vehicle 30 so that the motor vehicle 30 can be positioned correctly within the dimensions of the parking space.

The movement of the motor vehicle 30 by the drive unit 28 of the motor vehicle 30 is enabled in a step 22 depending on the identification determined. A direction of movement of the user 44 in the plane of movement 38 is determined in a step 24 . Finally, in a step 26, the motor vehicle 30 is moved with the drive unit 28 in the determined direction.

Before and/or during the movement of motor vehicle 30, it can also be provided that a free area in the determined direction in front of motor vehicle 30 is determined by means of a surroundings sensor (not shown), preferably of motor vehicle 30. If an obstacle is determined or the area is determined to be impassable, it can be provided that the drive unit 28 stops the movement of the motor vehicle 30 and outputs a corresponding signal to the user 44 . This can be done via the output unit 40.

In addition, it can be provided that the drive unit 28 can only be activated within a predetermined period of time, which is preferably determined by the end of the last intended driving operation of the motor vehicle 30 . This period of time can, for example, be a few minutes, in particular about 5 minutes.

With the invention it is therefore possible to maneuver the motor vehicle 30 without a driver, preferably within a limited framework. This makes it possible to be able to better position the motor vehicle, especially when parking outside of normal driving operations. The user 44 does not need to exert any force for this, so that the method according to the invention and the vehicle control system 32 according to the invention are particularly suitable when the user 44 has a physical disability or is ill, for example a wheelchair user or the like.

The exemplary embodiments serve exclusively to explain the invention and are not intended to limit it.

Reference List

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drive unit

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vehicle key

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Rear

Claims (9)

A method of operating a motor vehicle (30) comprising: - Outside normal driving operation of the motor vehicle (30), touching an outer skin (36) of the motor vehicle (30) by a user (44) is detected (10), - an identification of the user (44) is determined (12), - A movement of the motor vehicle (30) by a drive unit (28) of the motor vehicle (30) is released (22) depending on the identification determined, - a direction of movement of the user (44) in a movement plane (38) is determined (24) on which the motor vehicle (30) can be moved, and - the motor vehicle (30) is moved (26) by means of the drive unit (28) in the determined direction, with the drive unit (28) only being activated within a specified period of time after the end of the last intended driving operation of the motor vehicle (30), with the Period depends on when an ignition of the motor vehicle (30) was last deactivated and the period is a few minutes. procedure after claim 1 , characterized in that to release the movement of the motor vehicle (30), a vehicle brake is at least temporarily deactivated (14) and/or the motor vehicle (30) is held (16) in its position at least temporarily by means of the drive unit (28). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a free area in the direction in front of the motor vehicle (30) is determined by means of at least one environment sensor. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a user speed of moving the user (44) is determined (18) and the drive unit (28) is controlled (20) depending on the determined user speed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the motor vehicle (30) is released by a user input for a vehicle control (32) of the motor vehicle (30). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification is determined using an identification carrier (42) which can be read wirelessly. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that biometric data of the user (44) are recorded and the movement of the motor vehicle (30) is released depending on the biometric data recorded. Vehicle controller (32) for operating a motor vehicle (30), the vehicle controller (32) being designed to be coupled in terms of communication technology to a touch sensor (34) for detecting contact with an outer skin (36) of the motor vehicle (30) by a user (44). be, and is also trained - to detect when the user (44) touches an outer skin (36) of the motor vehicle (30) by means of a touch sensor (34) outside of normal driving operation of the motor vehicle (30), - to determine an identification of the user (44), - release a movement of the motor vehicle (30) by a drive unit (28) of the motor vehicle (30) depending on the identification determined, - to determine a direction of movement of the user (44) in a movement plane (38) on which the motor vehicle (30) can be moved, and - to move the motor vehicle (30) by means of the drive unit (28) in the determined direction, wherein the drive unit (28) is only activated within a specified period of time after the end of the last intended driving operation of the motor vehicle (30), the period of time being dependent thereon is when an ignition of the motor vehicle (30) was last deactivated and the time period is a few minutes. Motor vehicle (30) with an outer skin (36), a drive unit (28) for operating the motor vehicle (30) in a normal driving mode, a vehicle controller (32) for controlling the drive unit (28) and a touch sensor (34) for detecting a touch the outer skin (36) by a user (44), characterized in that the vehicle control (34) after claim 8 is trained.

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