Vehicle system for implementing service function by means of cleaning device of vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle system for carrying out a service function by means of a cleaning device (10) of a vehicle, comprising an evaluation unit (20) and a cleaning device (10), the evaluation unit (20) being configured in the state of a non-activated ignition device of the vehicle, and the cleaning device (10) being configured in the state of the non-activated ignition device of the vehicle. A service function of the cleaning device (10) corresponding to the event is activated in response to the occurrence of a predefined event, the service function providing cleaning of the component (30) of the vehicle and / or setting of a predefined position (40) of a cleaning element (15) of the cleaning device (10), which is offset from a rest position (45) of the cleaning element (15), and wherein the service function is activated in response to the occurrence of the predefined event, the service function providing cleaning of the component (30) of the vehicle and / or setting of the predefined position (40) of the cleaning element (15) of the cleaning device (10). The cleaning device (10) is configured to carry out a service function activated by means of the evaluation unit (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle system for carrying out a service function by means of a cleaning device of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Cleaning devices for vehicles are known from the prior art, which are designed, for example, as windshield wipers and / or cleaning nozzles in order to clean windshields and / or headlights or the like of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, cleaning nozzles are known which are arranged on automatically movable telescopic arms in order to be able to sink them, for example, into a part of the vehicle body when not in use, in order to reduce the air resistance of the vehicle and / or to prevent damage to the cleaning nozzles when not in use.

[0004] In the prior art, such cleaning devices are coupled to an operating state of the vehicle in which the ignition system (also referred to as “terminal 15”) or a state of the vehicle corresponding thereto is active. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention proposes a vehicle system for performing service functions by means of a cleaning device of a vehicle, wherein such a vehicle is, for example, a road vehicle (e.g. a motorcycle, a passenger car, a transporter, a truck) or a rail vehicle or an aircraft / plane and / or a water vehicle.

[0006] The vehicle system has an evaluation unit and a cleaning device, wherein the evaluation unit is designed, for example, as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, etc. and is a component of an existing controller and / or an independent controller of the vehicle. For example, it is possible that the evaluation unit is constructed as a component of the cleaning device and / or a superordinate control unit. The functionality according to the invention to be implemented by the evaluation unit can be implemented accordingly based on a computer program product that can be implemented by the evaluation unit and / or based on an electronic circuit.

[0007] The field of application of the cleaning device is in principle not restricted to the cleaning of specific vehicle components; however, vehicle components which are preferably to be cleaned by means of the cleaning device are specified further below in the course of describing advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0008] The evaluation unit is designed, in the state of the vehicle's ignition device, in which it is not activated, to activate a service function of the cleaning device corresponding to the event in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning of a component of the vehicle and / or setting of a predetermined position of a cleaning element of the cleaning device, which predetermined position deviates from the rest position of the cleaning element. For this purpose, for example, a first predetermined event is logically associated with the activation of the service function, and for example a second predetermined event, which is different from the first predetermined event, is logically associated with the activation of the cleaning. As an alternative or in addition, it is also possible to activate both service functions (setting the position and cleaning) simultaneously by a single predetermined event and / or to predefine a plurality of events for each service function, by means of which different subfunctions can be activated within the respective service function.

[0009] A “state in which the ignition is not activated” is generally to be understood as an operating state of a vehicle in which the connected positive pole of a battery of the vehicle, which supplies the vehicle's onboard power system, is switched off (also referred to as a “15 terminal closed” state) and / or in which there is no active motor operation of the vehicle and / or in which the vehicle is locked and / or parked.

[0010] For this purpose, the components of the vehicle system according to the invention are advantageously permanently connected to the electrodes of a battery supplying the onboard electrical system and / or are designed to be supplied at least temporarily with electrical energy from the battery when the ignition of the vehicle is not activated. The latter can be achieved, for example, by a central control unit of the vehicle that is continuously powered and is designed to connect the vehicle system according to the invention to the battery on an event-based basis and preferably at regular time intervals. Therefore, when the ignition is not activated, the continuous powering of the vehicle system according to the invention is not absolutely necessary.

[0011] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the vehicle system according to the invention or at least a part of the vehicle system (preferably at least the evaluation unit) is supplied via a subsystem of the onboard electrical system which is designed to provide electrical energy independently of an activated ignition of the vehicle.

