METHOD FOR ADAPTING THE COMFORT OF A VEHICLE, REGULATING DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for adapting the comfort of a vehicle for a vehicle user. The vehicle has an HMI system with which the user and vehicle interact. A suspension system adapts a position of the user to a roadway. A position planning device plans and regulates movement of the vehicle. A regulating device, which has a memory, is connected to the HMI and a suspension system and the position planning device. According to the method, a target comfort zone for the user is stored in the regulating device memory. A current comfort zone of the user is continuously determined, via the HMI system, and continuously compared with the target comfort zone. Based on comparison results, the regulating device controls the suspension system, the position of the user being adapted to the roadway such that the current comfort zone continues approaching the target comfort zone until the target comfort zone is reached.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A method (V) of adapting comfort of a vehicle (1) for at least one vehicle user (2), the vehicle (1) having an HMI system (3) for interaction between the at least one vehicle user (2) and the vehicle (1), a chassis system (4) for adapting a position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to a roadway, a position planning device (5) for planning and regulating a movement (105) of the vehicle (1), and a regulating device (6), which is connected to the HMI system (3), the position planning device (5) and the chassis system (4), and the regulating device (6) having a memory, the method comprising: storing, in the memory of the regulating device (6), a target comfort level (101) for the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously determining, by the HMI system (3), a current comfort level (102) of the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously comparing (103) the current comfort level (102) with the target comfort level (101); and actuating the chassis system (4) with the regulating device (6) based on a result of the comparison to adapt the position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to the roadway in such manner that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

15. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising adapting, with the regulating device (6), the chassis system (4) based on the result of the comparison, and controlling the HMI system (3) with the regulating device (6), and communicating, via the HMI system (3), current movement data from the position planning device (5) of the vehicle (1) to the at least one vehicle user (2) such that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

16. The method (V) according to claim 15, further comprising communicating, via the HMI system (3), future movement data from the position planning device (5) of the vehicle (1) to the at least one vehicle user (2).

17. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising controlling, with the regulating device (6), an interior system (7) of the vehicle (7), which is connected to the regulating device (6), to adapt the interior system (7) in such manner that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

18. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising determining, with the HMI system (3), an attentiveness level of the at least one vehicle user (2) such that the attentiveness level is related to the current comfort level (102).

19. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising planning trajectories of the vehicle (1), with the position planning device (5), as part of movement data, and communicating the trajectories, via the HMI system (3), to the at least one vehicle user (2).

20. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising controlling, with the regulating device (6), the position planning device (5) to adapt the planning of the movement (105) of the vehicle (1) in such manner that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

21. The method (V) according to claim 14, further comprising determining the current comfort level (102) of the at least one vehicle user (2) based on vital parameters determined by the HMI system (3).

22. The method (V) according to claim 15, further comprising communicating, via the HMI system (3), with the at least one vehicle user (2) by at least one of visual, acoustic and haptic means.

23. A regulating device (6) for a vehicle (1), the regulating device (6) being connectable to an HMI system (3) of the vehicle, a chassis system (4) and a position planning device (5) of the vehicle (1), the HMI system (3) facilitating interaction between at least one vehicle user (2) and the vehicle (1), the chassis system (4) adapting a position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to a roadway, the position planning device (5) planning and regulating movement (105) of the vehicle (1), and the regulating device (6) having a memory, and the regulating device (6) being configured to implement a method (V) for adapting comfort of the vehicle (1) for the at least one vehicle user (2), the method including: storing, in the memory of the regulating device (6), a target comfort level (101) for the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously determining, by the HMI system (3), a current comfort level (102) of the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously comparing (103) the current comfort level (102) with the target comfort level (101); and actuating the chassis system (4) with the regulating device (6) based on a result of the comparison to adapt the position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to the roadway in such manner that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

24. The regulating device (6) according to claim 24, wherein the regulating device (6) is connectable to an interior system (7).

25. A vehicle (1) for at least one vehicle user (2), the vehicle (1) comprises an HMI system (3), a chassis system (4), a position planning device (5), and a regulating device (6), the regulating device (6) being connectable to the HMI system (3), the chassis system (4) and the position planning device (5), the HMI system (3) facilitating interaction between the at least one vehicle user (2) and the vehicle (1), the chassis system (4) adapting a position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to a roadway, the position planning device (5) planning and regulating movement (105) of the vehicle (1), and the regulating device (6) having a memory, and the regulating device (6) being configured to implement a method (V) for adapting comfort of the vehicle (1) for the at least one vehicle user (2), the method including: storing, in the memory of the regulating device (6), a target comfort level (101) for the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously determining, by the HMI system (3), a current comfort level (102) of the at least one vehicle user (2); continuously comparing (103) the current comfort level (102) with the target comfort level (101); and actuating the chassis system (4) with the regulating device (6) based on a result of the comparison adapt the position of the at least one vehicle user (2) relative to the roadway in such manner that the current comfort level (102) continues approaching the target comfort level (101) until the target comfort level (101) is reached.

