METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERIOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for operating an interior of a motor vehicle, having a number of electro-motive adjusting drives which each have an adjusting part, to which an adjusting path is assigned. The position of the adjusting parts is detected by means of a 3D sensor which is spaced apart from the electromotive adjusting drives. Said method further relates to an interior of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of operating an interior of a motor vehicle including a number of electromotive adjusting drives each including an adjustable part, the method comprising: detecting by means of a 3D sensor, spaced apart from each of the number of electromotive adjusting drives, a position of one or more of the adjustable parts, and setting an adjustment path for each of the adjustable parts.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the adjustment paths is allocated based on a position of at least two of the adjustable parts.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying, by means of the 3D sensor, an obstacle, and wherein the setting step includes setting the adjustment path based on a position of the obstacle.

4. An interior of a motor vehicle comprising: a number of electromotive adjusting drives disposed in the interior; a number of adjustable parts each configured to be adjusted by one or more of the number of electromotive adjusting drives; a 3D sensor spaced apart from each of the number of electromotive adjusting drives and configured to detect a position of an adjustable part of the number of adjustable parts; and a control unit configured to, responsive to receiving the position of the adjustable part, set an adjustment path for the adjustable part.

5. The interior of claim 4, wherein each of the number of electromotive adjusting drives do not include a position sensor.

6. The interior of claim 4, wherein the interior is provided with a seat including at least one of the number of electromotive adjusting drives and at least one of the number of adjustable parts.

7. The interior of claim 4, wherein the interior is provided with a center console including at least one of the number of electromotive adjusting drives and at least one of the number of adjustable parts.

8. The interior of claim 4, wherein one of the adjustable parts of the number of adjustable parts is an adjustable steering wheel including at least one of the number of electromotive adjusting drives.

9. The interior of claim 4, wherein the 3D sensor includes a propagation time-based sensor.

10. The interior of claim 4, wherein the 3D sensor is fastened to a roof lining disposed in the interior or an interior mirror disposed in the interior.

11. The interior of claim 9, wherein the 3D sensor is a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor.

12. A system for use in a vehicle interior, the system comprising: a first adjustable part configured to move along a first adjustment path having a first travel distance; an electric adjusting device configured to actuate to move the first adjustable part along the first adjustment path; a 3D sensor disposed in the vehicle interior and configured to detect a position of the first adjustable part and an obstacle; and a controller configured to, responsive to receiving the position of the first adjustable part and the obstacle, altering the first adjustment path to a second distance, less than the first distance, to prevent the first adjustable part from colliding with the obstacle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the obstacle is a second adjustable part.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the position of the first adjustable part is based on a distance between the 3D sensor and the first adjustable part.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the position of the first adjustable part is based on a distance between a fixed point disposed in the interior and the first adjustable part.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to, responsive to a malfunction of the electric adjusting device, detect the position of the first adjustable part.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to, responsive to a user actuating a switch to adjust the first adjustable part, stop adjustment of the first adjustment part before the first adjustment part reaches the first distance.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to, responsive to a user actuating a switch to adjust the first adjustable part, prevent adjustment of the first adjustment part.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the 3D sensor includes a propagation time-based sensor.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the first adjustable part is a vehicle seat or a portion of a vehicle seat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 schematically shows an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a number of electromotive adjusting drives, and

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a method for operating the interior.

[0028] Parts which correspond to one another are provided with the same reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0030] In order to reliably detect the position of the adjustable part, two Hall sensors are usually used, which Hall sensors are fastened to each electric motor and by means of which Hall sensors the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the respective electric motor are detected during operation. In this case, the position of the adjustable part is determined by means of adding up the individual signals on the basis of a model. However, in the event of comparatively rapid reversal of the direction of the electric motor, it is possible for the signals to be detected incorrectly, so that so-called miscounting occurs and the actual position of the adjustable part deviates from the theoretical position by a specific number of Hall signals. Therefore, it is necessary to recalibrate the electromotive adjusting drive after a specific number of adjusting movements.

[0031] Furthermore, it is necessary for each electromotive adjusting drive to have at least two sensors of said kind in each case. Therefore, if the interior has a comparatively large number of electromotive adjusting drives, that is to say if the backrest, the sitting surface and the headrest can all be adjusted for example, by several dimensions, the interior has a large number of sensors of said kind, this leading to increased costs and to an increased weight. In addition, installation space and cabling complexity are also increased.

[0032] FIG. 1 schematically shows an interior 2 of a motor vehicle 4, which interior may include a number of electromotive adjusting drives 6. The electromotive adjusting drives 6 each have an electric motor, not illustrated in any detail, and a gear mechanism in the form of a worm gear mechanism which can be driven by said electric motor. The electric motors are each configured as brushless DC motors (BLDC) and do not have any rev counters or any Hall sensors either. The further constituent parts of the respective electromotive adjusting drive 6 do not have any sensors of this kind either, and therefore the electromotive adjusting drives 6 are configured without position sensors. An adjustable part 8 which can therefore be moved by electric motor over an adjustment path 10 is driven by the respective electric motor.

