Method for condition-dependent brightening of at least one laminated windshield of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for condition-dependent brightening of at least one laminated glass pane (50) of a motor vehicle (100), which has at least one layer whose light transmittance is reversibly variable by applying a predetermined voltage to a terminal of the at least one layer, wherein the motor vehicle (100) comprises a detection device (40) which is designed to detect the change of at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) and a voltage is applied to the terminal of the at least one layer as soon as the detection device (40) has detected the change of at least one state of the motor vehicle (100), characterized in that a change of at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) is detected by the detection device (40) when the motor vehicle (100) is locked and an interior monitoring unit (30) detects movements and / or persons inside the motor vehicle (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for the condition-dependent brightening of at least one laminated windshield of a motor vehicle, which has at least one layer whose light transmittance can be reversibly varied by applying a predetermined voltage to a terminal of the at least one layer. Furthermore, the motor vehicle comprises a detection device designed to detect changes in at least one state of the motor vehicle.

[0002] In the prior art, the use of tinted vehicle windows that can be lightened by electrical control is becoming increasingly popular. For example, DE 10 2009 030 268 A1 discloses a device for tinting at least one area of ​​a vehicle window, which is provided with at least one element integrated into the window area with variable light transmission for reversible tinting of the window area. The integrated element is designed as a so-called suspended particle device (SPD) glazing. In such suspended particle device glazing, the light transmission can be changed by applying a voltage. For this purpose, particles are located within the glazing which align themselves when a voltage is applied in such a way that the glazing becomes transparent.If no voltage is applied to the glazing, the particles are diffusely aligned or oriented, making the pane opaque to light. Therefore, a suspended particle device glazing can be transformed from an opaque to a transparent state by applying a voltage.

[0003] Furthermore, DE 10 2013 001 334 A1 discloses a method for operating a window pane of a motor vehicle, which has at least one adjustment range whose light transmission can be adjusted by applying an electrical voltage, wherein the light transmission is adjusted depending on at least one operation of the window pane effected by an occupant of the motor vehicle and detected by means of a detection device. The operation can consist of a contactless gesture by the occupant of the motor vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2004 005 611 A1 also discloses a transparent pane with a viewing area that can be darkened on part of a surface by electrically controlling at least one functional element integrated in a multi-layered composite with reversibly variable light transmission. Here, the transparent pane is used in an electrically controlled sun visor.

[0005] However, tinting the windows also has its drawbacks. For example, it can impair the driver's visibility when reversing. Consequently, the driver must manually adjust the windows to a transparent state every time they reverse. Furthermore, a user who exits and locks the vehicle cannot see inside after locking it. This can lead to items like mobile phones or even people being left inside and forgotten. Additionally, dangerous situations can arise if emergency responders, for example, have no or at least no clear view inside the vehicle after an accident or crash.

[0006] EP 1 566 300 B1 discloses a motor vehicle with a window pane whose transparency can be adjusted, wherein the window pane brightens depending on the actuation of a door lock and / or a forward or reverse gear being engaged.

[0007] DE 10 2012 014 788 A1 discloses a method for operating an emergency device and emergency device for a vehicle, according to which the brightening of a window pane of a motor vehicle takes place after the detection of an accident.

[0008] DE 195 25 725 A1 discloses a window pane with privacy protection in which, when a motor vehicle alarm system is armed by applying a voltage, the window pane becomes opaque. The alarm system is activated, for example, by intrusion detection signals from glass break detectors, door switches, motion detectors, or level sensors.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a method that makes the use of electrically brightenable laminated glass in motor vehicles safer.

[0010] A method for the condition-dependent brightening of at least one laminated windshield of a motor vehicle is provided, which has at least one layer whose light transmittance can be reversibly varied by applying a predetermined voltage to a terminal of the at least one layer. The motor vehicle includes a detection device designed to detect changes in at least one state of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, a voltage is applied to the terminal of the at least one layer as soon as the detection device has detected a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle detects a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is locked and an interior monitoring unit detects movements and / or persons inside the motor vehicle.Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises an interior monitoring unit, wherein a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle is detected by the detection device when the motor vehicle is locked and the interior monitoring unit detects movements and / or persons inside the motor vehicle. In such an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the windows are not lightened every time the motor vehicle is locked, but only when persons are locked inside and / or have been forgotten. In this embodiment, the method according to the invention is particularly energy-efficient.