26. The vehicle (1) according to claim 25, wherein the vehicle (1) additionally comprises an interior system (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Various example embodiments and details of the invention are described in greater detail with reference to the figures explained below, which show:

[0042] FIG. 1: A schematic representation of a regulating device according to an example embodiment, which device can carry out the method for adapting comfort,

[0043] FIG. 2: A schematic representation of a vehicle according to a further example embodiment, with the regulating device from FIG. 1,

[0044] FIG. 3: A schematic representation of a control cycle according to an example embodiment, which is implemented by the regulating device from FIG. 1 when carrying out the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a regulating device 6 according to an example embodiment, which can carry out the method V for adapting comfort. The figure shows the regulating device 6, which is connected to various systems of the vehicle 1. The regulating device 6 is connected to the chassis system 4, the position planning device 5, the interior system 7 and the HMI system 3. In this case the HMI system 3 has an input device 8 and an output device 9.

[0046] The regulating device 6 is connected to the other systems in such manner that data exchange can take place. Thus, the regulating device 6 can receive data from the individual systems or send data to those systems. In addition the regulating device 6 can control the chassis system 4, the interior system 7, the position planning device 5 and the HMI system 3. The regulating device 6 can control the input device 8 and the output device 9 of the HMI system independently of one another. The regulating device 6 is for example in the form of an ECU or an ECU domain.

[0047] The input device 8 of the HMI system 3 serves to receive information and data from a vehicle user 2. The output device 9 of the HMI system 3 serves to output data and information to the vehicle user 2. The data which the input device 8 of the HMI system 3 has received from the vehicle user 2 can either be evaluated by the HMI system 3 itself, or passed on to the regulating device 6 which then takes over the evaluation. The data reception can take place via acoustic, visual or haptic means, or a combination of them. The regulating device 6 can control the output device 9 of the HMI system 3 in such manner that particular information or data are displayed or output to the vehicle user 2 at particular times. This can take place by acoustic, visual or haptic means, or a combination of them.

[0048] The regulating device 6 can control the chassis system 4 in such manner that a position of the vehicle user 2 relative to the roadway is changed. This takes place in order to influence a current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 in a positive manner.

[0049] From the position planning device 5, the regulating device 6 receives data about a plan for the movement of the vehicle 1. These data can be output to the vehicle user 2 by means of the HMI system 3, or more precisely by means of the output device 9. The regulating device 6 can also control the position planning device 5 in such manner that it plans the movement of the vehicle 1 so as to have a positive effect on a current comfort level of the vehicle user 2.

[0050] The regulating device 6 can control the interior system 7 in such manner as to adapt it so as to change a current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 in a positive way. For example, the interior system 7 comprises an air-conditioning unit 11 or an adjustable vehicle seat 10. The regulating device 6 can control each individual system of the interior system 7 and adjust it so as to change a current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 to positive effect. For example, by means of the air-conditioning unit a vehicle temperature can be varied.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1 according to a further example embodiment, which comprises the regulating device 6 of FIG. 1. The figure shows the vehicle 1 with the vehicle user 2 in it. The vehicle user 2 is sitting on a seat 10, which is part of the interior system 7. The vehicle 1 comprises the chassis system 4, the regulating device 6, the position planning device 5, and the HMI system with its output device 9 and its input device 8. In addition the vehicle comprises the interior system 7 which, besides the seat 10, also includes the air-conditioning unit 11.

[0052] The regulating device 6 is connected to the input device 8 and the output device 9 of the HMI system 3. Furthermore, the regulating device 6 is connected to the chassis system 4. In addition the regulating device 6 is connected to the seat 10 and the air-conditioning unit 11 of the interior system 7. Moreover, the regulating device 6 is connected to the position planning device 5. Thus, the regulating device 6 can control the chassis system 4, the HMI system 3, the interior system 7 and the position planning device 5.

[0053] By way of the input device 8, the HMI system 3 determines a current comfort level of the vehicle user 2. This can take place, for example, by monitoring the driver's condition by means of a vitality parameter measurement or by means of an attentiveness assessment. Other options for establishing the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 are also possible, for example the vehicle user 2 can input his current comfort level. In the data memory of the HMI system 3 is stored a target comfort level of the vehicle user 2. The target comfort level of the vehicle user 2 is compared with the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2. This comparison is carried out continuously, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. If now the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 differs from the target comfort level of the vehicle user 2, the regulating device 6 actuates the various systems of the vehicle 1 in order to bring the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 closer to the target comfort level.

[0054] The regulating device 6 actuates the chassis system 4 so that a position of the vehicle user 2 relative to the roadway is changed. This change takes place, for example, in such manner that when driving round a curve smaller forces act upon the vehicle user. For this, for example, the chassis of the chassis system 4 is designed to be adaptive. When a drive around a curve is imminent, this is passed on by the position planning device 5 to the regulating device 6. The position planning device 5 also passes on to the regulating device 6 information about speeds, accelerations, trajectories and similar parameters that occur on a driving route.

