Method and device for transmitting safety-critical operating conditions of a motor vehicle

• US 20060113138A1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Maron, Christof
• Granted Patent: US 7,427,913 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for transmitting a safety-critical operating condition of a safety-critical system of a motor vehicle to the driver, and a device for implementing the method. Transmission of a safety-critical operating condition to the driver by means of a control lamp can be disrupted if the control lamp is broken or the driver ignores the control lamp. To this end, measures are provided which reduce the driving comfort of the driver and draw his attention to the safety-critical operating condition.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for transmitting a safety-critical operating condition of a safety-critical system of a motor vehicle to the driver, wherein measures are provided making the driver aware of the safety-critical operating condition by way of an impaired comfort.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures are taken on a temporally limited basis and/or a recurrent basis.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures are carried out in consideration of the current driving situation.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the selection of the measures depends on the duration and/or the seriousness of the safety-critical operating condition as regards the safety of operation of the motor vehicle.

22. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve a deactivation of the internal combustion engine unwanted by the driver during standstill of the motor vehicle.

23. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve an actuation of the acoustic alarm device (horn) unwanted by the driver when the doors of the motor vehicle are opened and closed.

24. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve an operation of the electric window lifters during standstill of the motor vehicle what is unwanted by the driver.

25. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve a deactivation of the multimedia device unwanted by the driver.

26. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve a raised temperature indication or an incorrect rotational speed indication of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle.

27. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures represent a faulty oil-level tell-tale or a faulty tank capacity tell-tale.

28. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve an actuation of the electrically adjustable outside rearview mirrors or the electrically adjustable seats during standstill of the motor vehicle unwanted by the driver.

29. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve switching on the dimmed headlight unwanted by the driver.

30. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve switching off the power steering system unwanted by the driver.

31. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the measures involve an additional signal in a brake system with electronically adjustable brake forces which influences the desired brake force to such effect that a fluctuation of the longitudinal deceleration can be detected which corresponds in its mean value per unit time to the desired brake force, however.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the measures involve a change of the pedal-travel/brake-force characteristics.