[0011] The method according to the invention enables the automatic lightening of electrically lightenable laminated glass, eliminating the need for manual intervention by the vehicle user. This makes operating the vehicle more convenient in certain situations. It also increases vehicle safety, as, for example, emergency responders approaching a crashed vehicle have immediate visibility into the vehicle's interior. Therefore, the method according to the invention makes the use of tinted, electrically lightenable laminated glass safer.

[0012] Preferably, at least one layer is a suspended particle device (SPD) layer. Such layers allow for quick and precise adjustment of the light transmission of a laminated glass unit, are inexpensive, and easy to install.

[0013] Preferably, the laminated glass is the rear window and / or at least one side window of the motor vehicle. In such an embodiment of the method, when reversing, only those windows of the motor vehicle through which the reversing driver is looking are illuminated.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the detection device records a change in at least one state during the locking of the motor vehicle. Preferably, the predetermined change in the at least one state corresponds to a change in the locking state of the motor vehicle. This allows a motor vehicle user who locks the vehicle from the outside to glance inside after locking it, in order to check whether they have left any objects or people inside.

[0015] Preferably, the motor vehicle further comprises a localization unit designed to locate a mobile device within the vehicle's interior. The detection device registers a change in at least one state of the vehicle when the vehicle is locked and the localization unit has located the mobile device inside the vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle is preferably detected by the detection device when the motor vehicle is locked and the localization unit has located the mobile device inside the motor vehicle. Particularly preferably, the localization unit is integrated into the interior monitoring unit. Even more preferably, the localization unit and the interior monitoring unit are provided by one and the same unit, thus fulfilling a single unit, a localization function, and an interior monitoring function. In such an embodiment of the method, the layers within the laminated glass are lightened after the motor vehicle is locked precisely when a mobile device, in particular a mobile phone, belonging to the vehicle user, is still inside the vehicle.This not only gives the user of the vehicle the opportunity to look inside in order to locate their mobile device within the vehicle, but also reminds them, through the brightening of the vehicle windows, that their mobile device is still inside the vehicle.

[0017] Preferably, the detection device records a change in at least one condition during an accident, particularly a crash of the motor vehicle. In such an embodiment of the method according to the invention, safety during the use of the motor vehicle is increased because the layers within the laminated glass are lightened immediately after the accident. In this embodiment, rescue personnel approaching the motor vehicle after an accident or crash can see into the interior of the vehicle from a distance. An accident is preferably understood to mean the impact of a foreign object on the body of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, accident detectors are preferably used to determine whether an accident has occurred.

[0018] Preferably, the motor vehicle also has a sensor unit for detecting the actuation of at least one door handle. The detection device registers a change in at least one state when the motor vehicle is involved in an accident and the sensor unit detects the actuation of the at least one door handle. In such an embodiment of the method, if the damaged motor vehicle remains stationary for an extended period, it is ensured that the vehicle's battery is not depleted by the continuous provision of voltage for brightening the vehicle's windows when the rescue services arrive. In this embodiment, the vehicle battery only needs to provide the voltage for brightening the vehicle's windows when the vehicle's door handle is actuated, i.e., when the rescue services are on site.

[0019] Preferably, the voltage applied to the connection of the at least one layer, as soon as the detection device has registered a change in at least one state of the vehicle, is applied for a predetermined time period t or pulsed at a frequency f. Applying the voltage for a predetermined time period t makes the method particularly energy-efficient. In an embodiment where the voltage is pulsed at a frequency f, a user exiting the vehicle is alerted to the presence of a predetermined state of the vehicle by a flickering in the transparency of the vehicle's windows.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one composite disc comprises all the discs of the motor vehicle.

[0021] Furthermore, preferably the composite disc is a disc of the motor vehicle that can be freely selected by a user of the motor vehicle via a setting.

