Method for preparing replacement of wiper blade of vehicle, computer program and corresponding vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preparing for replacement of a wiper blade (2) of a vehicle (1), comprising the following steps: authenticating a first entity as an authorized user of the vehicle (1), identifying a request of the first entity for replacement of the wiper blade (2), retrieving wiper information about the wiper blade (2) of the vehicle (1), wherein the wiper information enables identification of a replacement component, the wiper information is transmitted to a second entity, which is different from the first entity, and the second entity is granted a right to use a wiper system (10) for actuating the vehicle (1) having the wiper blade (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for preparing a replacement of a windshield wiper blade of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a computer program corresponding to the method. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle of corresponding design. Background Art

[0002] Software applications for user terminals, such as mobile phones, are known in the prior art by which a user is supported in determining the replacement parts to be obtained if the user wants to replace the wiper blades of his vehicle. For example, the software application can help determine the required wiper blade type and / or a suitable offer in an online store.

[0003] If a user wants to replace a wiper blade, the user usually moves the vehicle to the service position. The windshield wipers are usually arranged in an aerodynamically optimized manner, so that it is not possible to replace the wiper blades in the normal idle state. In order to move the windshield wipers, the vehicle's ignition must usually be switched on beforehand; in the parked state with the ignition switched off, the windshield wiper drive is usually not powered. In electric vehicles, the state in which the ignition is switched on usually corresponds to the state in which the vehicle's high-voltage accumulator is connected to the vehicle's onboard power supply and the vehicle is ready to start. In the parked state in which the vehicle is not ready to start, the high-voltage accumulator is usually disconnected from the onboard power supply. Summary of the invention

[0004] The method according to the invention for preparing to replace a wiper blade of a vehicle has the following steps: First, a first entity is authenticated as an authorized user of the vehicle. This can be done using a software key or a hardware key or by entering a code. For example, the first entity can be the owner of the vehicle, who uses an application on his mobile radio device to verify his identity. Then, the request of the first entity to replace the wiper blade is recognized. This is especially done by a corresponding input of the first entity.

[0005] Furthermore, wiper information about the wiper blade of the vehicle is retrieved. The retrieved wiper information enables the identification of replacement parts in order to replace the wiper blade. It is therefore not necessary to select a suitable replacement part for the vehicle from a large number of available replacement parts, but the required replacement part, i.e. the required replacement wiper blade, can be directly identified. The wiper information is transmitted to a second entity that is different from the first entity. For example, the second entity is a maintenance person who is supposed to replace the wiper blade.

[0006] Furthermore, the right to use the wiper system of the vehicle having the wiper blade is granted to the second entity. Thus, the second entity does not have to be an authorized user of the vehicle. The second entity can also cause the vehicle to move the wiper blade to a maintenance position in order to be able to perform a wiper blade replacement.

[0007] Thus, a vehicle user who is authorized to use the vehicle can easily and effortlessly facilitate the replacement of the wiper blades. The user is personally at the vehicle for the replacement and particularly preferably does not have to hand over any hardware keys or the like to a second entity, ie in particular a maintenance company.

[0008] The right of use is preferably limited to the control of the wiper system. Thus, the second entity cannot start or drive the vehicle in particular. It is thus ensured that only a wiper blade replacement can be performed, wherein undesired use of the vehicle is prevented.

[0009] The dependent claims reveal preferred developments of the invention.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, in addition to retrieving the wiper information, vehicle information is also retrieved from the vehicle. This means that identification of the vehicle can be easily performed using the vehicle information. The vehicle information comprises in particular the location (Standort) and / or the type and / or visual features of the vehicle. The vehicle information is also transmitted to the second entity. Thus, the first entity can carry out preparations for replacing the wiper blades without having to park the vehicle at a pre-agreed or set location. The second entity then acquires the location on the one hand and the type and / or visual features of the vehicle on the other hand. Based on this data, the second entity can identify the location of the vehicle and the vehicle itself. The wiper blades can then be replaced without the first entity having to be present at all times.

[0011] In particular, the right of use is only valid for a predefined period of time. It is thus ensured that the required right of use is only present for the intended replacement of the windshield wipers, but continuous or long-term access to the vehicle is prevented. The predefined period of time can in particular be predefined by the first entity.

