METHOD FOR DESIGNING A SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for designing a sensor arrangement, in particular for a vehicle or a vehicle class. Dimensions of vehicles of at least one vehicle class are ascertained and geometric parameters are ascertained from the dimensions of the vehicles of the vehicle class. Predefined reference fields for sensors of vehicles of the at least one vehicle class are established based on the derived geometric parameters. Each reference field is configured to accommodate at least one sensor. A sensor arrangement is also described.

Claims

1. A method for designing a sensor arrangement for a vehicle or a vehicle class, the method comprising the following steps: ascertaining dimensions of vehicles of at least one vehicle class, and ascertaining geometric parameters from the dimensions of the vehicles of the at least one vehicle class; and establishing, based on the ascertained geometric parameters, predefined reference fields for sensors of vehicles of the at least one vehicle class, each reference field of the reference fields being configured to accommodate at least one sensor of the sensors.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one reference field of the established reference fields is equipped with at least one sensor to form a sensor arrangement.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement is specifically designed for one or multiple vehicle classes.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reference fields are established depending on sensor type as a function of dimensions and positions of the reference fields.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein a dimension and a position of the at least one reference field are adapted to requirements of a sensor type.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a vehicle contour is mapped at least in some areas by the ascertained geometric parameters and at least one reference field is established along the vehicle contour for a vehicle class.

7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement is checked and/or assessed and/or authorized for the vehicle class.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement including the established reference fields is used as the basis for at least one vehicle design.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one LIDAR sensor and/or at least one radar sensor and/or at least one ultrasonic sensor and/or at least one camera sensor, is inserted into the reference fields.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the reference fields is established as a position point or a position area or as a position volume, for accommodating at least one sensor.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the reference fields is established to accommodate at least one sensor having at least one sensor orientation.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein maximum vehicle dimensions and/or minimum vehicle dimensions and/or average vehicle dimensions of vehicles of different manufacturers of a vehicle class are ascertained to determine the geometric parameters, a distribution of reference fields, which is specifically usable for the vehicles of the vehicle class, being established based on the geometric parameters.

13. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement and positions of the reference fields are derived from requirements of a driver assistance function of the vehicle.

14. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement and a geometric positioning of the reference fields are derived based on properties of the sensors.

15. A sensor arrangement configured as a sensor architecture, the sensor arrangement including at least one predefined reference field for accommodating at least one sensor, the sensor arrangement being checked and authorized beforehand, and the sensor arrangement being usable vehicle-comprehensively during a vehicle development.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a vehicle including ascertained geometric parameters to illustrate a method according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the ascertained geometric parameters including associated reference fields to illustrate the method, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a sensor arrangement partially equipped with sensors according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a sensor arrangement completely equipped with sensors according to one specific embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0053] A schematic top view of a vehicle 1 including ascertained geometric parameters 2 is shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 1 through 4 are used in particular to illustrate a method for designing a sensor arrangement 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 show exemplary sensor arrangements 4.

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a step in which dimensions of vehicle 1 of a vehicle class are ascertained and geometric parameters 2 are derived from the dimensions of vehicle 1 of the vehicle class. Vehicle 1 shown is used solely as an example. Geometric parameters 2 of multiple vehicles 1 of different manufacturers of a vehicle class may preferably be ascertained to form a mean value. Idealized geometric parameters 2 may be ascertained for the particular vehicle class. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, vehicle 1 is designed as a medium-sized car.

[0055] Geometric parameters 2 are schematically shown as lines and for the sake of clarity map the external vehicle contours and a roof shape of vehicle 1.

[0056] A schematic top view of ascertained geometric parameters 2 including associated reference fields 6, 8 is shown in FIG. 2. Reference fields 6, 8 are established based on derived geometric parameters 2 for one or multiple sensor types 10, 12. The volumes may have an extension in each spatial direction x, y, z. The volumes of reference fields 6, 8 may include identical or different dimensions.

[0057] Reference fields 6, 8 are designed in the form of volumes in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, so that a sensor 10, 12 may be situated inside the volume of reference fields 6, 8 by a manufacturer.

[0058] Each reference field 6, 8 is configured to accommodate at least one sensor 10, 12. The at least one reference field 6, 8 may be designed fixedly or statically for particular sensor arrangement 4. In particular, a certain sensor type may preferably be able to be situated in or at reference field 6, 8. For this purpose, the at least one reference field 6, 8 may be established or defined, optimized for a sensor type.

[0059] For example, an established reference field 8 may be provided on a windshield or on a vehicle roof to accommodate camera sensors or LIDAR sensors 12.

[0060] Reference fields 6 established on a vehicle front and on a vehicle rear may be provided for positioning ultrasonic sensors or radar sensors 10.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a sensor arrangement 4 partially equipped with sensors 10 according to one specific embodiment. Exemplary reference fields 6 in the vehicle rear and the vehicle front are equipped with sensors 10. Exemplary reference fields 8 on the vehicle roof and the vehicle windshield are not provided with sensors. In this way, a sensor arrangement 4 or a sensor architecture may be provided for a vehicle 1 operated in a manual or semi-automated manner.

[0062] Reference fields 6 are equipped in the exemplary embodiment shown with sensors 10, for example, radar sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a schematic top view of a sensor arrangement 4 completely equipped with sensors 10, 12 according to one specific embodiment. Sensor arrangement 4 may represent an enhanced equipment variant here and may be configured, for example, for vehicles 1 operable in a fully-automated manner. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, reference fields 8 on the vehicle roof and the windshield are also equipped with sensors 12, for example, camera sensors and/or LIDAR sensors.

[0064] The variants of sensor arrangement 4 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 may be used for the corresponding vehicle class with a plurality of vehicles of different vehicle manufacturers.

[0065] Sensor arrangement 4 may be validated and verified once, component checks and authorization procedures for sensor arrangement 4 also being possible. Subsequently, initially authorized sensor arrangement 4 may be used in different vehicles 1 with a reduced validation expenditure and verification expenditure.