[0033] The interior 2 further has an electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12 with which two of the electromotive adjusting drives 6 are associated. It is possible to both move a steering wheel rim 14 of the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12 in a translatory manner and also to pivot said steering wheel rim about an axis which is horizontal and arranged transversely to the vehicle direction by means of said adjusting drives. In other words, one of the adjustment paths 10 which is associated with the steering wheel rim 14 as an adjustable part 8 is in the form of a segment of a circle, and the other adjustment path 10 is rectilinear.

[0034] Furthermore, the interior 2 has a total of four electromotively adjustable seats 16 which are arranged to form two rows of seats. In each case one of the electromotively adjustable seats 16 of each row of seats is shown here. Each electromotively adjustable seat 16 has a sitting surface, a backrest and a headrest which each form an adjustable part 8 of an associated electromotive adjusting drive 6. In this case, it is possible to pivot the backrests about a horizontal axis which is arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 4, and to space apart the headrest from the backrest or to move said headrest toward said backrest. Therefore, both the backrest and also the headrest are each associated with one of the electromotive adjusting drives 6. The sitting surface of each electromotively adjustable seat 16 can be moved in a translatory manner, parallel to the motor vehicle direction (vehicle longitudinal axis) by an associated electric motor as well. Furthermore, an inclination of the sitting surface can be set by means of a further electric motor. In other words, the sitting surface is associated with two of the electromotive adjusting drives 6 as an adjustable part 8, and each electromotively adjustable seat 16 has a total of four electromotive adjusting drives 6.

[0035] Furthermore, the interior 2 has two electromotively adjustable center consoles 18 which each comprise two of the electromotive adjusting drives 6. Electromotive displacement parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis and also setting of an inclination are rendered possible by means of said two electromotive adjusting drives.

[0036] In addition, the interior 2 may include a roof lining 20 to which two 3D sensors 22 are attached. In this case, each of the rows of seats, which are formed by means of the four electromotively adjustable seats 16, has associated with it in each case one of the 3D sensors 22 which is arranged substantially above said row of seats. Furthermore, the interior 2 may include an interior mirror 24 to which a 3D sensor 22 is likewise attached. The interior mirror 24 is fastened to the roof lining 20. All of the 3D sensors 22 are propagation time-based sensors and are configured in a structurally identical manner to one another. Furthermore, the 3D sensors 22 are spaced apart from the electromotive adjusting drives 6.

[0037] During operation, electromagnetic waves, for example in the infrared or radio wave range, are emitted by means of the 3D sensors 22. Said waves are reflected or scattered at an object, if an object is present. The possibly reflected or scattered waves are detected by means of the same 3D sensor 22 or a further one of the 3D sensors 22. In this case, the distance between the respective 3D sensor 22 and the object at which the waves have been reflected or scattered is determined on the basis of determining the time between emission and reception of the waves and with the aid of the propagation speed of the waves. In a variant which is not illustrated in any detail, at least one of the 3D sensors 22 is dispensed with, or only one of the 3D sensors 22 is present.

[0038] The interior 2 further may include a control unit 28 which is connected in a signal-transmitting manner to all of the electromotive adjusting drives 6 and also the 3D sensors 22. The interior 2 is operated by means of the control unit 28 in accordance with a method 30 illustrated in FIG. 2. In a first working step 32, the position of all of the adjustable parts 8 is detected by means of the 3D sensors 22. For this purpose, electromagnetic waves, sound waves or laser light are/is emitted, for example, by means of the 3D sensors 22, depending on the design. If the 3D sensors 22 are merely passive sensors, an image is created and the position of the adjustable parts 8 is detected on the basis of the image by means of said sensors, in the manner of a camera. In this case, at least one of the 3D sensors 22 has two of the sensor units which are at a comparatively large distance from one another, or two of the 3D sensors 22 are coupled to one another, and therefore the position of the adjustable parts 8 can be determined in a comparatively precise manner on account of a comparatively large spatial angle formed between them.

[0039] The position of the adjustable parts 8 is ascertained in relation to a reference point 34 which is arranged, for example, arbitrarily above the electromotively adjustable seat 16 which is configured as a driver's seat. The position of all of the adjustable parts 8 is determined in relation to this reference point 34 which is fixed. In other words, the reference point 34 forms the origin of the coordinate system within which the position of the individual adjustable parts 8 is determined. The position of the adjustable parts 8 is stored as a configuration of the interior 2.

