Safety device for a vehicle

Abstract

A safety device for a vehicle includes a sensor system and an evaluation and control unit that is coupled to the sensor system via an interface and that evaluates information from the sensor system in order to detect objects in the area ahead of the vehicle, calculates, on the basis of the information from the sensor system, a likely impact point of a detected object and/or a likely amount of overlap of the detected object and the vehicle, brings the vehicle into a defined slide-off position by way of a targeted intervention into the vehicle dynamics when the calculated likely impact point and/or the calculated amount of overlap satisfies at least one predefined condition.

Claims

1. A safety device for a vehicle, the safety device comprising: a sensor system; and a control unit coupled to the sensor system via at least one interface, wherein the control unit is configured to: predict, based on information from the sensor system, a head-on collision of the vehicle with an object located in an area ahead of the vehicle; calculate, based on the information from the sensor system, a predicted amount of overlap of a surface of the object with a surface of the vehicle during the predicted head-on collision of the vehicle with the object; compare, by the control unit, (i) the calculated predicted amount of overlap of the surface of the object with the surface of the vehicle, and (ii) a threshold amount; determine, by the control unit, that the calculated predicted amount of overlap of the surface of the object with the surface of the vehicle is less than the threshold amount; and responsive to the determination, pivot the vehicle by controlling a braking system of the vehicle and/or a steering system of the vehicle, and transferring the vehicle into a defined slide-off position, the defined slide-off position being a new position of the vehicle within a predefined range of angles of an original orientation of the vehicle.

2. The safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the range is limited by a predefined maximum value.

3. The safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the transfer of the vehicle to the defined slide-off position reduces the predicted head-on collision to an actual sliding collision of the vehicle and the object.

4. The safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the transfer of the vehicle to the defined slide-off position reduces the predicted head-on collision to an avoidance of a collision of the vehicle with the object.

5. The safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to the determination, activate: (i) a passive occupant protection system, and/or (ii) a brake function, and/or (iii) a warning unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a vehicle including a safety device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of likely collision parties of a head-on collision.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the collision parties during the detection of a likely moderately overlapping head-on collision according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the collision parties during a sliding collision.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) As is apparent in FIGS. 1 through 4, the represented safety device 10 according to an example embodiment of the present invention for a vehicle 1 includes a sensor system 30 and an evaluation and control unit 20 that is coupled to sensor system 30 via at least one interface and that evaluates information from sensor system 30 in order to detect objects in the area ahead of the vehicle. In this case, evaluation and control unit 20 calculates, on the basis of the information from sensor system 30, a likely impact point of a detected object 5 and/or a likely amount of overlap of detected object 5 and vehicle 1. Evaluation and control unit 20 brings vehicle 1 into a defined slide-off position by way of a targeted intervention into the vehicle dynamics when the calculated likely impact point and/or the calculated amount of overlap meet/meets at least one predefined condition. As a result, possible consequences of the moderately overlapping head-on collision can be advantageously mitigated by way of the transfer into a sliding collision.

(6) In the exemplary embodiment shown, object 5 or the likely collision party is an oncoming other vehicle. Alternatively, the likely collision party can also be a stationary object, such as, for example, a tree, or a preceding slow vehicle, or another mobile object.

(7) In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one sensor or sensor element of sensor system 30 detects a possible collision when oncoming object 5 enters a monitoring area or sensor area 3 of sensor system 30. This state is represented in FIG. 2.

(8) Evaluation and control unit 20 calculates, on the basis of information from sensor system 30, the likely impact point of detected object 5 and/or the likely amount of overlap of detected object 5. Evaluation and control unit 20 detects a likely moderately overlapping head-on collision when the calculated likely impact point and/or the calculated amount of overlap meet/meets the at least one predefined condition. This state is represented in FIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the at least one predefined condition represents a threshold value for a distance of the likely impact point from the corresponding lateral edge of vehicle 1. Evaluation and control unit 20 therefore influences the vehicle dynamics of vehicle 1 when the distance of the likely impact point falls below a predefined first threshold value. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one predefined condition can represent a threshold value for the likely amount of overlap. In this case, evaluation and control unit 20 influences the vehicle dynamics when the likely amount of overlap falls below a predefined second threshold value.

(9) In the exemplary embodiment shown, evaluation and control unit 20 intervenes in a braking system 40 and/or a steering system 50 of vehicle 1 in order to influence the vehicle dynamics. In this way, evaluation and control unit 20 can brake individual vehicle wheels in a targeted manner via the intervention into braking system 40 and therefore, by way of such a one-sided or intermittent braking operation, generate a desired yawing moment about the vehicle vertical axis and achieve a desired orientation of vehicle 1, which is represented in FIG. 4. Additionally or alternatively, evaluation and control unit 20 can generate targeted steering impulses by way of the intervention into steering system 50, in order to achieve the desired orientation of vehicle 1, which is represented in FIG. 4. This means that, in the case of a detected likely moderately overlapping head-on collision, in the exemplary embodiment shown, evaluation and control unit 20 influences the vehicle orientation via targeted brake and/or steering interventions shortly before or during the collision in such a way that a slide-off of the collision opponents is supported. In the best possible case, the collision can be entirely avoided.

(10) As is further apparent in FIG. 4, the slide-off position in the exemplary embodiment shown is defined by an angular range a, defined by original vehicle orientation FR1 and new vehicle orientation FR2. Angular range a is limited by a predefined maximum value which is determined, for example, based on the existing crash structures of vehicle 1 and/or based on the likely impact point and/or the amount of overlap. Due to the limitation of the angular range, severe lateral collisions can be advantageously avoided.

(11) After vehicle 1 has been transferred into the desired slide-off position, evaluation and control unit 20 activates passive occupant protection systems 60 and/or brake functions and/or warning units. In this way, for example, a window airbag of passive occupant protection system 60 can be activated, in order to protect the occupants from glass splinters. In addition, further safety functions, such as, for example, braking to a standstill, warning flashers, restraint means such as airbags, seat belt tighteners, etc., can be activated as necessary and an automatic emergency call may be transmitted.

(12) A favorable design of the lateral front area of vehicle 1 can improve the capability of the vehicle to slide off and can positively supplement safety device 10 according to the present invention. In this way, for example, reinforcements can be installed in the lateral front area of the vehicle. The shifting of the reinforcements into lateral elements, such as fenders, has a positive effect on pedestrian protection and the central installation space.

(13) Specific embodiments of the present invention provide a safety device for a vehicle, which detects an oncoming object with the aid of a suitable sensor system and also determines the possible impact point on the vehicle front and, in the case of a highly likely moderately overlapping head-on collision, brings the vehicle into a favorable slide-off position by way of targeted brake and steering interventions and, subsequent to the sliding collision, activates or carries out suitable functions for stabilizing the vehicle. A favorable design of the slide-off area of the vehicle can positively supplement the safety device in this case. Upon detection of a sliding collision, passive occupant protection systems can be suitably activated.