[0012] For communication with the cleaning unit, the evaluation unit is preferably connected to the cleaning unit in information technology via the onboard power supply of the vehicle. The information technology connection can be realized wirelessly and / or preferably wired and further preferably based on a bus system of the vehicle (e.g. CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, etc.).

[0013] The occurrence of a corresponding predefined event, which is in principle not restricted and can be a vehicle-internal and / or vehicle-external event, causes the evaluation unit to activate a corresponding service function of the cleaning device, as will be explained in more detail below in the course of the description of advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0014] Finally, the cleaning appliance is designed to carry out the service function activated by means of the evaluation unit.

[0015] A particular advantage offered by the vehicle system according to the invention is that one or more service functions can be carried out even when the ignition of the vehicle is not activated, thereby, for example, permanently maintaining or quickly restoring the operational readiness of the vehicle, for example by (regularly) cleaning dirt from vehicle components to be cleaned even when the vehicle is stationary.

[0016] Furthermore, in the inactive state of the ignition device, a predetermined position different from the rest position of the cleaning element can be set, so that, for example, in the event of use outside the vehicle, it is not necessary to open the vehicle and to operate operating elements inside the vehicle (such as steering levers, etc.) in order to set the predetermined position. The predetermined position can be, in particular, a position in which servicing (such as inspection and / or replacement and / or cleaning) of the cleaning element for the cleaning device can be achieved or at least facilitated.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageously possible to carry out a repeated automatic cleaning of the surface to be cleaned even with an inactive ignition of the vehicle when a user of the vehicle is in the vehicle (for example in the event of rain at a drive-in theater, etc.).

[0018] Correspondingly, the comfort for the user of the vehicle can also be increased by the above-mentioned advantages according to the invention.

[0019] In particular, in cases where the vehicle system according to the invention can be supplied with electrical energy when the ignition of the vehicle is switched off by purely software adaptation of vehicle components, the functionality according to the invention can also be implemented particularly cost-effectively by adapting existing vehicle software.

[0020] The dependent claims reveal preferred developments of the invention.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device has a wiper system for a vehicle and in particular a wiper system for a window and / or for a headlight of a vehicle, wherein the wiper system preferably has at least one wiper arm, which can be moved on the window and / or the headlight of the vehicle by means of an actuator, such as a wiper motor. The window is, for example, a front window, a rear window or a side window of the vehicle. The cleaning element in this case is a wiper blade of the wiper system arranged at the wiper arm. The predetermined position that can be set by means of the service function is a position of the wiper blade that is suitable for replacing a wiper rubber arranged at the wiper blade and is in particular a position in which the wiper blade is arranged at an angle of 20° to 80°, preferably 30° to 70° and further preferably at an angle of 40° to 60° with respect to the rest position of the wiper blade. The rest position preferably corresponds to a substantially horizontal orientation of the wiper blade, wherein the wiper blade is usually arranged at the lower boundary of the surface to be cleaned of the vehicle, such as the front window. Correspondingly, the predetermined position here represents a service function for servicing and / or repairing and / or testing the cleaning element. As an alternative or in addition, the predetermined position that can be set by means of the service function is a position of the wiper blade in which rain impinging on the vehicle component to be cleaned is not blocked by the wiper blade, and corresponds in particular to a position in which the wiper blade is arranged at an angle of 80° to 100° with respect to the rest position of the wiper blade. This position can be used advantageously, for example, if the vehicle is exposed to snow in the parked state, so that the substantially vertical orientation of the wiper arm causes snow accumulated on the vehicle component to be cleaned to slide down more easily, whereby the surface to be cleaned can be cleaned with less effort before the start of the journey.

[0022] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device has a washing water outlet unit for a vehicle, in particular for a window and / or headlight of a vehicle. As already mentioned above, the window of the vehicle to be cleaned by means of the washing water outlet unit is, for example, a front window, a rear window or a side window of the vehicle. In addition, the washing water outlet unit advantageously has at least one pump and at least one cleaning nozzle, wherein the pump is configured to deliver washing liquid from a storage container under pressure to the cleaning nozzle in response to actuation in order to deliver washing liquid for cleaning the vehicle component to be cleaned. It is also possible that the cleaning device additionally has a telescopic arm, which is configured to deliver the cleaning nozzle to a predetermined cleaning position (for example in front of the headlight) during the cleaning process and to sink the cleaning nozzle, for example, into the surface of the vehicle in a non-use state. For the cleaning and / or maintenance of the cleaning nozzle, the predetermined position of the cleaning element can be a correspondingly extended position of the telescopic arm, in which the cleaning nozzle is easily accessible. It goes without saying that such a washing water outlet unit can be used in combination with the above-described windshield wiper system of a vehicle.