[0012] The right of use preferably includes permission to unlock and / or open the bonnet and / or the service hatch to refill the windshield washer fluid. Thus, in addition to simply replacing the wiper blades, the windshield washer fluid can also be refilled. By constructing the right of use accordingly, the first entity authorizes and blocks access to specific components of the vehicle.

[0013] The invention also relates to a method for preparing to replace a wiper blade of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps. First, wiper information is received, which identifies the wiper blade to be replaced. In addition, a right of use for operating a wiper system of a vehicle having the wiper blade is received. Thus, the method enables the replacement of the wiper blade, wherein the method is particularly designed for entities that are not permanent users of the vehicle or do not have permanent right of use. The entity obtains a right of use that at least allows the wiper blade to be moved, which is advantageous for maintenance personnel, for example. Using the wiper information, the wiper blade to be replaced can be clearly identified in order to obtain a suitable replacement part. The method also comprises the step of sending a control command to the vehicle to move the wiper blade to a predefined maintenance position. The sending is particularly carried out in response to a user input. Thus, the vehicle can be controlled to move the wiper blade by using the acquired right of use. In addition, it is particularly advantageous to receive the vehicle information as described above.

[0014] The invention also relates to a computer program designed to execute the method as described above.

[0015] The computer program is particularly advantageously designed to be executed on a user terminal. The user terminal is in particular a mobile phone. Thus, at least as long as the user terminal is accessible, the first entity can prepare to replace the wiper blades as described above at any time. Alternatively, the computer program is designed to be executed on a vehicle computer of the vehicle or on a server that is communicatively connected to the vehicle. Thus, the replacement of the wiper blades can be prepared simply and effortlessly from the vehicle.

[0016] The invention also relates to a vehicle. The vehicle has a wiper system and a control unit. The wiper system in turn has at least one wiper blade and a drive. The wiper blade can be moved by the drive. The control unit is designed to operate the drive. In addition, the control unit is designed to receive a control command for the drive from an entity. The entity is not part of the vehicle and therefore has independent use rights to the vehicle in particular. The control unit is designed to cause the drive to move the wiper blade to a predefined maintenance position when a control command is received. Therefore, the vehicle allows external control of the drive of the wiper system, wherein "external" is particularly to be understood as: the control does not come from a component of the vehicle itself. Instead, a communication connection between the vehicle and an external device is preferably provided, wherein the control command is transmitted via the communication connection. Particularly advantageously, the external device, i.e. the above-mentioned entity, has no right to open or start the vehicle. It can only be provided that the maintenance cover of the vehicle can be unlocked or opened by the entity.

[0017] The control unit advantageously has a zone control unit and a vehicle computer. The zone control unit is networked with the vehicle computer for data transmission and advantageously serves to control and / or regulate a sub-zone of the vehicle. The zone control unit is designed in particular for controlling a drive. Thus, the zone control unit allows the drive of the wiper system to be controlled at any time, regardless of the operating state of the vehicle.

[0018] The control unit is advantageously designed to control the drive for moving the wiper blade when the ignition of the vehicle is switched off and / or the high-pressure energy storage device is disconnected from the vehicle's onboard power supply. For example, control can thus also be performed when the vehicle is parked and in particular locked. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, and

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown for integrating a driver of a windshield wiper system of a vehicle into a communication-capable environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] All identical parts, elements and / or units in all figures are preferably provided with the same reference signs.

[0023] Figure 1 A vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. The vehicle 1 has a wiper system 10 and a control unit 4. In the embodiment shown, the wiper system 10 has two wiper blades 2 and a drive 3, which is provided for moving the wiper blades 2. According to the invention, the wiper system can also have more or fewer wiper blades. The drive is used in particular to move the wiper blades 2 so that they clean or wipe a surface such as a windshield of the vehicle 1.

