Vehicle having a driver assistance device

A vehicle, including a driver assistance device with the aid of which an autonomous driving mode without driver intervention may be carried out in an autopilot mode, and including at least one storage element for storing objects, such as a cup holder and/or a storage table, which is adjustable between a position of non-use and at least one position of use. The driver assistance device is assigned a control unit, which enables an adjustment of the storage element into the position of use when the autopilot mode is activated and disables an adjustment of the storage element into the position of use when the autopilot mode is deactivated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle, which includes a driver assistance device, which is able to operate in the autopilot mode. The invention also relates to a method for operating a vehicle in an autopilot mode of this type.

Description of the Background Art

Driver assistance systems are known, which at least partially or completely permit an autonomous driving mode, in which the driver has a high degree of freedom with respect to activities during the autonomous driving mode. In the present application, an autonomous driving mode may be understood to mean the at least partially or completely autonomous driving of a vehicle supported by assistance systems. Assistance systems of this type handle the control of the longitudinal and transverse dynamic of the vehicle, the acceleration, braking and/or steering operations. A generic vehicle having a driver assistance device of this type is known from DE 10 2009 048 954 A1, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 8, 606, 455, with the aid of which such an autonomous driving mode without driver intervention may be carried out in an autopilot mode.

In common practice, vehicles also have a large number of storage options in the vehicle interior, for example storage compartments, storage trays or tables. Reference is hereby made to DE 199 06 052 A1, which is herein incorporated by reference, by way of example, from which a storage device in an instrument panel of a motor vehicle is known. The storage device is designed as a drawer, which is mounted in the instrument panel in such a way that it may slide in and out. Different types of table concepts are also generally known. Tables and storage trays may be mounted, for example, on the back of the front seats to make it easier to work with laptops, for example. Alternatively, tables may be provided centrally in the rear area of the vehicle, which may be used by multiple people at the same time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle so that the functionality of storage elements may be increased, particularly when the autopilot mode is activated.

In an exemplary embodiment, the driver no longer has to continuously monitor a traffic situation when driving in an autopilot mode and correspondingly has time for other activities, such as reading, relaxing and eating. Against this background, the invention provides an adaptive storage concept, which may be adapted to the use requirements, specifically in an autonomous driving mode. The driver assistance device can thus be assigned a control unit, with the aid of which an adjustment of the storage element into the position of use may be enabled when the autopilot mode is activated. During normal driving mode, the storage element can be unable to assume the position of use, so as not to possibly interfere with the interaction space of the driver. This means that, when the autopilot mode is deactivated, the control unit disables an adjustment into the position of use.

In an embodiment, the storage element may be adjusted into at least one position of use in normal driving mode with driver intervention, i.e., when the autopilot mode is deactivated. Conversely, the storage system may be adjusted into a special, autopilot position of use, which is different therefrom, when the autopilot mode is activated.

The storage element according to an embodiment of the invention may be assigned, for example, a multi-stage retraction and extension mechanism, which the aid of which the available storage area of the storage element may be varied. The retraction and extension mechanism may have, by way of example, a three-stage design, i.e., the storage element may be adjusted from its position of non-use into a first position of use (first stage), into a second position of use (second stage) or into the autopilot position of use (third stage). In the first stage, for example, only a cup holder or a small area of the table may be enabled. In a second stage, however, a larger storage area can be exposed. In the third stage, the storage element may provide the largest storage area. The third stage is preferably activatable only in the autopilot mode, in order to avoid interference with the interaction space of the driver, as indicated above (during normal driving mode, i.e., when the autopilot mode is deactivated).

If a vehicle-initiated retraction takes place (i.e., a shutdown or deactivation of the autopilot mode), the storage element may be automatically (i.e., autonomously) returned to the second stage, the first stage or the position of non-use from the aforementioned third stage. In addition, weight, position and driver monitoring sensors (for example, interior cameras) may be provided, which detect whether objects are present on the storage element which could slide off during the adjustment of the storage element. In a case of this type, for example, the retraction of the storage element into is position of non-use may be blocked.

In an embodiment, the control unit may only enable an adjustment of the storage element at least into the autopilot position of use (referred to above as the third stage) when the autopilot mode is activated. In addition, the control unit may disable such an adjustment of the storage element into the autopilot position of use when the autopilot mode is deactivated.

The adjustment operation of the storage element into the positions of use or into the autopilot position of use may generally take place manually or with the aid of external energy, i.e., for example with the aid of an electrically activatable actuator. In this case, the adjustment operation of the storage element into a position of use may be initiated, for example, by actuating a control element. With a view toward increased comfort, however, the storage element can be autonomously adjusted into the autopilot position of use upon activation of the autopilot mode, without a driver intervention being required for this purpose (e.g., actuating a control element).

