METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN INTERIOR ELEMENT OF A VEHICLE, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND VEHICLE HAVING AN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE SYSTEM

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for adjusting at least one interior element of a vehicle. In this process, an occupant state signal is detected which signals that a specified pathological state of an occupant of the vehicle at least restricts their ability to drive the vehicle to a specified extent. An emergency assistance system is then activated to perform at least one support measure for the occupant. An adjustment measure is then performed in order to adjust at least one interior element of the vehicle to a specified target position. The target position is chosen here such that a movement space delimited by the at least one interior element is increased for access to and/or exit for the occupant.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting at least one interior element of a vehicle, comprising: detecting an occupant state signal which signals that a specified pathological state of an occupant of the vehicle (at least restricts an ability of the occupant to drive the vehicle to a specified extent; activating an emergency assistance system of the vehicle and providing an emergency signal to carry out at least one support measure for the occupant, occupant; and while the emergency signal is present, controlling an adjustment drive of the at least one interior element, wherein a position of the at least one interior element is adjusted to a specified target position, and wherein, in the specified target position, a movement space delimited by way of the at least one interior element is increased for entry and/or exit of the occupant.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a seat adjustment drive of a vehicle seat and/or a steering wheel adjustment drive of a steering wheel is controlled to increase the movement space.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specified target position of the at least one interior element is chosen based on an access area provided in a body of the vehicle for the occupant to enter into the vehicle, so that the movement space delimited by the at least one interior element and the access area is increased.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support measure comprises controlling at least one driving- supporting actuator of the vehicle with the emergency signal to perform a stopping maneuver.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one interior element adjusted when a standstill value that represents a vehicle standstill is detected.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support measure comprises controlling a communication device assigned to the vehicle to send out an emergency call signal for an emergency service.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the occupant state signal is determined by capturing at least one vital sign and/or an attention parameter of the occupant.

8. The method according to a claim 1, wherein the occupant state signal is captured by way of an interior camera of the vehicle and/or by way of a vital sign measuring device inside or outside the vehicle, and/or by way of an actuation sensor of the vehicle.

9. An emergency assistance system for a vehicle that includes at least one interior element, the emergency assistance system comprising: a processor device; and a memory storing program code that, when executed by the processor device, causes the emergency assistance system to: detect an occupant state signal which signals that a specified pathological state of an occupant of the vehicle at least restricts an ability of the occupant to drive the vehicle to a specified extent; activate an emergency assistance system of the vehicle and provide an emergency signal to carry out at least one support measure for the occupant; and while the emergency signal is present, control an adjustment drive of the at least one interior element. wherein a position of the at least one interior element is adjusted to a specified target position, and wherein, in the specified target position, a movement space delimited by way of the at least one interior element is increased for entry and/or exit of the occupant.

10. A vehicle comprising: the emergency assistance system according to claim 9; and the at least one interior element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are described below. In this regard:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle having an emergency assistance system; and

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a schematic method flow diagram for a method for adjusting at least one interior element of the vehicle, which can be carried out by way of the emergency assistance system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The exemplary embodiments explained below are advantageous embodiments of the disclosure. In the exemplary embodiments, the components of the embodiments described each represent individual features of the disclosure that are to be considered independently of one another, which also each refine the disclosure independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure should also comprise combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown.

[0042] Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the disclosure already described.

[0043] In the figures, same reference numerals denote functionally identical elements.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a front area of a vehicle from a side perspective in a sectional representation. In FIG. 1, a driver's area is shown in particular, i.e., an area in which, for example, a driver of the vehicle as an occupant can take their position to drive vehicle 1. The occupant is not shown in FIG. 1 for better clarity. In the present case, vehicle 1 is designed as a passenger car, for example.

[0045] A door frame 2 of the body of the vehicle for a driver's door is indicated by way of example in dashed lines. FIG. 1 shows the view of the driver's area from an environment into the interior of vehicle 1 through door frame 2. A vehicle seat 3 and a steering wheel 4 are arranged in the driver's area. Steering wheel 4 is connected by way of a steering column to a drive train of the vehicle (not shown in FIG. 1). Steering wheel 4 and the vehicle seat, in the present case in particular the driver's seat, are interior elements of vehicle 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, both are designed to be adjustable in a manner known per se. The suitability for adjusting and exemplary possible adjustment directions are indicated in FIG. 1 by directional arrows drawn next to steering wheel 4 or vehicle seat 3. In the exemplary embodiment, vehicle seat 3 is thus designed forwards and backwards, i.e., in the direction of the front or rear area of vehicle 1 (in the illustration, directional arrows pointing left and right). In addition to being adjustable forwards and backwards, steering wheel 4 is also designed to be adjusted up and down, i.e., in the direction of the vehicle roof and vehicle floor or driving surface (directional arrows pointing left and right and up and down in the illustration). Of course, combinations of the adjustment directions shown or adjustment directions other than those shown are also possible.