[0024] Control unit 4 Figure 2Schematically shown in FIG. 1 and having a regional control unit 5 and a vehicle computer 6. The regional control unit 5 is provided for controlling a partial area of ​​the vehicle 1 and, in the embodiment shown, at least in particular for controlling the drive 3. The drive 3 and the regional control unit 5 are connected, for example, via a field bus 12, in particular via a local interconnect network (also called a LIN bus), or via a controller area network (also called a CAN bus). The regional control unit 5 is networked with the vehicle computer 6 for data transmission, wherein the communication between the regional control unit 5 and the vehicle computer is established, for example, by an Ethernet-based network connection 11 and based on the Internet Protocol (IP). In this way, the drive 3 is incorporated into the communication environment and can be controlled very flexibly. In particular, networking is enabled via a mobile data connection. The drive 3 is not limited to being controlled by devices of the vehicle 1 itself, such as switches, joysticks or touch screens.

[0025] The control unit 4 is designed to receive control commands for the drive 3 from an entity that is not part of the vehicle 1. In particular, the entity has independent access rights to the vehicle 1, which rights are preferably limited. Therefore, the entity can be allowed to control the drive 3 or perform other maintenance functions (Service functions), in which in particular the vehicle 1 is prevented from being opened or started. Therefore, the vehicle 1 is optimally prepared for maintenance purposes, because the maintenance personnel can obtain independent access rights in order to perform the necessary measures. The maintenance personnel may be deprived of any additional rights in addition to this. In particular, it is provided that the control unit 4 causes the drive 3 to move the wiper blade 2 to a predefined maintenance position when receiving the above-mentioned control instructions. In addition, the control unit 4 is preferably designed to control the drive 3 when the ignition is turned off and / or the high-voltage accumulator is disconnected from the vehicle electrical system of the vehicle 1, so as to move the wiper blade 2. Therefore, for example, there is no need to open the passenger compartment and enter the vehicle 1, and the wiper blade 2 can be moved to the maintenance position when the vehicle 1 is parked. Unintentional use of the vehicle 1 can therefore be prevented.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous to prepare for replacing the wiper blade 2. For this purpose, a method according to a first embodiment of the invention is performed, wherein the method is particularly performed by a computer program. The computer program is preferably executed on a user terminal 9, such as a mobile phone.

[0027] In order to prepare for replacing the wiper blade 2 of the vehicle 1, a first entity is first authenticated as an authorized user of the vehicle 1. This can be done, for example, in that the first entity, which is the owner of the vehicle 1, has a suitable key. The key is particularly advantageously a software key stored on the user terminal 9 or in the cloud. This ensures that only authorized users of the vehicle can appear as the first entity.

[0028] Furthermore, the following occurs: a request from the first entity to replace the wiper blades is recognized. This can be done, in particular, by a corresponding input on the user terminal 9, for example.

[0029] Then, wiper information is retrieved about the wiper blade 2 to be replaced or the wiper blades 2 to be replaced of the vehicle 1, which wiper information enables identification of the replacement part and includes, for example, a unique identification code and / or type and / or size and / or name of the wiper blade to be replaced, respectively. For example, the wiper information can be stored in a database which assigns the wiper blades to be used to specific vehicle types. By retrieving the wiper information, the first entity does not have to personally determine the replacement part to be used.

[0030] In addition to retrieving the windshield wiper information, it is also particularly advantageous to retrieve vehicle information from the vehicle. The vehicle information preferably includes the location and / or type and / or visual features of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be clearly identified based on the vehicle information.

[0031] The wiper information and in particular the vehicle information is transmitted to a second entity that is different from the first entity. The second entity is in particular a maintenance device (Serviceeinrichtung) and / or a maintenance person. It receives the task of replacing the wiper blade 2 on the vehicle 1, wherein the replacement can also be carried out in a mobile manner if the location of the vehicle has been transmitted based on the vehicle information. The necessary information is available to the second entity in order to obtain a replacement part for the used wiper blade 2 of the vehicle 1 in order to carry out the replacement accordingly. There is no need to check the vehicle 1 in advance to determine the type of wiper blade 2 required.

[0032] In order to be able to replace the wiper 2, the second entity is also granted access rights for operating the wiper system 10 of the vehicle 1. The access rights allow operating the drive 3 to move the wiper blade 2 so as to move the wiper blade 2 into a predefined maintenance position.

[0033] The advantages of granting access rights are, among other things: a physical handover of a physical key is avoided. Instead, access rights can be granted without a physical meeting between the user of the vehicle 1 and the maintenance personnel. For example, the vehicle 1 can be parked and left, wherein the second entity knows the location and other features for identifying the vehicle 1 based on the vehicle information. With the access rights, the second entity can move the wiper blades 2 to a maintenance location and replace them, wherein the required replacement parts are known in advance based on the wiper information. Replacing the wiper 2 is thus easy and efficient.