[0023] Particularly advantageously, the vehicle system according to the invention further comprises a user interface, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to output information about the soiling state of the component to be cleaned, which soiling state represents, for example, the degree and / or type of soiling, and / or operating recommendations for using the service function and / or the vehicle, and / or the result of the implemented service function, and / or malfunctions of the service function to a user of the vehicle via the user interface. As a result, the user of the vehicle, in particular the driver, can approach the vehicle in advance before the planned start of the journey if there is a possible need for manual cleaning of the vehicle component to be cleaned and / or implement further measures corresponding to the operating recommendations.

[0024] Preferably, the user interface is a display and / or a loudspeaker and / or a lighting system of the means of transport. Particularly preferably, the user interface is a portable mobile terminal device of the user, such as a smart phone and / or a tablet computer and / or a smart watch, etc., so that the information described above can also be provided to the user of the means of transport away from the means of transport. For this purpose, the means of transport is preferably connected to the portable mobile terminal device (for example, via an Internet connection) by means of a wireless communication connection (for example, a mobile radio connection, a wireless network connection, etc.). Further preferably, a dedicated application (application software for mobile devices) is provided on the portable mobile terminal device for this purpose, and information is output through the dedicated application, for example, by push notification. As an alternative or additional solution, it is feasible to provide information through a cloud service. Further as an alternative or additional solution, it is also feasible to output information through the home automation system of the user of the means of transport, in the form of: for example, outputting information in a wall display of the user's real estate, etc.

[0025] Particularly advantageously, the evaluation unit is set up for receiving activation and / or configuration of the service function by the user by means of a user interface. This does not explicitly exclude that as an alternative or additional solution, activation and / or configuration can be performed by another user interface different from the user interface. As another user interface, the touch display of the vehicle and / or the voice input system of the vehicle and / or another mobile terminal device etc. are mainly considered. In the configuration process, parameters such as the parking time of the vehicle inferred and / or the desired range and / or the desired type and / or the desired cleaning efficiency of the cleaning can be set in particular. In addition, for example, the cleaning interval and / or the cleaning start time and / or the automatic function for cleaning can be set. The latter can be implemented particularly advantageously based on the information of the sensor considering the vehicle, which is, for example, set up for finding out the degree and / or type of dirt of the vehicle component to be cleaned. For this reason, for example, a rain sensor for the vehicle known by the prior art can be used, which is usually arranged behind the front window plate of the vehicle and is aligned to the environment of the vehicle. In addition, it is feasible to use a camera, an air humidity sensor etc. for this purpose.

[0026] The predetermined event for activating the cleaning device preferably represents: the outside temperature (e.g. the freezing point of water) falling below a predetermined temperature threshold value; and / or an upcoming historically determined and / or predetermined time of use of the vehicle; and / or a user input (e.g. by an application); and / or a user approaching the vehicle; and / or unlocking and / or opening the vehicle by a user; and / or the presence of rainfall (which is determined, for example, based on sensors and / or based on external weather information); and / or the presence of dirt on components of the vehicle; and / or the corresponding expiration of predetermined periodic time intervals. In the exemplary case in which the outside temperature reaches or falls below a predetermined temperature threshold value and a rain sensor of the vehicle determines the presence of rainfall, based on this information, automatic cleaning of, for example, the front and rear windshield of the vehicle can be activated by means of a corresponding wiper system by the evaluation unit, so that the snowfall, which is presumed to be present based on the outside temperature, is counteracted by repeatedly cleaning the windshield at predetermined time intervals and / or depending on the amount of rainfall.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the evaluation unit is designed to carry out a service function only if the charge state and / or the voltage of the battery of the vehicle for supplying the vehicle system is greater than a predetermined threshold value and / or the previously determined availability of the cleaning system is not impaired (for example blocked by ice and / or dirt) and / or the vehicle is parked outside an area protected from environmental influences (for example outside a garage and / or parking lot, etc.). The latter can be determined by the evaluation unit, for example, based on environmental sensors of the vehicle and / or based on the GPS position of the vehicle.

