Glare protection device and method for operating a glare protection device

Abstract

Anti-glare device (2) for a motor vehicle (4) comprising at least one anti-glare device (6) which can be moved from a release position, in which the anti-glare device (6) allows direct incidence of light (10) from a light source located outside the vehicle towards the eye area of ​​a vehicle occupant, to at least one anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare device (6) at least partially shades the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant, comprising at least one sensor (8) by which the incidence of light (10) towards the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be detected, comprising at least one drive unit (12) by which the at least one anti-glare device (6) can be moved from the release position to the at least one anti-glare position, and comprising at least one control unit (14) to which the at least one sensor (8) can be functionally assigned or assigned and by which the drive unit (12) can be controlled.wherein the glare protection device (6) can be moved by the drive unit (12) from a first glare protection position, in which the glare protection device (6) is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a windscreen (16) of the motor vehicle (4), to at least a second glare protection position, in which the glare protection device (6) is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a side window (18) of the motor vehicle (4), characterized in that an electronic seat adjustment (26) of the motor vehicle is functionally assigned to the control unit (14), wherein the seat adjustment (26) can be controlled by the control unit (14) at least when moving the glare protection device (6) from the first glare protection position to the second glare protection position and vice versa.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an anti-glare device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one anti-glare means which can be transferred from a release position, in which the anti-glare means releases direct incidence of light from a light source, in particular arranged outside the vehicle, in the direction of the eye area of ​​a vehicle occupant, into at least one anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means at least partially shades the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant, comprising at least one sensor means by which the incidence of light in the direction of the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be detected, comprising at least one drive unit by which the at least one anti-glare means can be transferred from the release position into the at least one anti-glare position, and comprising at least one control device,to which the at least one sensor means can be or are functionally assigned and by which the drive unit can be controlled, as well as a method for operating such an anti-glare device.

[0002] Anti-glare devices are common in motor vehicles, for example. These serve to shade the eyes of a vehicle occupant from external light, which can dazzle the occupant at high light intensity.

[0003] Known anti-glare devices include, for example, a plate-like anti-glare device that is attached to a vehicle ceiling and that can be manually folded by the vehicle occupant from the release position to the anti-glare position. Furthermore, with such anti-glare devices, the anti-glare device can be manually pivoted by the vehicle occupant from an area of ​​the windshield to an area of ​​the side window.

[0004] Furthermore, anti-glare devices are known in which the anti-glare device is automatically moved from the release position to the anti-glare position by a drive unit when a sensor detects the incidence of light of increased light intensity. In these anti-glare devices, one anti-glare device is assigned to each vehicle window.

[0005] A generic anti-glare device is known from US 2011 / 0 098 894 A1.

[0006] The KR 10 2009 0 026 548 A describes a sun visor for simultaneously shielding light from the front and from the side.

[0007] Another sun visor is known from US 2005 / 0 236 864 A1.

[0008] US 2004 / 0 119 313 A1 shows an automatic sun visor.

[0009] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose an anti-glare device and a method for operating such an anti-glare device which can be operated automatically and which is compact.

[0010] This object is achieved in an anti-glare device as mentioned above in that the anti-glare means can be transferred by the drive unit from a first anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare means is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a windscreen of the motor vehicle, into at least one second anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare means is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a side window of the motor vehicle.

[0011] Because the anti-glare device can be moved from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position by the drive unit, one and the same anti-glare device can be used both in the area of ​​the windscreen and in the area of ​​the side window.

[0012] This allows the glare protection device to be designed with fewer components and used efficiently.

[0013] Because the anti-glare device is moved from the release position to the anti-glare position by the drive unit, the anti-glare device can be operated automatically.

[0014] The light source may be located outside the vehicle. The light source may be a natural light source, such as fire or a celestial body, such as the sun, or an artificial light source, such as the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.

[0015] The anti-glare device can be arranged, for example, on the vehicle roof, on a side wall, or on one of the pillars of the motor vehicle. The anti-glare device can comprise one or more anti-glare devices. For example, each vehicle occupant can be assigned an anti-glare device.