[0034] In order to increase the security when granting the right of use, the right of use is only valid for a predefined period of time. This ensures that the right of use is revoked again after the wiper blade 2 has been replaced. Therefore, the time range for replacing the wiper blade 2 can also be predetermined.

[0035] The right of use may also allow permission to unlock and / or open the bonnet 7 and / or the maintenance flap 8 of the vehicle 1. In this case, it should be necessary to open the maintenance flap 8 and / or the bonnet 7, in particular in order to refill the windscreen washer fluid. By allowing said opening, maintenance related to replacing wiper blades, i.e. refilling the windscreen washer fluid, can be conveniently done. However, full access to the vehicle 1 is not necessary and is therefore not allowed. Therefore, the right of use only includes those interactions with the vehicle 1 that are required and / or desired by the first entity.

[0036] From the perspective of the second entity, in particular, a method for preparing to replace a wiper blade 2 of a vehicle 1 is performed according to a second embodiment of the invention. The method starts with receiving wiper information, which identifies the wiper blade 2 or the wiper blades 2 to be replaced. It is thus known which replacement parts are required to replace the wiper blade 2 or the wiper blades 2. In addition, access is received for operating the wiper system 10 of the vehicle 1, thereby enabling these wiper blades 2 to be moved to a maintenance position. As a last step, a control command is sent to the vehicle 1 to move the wiper blade 2 to a predefined maintenance position. This sending is carried out in particular in response to a user input and can be carried out at a time separate from the reception of the wiper information. In addition to the wiper information, vehicle information can also be additionally received as described above.

Claims

1. A method for preparing to replace a wiper blade (2) of a vehicle (1), the method comprising the following steps: - authenticating the first entity as an authorized user of said vehicle (1), - identifying a request from the first entity for replacement of the wiper blade (2), - retrieving wiper information about the wiper blade (2) of the vehicle (1), wherein the wiper information enables identification of a replacement part, - transmitting the wiper information to a second entity different from the first entity, and, - granting the second entity access to a wiper system (10) for operating the vehicle (1) having the wiper blade (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that In addition to retrieving the windshield wiper information, vehicle information is additionally retrieved from the vehicle (1) and transmitted, wherein the vehicle information includes in particular the location and / or type and / or visual features of the vehicle (1).

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The usage rights are only valid for a predefined period of time.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The access rights include permission to unlock and / or open the engine bonnet (7) and / or the service cover (8) to refill the windscreen washer fluid.

5. A method for preparing to replace a wiper blade (2) of a vehicle (1), the method comprising the following steps - receiving wiper information, the wiper information identifying the wiper blade (2) to be replaced; - receiving access to a wiper system (10) for operating a vehicle (1) having said wiper blade (2), and - sending a maneuvering command to the vehicle (1) in order to move the wiper blade (2) to a predefined maintenance position, in particular in response to a user input.

6. A computer program designed to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The computer program according to claim 6, characterized in that The computer program is designed to be executed on a user terminal (9), in particular a mobile phone, or on a vehicle computer (6) of a vehicle (1), or on a server communicatively connected to the vehicle (1).

8. A vehicle (1), comprising: - a windshield wiper system (10) comprising at least one wiper blade (2) and a drive (3), wherein the wiper blade (2) can be moved by the drive (3), and - a control unit (4) for controlling the drive (3), The control unit (4) is designed to receive a control command for the actuator (3) from an entity that is not part of the vehicle (1) and to cause the actuator (3) to move the wiper blade (2) to a predefined maintenance position.

9. The vehicle (1) according to claim 8, wherein: The control unit (4) comprises a regional control unit (5) and a vehicle computer (6), wherein the regional control unit (5) is networked with the vehicle computer (6) for data transmission, and wherein the regional control unit (5) is designed to control the drive (3).

10. The vehicle (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The control unit (4) is designed to actuate the drive (3) to move the wiper blade (2) when the ignition is switched off and / or the high-voltage energy storage device is disconnected from the onboard power supply system of the vehicle (1).

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