DE-102025144309-A1 - Method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle and motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle (10) to promote a state of rest and/or sleep in a child (22) located in the motor vehicle (10), in which an operating state of the motor vehicle (10) is detected, and depending on the detected operating state, a drive component (14) or a chassis component (16) of the motor vehicle is controlled such that a low-frequency harmonic oscillation (18) is performed by the motor vehicle body (26) for the child (22). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle (10).

Inventors

• Dominic Kammer
• Maximilian Schramm

Assignees

• Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20251029

Claims (5)

1. Method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle (10) to promote a state of rest and/or sleep in a child (22) located in the motor vehicle (10), in which - an operating state of the motor vehicle (10) is detected, and - depending on the detected operating state, a drive component (14) or a chassis component (16) of the motor vehicle is controlled in such a way that a low-frequency harmonic oscillation (18) is performed by the motor vehicle body (26) for the child (22).
2. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the low-frequency harmonic oscillation (18) is generated with a frequency preferably in the range of 0.1 Hz to 1 Hz.
3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control of the oscillation (18) is carried out depending on interior information or environmental information, which is detected by at least one sensor device (24), preferably a camera device and/or microphone device.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillation (18) is performed while the motor vehicle (10) is stationary.
5. Motor vehicle (10) for conducting a procedure under one of the Claims 1 until 4 , with at least one control device (12) which is designed to detect an operating state of the motor vehicle, and - with at least one drive component (14) or chassis component (16) which can be controlled by the control device (12), characterized in that the control device (12) is designed to control the drive component (14) or the chassis component (16) in such a way that the motor vehicle body (26) performs a low-frequency harmonic oscillation (18).

Description

The invention relates to a method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle. Such methods and motor vehicles are used in the field of vehicle engineering to actively influence movements of the vehicle body, for example to improve driving comfort, to stabilize the vehicle position or to reduce unwanted vibrations during driving operation. From the EP 3303025 B1 A system is known in which an active chassis is used to control vehicle movement. A vehicle is described in which movements of the vehicle body are compensated for by actively controlling chassis actuators, in order to prevent, in particular, motion sickness for passengers during travel. The object of the invention is to provide a means of supporting the sleep and/or rest state of a child in a motor vehicle by means of a motor vehicle, whereby a harmonious movement is specifically generated. This problem is solved by means of a method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1, and by means of a motor vehicle according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle according to the invention, wherein the means of the motor vehicle can be used to carry out the respective method steps. Furthermore, advantageous developments of the invention are described by the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for generating a calming movement in a motor vehicle to promote a state of rest and/or sleep of a child, especially a toddler, located in the motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, in which an operating state of the motor vehicle is detected and, depending on the detected operating state, a drive component or a chassis component of the motor vehicle is controlled in such a way that a low-frequency harmonic oscillation is performed for the child by the motor vehicle structure. The system thus includes a control unit that detects the vehicle's operating state, such as standstill, charging, or parking. Based on this, a movement of the vehicle body is generated, the frequency and amplitude of which are designed to create a cradle-like motion that is perceived as pleasant by small children. The term “low-frequency harmonic oscillation” used in the claim preferably corresponds to a gentle, uniform movement of the vehicle body with a frequency in the lower single-digit Hertz range (sinusoidal motion). To solve the problem of the invention and thus generate a calming movement for a child in a motor vehicle, the invention provides that the drive component or the chassis component is controlled in such a way that the vehicle body performs a low-frequency harmonic oscillation. This generates a smooth, recurring movement similar to the movement during driving. The control can be effected by electrical signals from a central control unit, which excites the actuators of the selected component. In the case of a drive component, this can be achieved by brief changes in torque, while in the case of a chassis component, for example, hydraulic or electromechanical elements cause slight lifting movements of the body. This targeted control creates a movement that has a calming effect on the child and supports its sleep state, especially during standstill and charging of the vehicle. To solve the problem of the invention and thus generate a calming movement for a child in a motor vehicle, the invention provides that the drive component or the chassis component is controlled in such a way that the vehicle body performs a low-frequency harmonic oscillation. This generates a smooth, recurring movement similar to the movement during driving. The control can be effected by electrical signals from a central control unit, which excites the actuators of the selected component. In the case of a drive component, this can be achieved by brief changes in torque, while in the case of a chassis component, for example, hydraulic or electromechanical elements cause slight lifting movements of the body. This targeted control creates a movement that has a calming effect on the child and supports its sleep state, especially during standstill and/or charging of the vehicle. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the low-frequency harmonic oscillation is generated at a frequency in the range of 0.1 Hz to 1 Hz, resulting in a smooth, physiologically comfortable movement. This frequency selection enables a gentle movement characteristic, which corresponds in particular to natural rocking motions. Such a frequency range leads to mechanical stress that remains within the limits of the chassis and/or drivetrain, thus ensuring safe and comfortable operation. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the oscillation is controlled based on interior or envi