[0022] Furthermore, a control unit is provided which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0023] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0024] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1A - 1D each represent a first embodiment of a method according to the invention, Fig. 2 a second embodiment of a method according to the invention, and Fig. 3 a third embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0025] In the Fig. Figures 1A to 1D illustrate a first embodiment of a method according to the invention. Fig. Figure 1A shows a top view of a motor vehicle 100 in which all side windows 52, the rear window 51, and the roof window 53 are designed as laminated glass panes 50. Each laminated glass pane 50 has a layer whose light transmission can be reversibly changed by applying a predetermined voltage to a terminal of the respective layer. If a predetermined voltage, in this exemplary embodiment a 120V AC voltage, is applied to the terminal of one of these laminated glass panes 50, the particles within the layer in the laminated glass pane 50 align themselves such that the layer, and thus also the laminated glass pane 50, exhibits a high degree of light transmission, i.e., it is transparent. In this first exemplary embodiment, the layers within the laminated glass panes 50 are designed, purely by way of example, as suspended particle device layers.When an alternating voltage of 120 V is applied to these layers, they exhibit a light transmittance of, for example, over 40%. If no voltage is applied to the layers, they exhibit a low light transmittance of, for example, under 1%. In such a state, where no voltage is applied to the layers, the particles within the layers are statistically diffusely distributed, and the layers are therefore darkened. This is shown in... Fig. The motor vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1A further comprises a detection device 40, which is designed to detect changes in at least one state of the motor vehicle 100. In this first embodiment, the detection device 40 is arranged, purely by way of example, in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle 100, but it can also be arranged in any other position within the motor vehicle 100. In this first embodiment, the detection device 40 is implemented, purely by way of example, by a control unit which is connected to a plurality of sensors installed in the motor vehicle 100. However, the method according to the invention can also be carried out with any other detection devices 40.In this first embodiment of a method according to the invention, the detection device 40 is configured, purely by way of example, to detect a change in at least one state at the start of a reverse journey or when a reverse gear is engaged. In this first embodiment, detection is carried out, purely by way of example, by a sensor that recognizes the engagement of a reverse gear. In other words, detection in this first embodiment is carried out, purely by way of example, by a sensor that recognizes the start of a reverse journey.

[0026] In Fig. 1A The motor vehicle 100 is traveling forward. The side windows 52, the rear window 51, and the roof window 53, all designed as laminated glass 50, are darkened during forward travel. There is no voltage applied to the interfaces between the layers of the laminated glass 50.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 1B shows the motor vehicle 100 in reverse. The motor vehicle 100 is a left-hand drive vehicle, indicated by a circle on the driver's seat. In this first embodiment of the method according to the invention, the detection device 40 recognizes that the user of the motor vehicle 100 has engaged reverse gear, whereupon the rear window 51, designed as a composite window 50, and the right rear side window 52 of the motor vehicle 100, also designed as a composite window 50, are switched to a transparent state. In other words, as soon as the detection device 40 has detected reverse travel, both the rear window 51 and the right rear side window 52, ​​designed as composite windows 50, are supplied with a voltage.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1C shows an embodiment of the first embodiment of a method according to the invention for a motor vehicle 100 to be operated by a right-hand drive driver. This is shown in Fig. 1C is represented by a circle indicating the driver's side. In the implementation of the first embodiment of a method according to the invention, as soon as the detection device 40 has detected reversing or the engagement of a reverse gear, the connection of the rear window 51, designed as a composite window 50, and the connection of the left rear side window 52, ​​also designed as a composite window 50, are supplied with a predetermined voltage. This allows the user or driver of the motor vehicle 100 a shoulder view that is not obstructed by a darkening of the respective windows. Thanks to the method according to the invention, the driver of the motor vehicle 100 does not have to manually lighten the rear window 51 or the left rear side window 52 in this embodiment.

[0029] Fig. Figure 1D again shows the implementation of the first embodiment of a method according to the invention, in which, compared to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1B, however, when the detection unit 40 detects a reversing movement, both rear side windows 52, designed as laminated glass 50s, are lightened. In this embodiment of a method according to the invention, the driver or user of the motor vehicle 100 can also perform a shoulder check through the right rear side window 52. In other embodiments of the method according to the invention, the layers of laminated glass 50 that are lightened when a reversing movement is detected do not need to be preset. Methods according to the invention can also be implemented in which the user or driver of the motor vehicle 100 can select which laminated glass 50s are lightened when the detection device 40 detects a reversing movement.In other words, methods according to the invention can also be carried out in which the user can determine which terminals of which composite discs 50 are supplied with the predetermined voltage when a reverse gear is detected or when a reverse movement is detected. In this first embodiment of a method according to the invention, the voltage applied to the terminals is an alternating voltage with an amplitude of 120 V.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a method according to the invention. (Left in) Fig. Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle 100, which essentially corresponds to those described in the Fig. The motor vehicles shown in 1A to 1D are identical to the vehicles shown in 100. With the exception of the windshield, the following are identical: Fig. 2 of the motor vehicle 100 shown, all motor vehicle windows are designed as laminated windows 50. Thus, in the vehicle shown Fig. In the motor vehicle 100 shown in section 2, all side windows 52, the roof window 53, and the rear window 51 are designed as laminated glass 50. In contrast to the one shown in Fig. The motor vehicle 100 shown in section 1 has the following features: Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a motor vehicle 100 which, in addition to the detection device 40, also includes, purely by way of example, an interior monitoring unit 30 and a localization unit 20. However, the method according to the invention can also be implemented for motor vehicles 100 which have only a localization unit 20 and no interior monitoring unit 30, or only an interior monitoring unit 30 and no localization unit 20, or neither of the two units 20, 30. The localization unit 20 and the interior monitoring unit 30 can also be one and the same unit, providing both an interior monitoring function and a localization function. In this second embodiment of a method according to the invention, a change in at least one state during the locking of the motor vehicle 100 is detected by the detection device 40.In other words, the predetermined change of the at least one state in this second embodiment of a method according to the invention corresponds to a change in the locking state of the motor vehicle 100.

