METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION

Abstract

A method to control a vehicle comprising a driver support function and an information receiving device, comprising the steps of; receiving information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition; determining the distance from the vehicle to the position of the severe condition; comparing the determined distance to a first predetermined distance; if the determined distance is smaller than the first predetermined distance, automatically adjust or disengage the driver support function; if the driver support function has been automatically adjusted or disengaged, comparing the determined distance to a second predetermined distance; if the determined distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance, automatically activating at least one warning light of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a vehicle comprising a driver support function and an information receiving device, comprising: receiving information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition, determining the distance from the vehicle to the position of the severe condition, comparing the determined distance to a first predetermined distance, if the determined distance is smaller than the first predetermined distance, automatically adjusting or disengaging the driver support function, if the driver support function has been automatically adjusted or disengaged, comparing the determined distance to a second predetermined distance, if the determined distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance, automatically activating at least one warning light of the vehicle.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the driver support function is a cruise control or self-driving function.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the severe condition is a weather condition, a road condition or a traffic condition.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the warning light of the vehicle is a hazard light or a rear fog light.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the hazard light is activated if the severe condition is a traffic condition or a road condition.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the fog light is activated if the severe condition is a weather condition indicating fog, heavy rain or dense snowfall.

7. A system adapted to control a vehicle, where the vehicle comprises a driver support function, an information receiving device arranged to receive information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition, and an electronic control unit arranged to determine the distance between the vehicle and the severe condition, to compare the determined distance to a predetermined distance and to automatically adjust or disengage the driver support function if the determined distance is smaller than the predetermined distance, wherein that the electronic control unit is further arranged to compare the determined distance to a second predetermined distance, and to automatically activate at least one warning light of the vehicle if the determined distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the driver support function is a cruise control or self-driving function.

9. System according to claim 7, wherein the severe condition is weather condition, a road condition or a traffic condition.

10. System according to claim 7, wherein the warning light of the vehicle is a hazard light or a rear fog light.

11. Vehicle, comprising a system according to claim 7.

12. A computer program comprising program code for performing claim 1 when said program code is run on a computer.

13. A computer program product comprising program code stored on a computer readable medium for performing claim 1 when said program product is run on a computer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be described in greater detail in the following, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of a vehicle provided with a system for controlling a driver support function, and

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow chart of the inventive method.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] The embodiments of the invention with further developments described in the following are to be regarded only as examples and are in no way to limit the scope of the protection provided by the patent claims.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic vehicle 20 provided with an inventive system 1 adapted to control the vehicle, where the vehicle comprises a driver support function 2, an information receiving device 3 arranged to receive information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 4 arranged to determine the distance between the vehicle and the severe condition. The electronic control unit 4 is configured to compare the determined distance to a first predetermined distance and to automatically adjust or disengage the driver support function if the determined distance is smaller than the first predetermined distance. The electronic control unit 4 is further configured to compare the determined distance to a second predetermined distance, and to automatically activate at least one warning light of the vehicle if the determined distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance.

[0024] The driver support function 2 may e.g. be a speed control function or a cruise control function, where the speed of the vehicle is set to a speed defined by the driver, or where the distance or the time gap to a vehicle ahead is set by the driver. Such a function will hold the speed of the vehicle automatically without the driver pressing the accelerometer pedal. The driver support function may also be a lane keeping function that will hold the vehicle between the two white lines of the lane in which the vehicle travels. This will aid the driver to stay in the proper lane. The driver support function may also be an automated brake function that can reduce the speed of the vehicle automatically if a dangerous situation is detected.

[0025] The information receiving device 3 is arranged to receive information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition. The information receiving device 3 may be a radio receiver that can receive information on an FM band. The information receiving device 3 may also be a data receiver arranged to receive data information via e.g. 4G. The information regarding the severe condition and the position of the severe condition may be transmitted from a central information centre, a local information centre positioned e.g. at the roadside, or from another vehicle.

