Vehicle and Method of Operating the Vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle is operable in a manual driving mode and in an at least partially automatic driving mode. To allow a rapid change from the automatic to the manual driving mode, the respective position of a driver seat and/or at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is adjusted for functional use by a driver of the vehicle such that the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element can be functionally used by the driver whenever the vehicle is, or is to be, operated in the automatic driving mode.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: a cockpit comprising a driver's seat and at least one driving-relevant cockpit element for functional use by a driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is operable in a manual driving mode and in an at least partially automatic driving mode; a control device automatically sets a position of the driver's seat and/or a position of the at least one cockpit element, wherein the control device is configured to set a first position of the driver's seat and a first position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element when the vehicle is operated in the manual driving mode, the control device is also configured to set a second position of the driver's seat and/or a second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element when the vehicle is operated in the automatic driving mode, and the control device is configured to set the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element such that the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is functionally usable by the driver when the vehicle is operated or is to be operated in the automatic driving mode.

2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting of the position of the driver's seat comprises a change in a depth position and/or a change in a backrest inclination.

3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting of the position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element comprises changing a height position and/or a depth position of the cockpit element.

4. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element comprises an element selected from the group comprising: a steering wheel, a pedal, an exterior rearview mirror, a rearview mirror, and a head-up display.

5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element comprises an element selected from the group comprising: a steering wheel, a pedal, an exterior rearview mirror, a rearview mirror, and a head-up display.

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to set a tautness of a seatbelt of the driver and/or a position of a belt retainer of the seatbelt, and the control device is configured to set the tautness of the seatbelt and/or the position of the belt retainer such that the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is functionally usable by the driver when the vehicle is operated or is to be operated in the automatic driving mode.

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a detection device connected to the control device, wherein the control device is configured to determine a body size and/or sitting position of the driver by processing data acquired by the detection device, and the control device is configured to set the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element as a function of the determined body size and/or sitting position of the driver.

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detection device is a passenger compartment camera.

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to request the driver, by way of a display device of the vehicle, to use the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element if the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is set.

10. A method for operating a vehicle having a cockpit comprising a driver's seat and at least one driving-relevant cockpit element for functional use by a driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is operable in a manual driving mode and in an at least partially automatic driving mode, the method comprising the steps of: setting a first position of the driver's seat and a first position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element when the vehicle is operated in the manual driving mode; and setting a second position of the driver's seat and/or a second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element when the vehicle is operated or is to be operated in the automatic driving mode, in such a way that the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is functionally usable by the driver.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: determining a body size and/or sitting position of the driver; and setting the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element as a function of the determined body size and/or sitting position of the driver.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of: outputting a request to use the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element if the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is set.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step of: outputting a request to use the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element if the second position of the driver's seat and/or the second position of the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is set.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cockpit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a manual driving mode.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a cockpit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a completely automatic driving mode in a first driving situation.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a cockpit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a completely automatic driving mode in a second driving situation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Identical reference symbols in the figures characterize identical features of the illustrated embodiments of the invention. It is to be noted that the illustrated figures and the associated description merely relate to exemplary embodiments of the invention. In particular, illustrations of feature combinations in the figures and/or the description of the figures should not be interpreted as meaning that the invention necessarily requires the implementation of all the specified features. Other embodiments of the invention can contain fewer, more and/or other features. The scope of protection and the disclosure of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims and the entire description. It is also to be noted that the illustrations are basic illustrations of embodiments of the invention. The arrangements of the individual illustrated elements with respect to one another is selected only in exemplary fashion and can be selected differently in other embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the illustration is not necessarily true to scale. Individual illustrated features can be illustrated in an enlarged or reduced fashion for the sake of better illustration.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a cockpit 1 of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a manual driving mode. The illustration is to be understood as a basic illustration, wherein the individual elements are shown in an isolated and stylized fashion. The seat bottom 2 and the backrest 3 of the driver's seat are located in the first position. The upper body 4 of the driver is in a largely upright position. The driver has directed his arms 6 toward the steering wheel 7 and grips the steering wheel 7 with his hands. The driver's head 5 is positioned in such a way that the driver can direct his gaze onto the road (not illustrated) through the windshield. In this viewing path a head-up display 8 is arranged on which driving-relevant information can be displayed to the driver, for example an applicable permissible maximum speed and a gearshift recommendation. An exterior rearview mirror 9 of the vehicle, with which the driver can see an area lying directly behind him, is also illustrated.