[0031] Links in Fig. Figure 2 shows the motor vehicle 100 with its laminated glass panes 50, with which the inventive method is carried out in this second embodiment, during forward travel. All laminated glass panes 50, i.e., the side windows 52, the rear window 51, and the roof window 53, are tinted. Therefore, no stresses are present at the interfaces of their respective layers. Right in Fig. Figure 2 shows the same motor vehicle 100 in a parked state, locked by means of a radio key. In the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, the detection device 40 has determined that the motor vehicle 100 has been locked. According to the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, this causes an alternating voltage to be automatically applied to the terminals of the layers of all composite discs 50. In a further development of this second embodiment of a method according to the invention, the detection of a change in the state of the motor vehicle 100 can also depend on the detection of the presence of further circumstances or conditions.In a further development of the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle 100 is detected by the detection device 40 when the motor vehicle 100 is locked and the interior monitoring unit 30 detects movements and / or persons inside the motor vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the interior monitoring unit 30 is, purely by way of example, designed as a camera directed into the interior of the motor vehicle 100, which is capable of detecting persons or movements.In this further development of the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, a voltage is applied to the connections of the layers of the laminated glass panes 50 of the motor vehicle 100 only when the motor vehicle 100 is locked and when the camera directed into the interior of the motor vehicle 100 detects movement and / or a person. This brightens the laminated glass panes 50 whenever there are people inside the locked motor vehicle 100, so that they can be seen more easily by someone outside the motor vehicle 100.

[0032] In a further development of the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, a change in the state of the motor vehicle 100 is detected by the detection device 40 precisely when the motor vehicle 100 is locked and the localization unit 20 has located a mobile device inside the motor vehicle 100. In this further development of the second embodiment of the method, the mobile device is, purely by way of example, a mobile phone. In this second embodiment, the localization unit 20 is, purely by way of example, capable of performing an RSSI measurement. However, the localization unit 20 can also be configured to detect that a mobile device is connected to a charging station.In this further development of the second embodiment of a method according to the invention, all vehicle windows designed as laminated glass 50 are lightened when the mobile device, in this embodiment the mobile phone, is located inside the vehicle 100 and the vehicle 100 is moved from an open to a closed state. In this embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle 100 automatically informs the vehicle owner or driver exiting the vehicle 100 of the mobile phone's presence inside by lightening the laminated glass 50. This enables the user outside the vehicle 100 to see into the interior and locate the mobile phone left inside.In other embodiments of the inventive method, it may be provided that the brightening of the composite discs 50 takes place only for a predetermined period, or that a user can determine by setting whether and with which mobile devices a brightening of the composite discs 50 should take place or not.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a method according to the invention. More precisely, on the left in Fig. 3 a motor vehicle 100 is shown, which is essentially the same as the one in Fig. The motor vehicle 100 shown in section 1 is identical. Just like the one in Fig. In the motor vehicle 100 shown in Figure 1, the side windows 52, the rear window 51, and the roof window 53 are designed as laminated glass panes 50. In this third embodiment, the detection device 40 of the [unclear text] Fig. The motor vehicle 100 shown in Figure 3 is designed to detect a change in at least one condition during an accident, in particular a crash of the motor vehicle 100. An accident can be any foreign object impact on the body of the motor vehicle 100. In other embodiments of the method according to the invention, an accident is understood to be a foreign object impact with a predetermined force on the body of the motor vehicle 100. (Right in Figure 3) Fig. 3 is the left one in Fig. The three depicted motor vehicles are shown after an accident. The one on the right is shown in the photo. Fig.Figure 3 of the illustrated motor vehicle 100 has a body damaged in an accident. In some embodiments of the invention, brightening the laminated glass 50, i.e., applying a voltage to the terminals of the layers of the laminated glass 50, requires only the detection of an accident as such by the detection device 40. In such embodiments, the laminated glass 50 of the motor vehicle 100 is permanently brightened after an accident. A voltage must then be permanently applied to the described terminals. In this third embodiment of the method, the motor vehicle 100 also has a sensor unit 5 for detecting the actuation of at least one door handle 2 of the motor vehicle 100. The sensor unit 5 is thus a unit that can detect when a person acts on one of the door handles of the motor vehicle 100.In this third embodiment of a method according to the invention, a change in state is detected by the detection device 40 when the motor vehicle 100 is involved in an accident and the sensor unit 5 has detected the actuation of at least one door handle 2. In other words, in this third embodiment, the laminated glass windows 50 of a wrecked motor vehicle 100 are only illuminated when the sensor unit 5 detects or has detected the actuation of at least one door handle 2. Such actuation could, for example, be carried out by a rescue worker approaching the motor vehicle 100 or by a member of the fire department.In this embodiment, a control unit of the motor vehicle 100 comprises its own power source, which is capable of supplying voltage to the laminated glass panels 50 of the crashed motor vehicle 100 even after the motor vehicle 100 has been de-energized following the accident. In this third embodiment, as well as in any other embodiments of the inventive method, the voltage at the terminals of the laminated glass panels 50 can be maintained for a predetermined time period t, i.e., for a specific interval, or applied in pulses at a frequency f. Furthermore, the inventive method can also provide for additional operating actions. For example, it can be provided that pulling a door handle 2 of the motor vehicle 100 twice for an extended period causes the power supply to the laminated glass panel 50 to be cut off, thus de-energizing the panel.The time interval t during which the tension is maintained at the terminals of the layers of the composite discs 50 can be, for example, 5 s, 10 s, 15 s, 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 35 s, 40 s, 45 s, 50 s, 55 s or 60 s after actuation of the door handle 2. Furthermore, the time interval t during which the tension is maintained at the terminals of the layers of the composite discs 50 can also be greater than 60 s.