[0040] In addition, an obstacle 38 which is located between the two rows of seats for example is identified by means of the 3D sensors 22 in a second working step 36 which takes place substantially at the same time as, before or after the first working step 32. In a subsequent third working step 40, the adjustment paths 10 of the electromotively adjustable seats 16 which are next to the obstacle 38 are limited, and therefore the entire electromotively adjustable seat 16 and the respectively associated backrests 8 cannot be moved toward the obstacle 38, and therefore the obstacle 38 cannot be trapped. In other words, the adjustment paths 10 are limited and therefore set depending on the position of the obstacle 38. On the contrary, the adjustment paths 10 of the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12 are, for example, not changed on the basis of the position of the obstacle 38 since the obstacle 38 is substantially precluded from being trapped by means of the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12.

[0041] On the contrary, the adjustment paths 10 of the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12 are limited depending on the electromotively adjustable seat 16 which is designed as a driver's seat, and the current position of the steering wheel rim 14 and also the position of the adjustable parts 8 of said electromotively adjustable seat 16 are already taken into account here. In this case, these adjustment paths 10 are reduced in size and therefore limited, and therefore a minimum distance between the steering wheel rim 14 and the constituent parts of the electromotively adjustable seat 16 is ensured. As a result, a person is prevented from becoming trapped between said electromotively adjustable seat 16 and the steering wheel rim 14. In the event of an accident, it is also ensured, for example, that the steering wheel rim 14 is at a comparatively large distance from the driver, and therefore comparatively severe injuries can be prevented. In other words, the adjustment paths 10 of the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12 are set depending on the position of at least two of the adjustable parts 8.

[0042] In a subsequent fourth working step 42, a user input is detected. In this case, a switch or a number of switches is/are operated by the driver of the motor vehicle 4 for example. On the basis of the switches, it is ascertained that the configuration of the interior 2 should be changed. In an alternative, the fourth working step 42 is carried out before the first and/or second working step 32, 36.

[0043] In a subsequent fifth working step 44, the corresponding electromotive adjusting drives 6 are actuated by means of the control unit 28 in order to assume the new configuration and the respective adjustable parts 8 are moved along the respectively associated adjustment path 10. In this case, the movement of the adjustable parts 8 along the adjustment path 10 is monitored by means of the 3D sensors 22, and therefore it is always ensured that the adjustable part 8 is also located in the desired position. In addition, for example, a malfunction of an electromotive adjusting drive 6 can be established in a comparatively simple manner, specifically when the respective adjustable part 8 is not moved even though the associated electric motor has been actuated. In this case, it is possible to stop the respective electromotive adjusting drive 6 and possibly to limit further adjustment paths 10, so that the obstacle 38 is prevented from being trapped for example.

[0044] In summary, position/configuration/state monitoring of the individual adjustable parts 8 of the interior 2 of the motor vehicle 4, for example of the backrest, headrest and center console 18, take place by means of one or more of the 3D sensors 22. Said sensors are designed, for example, as 3D Time of Flight cameras, laser scanners, optical TOF sensors, stereo cameras, cameras with structured light, cameras using algorithms, for example computer vision or radar sensors. In this way, it is possible to determine the position of the respective adjustable parts 8, that is to say the angle of the backrests, the height of the headrests, the height of the sitting surface, the position of the steering wheel rim, without further sensor systems on the electric motors or other position sensors. In addition, it is possible to approach a desired position in a controlled manner, and the 3D sensors 22 are used to form a control loop. As a result, it is possible to save on sensors on the seats and/or on the adjustable parts 8, this leading to reduced production costs. The detection of the obstacle 38 also prevents the adjustable parts 8 from being moved toward the obstacle 38, so that obstacle identification is provided by means of the 3D sensor or sensors 22.

[0045] In other words, a relevant spatial region should be surveyed by means of the 3D sensor 22, which is arranged at a distance from the electromotive adjusting drives 6, and therefore seat adjustment/setting should be rendered possible. The sensor technologies provided for the 3D sensor 22 are sensors by means of which spaces can be surveyed in a three-dimensional manner, and 2-dimensional sensors which are suitably interconnected or the sensor data of which can be correspondingly evaluated by means of a suitable routine, a software routine, are also used here for example. Therefore, the 3D sensor may include a camera for example. The 3D sensor 22 may include an optical 3D Time of Flight camera. As an alternative, the 3D sensor 22 is configured as a laser scanner or optical TOF sensor, as a stereo camera, as a camera with structured light, as a camera using algorithms, for example computer vision, or markers or as a radar sensor.