[0028] It is also possible that the evaluation unit is designed to activate and deactivate at least a part of the vehicle's onboard power supply system that is relevant to the cleaning device in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event. For this purpose, it is possible that only a part of the cleaning device according to the invention, namely at least the evaluation unit, is permanently connected to the electrodes of the battery, so that the evaluation unit is permanently energized and in this way is designed to activate the cleaning device and / or the user interface when necessary. Alternatively, it is possible to energize the entire vehicle system according to the invention at least temporarily with the ignition device not activated by means of a higher-level component of the vehicle.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the evaluation unit is designed to start and / or adapt the cleaning of the component as a function of the type and / or extent of the soiling and / or as a function of the presumed time of use of the vehicle and / or to support the cleaning with the aid of further components of the vehicle. Further components are, for example, a parking heater and / or a windshield heater of the vehicle, based on which ice and / or snow can be at least partially removed from the vehicle component to be cleaned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is shown here:

[0031] Figure 1 A vehicle system according to the invention is shown for carrying out a service function by means of a cleaning device of a vehicle; and

[0032] Figure 2 An exemplary integration of a vehicle system according to the invention into the onboard electrical system architecture of a vehicle is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of a vehicle system according to the invention is shown for carrying out a service function by means of a cleaning device 10 of a vehicle.

[0034] The vehicle system comprises an evaluation unit 20 designed as an ASIC, which is information-technically connected to a cleaning device 10 of the vehicle, to a user interface 50 designed as a display, to a mobile radio-based wireless communication unit 90 and to the parking heater 50 .

[0035] Furthermore, the vehicle system according to the invention is electrically connected to a vehicle battery 100, which is designed to supply electrical energy to the components of the vehicle system according to the invention via the vehicle electrical system. The evaluation unit 20 is also connected to a battery management system (not shown) of the battery 110 in terms of information technology.

[0036] The cleaning device 10 is formed here by a wiper system 12 for a windshield 30 of a vehicle and a washing water dispensing unit 16 , wherein the wiper system 12 is operated by means of a corresponding wiper motor 14 and the washing water dispensing unit 16 is operated by means of a corresponding pump (not shown).

[0037] The evaluation unit 20 is designed, in a state of an inactive ignition of the vehicle, to activate a service function of the cleaning device 10 in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning a windshield 30 of the vehicle and / or setting a predetermined service position 40 of a wiper blade 15 of the cleaning device 10 , which deviates from a rest position 45 of the wiper blade 15 .

[0038] The predetermined event is triggered here by an operation of a virtual operating surface in an application of the smartphone 100 of the vehicle user, in that the smartphone 100 transmits the operation in the form of an activation signal via a mobile radio connection to the wireless communication unit 90 of the vehicle. The wireless communication unit 90 is in turn configured to forward the activation signal to the evaluation unit 20.

[0039] The cleaning device 10 is configured to execute a service function activated by means of the evaluation unit 20 for cleaning the windshield 30 when cleaning is to be performed, and to transmit status information representing the successful completion of the cleaning process and / or information about malfunctions occurring during the cleaning process to the user's smartphone 100. During the cleaning process, the wiper motor 14 of the wiper system 12 and the pump of the washer water dispensing unit 16 are activated in order to wet the windshield 30 with washer liquid via corresponding cleaning nozzles 18 of the washer water dispensing unit 16.

[0040] The evaluation unit 20 is further configured to receive, via the wireless communication unit 90, a start time for cleaning and / or for setting a service location entered by means of the smartphone 100 and to automatically execute the service function when the start time is reached. In addition, the evaluation unit 20 is configured to receive parameters for configuring the corresponding service function of the cleaning device 10 from the smartphone 100 and to set them accordingly.

[0041] Furthermore, the evaluation unit 20 is designed to initiate and / or adapt cleaning of the front windshield 30 as a function of a perceptually detected type of soiling and / or a perceptually detected extent and / or as a function of an assumed time of use of the vehicle and / or to support the cleaning by activating the parking heater 120 (and / or a windshield heater, not shown).

[0042] The evaluation unit 20 is further configured to carry out a service function only if the charge state and voltage of the battery 110 of the vehicle for supplying the vehicle system are greater than corresponding predefined threshold values ​​and the previously determined availability at any time of the cleaning system 10 is not impaired. The information about the charge state and voltage is advantageously provided to the evaluation unit 20 by a battery management system of the battery 110 which is connected to the evaluation unit 20 in an information technology manner.

[0043] Figure 2 An exemplary integration of a vehicle system according to the invention into an onboard electrical system architecture of a vehicle (not shown) is shown.

