Method for detecting an accident and vehicle comprising a detection unit for carrying out the method

• Main Authors: Gian Antonio D'Addetta, Thomas Lich, Heiko Freienstein
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.05.2024
• Subjects: ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; TESTING

The invention relates to a method for detecting an accident in which a vehicle (1) is at least partially submerged in water (3), the vehicle (1) having vehicle components (5) and at least one ultrasound sensor (7) with an acoustically excitable sensor surface (9). The process detecting the vehicle is submerged in water by detecting excitation of the acoustically excitable sensor surface (9) by the water (3) when the vehicle (1) is submerged in the water (3), wherein an electrical signal (11, fig 3) is generated and/or performing an impedance measurement by the at least one ultrasound sensor (7), wherein a current impedance value (13, fig 3) is determined. The method involving evaluation of the electrical signal (11) and/or the current impedance value (13) by comparison to a respective threshold value and activating vehicle components (5) when the respective threshold value is exceeded. The ultrasound sensor preferably being a driving assistance sensor such as a parking sensor and arranged on the bumper or roof of the vehicle. The respective threshold values are preferably a reference electrical signal or impedance value determined when the sensor is surrounded by air.