[0026] In one example, the information regarding the severe condition is a traffic condition, sent when a vehicle has had an accident and sends out information that an accident has occurred and the position of the accident. Rescue vehicles may also send out information regarding a rescue site, or an automatic system may send out a warning for a queue. In an example for a weather condition, a vehicle experiences a heavy snowfall and sends out information regarding the type of weather condition and the position where the weather position was detected. Local weather stations may also transmit weather information. If there is a construction site at a road, a beacon may transmit information regarding e.g. a temporary speed limit and the position of the site.

[0027] The electronic control unit 4 is connected to the data system of the vehicle, or is integrated in an existing electronic control unit of the vehicle. Part of the driver support function 2 may e.g. be integrated in the electronic control unit 4.

[0028] The severe condition is e.g. a weather condition, a road condition or a traffic condition. A weather condition may be a condition that limits the visibility, e.g. fog, heavy rain or heavy snowfall. The weather condition may also be based on road temperature, such that the driver support function can be deactivated if there is a risk of ice on the road, e.g. if a local cold spot is reached.

[0029] A road condition may be a construction site having a local speed limit, or where two lanes are merged to one. It is also possible to use a local beacon to transmit information of e.g. an oil spill on the road, or where the road is damaged in another way. A traffic condition may be a vehicle that has stopped at the roadside, a car crash or a combination of a traffic condition and a road condition, e.g. where an accident creates a severe road condition.

[0030] The warning lights of the vehicle may is in one example a hazard light or a rear fog light, but other types of warning lights may be used.

[0031] The method is performed when a vehicle is travelling, and may be active when the speed of the vehicle is above a predefined speed value. If a speed control function is only active over e.g. 30 km/h, there is no need to have a function that disengages the speed control when the vehicle travels with a slower speed. The speed at which the method is active may be set depending on the used driver support function or functions.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flow chart of one example of the method for controlling a vehicle comprising a driver support function and an information receive device. The method is performed by an electronic control unit arranged in the vehicle, which is connected to the computer network of the vehicle.

[0033] In step 100, information regarding a severe condition and the position of the severe condition is received by the information receiving device. The information receiving device is e.g. a radio receiver or a data receiver using a mobile telephone system.

[0034] In steps 110, the distance from the vehicle to the position of the severe condition is determined by the electronic control unit. The position of the vehicle is obtained by e.g. a GPS unit of the vehicle. Where a GPS signal is not available, e.g. in a tunnel, the vehicle will estimate the position of the vehicle by using other sensors of the vehicle, such as speed sensors, yaw rate sensors steering wheel sensors, etc. Such position estimation is well known and is normally used in navigation systems of vehicles.

[0035] In step 120, the determined distance between the vehicle and the position of the severe condition is compared to a first predetermined distance. The first predetermined distance is a value or a table stored in e.g. a memory of the vehicle. The first predetermined distance may be dependent on different factors, e.g. on the speed of the vehicle or the type of severe condition.

[0036] In step 130, the driver support function is adjusted or disengaged automatically by the electronic control unit if the determined distance between the vehicle and the position of the severe condition is smaller than the first predetermined distance. In one example, the set speed of the speed control function may be altered, e.g. from 90 km/h to 70 km/h. In another example, the speed control function may be disengaged.

[0037] In step 140, the determined distance is compared to a second predetermined distance if the driver support function has been automatically adjusted or disengaged, i.e. if the determined distance is smaller than the first predetermined distance.

[0038] In step 150, at least one warning light of the vehicle is automatically activated if the determined distance is smaller than the second predetermined distance. In this case, the vehicle is closer to e.g. an accident and the hazard light is activated, such that vehicles behind the ego vehicle can be warned. In this case, it is ensured that the hazard light is activated even if the driver is busy with driving the vehicle. At accidents, some drivers are more stressed than others, and may not be able to activate the hazard light as quick as an automated system. In a severe weather condition, rear fog lights may be activated when the visibility is low to warn vehicles behind the ego vehicle, and/or front fog lights may be activated to allow the driver a better view.

[0039] The invention is not to be regarded as being limited to the embodiments described above, a number of additional variants and modifications being possible within the scope of the subsequent patent claims.