[0044] The central vehicle computer 60 is configured to carry out a central control of the vehicle and is connected to a wireless communication unit 90 of the vehicle in terms of information technology in order to receive, when the ignition of the vehicle is not activated, a signal generated remote from the vehicle via the wireless communication unit 90, which signal represents a signal for carrying out a cleaning device 10 of the vehicle (see Figure 1 )’s service function.

[0045] The evaluation unit 20 according to the invention is here a component of a vehicle computer 60 and is designed to, in response to receiving a signal, activate a zone controller 70 of the vehicle, which in turn is designed to activate a drive controller 80 which is provided for actuating a wiper motor 14 of a cleaning device 10 of the vehicle.

[0046] The drive controller 80 can also carry out a service function in response to a request made by the evaluation unit 20 and transmit information about the end of the service function to the evaluation unit 20 .

Claims

1. A vehicle system for carrying out a service function by means of a cleaning device (10) of a vehicle, the vehicle system comprising: Assessment units (20); and The cleaning device (10), in, The evaluation unit (20) is configured, in a state of the vehicle in which the ignition device is not activated, to activate, in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, a service function of the cleaning device (10) corresponding to the event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning of a component (30) of the vehicle and / or for setting a predetermined position (40) of a cleaning element (15) of the cleaning device (10), which predetermined position deviates from a rest position (45) of the cleaning element (15), and The cleaning appliance (10) is designed to carry out a service function activated by means of the evaluation unit (20).

2. The transportation vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein: The cleaning device (10) has a wiper system (12) for the vehicle and in particular a wiper system (12) for a windshield (30) and / or a headlight of the vehicle, The cleaning element is a wiper blade (15) of a wiper system (12), The predetermined position (40) which can be set by means of the service function is the following position (40) of the wiper blade (15), o the position is suitable for replacing a wiper rubber arranged on the wiper blade (15), and the position is in particular a position (40) in which the wiper blade (15) is arranged at an angle of 20° to 80°, preferably 30° to 70°, and further preferably at an angle of 40° to 60° with respect to a rest position (45) of the wiper blade (15), and / or o In this position, rain impinging on the vehicle component (30) to be cleaned is not blocked by the wiper blade (15), and this position corresponds in particular to a position (40) in which the wiper blade (15) is arranged at an angle of 80° to 100° relative to a rest position (45) of the wiper blade (15).

3. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cleaning device (10) has a washing water outlet unit (16) for the vehicle, in particular for a windshield (30) and / or a headlight of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a user interface (50), wherein: The evaluation unit (20) is configured to, via the user interface (50), Information about the contamination status of the component (30) to be cleaned; and / or · operational suggestions for using said service functions and / or said means of transport; and / or the results of the service functions performed; and / or · Malfunction of the service function described Output to a user of the transportation vehicle.

5. The transportation system according to claim 4, wherein: The user interface (50) is the display and / or speaker and / or lighting system of the vehicle; and / or is an operating element of the transport vehicle; and / or A portable mobile terminal device (100) that is portable to the user; and / or is a cloud service; and / or It is a home automation system.

6. The transportation system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The evaluation unit (20) is designed to receive an activation and / or configuration of the service function by a user by means of the user interface (50).

7. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The predetermined event for activating the cleaning device (10) represents: The external temperature is below a pre-defined temperature threshold; and / or an upcoming historically determined and / or predefined time of use of the means of transport; and / or User input and / or · a user approaches the transport vehicle; and / or unlocking and / or opening the vehicle by the user; and / or the presence of rainfall; and / or The presence of dirt on components (30) of the vehicle; and / or The corresponding expiration of a predefined periodic time interval.

8. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (20) is configured to: The state of charge and / or voltage of the vehicle's battery (110) for supplying the vehicle's systems is greater than a predetermined threshold; and / or The previously determined ready availability of the cleaning system (10) has no associated impairment; and / or when the vehicle is parked outside an area protected from environmental influences, Only then will the service function be implemented.

9. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (20) is designed to activate and deactivate at least a part of the onboard electrical system of the vehicle that is relevant to the cleaning device (10) in response to the occurrence of the predetermined event.

10. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The evaluation unit (20) is designed to initiate and / or adapt cleaning of the component (30) as a function of the type and / or extent of soiling and / or as a function of an assumed time of use of the vehicle and / or to support the cleaning with the aid of further components (120) of the vehicle.

Images