Driver assistance device

• US 9,352,780 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hahne, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US14/554,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20150151790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/300, 340/435, 340/932.2, 340/988, 340/425.5
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/168 Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space

Abstract

A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle includes a control unit that is designed for delivering control signals for carrying out an autonomous parking maneuver to a drive and/or steering system of the motor vehicle. The driver assistance system is configured to abort a parking maneuver in progress when an abort command is received. A detection device for detecting an electrostatic field is connected to the control unit in order to generate the abort command.

Claims

1. A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle comprising:

a detection device for detecting an electrostatic charge of the motor vehicle relative to its surroundings; and

an evaluation unit operably connected to the detection device and configured to generate an alert signal when the electrostatic charge dissipates as the motor vehicle engages in an autonomous parking maneuver.

2. The driver assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device comprises an electric field meter.

3. The driver assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device comprises an electroscope.

4. The driver assistance device according to claim 1 further comprising an electrostatic generator.

5. The driver assistance device according to claim 4, wherein the electrostatic generator comprises a first pole that is connected to an electrically conductive body of the motor vehicle.

6. The driver assistance device according to claim 5, wherein the electrostatic generator further comprises a second pole connected to a ground contact element.

7. The driver assistance device according to claim 6, wherein the ground contact element is electrically insulated from the vehicle body.

8. The driver assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is arranged outside a body of the vehicle.

9. The driver assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is arranged between a body of the vehicle and a ground.

10. The driver assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the driver assistance device is coupled to a speedometer, wherein the driver assistance device is automatically activated when a speed indicated by the speedometer is less than a limiting value.

11. The driver assistance device according to claim 1 further comprising a control unit configured to deliver a control signal for carrying out the autonomous parking maneuver to at least one of a drive system and a steering system of the motor vehicle, wherein the control unit is operably connected to the evaluation unit in order to abort the autonomous parking maneuver in progress when the alert signal is received.

12. The driver assistance device according to claim 11, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect the dissipation rate of the electrostatic charge for distinguishing between a slow discharge and an abrupt discharge.

13. The driver assistance device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is configured to decelerate the vehicle at a faster rate than in the case of a slow discharge when an abrupt discharge occurs.

14. The driver assistance device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is configured to operate an electrostatic generator in the case of a slow discharge such that the electrostatic field is restored and the parking maneuver is continued.

15. The driver assistance device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to permit the parking maneuver to continue in response to a corresponding user input after an abrupt discharge.

16. A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle comprising:

a detection device for detecting an electrostatic charge of the motor vehicle relative to its surroundings;

an evaluation unit operably connected to the detection device and configured to generate an alert signal when the electrostatic charge dissipates; and

a control unit configured to deliver a control signal for carrying out an autonomous parking maneuver to at least one of a drive system and a steering system of the motor vehicle, wherein the control unit is operably connected to the evaluation unit in order to abort a parking maneuver in progress when the alert signal is received.

17. The driver assistance device according to claim 16, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect the dissipation rate of the electrostatic charge for distinguishing between a slow discharge and an abrupt discharge.

18. The driver assistance device according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to decelerate the vehicle at a faster rate than in the case of a slow discharge when an abrupt discharge occurs.

19. The driver assistance device according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is configured to operate an electrostatic generator in the case of a slow discharge such that the electrostatic field is restored and the parking maneuver is continued.

20. The driver assistance device according to claim 16, wherein the control unit is configured to permit the parking maneuver to continue in response to a corresponding user input after an abrupt discharge.