The storage element may be disposed in an arbitrary location in the vehicle interior, for example on an instrument panel, on a center console and/or on a side trim. The adjustment of the storage element between the position of non-use and the different positions of use may furthermore take place in a translatory and/or rotatable manner in the vehicle longitudinal, transverse and/or vertical direction(s) depending on the installation space conditions.

To further increase comfort, the driver assistance device may include another control unit for activating at least one vehicle seat. The vehicle seat control unit may be used to adjust a vehicle seat, in particular the driver's seat, into a comfort position upon the activation of the autopilot mode. The displacement into the comfort position may, for example, take place automatically. With a view toward vehicle safety, the displacement of the vehicle seat into the comfort position may take place only when the autopilot mode is activated, and the displacement into the comfort position is disabled when the autopilot mode is deactivated.

In an embodiment, the storage element and the driver's seat may be combined into a shared comfort unit. In the comfort unit, the storage element may adapt to the comfort position of the vehicle seat upon the activation of the autopilot mode. For example, an adjustment of the storage element into its autopilot position of use may be enabled only if both the autopilot mode is activated and the vehicle seat has already been adjusted into its comfort position.

The displacement of the vehicle seat into its comfort position can take place autonomously immediately upon the activation of the autopilot mode, without any additional control elements being operated manually for this purpose. Alternatively, both the storage element may be adjusted into the autopilot position of use and the driver's seat into its comfort position upon the activation of the autopilot mode. The two adjustment operations can be coordinated with each other and may take place, e.g., autonomously and in a time-correlated manner, i.e., substantially simultaneously.

Upon the deactivation of the autopilot mode or immediately prior to such a deactivation, it is advantageous if the storage element is autonomously returned from its autopilot position of use into a normal position of use or into the position of non-use. In the same way, the vehicle seat may also be autonomously displaced from its comfort position back into a position suitable for driving.

The storage element may have an arbitrary design. For example, the storage element may be an adjustable table, on the upper side of which an additionally slidable storage shell is disposed. The storage shell may be designed to be removable and thus washable. For easy mounting on the table, the storage shell may be mounted, for example, by magnetic force. In this case, the storage shell may be designed to have magnetic elements and/or a metal coating.

The aforementioned adjustable table may also be used as an interactive surface and inductively charge, for example, smartphones placed thereupon or transfer their contents to the on-board head unit by NFC (Near-Field Communication).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary vehicle interior1, delimited by a contour line, of a motor vehicle is shown inFIG. 1aby way of example. A driver3, belted into a vehicle seat7, is indicated in vehicle interior1, as well as a block diagram of a driver assistance system. The function blocks of the driver assistance system as well as vehicle interior1are prepared with a view toward an easy understanding of the invention.FIG. 1atherefore shows only a greatly simplified representation, which does not reflect a realistic layout of the driver assistance system.

In vehicle interior1, driver3is limited toward the front in direction of travel FRby an instrument panel9. A storage table11is integrated into instrument panel9as an example of a storage element. The latter is adjustable horizontally in vehicle longitudinal direction x inFIG. 1a. Storage table11inFIG. 1is shown in its position of non-use N, in which it is disposed within instrument panel9, completely shielded from view. Storage table11is adjustable from its position of non-use N into a first position of use I, a second position of use II and an autopilot position of use III.

In positions of use I, II, III, which are indicated inFIG. 1aby dot-dashed lines, storage table11projects out of instrument panel9with different projections. Driver's seat7may also be adjusted from the position shown by solid lines into a comfort position K (indicated by dashed lines), in which the seating surface is displaced to the rear in vehicle longitudinal direction x, and the back of vehicle seat7is also inclined toward the rear.

Storage table11and vehicle seat7form a comfort unit, in which, according toFIG. 1, both storage table11and vehicle seat7are in signal connection with a driver assistance device13. Driver assistance device13may operate the vehicle in an autopilot mode, in which an autonomous driving mode without driver intervention is made possible, as a function in input parameters, which are not specified in greater detail. In this case, driver assistance device13handles the control of the longitudinal and transverse dynamic of the vehicle, i.e., the acceleration, braking and/or steering operations.

Driver assistance device13is connected to control units17,19via signal lines15for the purpose of activating storage table11and vehicle seat7. In storage table control unit17, it is determined whether the autopilot mode is activated or deactivated on the basis of signals Sonor Soffcoming from driver assistance device13. Signal Sonis detected when the autopilot mode is activated, and signal Soffis detected when the autopilot mode is deactivated. Control unit17is connected to an actuator23via control lines21, for example an electric motor, which is in driving connection25with an adjustable storage table11. Storage table11may be adjusted into its different positions N, I, II or III by correspondingly activating actuator23. In the same way, driver's seat control unit19is also connected to an actuator27of driver's seat7for the purpose of displacing driver's seat7into comfort position K.

