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

• US 20150165997A1
• Filed: 12/03/2014
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polestar Performance AB (Polestar Automotive Holding UK Plc)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation (AB Volvo)
• Inventors: NILSSON, Par, HARDA, Peter, JARVHOLM, Stefan, JOHANSSON, Bjorn, DAHLEN, Anders
• Granted Patent: US 9,802,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01322 comprising variable thresholds, e.g. depending from other collision parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a safety system of a vehicle, which safety system comprises a remote sensor, an impact sensor and a protection system adapted to be activated by the impact sensor. The method includes scanning a selectable region in front of the vehicle by means of the remote sensor, determining that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle based on information from the remote sensor, and lowering a sensitivity of the impact sensor. The disclosure further relates to the safety system and a vehicle comprising the safety system.

Claims

1. A method for operating a safety system of a vehicle, wherein the safety system includes a remote sensor, an impact sensor and a protection system, the protection system being adapted to be activated by the impact sensor, the method comprising:

scanning a selectable region in front of the vehicle by means of the remote sensor;

determining that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle based on information from the remote sensor; and

lowering a sensitivity of the impact sensor.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

utilizing a default sensitivity of the impact sensor, such that the lowering of the sensitivity is made in relation to the default sensitivity.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

detecting an object in the selectable region in front of the vehicle; and

classifying the object into one of at least two object categories, namely a “

Fire Object”

or “

not a Fire Object”

;

wherein determining that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle is based on there being no “

Fire Object”

present in the selectable region.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising determining speed of the object relative to the vehicle as input for classifying the object.

5. The method according to claim 3 further comprising determining a height or a depth of the object based on information from the remote sensor, wherein classifying the object is based on the determined height or depth.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

detecting an object in the selectable region in front of the vehicle; and

classifying the object into one of at least three object categories, namely a “

Fire Object”

, a “

No-Fire Object”

or an “

Other Object”

;

wherein determining that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle is based on there being no “

Fire Object”

present in the selectable region and 0-n “

No-Fire objects”

present in the selectable region, n being a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 6 further comprising determining speed of the object relative to the vehicle as input for classifying the object.

8. The method according to claim 6 further comprising determining a height or a depth of the object based on information from the remote sensor, wherein classifying the object is based on the determined height or depth.

9. The method according to claim 7 further comprising determining a height or a depth of the object based on information from the remote sensor, wherein classifying the object is also based on the determined height or depth.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the protection system comprises an irreversible protection means.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising:

determining a window being defined by a time and/or a distance from a present location of the vehicle; and

utilizing the lowered sensitivity of the impact sensor when the vehicle is within the window.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein lowering the sensitivity of the impact sensor includes lowering the sensitivity by adjusting a selectable fire interval of an evaluation algorithm, and wherein the method further comprises:

the impact sensor sending information about an impact or an imminent impact as a signal to the evaluation algorithm, and

evaluating, by the evaluation algorithm, if the signal is within the selectable fire interval, and in that case activating the protection system.

13. A safety system of a vehicle, the safety system comprising:

a remote sensor for scanning a selectable region in front of the vehicle;

an impact sensor for detecting an impact or an imminent impact with the vehicle;

a protection system adapted to be activated by the impact sensor;

a determination unit for determining whether the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle based on information from the remote sensor; and

an adjustment unit adapted to lower a sensitivity of the impact sensor if determined that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle.

14. The safety system according to claim 13 further comprising a classifier adapted for classifying an object detected in the selectable region into one of at least two object categories, namely a “

Fire Object”

or “

not a Fire Object”

.

15. The safety system according to claim 13 further comprising a classifier adapted for classifying an object detected in the selectable region into one of at least three object categories, namely a “

Fire Object”

, a “

No-Fire Object”

or an “

Other Object”

.

16. The safety system according to claim 13 wherein the remote sensor comprises a radar system, a lidar system, an ultrasonic system, a camera system, a stereo camera system and/or an IR camera.

17. The safety system according to claim 13 wherein the impact sensor comprises an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a fiber-optic sensor, a contact foil and/or a piezoelectric sensor.

18. The safety system according to claim 13 further comprising means for determining speed of the object and/or of the vehicle.

19. A vehicle comprising the safety system according to claim 13.

20. A method for operating a safety system of a vehicle, wherein the safety system includes a remote sensor, an impact sensor and a protection system, the protection system being adapted to be activated by the impact sensor, the method comprising:

scanning a selectable region in front of the vehicle by the remote sensor;

determining whether the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle based on information from the remote sensor; and

lowering a sensitivity of the impact sensor if determined that the selectable region provides a free path for the vehicle.