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

• US 7,427,913 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Maron, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/532,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20060113138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/426.24, 340/426.25, 340/426.32, 340/426.31, 701/301, 701/117
• US Class Current: 340/438
• 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

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 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. 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, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated deactivation of the internal combustion engine during standstill of the motor vehicle.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measures are taken on a temporally limited basis, a recurrent basis or a combination thereof.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measures are carried out in consideration of the current driving situation.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection of the measures depends on the duration, the seriousness or the duration and seriousness of the safety-critical operating condition as regards the safety of operation of the motor vehicle.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated deactivation of the multimedia device.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated switching off the power steering system.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the measures involve an additional signal in a brake system with electronically adjustable brake forces which influences a desired brake force to such effect that a fluctuation of a longitudinal deceleration can be detected which corresponds in its mean value per unit time to the desired brake force.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the measures involve a change of pedal-travel/brake-force characteristics.

9. Device for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a central control unit is provided sensing the safety-relevant operating conditions and triggering measures.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the central control unit is integrated into an instrument combination device.

11. 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, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated actuation of an acoustic alarm device when the doors of the motor vehicle are opened and closed.

12. 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, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated operation of the electric window lifters during standstill of the motor vehicle.

13. 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, wherein the measures involve a raised temperature indication or an incorrect rotational speed indication of the internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle.

14. 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, wherein the measures represent a faulty oil-level tell-tale or a faulty tank capacity tell-tale.

15. A method 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, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated actuation of the electrically adjustable outside rearview mirrors or the electrically adjustable seats during standstill of the motor vehicle.

16. A method 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, wherein the measures involve a non-driver initiated switching on the dimmed headlight.