[0055] The regulating device 6 also actuates the output device 9 of the HMI system 3. The output device 9 of the HMI system 3 indicates to the vehicle user 2 what speeds, accelerations and tilt angles will occur now and in the future during the journey in the vehicle 1. That information has been obtained by the regulating device 6 from the position planning device 5. Thus, what is to happen now and in the future while traveling in the vehicle 1 is communicated to the vehicle user 2 by way of the output device 9. Accordingly, the vehicle user 2 can ready himself for the present and future situations. This increases or improves the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2.

[0056] Furthermore the regulating device 6 actuates the vehicle seat 10 of the interior system 7. Thereby, a sitting position of the vehicle user 2 is changed. This change can for example be such that the vehicle user 2 is sitting more comfortably. That has a positive effect on the comfort level of the vehicle user 2.

[0057] The regulating device 6 also controls the air-conditioning unit 11 of the interior system 7. For example, a flow of air into the vehicle 1 is substantially increased and a temperature inside the vehicle 1 is adapted by the regulating device 6 to make it pleasant for the vehicle user 2. The temperature that the vehicle user 2 finds pleasant can be set by the user, for example, before the journey begins. That temperature is then stored in the memory of the regulating device 6.

[0058] Since during a journey in the vehicle 1 the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 is determined continuously and continuously compared with the target comfort level, the regulating device 6 regulates all the systems to which it is connected until the current comfort level of the vehicle user 2 coincides with the target comfort level. This control cycle is represented more precisely in FIG. 3.

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an example embodiment of a control cycle carried out by the regulating device 6 of FIG. 1 during the implementation of the method V. The central feature of the control cycle is the comparison 103 between the target comfort level 101 and the current comfort level 102 of the vehicle user. This current comfort level 102 is determined continuously at 114. The determination 114 of the current comfort level 102 of the vehicle user 2 takes into account, for example, an attentiveness level, a state of mind or an expected driving style. That is represented by the arrow 108.

[0060] During a journey in the vehicle various factors affect the vehicle user 2. For example the roadway and the existing traffic 107 have a direct effect 106 on the vehicle user 2. This is the case when, for example, evasive action, braking operations, acceleration processes or similar have to be carried out. These effects 106 are of a physical nature because forces act upon the vehicle user 2. Moreover, the roadway and the traffic 107 have other effects on the vehicle user 2. The visibility of the route to be covered influences the vehicle user 2. When the user can observe the route clearly, these effects are different from when the user cannot see the route. This results in a change of the current comfort level 102 of the vehicle user 2. The display 113 of the current and future drive dynamics and trajectories directly affects the current comfort level 102 of the vehicle user 2. That display takes place by way of the HMI system.

[0061] In turn, the vehicle 1 influences both the movement planning and the regulation 105 by means of the position planning device 5, and also the adaptation 104 of the chassis system 4. In this, the adaptation 104 of the chassis system 4 and the movement planning and regulation 105 by means of the position planning device 5 have a reciprocal influence on one another. That is indicated by the double arrow. Furthermore, the roadway and the traffic 107 in turn have a direct influence on both the position planning device 5 and the chassis system 4. This is because the roadway and the traffic 107 provide the prerequisites in relation to the infrastructure and environmental conditions 109. The position planning device 5, which is responsible for the movement planning and the regulation 105 of that movement, and the chassis system 4, which is adapted 104, are therefore influenced by the roadway and traffic 107 and by the vehicle 1 itself. Likewise, the vehicle 1 is influenced by the movement planning and the regulation 105 by means of the position planning system 5 and by the adaption 104 of the chassis system. Namely, both the steering and the acceleration and also the chassis parameters of the vehicle 1 are influenced. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 itself, of course, has an effect on the traffic and the roadway 107.

[0062] The movement planning and regulation 105 by means of the position planning device and the adaptation 104 of the chassis system take place on the basis of the comparison 103 between the target comfort level 101 and the current comfort level 2. Thus, there is a complex regulation cycle of the method V for adapting the comfort of the vehicle user 2.

[0063] The examples represented here are chosen only as examples. For instance, the regulation cycle can include other factors as well, such as an interior system and further subsystems. Moreover, the current comfort level of the vehicle user can have a direct influence on the movement planning and regulation of the movement by means of the position planning device.

INDEXES

[0064] 1 Vehicle [0065] 2 Vehicle user [0066] 3 HMI system [0067] 4 Chassis system [0068] 5 Position planning device [0069] 6 Regulating device [0070] 7 Interior system [0071] 8 Input device [0072] 9 Output device [0073] 10 Seat [0074] 11 Air-conditioning unit [0075] V Method [0076] 101 Target comfort level [0077] 102 Current comfort level [0078] 103 Comparison [0079] 104 Adaptation of the chassis system [0080] 105 Movement planning and regulation by means of the position planning device [0081] 106 Effect of the roadway and traffic on the vehicle user [0082] 107 Roadway and traffic [0083] 108 Attentiveness level, state of mind, expected driving style [0084] 109 Prerequisites relating to infrastructure and environmental conditions [0085] 110 Driving dynamics [0086] 111 Influence on the steering, acceleration and chassis parameters [0087] 112 Visibility of the route to be driven along [0088] 113 Display of the current and future driving dynamics and trajectories [0089] 114 Determination of the current comfort level