Device for increasing the security of a motor vehicle

• US 6,886,654 B1
• Filed: 03/01/2000
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Ehrmaier, Rudolf, Neuner, Josef
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US09/936,905
• Time in Patent Office: 1,889 Days
• Field of Search: 180/277, 180/278, 180/282, 180/285, 180/338, 180/337, 701/67, 701/69, 701/70
• US Class Current: 180/277
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/165 acting on elements of the vehicle drive train other than the propulsion unit and brakes, e.g. transmission, clutch, differential acting on brakes B60T8/17
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01061 between the airbag system and other vehicle electronic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01306 monitoring vehicle inclination
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/14 Yaw
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2520/28 Wheel speed

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for increasing the security of a motor vehicle comprising an automatic transmission, which is impinged upon by an electrical transmission control system and a detection unit for detecting a critical driving situation and for generating a corresponding signal. In order to increases driving security, an evaluation device is provided which checks whether the generated signal has reached a specific value or exceeded a specific threshold. If said value has been reached or the threshold has been exceeded, the evaluation device causes the transmission control system to interrupt the positive engagement of the transmission.

Claims

1. A device for increasing security of a motor vehicle, comprising:

an automatic transmission;

an electric transmission control operatively coupled with the automatic transmission;

a detection device that detects a parameter of one of an accident and swerving event of the vehicle and generates a signal corresponding to the parameter;

an analyzing device that evaluates whether the signal reaches a specific value or exceeds a specific threshold corresponding to presence of the accident or swerving event, said analyzing device causing the electric transmission control to interrupt a positive engagement of the automatic transmission by shifting the automatic transmission into a neutral position when the specific value is reached or the specific threshold is exceeded.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is part of an air bag triggering device, said analyzing device causing the interruption of the positive engagement when a triggering of an air bag or a signal that leads to the triggering of the air bag is detected.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the part of the air bag triggering device comprises at least one of a crash sensor and an air bag control unit that provides signals used for triggering the air bag.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the detection device also includes a rollover sensor, the positive engagement being interrupted when a rollover event is detected.

5. The device according to claim 3, further comprising an automatic parking position system, said automatic parking position system being activated when the positive engagement of the transmission is interrupted.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the detection device also includes a rollover sensor, the positive engagement being interrupted when a rollover event is detected.

7. The device according to claim 2, further comprising an automatic parking position system, said automatic parking position system being activated when the positive engagement of the transmission is interrupted.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a vehicle speed sensor, said automatic parking position system being activated when, in addition to the interruption of the positive engagement, the vehicle speed is substantially zero.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is a rollover sensor, the positive engagement being interrupted when a rollover event is detected.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising an automatic parking position system, said automatic parking position system being activated when the positive engagement of the transmission is interrupted.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device generates a value describing the swerving event, said analyzing device causing the interruption of the positive engagement of the transmission when the swerving event value exceeds a specific threshold value.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the detection device includes at least one of rotational wheel speed sensors and a yaw rate sensor.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device includes at least one of rotational wheel speed sensors and a yaw rate sensor.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein said analyzing device is integrated into the electric transmission control.

15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a gear selection device having a defined rest position, said gear selection device being directed out of the rest position in order to select a driving position desired by the driver and then being automatically returned.

16. A method for increasing security of a vehicle having an automatic transmission operatively coupled with an electric transmission control, the method comprising the acts of:

detecting one of an accident and a swerving event of the vehicle;

generating a signal value associated with the accident or swerving event;

evaluating the signal value to determine whether it reaches a specific value or exceeds a specific threshold; and

interrupting the positive engagement of the automatic transmission by shifting the automatic transmission into a neutral position when the specific value is reached or the specific threshold is exceeded.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the act of detecting the accident is carried out by determining whether an air bag is triggered or whether a signal leading to the triggering of the air bag is detected.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the act of activating an automatic parking position system when the positive engagement of the transmission is interrupted.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the act of detecting the swerving event is carried out by analyzing signals from at least one of rotational wheel speed sensors and a yaw rate sensor of the vehicle.