Method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle and a corresponding vehicle

• US 9,168,889 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Lich, Thomas, Georgi, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan, Ruth
• Assistant Examiner(s): Condra, Darlene P
• Application Number:
  US14/383,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20150091287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 280/801.1, 701/1, 701/45
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/24 secured to the side, door, or roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/322 using automatic actuating means B60R22/321 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/10 Safety belts specially adapted for motorcycles or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/412 Speed sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/413 Rotation sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4151 for sensing lateral inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/4152 for sensing longitudinal inclination of the cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/26 warning or informing other road users, e.g. police flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels

Abstract

A method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle, the restraint device having a connecting element by which the rider is detachably connected to the vehicle, includes: ascertaining an inclination angle and/or a slope angle of the vehicle; ascertaining a rotational rate about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and/or a transverse axis of the vehicle; comparing each ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the inclination angle and/or the slope angle; and releasing the connecting element if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

Claims

1. A method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle, the restraint device having a connecting element, wherein the rider and the vehicle are detachably connected to each other by the connecting element, the method comprising:

ascertaining a slope angle of the vehicle;

ascertaining a rotational rate about a transverse axis of the vehicle;

comparing the ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the slope angle; and

releasing the connecting element if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

2. A method for releasing a restraint device for a rider on a vehicle, the restraint device having a connecting element, wherein the rider and the vehicle are detachably connected to each other by the connecting element, the method comprising:

ascertaining at least one of an inclination angle and a slope angle of the vehicle;

ascertaining at least one of a rotational rate about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a rotational rate about a transverse axis of the vehicle;

comparing the at least one ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the at least one of the inclination angle and the slope angle;

ascertaining (i) a translational speed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and (ii) a translational speed in at least one of a transverse direction of the vehicle and in a vertical direction of the vehicle;

verifying the ascertained rotational rate by the ascertained translational speeds; and

releasing the connecting element if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting an emergency signal including an item of information if one of (i) the ascertained rotational rate and the associated critical rotational rate are equal, or (ii) the ascertained rotational rate is greater than the associated critical rotational rate.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the item of information is one of a vehicle condition before a fall of the vehicle and a location of the fall of the vehicle.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

switching on at least one warning device which is situated on the vehicle and is perceptible to other road users if one of (i) the ascertained rotational rate and the associated critical rotational rate are equal, or (ii) the ascertained rotational rate is greater than the associated critical rotational rate.

6. A vehicle, comprising:

a restraint device for a rider, wherein the restraint device has a connecting element by which the rider and the vehicle are detachably connected to each other;

a control unit; and

a first sensor;

wherein;

the control unit and the first sensor are connected to each other;

the control unit and the connecting element are connected to each other;

the first sensor detects a measured value and transmits the measured value to the control unit;

the control unit (i) ascertains a slope angle of the vehicle from the measured value, (ii) ascertains a rotational rate about a transverse axis from the measured value, and (iii) compares the ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the slope angle; and

the connecting element is controlled by the control unit in such a way that the connection of the rider to the vehicle by the connecting element is released if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

7. A vehicle, comprising:

a restraint device for a rider, wherein the restraint device has a connecting element by which the rider and the vehicle are detachably connected to each other;

a control unit;

a first sensor;

wherein;

the control unit and the first sensor are connected to each other;

the control unit and the connecting element are connected to each other;

the first sensor detects a measured value and transmits the measured value to the control unit;

the control unit (i) ascertains at least one of an inclination angle and a slope angle of the vehicle from the measured value, (ii) ascertains a rotational rate from the measured value, and (iii) compares the ascertained rotational rate with an associated critical rotational rate which is a function of the at least one of the inclination angle and the slope angle; and

a second sensor;

wherein;

the control unit and the second sensor are connected to each other;

the second sensor detects a measured value and transmits the measured value to the control unit;

the control unit ascertains a translational speed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a translational speed in at least one of a transverse direction of the vehicle and in a vertical direction of the vehicle from the measured value;

the ascertained rotational rate is verified by the control unit using the ascertained translational speeds; and

the connecting element is controlled by the control unit in such a way that the connection of the rider to the vehicle by the connecting element is released if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

8. The vehicle as recited in claim 7, wherein the first and second sensors are each an inertial sensor.

9. The vehicle as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a transmitting device connected to the control unit, wherein the transmitting device transmits an emergency signal if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.

10. The vehicle as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a warning device which is situated on the vehicle and perceptible to other road users, wherein the warning device is connected to the control unit, and wherein the warning device is switched on by the control unit if the ascertained rotational rate is at least equal to the associated critical rotational rate.