When the autopilot mode is activated, storage table control unit17inFIG. 1agenerates an enable signal SF, I, II, III, with the aid of which actuator23may be activated. Actuator23is enabled with the aid of this enable signal in order to optionally adjust storage table11into first position of use I, into second position of use II or into autopilot position of use III. Driver3is therefore provided with three adjustment options or possibilities, of which he may select one option (i.e., position of use I, II or III) by actuating a control element29situated on instrument panel9. This means that actuator23adjusts storage table11into one of enabled positions of use I, II or autopilot position of use III only after control element29is actuated.

Parallel thereto, vehicle seat control unit19generates an enable signal SFwhen the autopilot mode is activated, on the basis of which actuator27of vehicle seat7is adjusted into its comfort position K.

When the autopilot mode is deactivated, both control units17,19each receive a signal Soff. On the basis thereof, an enable signal SF, I, IIand a disable signal SS, IIIare generated in storage table control unit17. In this case, only the adjustment option to first or second position of use I, II is enabled in actuator23. This means that driver3is able to choose only between first and second position of use I, II by actuating control element29. However, autopilot position of use III is disabled rather than enabled, based on disable signal SS, III. In the same way, actuator23is enabled when the autopilot mode is deactivated, and the driver is provided with the choice between position of use I, position of use II and position of use III. Correspondingly, driver3may generate a disable signal SSin vehicle seat control unit19, with the aid of which a displacement of driver seat7into comfort position K is blocked.

In the event that a vehicle-initiated retraction takes place while the autopilot mode is still activated, i.e., if driver3himself must take over control of the vehicle again, storage table11is returned to its position of use I, II or its position of non-use N. At the same time, driver's seat7is also returned from its comfort position K into a position suitable for driving for driver3.

FIG. 1bshows a second exemplary embodiment, whose basic layout and functionality largely correspond to the first exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 1a. As inFIG. 1a, actuators23,27are also activated by enable or disable signals inFIG. 1b, based on signals Sonor Soff. Reference is thus hereby made to the previous description.

In contrast toFIG. 1a, an enable signal SF, IIIis activated in storage table control unit17when the autopilot mode is activated, with the aid of which actuator23is activated. This means that, inFIG. 1b, only autopilot position of use III is enabled when the autopilot mode is activated, while the other positions of use I, II are disabled. The adjustment of storage table11into autopilot position of use III takes place automatically inFIG. 1b—in contrast toFIG. 1a—i.e., without any prior additional actuation of control element29(FIG. 1a).

The two positions of use I, II as well as autopilot position of use III are illustrated inFIGS. 2 through 4. Accordingly, storage table11is extended out of instrument panel9only with a slight projection in position of use I (FIG. 2), so that only a cup holder is exposed. In position of use II (FIG. 3), on the other hand, another storage option is exposed in addition to the cup holder function. In autopilot position of use III (FIG. 4), storage table11is displaced out of instrument panel9with the largest possible projection.

A exemplary embodiment of adjustable storage table11is illustrated in different function positions inFIGS. 5 through 7. According toFIG. 5, storage table11has an upper and a lower supporting plate31,33. Upper supporting plate31is connected to instrument panel9via telescopic rails35. Lower supporting plate33is mounted to slide longitudinally on the underside of upper supporting plate31(see arrow inFIG. 5). Lower supporting plate33is thus illustrated in the extended position inFIG. 5, in which integrated cup holder37is exposed. A trough-shaped indentation39over a wide area is integrated into the top of upper supporting plate31, in which a storage shell41is detachably held, for example by magnetic force. Upper supporting plate31has an additional storage area43between storage shell41and telescopic rails35.

Additional design variants of storage element11are shown in the followingFIGS. 8 through 16. InFIG. 8, storage table11is no longer solely able to slide in a translatory manner with the aid of telescopic rails35, but is mounted on a supporting section47of instrument panel9with the aid of a four-bar linkage45. The adjustment between the position of non-use and the position of use thus takes place by a combination of a rotatable and a translatory movement.

InFIGS. 9 and 10, storage table11is no longer designed with a component-rigid supporting plate but rather as a compartment, which is divided into triangular segments49, shown by way of example inFIG. 10. Triangular segments49have a deformable or foldable design, whereby storage table11may be stowed in instrument panel9in the position of non-use (FIG. 9), in a manner favorable to installation space.

InFIG. 11, storage table11is constructed in the manner of a roller blind, which also has individual segments51, which may be rolled up or down on a winding unit53. InFIGS. 12 and 13, storage table11is designed as a component-rigid supporting plate, in which cup holders37are integrated as recesses in the edge of storage table11(FIG. 12). InFIG. 13, cup holder37is alternatively formed by possibly elastically deformable individual arms on the edge of storage table11.

InFIG. 14, cup holder37is also adjustably disposed and extendable from storage table11in the direction of the arrow. InFIG. 15, two cup holders37are integrated as circular recesses into storage table11and may be covered with the aid of an adjustable cover55. InFIG. 16, storage table11is elongated on one edge side by an additional supporting plate57, in which cup holders37are integrated as circular recesses.