METHOD FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM AND A SAFETY SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20130124052A1
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hahne, Uwe
• Application Number:
  US13/670,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20130124052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/46
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems

Abstract

A method for operating a safety system in a motor vehicle is provided. The method includes ascertaining at least one parameter characterizing a traffic situation of the motor vehicle and classifying a momentary traffic situation of the motor vehicle based on the at least one ascertained parameter. The method includes ascertaining a probability of an occurrence of at least one accident type from a plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation, and if the ascertained probability exceeds a predefined threshold value, adapting a triggering threshold for actuating at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for operating a safety system of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

ascertaining at least one parameter characterizing a traffic situation of the motor vehicle;

classifying a momentary traffic situation of the motor vehicle, based on the at least one ascertained parameter;

ascertaining a probability for an occurrence of at least one accident type from a plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation; and

in case the ascertained probability exceeds a predefined threshold value, adapting a triggering threshold for actuating at least one triggering threshold of the motor vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining a probability for the occurrence of an accident type is effected for all of the plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein adaptation of the triggering threshold is effected such that actuation of the at least one passenger protection device is effected at an earlier point in time.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of predefined accident types includes at least one element selected from the group comprising a frontal collision, a rear-end impact, a lateral collision, a rear-end accident, a skidding accident, an accident with a stationary object, a collision with a pedestrian, an accident involving wildlife, a rollover accident and a departure from the carriageway.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle is selected from the group comprising a belt tensioner, an airbag, an active head support system, a seat adjustment system, a foldable pedal set and a safety steering column.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein an extent of actuation of the at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle is effected in case the ascertained probability exceeds the predefined threshold value.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining the at least one parameter includes ascertaining at least one of a type and a nature of a carriageway currently driven over by the motor vehicle.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining the at least one parameter includes ascertaining a number of further road users in the vicinity of the motor vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining the at least one parameter is effected by means of data from at least one element of the motor vehicle, selected from the group comprising an electromagnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, a rotational speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an optical camera, a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device, a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication device and a driver assistance system.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein ascertaining the at least one parameter includes ascertaining a current position of the motor vehicle and wherein classifying the momentary traffic situation of the motor vehicle is effected based on the ascertained position and on data stored in a storage device.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining at least one of current weather conditions in the vicinity of the motor vehicle and a time of day,

wherein adapting the triggering threshold is effected depending upon at least one of the ascertained current weather conditions and the ascertained time of day.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining at least one of a type and a speed of an object involved in a possible impending accident,

wherein adaptation of the triggering threshold is effected depending upon at least one of the ascertained type and the ascertained speed.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

ascertaining an alignment of the motor vehicle in relation to a carriageway driven over by the motor vehicle,

wherein adaptation of the triggering threshold depending upon the ascertained alignment is effected.

14. A safety system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a first ascertainment device that ascertains at least one parameter characterizing a traffic situation of the motor vehicle;

a classification device that classifies a momentary traffic situation of the motor vehicle based on at least one ascertained parameter;

a second ascertainment device that ascertains a probability for an occurrence of at least one accident type from a plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation; and

an adaptation device that adapts a triggering threshold for actuating at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle, in case the ascertained probability exceeds a predefined threshold value.

15. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium readable by a computer unit of a motor vehicle and storing instructions for execution by the computer unit for performing a method comprising;

ascertaining at least one parameter characterizing a traffic situation of the motor vehicle;

classifying a momentary traffic situation of the motor vehicle based on at least one ascertained parameter;

ascertaining a probability for an occurrence of at least one accident type from a plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation; and

in case the ascertained probability exceeds a predefined threshold value, adapting a triggering threshold for actuating at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle.

16. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

ascertaining a probability for the occurrence of an accident type is effected for all of the plurality of predefined accident types in the classified momentary traffic situation.

17. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein adaptation of the triggering threshold is effected such that actuation of the at least one passenger protection device is effected at an earlier point in time.

18. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of predefined accident types includes at least one element selected from the group comprising a frontal collision, a rear-end impact, a lateral collision, a rear-end accident, a skidding accident, an accident with a stationary object, a collision with a pedestrian, an accident involving wildlife, a rollover accident and a departure from the carriageway.

19. The computer program product according to claim 18, wherein the at least one passenger protection device of the motor vehicle is selected from the group comprising a belt tensioner, an airbag, an active head support system, a seat adjustment system, a foldable pedal set and a safety steering column.

20. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

ascertaining at least one of current weather conditions in the vicinity of the motor vehicle and a time of day,

wherein adapting the triggering threshold is effected depending upon at least one of the ascertained current weather conditions and the ascertained time of day.