Method for operating a vehicle

• US 20050021226A1
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kustosch, Mario
• Granted Patent: US 7,480,562 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/205
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/14 Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0212 with means for defining a desired trajectory involving a plurality of land vehicles G05D1/0287
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08

Abstract

A method for operating a vehicle, in which the method allows feedback about imminent risks. In this context, the vehicle moves on a predefined route at a current traveling velocity. A value characteristic of the vehicle movement along the predefined route is precalculated as a function of the current traveling velocity and the predefined route. A vehicle function is activated as a function of this value.

Claims

1. A method for operating a vehicle, which moves on a predefined route at a current traveling velocity, the method comprising:

precalculating a characteristic value for the vehicle movement along the predefined route as a function of the current traveling velocity and the predefined route; and

activating a vehicle function as a function of the characteristic value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle function includes at least one of a safety function, an occupant protection function, and a driver-information function.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle function includes a function relating to vehicle operation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a yaw rate is selected as the characteristic value.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, during a calculation of the characteristic value, it is assumed that an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is not being operated.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the route of the vehicle is predetermined as a set of route points, and the path between the route points is interpolated with continuous functions and differentiable functions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the route of the vehicle is predetermined by a navigation system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic value is determined as a function of a steering angle, and the steering angle is determined as a function of a traveling direction vector and a vector tangent to the traveling direction.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the traveling direction vector is ascertained as a function of a radian measure of the predefined route, and the radian measure is ascertained from a range of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the range of the vehicle is ascertained as a function of a vehicle acceleration, and the vehicle acceleration is ascertained with a pulling-force equation.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the safety function includes an accident-prevention function.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the accident-prevention function includes a limiting of the traveling speed.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the occupant protection function includes a precharging of the brake system or a conditioning of at least one restraint system.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the driver-information function includes a providing of feedback regarding a forthcoming, critical curve.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the feedback is implemented in a haptic manner.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the feedback is implemented at an accelerator pedal.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle operation includes optimizing fuel consumption or optimizing exhaust gas.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the optimizing of fuel consumption or the optimizing of exhaust gas includes a providing of feedback relating to the fuel consumption or the exhaust gas, respectively.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback is implemented in a haptic manner.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback is implemented at an accelerator pedal.