[0034] In all the previously described embodiments of the methods according to the invention, the side windows 52, the rear window 51, and the roof window 53 were always designed as laminated glass panes 50. However, methods according to the invention can also be implemented for motor vehicles 100 in which other vehicle windows than those described above are designed as laminated glass panes 50. Furthermore, a method according to the invention can also be implemented for a motor vehicle 100 that has several laminated glass panes 50, whereby the method is only implemented for some or for one of these laminated glass panes 50. The choice of which laminated glass panes 50 the method is implemented for can also be left to a user or driver of the motor vehicle 100.In such embodiments, the choice of the laminated glass panes 50 for which the inventive method is carried out can be predetermined by a user or driver of the motor vehicle 100. Furthermore, the layers in the laminated glass panes 50 of the previously described embodiments were all designed as suspended particle device layers. However, inventive methods can also be carried out for motor vehicles 100 with laminated glass panes 50 based on a different technology. In other words, for example, other types of switchable glazing can also be used, which can be lightened by applying a voltage. Furthermore, all the previously described embodiments of the inventive methods can, of course, also be used in combination. List of reference symbols 2 door handles 5 sensor unit 10 mobile devices 20 Localization Unit 30 Interior monitoring unit 40 Detection device 50 composite disc 51 Rear window 52 Side window 53 roof windows 100 motor vehicles

Claims

[1] Method for the condition-dependent brightening of at least one composite pane (50) of a motor vehicle (100), which has at least one layer whose light transmittance can be reversibly changed by applying a predetermined voltage to a terminal of the at least one layer, wherein the motor vehicle (100) comprises a detection device (40) which is designed to detect the change in at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) and a voltage is applied to the terminal of the at least one layer as soon as the detection device (40) has detected the change in at least one state of the motor vehicle (100), characterized by that a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) is detected by the detection device (40) when the motor vehicle (100) is locked and an interior monitoring unit (30) detects movements and / or persons inside the motor vehicle (100). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one layer is a suspended particle device (SPD) layer. [3] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the composite pane (50) is the rear window (51) and / or at least one side window (52) of the motor vehicle (100). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (100) further comprises a localization unit (20) which is designed to localize a mobile terminal (10) in the interior of the motor vehicle (100), characterized by that a change in at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) is detected by the detection device (40) when the motor vehicle (100) is locked and the localization unit (20) has localized the mobile terminal (10) within the motor vehicle (100). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the voltage which is applied to the terminal of the at least one layer as soon as the detection device (40) has detected the change in at least one state of the motor vehicle (100) is applied for a predetermined period of time t or is applied in a pulsed manner at a frequency f.

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