Apparatus for Holding a Liquid-Filled Vessel in a Vehicle

• US 20150239382A1
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: BIRTH, Olga
• Granted Patent: US 9,937,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/10 of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/104 with refrigerating or warming systems

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a liquid-filled vessel includes a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature related to the temperature of the liquid in the vessel and a control unit connected to the temperature sensor. The control unit takes the sensed temperature as a basis for prompting an action. At a sensed temperature that is above a prescribed hot temperature limit value, the control unit then activates and/or influences a function that increases the safety of the vehicle occupant.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a liquid-filled vessel in a vehicle, comprising:

a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature related to a temperature of liquid in the vessel;

a control unit coupled to the temperature sensor; and

wherein the control unit is configured such that, at a sensed temperature above a defined hot temperature limit value, a function designed to increase safety of a vehicle occupant is activated and/or influenced.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at a sensed temperature above the defined hot temperature limit value, the control unit prompts a first output of information to a driver of the vehicle when the liquid-filled vessel is removed from a holder of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a contact switch arranged in the holder and/or an interior camera; and

wherein removal of the liquid-filled vessel from the holder is identified by evaluating a signal from the contact switch and/or a signal from the interior camera.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first output of information to the driver is at least one of a visual, audible or haptic warning signal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first output of information to the driver is at least one of a visual, audible or haptic warning signal.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at a sensed temperature above the defined hot temperature limit value, a function that assesses driver attentiveness is activated or influenced by the control unit;

and

wherein upon ascertaining a low level of driver attentiveness, the control unit prompts a second output of information to a driver of the vehicle.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at a sensed temperature above the defined hot temperature limit value, a function that assesses driver attentiveness is activated or influenced by the control unit;

and

wherein upon ascertaining a low level of driver attentiveness, the control unit prompts a second output of information to a driver of the vehicle.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein steering wheel movement and/or braking force via brake pedal operation are taken as a basis for ascertaining driver attentiveness by the function that assesses the driver attentiveness.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein steering wheel movement and/or braking force via brake pedal operation are taken as a basis for ascertaining driver attentiveness by the function that assesses the driver attentiveness.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second output of information is a warning signal and/or recommendation signal for initiating prescribed actions to increase driver attentiveness.

11. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second output of information is an automatic performance of actions that increase driver attentiveness.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second output of information is a warning signal and/or recommendation signal for initiating prescribed actions to increase driver attentiveness.

13. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the second output of information is an automatic performance of actions that increase driver attentiveness.

14. A method of operating an apparatus for holding a liquid-filled vessel in a motor vehicle, the method comprising the acts of:

sensing, via a temperature sensor, a temperature indicative of a temperature of liquid in the liquid-filled vessel;

determining, via a control unit coupled to the temperature sensor, whether the sensed temperature is above a defined hot temperature limit value; and

activating, via the control unit, a function in the vehicle that increases safety of a vehicle occupant upon determining the sensed temperature is above the prescribed hot temperature limit value.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the act of:

detecting whether the liquid-filled vessel is removed from a holder of the apparatus; and

when the sensed temperature is above the defined hot temperature limit value and the liquid-filled vessel is determined to be removed from the holder, outputting, via the control unit, first information to the vehicle occupant, wherein the first information is a visual, audible and/or haptic warning signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the act of:

activating, via the control unit, a function that assesses driver attentiveness when the sensed temperature is above the prescribed hot temperature limit value; and

when the function determines a low level of driver attentiveness, outputting, via the control unit, second information to the vehicle occupant.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the act of:

activating, via the control unit, a function that assesses driver attentiveness when the sensed temperature is above the prescribed hot temperature limit value; and

when the function determines a low level of driver attentiveness, outputting, via the control unit, second information to the vehicle occupant.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the function that assesses driver attentiveness utilizes steering wheel moment and/or braking force as a basis for determining attentiveness.