[0046] A respective adjustment drive (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided for adjusting the interior elements. By controlling the adjustment drive, the respective interior element can thus be adjusted in its position in the interior of vehicle 1 to a desired target position.

[0047] In addition to the interior elements, vehicle 1 also comprises a capturing device 6. The capturing device is designed to capture an occupant state, in particular a pathological or medical state, of the occupant, for example in the form of an occupant state value W.

[0048] Vehicle 1 also comprises a control device 7 having an emergency assistance system 8. Control device 7 can be, for example, a central on-board computer or a control unit of vehicle 1. Emergency assistance system 8 can be included in control device 7 as a control unit or a control device. Emergency assistance system 8 can thus form a functional unit of control device 7. As a result, control device 7 can, for example, provide a data memory and a processor, while the function of emergency assistance system 8 is stored, for example, as program code or part of a program code in the data memory for execution by the processor. In addition to emergency assistance system 8, the control device can, for example, also comprise other systems with a different function. This can be, for example, a driver assistance system. As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment shown, emergency assistance system 8 can be designed as a separate control device or a control device-external control unit.

[0049] In the present case, emergency assistance system 8 is used to identify whether the occupant has a specified pathological state that limits or impairs their ability to drive vehicle 1 to a specified extent. In the present case, such a pathological state is, for example, a specified clinical picture, such as a heart attack, a stroke or fainting. The support measure can then be initiated by way of emergency assistance system 8 and the adjustment measure for adjusting the respective interior element can then be performed. The aim is to choose a target position for the interior elements in such a way that a movement space B delimited by the interior element(s) is increased for the occupant for entry into or exit from the vehicle. This can ensure that, for example, emergency service personnel can particularly easily rescue the affected occupant from the vehicle.

[0050] For this purpose, steps of an emergency protocol that emergency assistance system 8 can carry out are described in connection with FIG. 2. For this purpose, FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a method flow diagram which describes individual steps of a method for adjusting at least one of the interior elements of vehicle 1 according to FIG. 1.

[0051] In the method, in a step S1, the occupant state value W is first captured or measured by way of capturing device 6. The occupant state value W describes a measured quantity for a body function and indicates the state of health or the pathological state of the occupant. Occupant state value W can thus be referred to as a health value; in particular, it indicates whether the occupant is ill or healthy. Occupant state value W can be captured, for example, by an attention parameter or a vital sign.

[0052] As an attention parameter, occupant state value W can be present, for example, as an activity value or in the form of activity data, which indicates that the occupant is carrying out or has carried out a specified operating action for driving or generally using vehicle functions of a vehicle 1. For this purpose, in the present case, capturing device 6 can be designed, for example, as an acceleration sensor and/or a touch sensor and integrated into steering wheel 4. If the occupant carries out a steering movement by moving the steering wheel, this can be registered as an activity value. Alternatively, an operating input by the occupant to operate an accelerator or brake pedal or another vehicle system, such as an infotainment system, can be captured as an activity value. Alternatively, the capturing device can be designed, for example, as an interior camera in order to determine the activity of the occupant optically, for example by way of image analysis. For example, as the activity value, it can be determined whether and how often the occupant blinks in order to detect fainting. The attention parameters therefore represent indirect evidence of a pathological state.

[0053] In order to measure the pathological state directly, however, occupant state value W can be determined as a vital sign, for example. For this purpose, at least one vital value can be measured as occupant state value W of the occupant. A vital value is, for example, a heart rate or an oxygen saturation or a blood pressure. For this purpose, capturing device 6 can be designed, for example, as a pulse measuring device, or pulse oximeter or blood pressure monitor or combination measuring device.

[0054] Capturing device 6 can be formed inside the vehicle or outside the vehicle. Inside the vehicle is understood to mean that the capturing device is an integral part of the vehicle structure. Preferably, all functions are carried out in the vehicle. Outside the vehicle is understood to mean that capturing device 6 is an independent device that can, for example, also carry out the corresponding functions without the components of vehicle 1. Capturing device 6 can, for example, be included in a mobile terminal or a portable medical device.