[0046] The surveying is performed, for example, by means of one or more of the 3D sensors 22. The respective current position/current configurations of the adjustable parts 8 are ascertained on the basis of the measurement data in an algorithm which has a model of the interior 2, may be of the electromotively adjustable seats 16. Therefore, the seat backrest angle is ascertained, based on the basis of the algorithm with the aid of the model. The 3D sensor 22 therefore serves to adjust/set a function and/or component of the electromotively adjustable seat 16 and also for further functions, such as for all of the functions of the electromotively adjustable seat 16, and all of the seats of the interior 2 are expediently adjusted on the basis of the data of the 3D sensor 22, the adjustment path 10 is set.

[0047] The 3D sensor 22 also serves, for adjusting the electromotively adjustable steering wheel 12, for the electromotively adjustable center console 18 and also for electromotively adjustable armrests of the electromotively adjustable seat 16 and also all of the electrically adjustable components of the interior 2. A model is stored in the control unit 28 for all of the adjustable parts 8 and all of the electromotive adjusting drives 6. Therefore, on account of the 3D sensor 22, the individual position sensors for the individual adjustable parts 8 are dispensed with, and the adjustment is controlled in a centralized manner by means of the control unit 28. In this way, collisions between the individual adjustable parts 8 can also be prevented. For example, the adjustable parts 8 are provided with a marker which reflects comparatively strongly in the infrared range as an example. As a result, the position of the adjustable parts 8 can be ascertained in a simplified manner.

[0048] As an example, the position of the adjustable parts 8 is determined when there is no occupant located in the interior 2 or when an occupant is located in the interior 2, such as sitting on one of the electromotively adjustable seats 16. For example, the position of the adjustable parts 8 is determined when the user input or another user input is made. As an example, maximum values are associated with each adjustment path 10, and the adjustment paths 10 are limited depending on the position of the further adjustable parts 8 and/or of the obstacle 38 which may be present. On account of the reference point 34, referencing of the position of the adjustable parts 8 to said reference point is possible, so that only a relative measurement can always be carried out.

[0049] Installation locations of the 3D sensor 22 may be the roof lining 20, for example in a central position, and a main field of view of the 3D sensor 22 is vertically downward, and therefore at least parts of the front and rear seats and also central components can be detected at the same time. As an alternative, the 3D sensor 22 is arranged in a front region with a viewing direction toward the end of the motor vehicle 4 or in a rear region with a viewing direction in the direction of travel. As an alternative, the 3D sensor is fastened in or on the interior mirror 24.

[0050] The function of detecting the position of the adjustable parts 8 is combined, for example, with further functions, such as obstacle identification, and obstacles 38 which are located in the adjustment path 10 of at least one of the adjustable parts 8 are identified. As an alternative or in combination with this, gesture identification of gestures by an occupant of the motor vehicle 4, a reminder function, for example when the driver of the motor vehicle 4 is overtired, and also further monitoring of the driver of the motor vehicle 4 take place.

[0051] Once again in other words, adjustment of the adjustable parts 8 is combined with central monitoring by means of the 3D sensor 22 which detects the entire interior 2. As a result, it is possible to detect the obstacles 38, and to accordingly adapt and/or restrict the adjustment. Therefore, it is possible to permit the adjustment only up to specific values or to slow down the adjustment until another object or a further one of the adjustable parts 8 which is moving through the adjustment path 10 has left said adjustment path. It is also possible to move a further adjustable part 8 along a further adjustment path 10, so that a collision is prevented. As a result, it is possible for just one single system to perform all interior adjustment and monitoring, so that further sensor elements, such as an obstacle sensor, can be saved on. A distance which is really measured is determined by means of the 3D sensor 22, this increasing safety. The 3D sensor 22 is, for example, a stereo camera or a TOF camera.

[0052] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment described above. Rather, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the subject matter of the invention. All of the individual features described in connection with the exemplary embodiment can furthermore also be combined with one another in a different way, without departing from the subject matter of the invention.

[0053] The following is a list of reference numbers shown in the Figures. However, it should be understood that the use of these terms is for illustrative purposes only with respect to one embodiment. And, use of reference numbers correlating a certain term that is both illustrated in the Figures and present in the claims is not intended to limit the claims to only cover the illustrated embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0054] 2 Interior [0055] 4 Motor vehicle [0056] 6 Electromotive adjusting drive [0057] 8 Adjustable part [0058] 10 Adjustment path [0059] 12 Electromotively adjustable steering wheel [0060] 14 Steering wheel rim [0061] 16 Electromotively adjustable seat [0062] 18 Electromotively adjustable center console [0063] 20 Roof lining [0064] 22 3D sensor [0065] 24 Interior mirror [0066] 26 Obstacle [0067] 28 Control unit [0068] 30 Method [0069] 32 First working step [0070] 34 Reference point [0071] 36 Second working step [0072] 38 Obstacle [0073] 40 Third working step [0074] 42 Fourth working step [0075] 44 Fifth working step

[0076] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.