[0039] The cockpit can, of course, also have further driving-relevant cockpit elements (not illustrated), for example a second exterior rearview mirror, a rearview mirror, accelerator pedals and the like. In the situation shown in FIG. 1 a seatbelt (not illustrated) rests tautly on the upper body 4 and on the driver's lap. The passenger compartment camera 10 is directed onto the driver's upper body 4, arms 6 and head 5. The passenger compartment camera 10 therefore records the sitting position and the dimensions of the driver's body. The passenger compartment camera 10 is connected to a control device (not illustrated) for further processing of the recorded images through a data connection.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a cockpit 1 of the motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a completely automatic driving mode. In this completely automatic driving mode, the driver does not have to assume or monitor any driving tasks. The result is that the driver can dedicate himself completely to other tasks if he wishes to. The respective directions of movement in which the seat and the driving-relevant cockpit elements can be adjusted are indicated by double arrows. In comparison with the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 1, it is apparent that the seat bottom 2 of the driver's seat is shifted rearward and the backrest 3 of the driver's seat is in a highly inclined position. The angle of inclination a between the position of the backrest 3 in FIG. 1 and the position of a backrest 3 in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 2. The driver's upper body 4 rests against the backrest 3, with the result that the driver is in a comfortable sitting position. With his arm, 6 the driver holds an entertainment electronic device, e.g. a tablet. The second position of the driver's seat as illustrated in FIG. 2 may have been set by the control device on the basis of prescriptions by the driver. For example, the driver may have used operator control elements (not illustrated) to select a sitting position which suits him. Likewise, it is possible for the second position of a driver's seat to have been set without the driver's involvement. The passenger compartment camera 10 records the position of the driver illustrated in FIG. 2 and transfers recordings which have been made to the control device (not illustrated). The latter determines, in particular, the position and the dimensions of the driver's upper body 4, arms 6 and head 5. From the data determined in this way, the control device can determine the second position of the driving-relevant cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 in such a way that said cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 can be functionally used by the driver.

[0041] In its second position, the steering wheel 7 is moved further into the dashboard (not illustrated) of the motor vehicle, as a result of which the space in front of the driver is made larger. However, in its second position the steering wheel 7 is shifted in the direction of the dashboard only to a certain extent that it remains usable by the driver. The driver can therefore reach, grip and operate the steering wheel 7 with his arms 6. In a second position, the head-up display 8 is shifted downward, with the result that from his head position 5 the driver can view the head-up display 8 when looking onto the road from the windshield. Owing to the increased distance from the driver's head 5 to the head-up display 8, the content displayed on the head-up display 8 can be displayed in an enlarged form. In its second position, the exterior rearview mirror 9 is tilted in such a way that from his head position 5 the driver can see the area next to and behind the vehicle in an optimum way by means of the mirror 9. In the situation shown in FIG. 2, the seatbelt (not illustrated) rests on the driver's upper body 4 and on his lap. The seatbelt is, in particular, set in such a way that the steering wheel 7 continues to be usable for the driver. In other words, the seatbelt is set in such a way that the driver can grip the steering wheel 7.

[0042] It is to be noted that it is not absolutely necessary for a cockpit element to be usable from the driver's position which is assumed in the automatic driving mode. It is possible to ensure that the driver can move. In contrast, it is absolutely necessary for a cockpit element to be usable without moving itself (that is to say, without a movement of the cockpit element) and without a movement of the driver's seat. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the steering wheel 7 can therefore be set, for example, in such a way that the driver would have to place his upper body 4 in an upright position in order to grip the steering wheel 7, which is illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0043] In the embodiment of the invention provision can be made that it is checked whether the cockpit elements are functionally usable in the respective second positions. For this purpose, a checking routine can be carried out which preferably can take place in the stationary position of the vehicle before travel commences. For this checking routine the respective second positions of the driver's seat 2, 3 and the cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 are set. The driver is then requested by way of the head-up display 8 or some other display device of the vehicle to grip and move the steering wheel 7. Likewise, the driver can be requested to confirm whether he can see the head-up display 8 and mirror 9 satisfactorily. If this is not successful, the steering wheel 7 can be moved a certain amount in the direction of the driver, or the seat bottom 2 can be moved a certain amount in the direction of the steering wheel 7. The head-up display 8 and the mirror 9 can be moved likewise. Subsequently, the test is carried out again. This can be repeated until the condition that the cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 are functionally usable in the respective second positions is satisfied. The respective second positions which are detected in this way can then be stored in the control device.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a cockpit 1 of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention in a completely automatic driving mode in a second driving position. The seat 2, 3 and the cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 are still in the respective second position. In contrast with the illustration in FIG. 2, only the driver's position, but not the position of the other illustrated elements, is therefore changed in FIG. 3. In contrast to the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 2, the driver would like to, or is to, intervene in the events on the road in the driving situation illustrated in FIG. 3. It is to be noted that the driver has placed his upper body 4 in an upright position and is gripping the steering wheel 7 with his arms 6 and his hands. For example, the driver could be requested to reassume control over the vehicle (referred to as an assume control request) or to prepare himself to assume control imminently. It may also be the case that the driver would like to assume control over the steering wheel 7 even though this is not absolutely necessary. In any case, the invention permits the driver to assume control immediately in the illustrated exemplary situation without the position of the driver's seat 2, 3 and/or the position of the cockpit elements 7, 8, 9 having to be changed beforehand. The setting of the seatbelt which is explained above permits the driver to place his upper body 4 in an upright position, as illustrated, in the situation shown in FIG. 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1 Cockpit

[0045] 2 Seat bottom
3 Backrest of the seat
4 Driver's upper body
5 Driver's head
6 Driver's arms
7 Steering wheel
8 Head-up display
9 Exterior rearview mirror
10 Passenger compartment camera
Angle of inclination of the seat backrest

[0046] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.