[0055] In a step S2, captured occupant state value W is transmitted to control device 7, in particular emergency assistance system 8, in order to be evaluated. Capturing device 6 is preferably designed to continuously or repeatedly capture and pass on a current occupant state value W. In step S2, for example, possible captured occupant state values W can be captured and temporarily stored by emergency assistance system 8 for a predetermined period of time or a specified time interval. Occupant state values W can thus be present, for example, as occupant state values (time course of the values).

[0056] In a step S3, it is then checked whether the pathological state exists or not. For this purpose, for example, the occupant state data can be compared with specified reference data and/or respective occupant state value W with a specified reference value. The reference data and/or the reference value are/is a measure of whether the pathological state, i.e., the predetermined clinical picture, exists for the monitored occupant or not.

[0057] For occupant state values W, the reference data can comprise a limit value or a threshold value as a reference value. For example, when evaluating, it can be checked whether, for example, a specified number of activity values and/or a specified duration of activity was captured in a specified time interval. If sufficient activity values were recorded, it can be concluded that the occupant is alert and thus no pathological state exists; otherwise it can be assumed that the occupant is ill (a pathological state exists). Additionally or alternatively, the reference value can indicate, for example, a minimum heart rate and/or maximum heart rate for the vital value. Outside a range delimited by the minimum and maximum heart rate, it can be concluded that the pathological state exists; otherwise it can be assumed that the occupant is healthy (no pathological state exists).

[0058] If it is determined in step S3 by comparison with the reference data that no pathological state exists (X), the method can be continued again at step S1. If, however, the pathological state is identified (Y), the method continues at step S4. In step S4, an occupant state signal I is generated. The occupant state signal I signals that the specified pathological state of the occupant exists and the occupant is therefore at least partially or completely unable to continue to participate in traffic.

[0059] If occupant state signal I is present and can thus be detected by emergency assistance system 8, the method continues at step S5. At step S5, support system 9 of vehicle 1 is activated by way of emergency assistance system 8. For this purpose, emergency assistance system 8 can control support system 9 with an emergency signal N. By controlling it with the emergency signal N, support system 9 can perform a support measure for the occupant. In the present case, the support system is designed, for example, as a driver assistance system, in particular as an autopilot. The support measure can thus be automated or autonomous driving or controlling the vehicle. The aim can be to carry out a stopping maneuver and bring the vehicle to a standstill so that an emergency service can care for the occupant. For this purpose, emergency assistance system 8 can, for example, control a driving-supporting actuator of the vehicle, such as a lane assist and/or an automatic cruise control (ACC) of the vehicle. Vehicle 1 can thus be brought to a controlled stop.

[0060] As soon as the vehicle is at a standstill after the stopping maneuver, preferably at the desired target position that was controlled by the stopping maneuver, the method continues at step 6. At step S6, the desired adjustment measure is carried out. Alternatively, the method can, for example, only continue at step S6 if the emergency signal N is present.

[0061] To perform the adjustment measure, the respective interior element, in the present case, for example, vehicle seat 3 and/or steering wheel 4, are/is controlled with a control signal S in order to be adjusted to the given target position. In doing so, steering wheel 4 and/or vehicle seat 3 can, for example, be brought into an end position (target position) which creates the greatest possible distance between the two interior elements and thus the maximum possible movement space for the occupant. The emergency service can therefore rescue the occupant from the vehicle much more easily because the steering wheel and/or the driver's seat no longer represent an obstacle. In addition, when setting the target position, an entry area which is delimited by door frame 2 can also be taken into account, for example. The target position for vehicle seat 3 and/or steering wheel 4 can thus be chosen to the effect that the body does not cover the exit area. As a result, movement space B can be maximized. In the present case, a preferred target position can, for example, be to move the vehicle seat back so far that, in the side view shown, the B-pillar, which delimits the door frame from the rear side, just covers it. Alternatively, in the target position, the vehicle seat can of course be moved completely to the rear or backwards. The target position for the steering wheel can, for example, be set so that steering wheel 4 is just covered by the A-pillar of the vehicle, which delimits the door frame from the opposite side. Alternatively, in the target position, steering wheel 4 can be adjusted to the very front and to the very top, for example.

[0062] In summary, it is about identifying that the emergency assistant has been activated to initiate the support measure and, for example, that vehicle 1 is being or has been stopped. An additional or alternative support measure can, for example, be to send an emergency call, i.e., an emergency call signal, to a rescue service by way of a communication device of vehicle 1.

[0063] Aspects of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.