[0016] If the anti-glare device comprises multiple anti-glare devices, it is advantageous if each anti-glare device is assigned a drive unit. Furthermore, it is conceivable for each anti-glare device to be assigned a control device and a sensor. However, it is advantageous if multiple anti-glare devices of a anti-glare device are assigned a common control device and a common sensor.

[0017] The anti-glare device can, in principle, be designed in any way, as long as it fulfills the function of shading the vehicle occupant's eye area when the anti-glare device is in the anti-glare position. The anti-glare device can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively if it comprises a plate-shaped body.

[0018] Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous if the anti-glare device comprises at least one bearing means by which the anti-glare means is mounted so as to be rotatable and driven from the release position into the first anti-glare position and by which the anti-glare means is mounted so as to be pivotable and driven from the first anti-glare position into the second anti-glare position and back.

[0019] In such a case, the bearing means may comprise at least two axes through which the anti-glare means can be rotated or may comprise a kinematics having a corresponding number of degrees of freedom.

[0020] A first axis of the bearing means, about which the anti-glare device is rotatable when transferred from the release position to the first anti-glare position, can extend substantially transversely to the direction of travel and parallel to a vehicle floor. A second axis, about which the anti-glare device is transferable from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position, can extend substantially transversely to the direction of travel and perpendicular to a vehicle floor.

[0021] The sensor means of the anti-glare device can comprise any light-sensitive sensor capable of detecting the light intensity and the direction of incidence. The anti-glare device can be designed to be compact and with fewer components if the at least one sensor means comprises a camera of the motor vehicle.

[0022] The motor vehicle's camera can, for example, be oriented in the direction of travel. It can also be located in the vehicle's interior mirror and perform several different functions. For example, the sensor can also be assigned to a windshield wiper system.

[0023] The anti-glare device can comprise multiple sensor means, each directed in different directions. For example, a further sensor means can be provided that is directed toward the side window of the motor vehicle. However, the anti-glare device can be operated with a single sensor means if the control device comprises at least one navigation means, such as a GPS, motion sensor, inertial navigation system, etc., or if at least one navigation means is functionally assignable or assigned to the control device.

[0024] Because the control device comprises at least one navigation device, or at least one navigation device is functionally assigned to the control device, changes in direction of the motor vehicle can be detected via the control device. This allows the control device to calculate the direction of incidence of the light after the direction of incidence has been initially detected by the sensor device. This allows the anti-glare device to be operated with only one sensor device, and the direction of incidence of the light can always be determined.

[0025] In addition, an electronic seat adjustment of the vehicle is functionally assigned to the control device, wherein the seat adjustment can be controlled by the control device at least when transferring the anti-glare means from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa.

[0026] Because the vehicle's electronic seat adjustment is functionally assigned to the control device, the vehicle seat, in particular the backrest or headrest of the vehicle seat, can be moved when transferring the anti-glare device from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position in such a way that the anti-glare device does not collide with the vehicle occupant. Accordingly, the electronic seat adjustment can be moved back to its original starting position after the anti-glare device has been transferred from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position, or vice versa.

[0027] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for operating an anti-glare device having at least one of the aforementioned features, which comprises at least one anti-glare means, a sensor means, a drive unit and a control device and which has the following steps: a. detecting an incidence of light in the direction of an eye region of a vehicle occupant by the at least one sensor means, wherein at least a light intensity and a direction of incidence of the light are detected, and generating a sensor signal characterizing the detected element; b. Evaluation of the sensor signal of the sensor means by the control device and determination of whether the sensor signal of the sensor means reaches or exceeds at least a predetermined or predeterminable threshold value for the light intensity and / or whether the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be shaded by the anti-glare means; c. Calculating and generating a control signal for the drive unit, depending on the direction of incidence of the light, for transferring the anti-glare device into an anti-glare position in which the light intensity in the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant is reduced relative to the light intensity measured by the sensor means when the threshold value is reached or exceeded and the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be shaded, and supplying the control signal to the drive unit; and d. Transferring the anti-glare means by the drive unit in dependence on the control signal into an anti-glare position which, depending on the direction of incidence of the light, comprises at least a first anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and a windscreen of the motor vehicle, or at least a second anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and a side window of the motor vehicle.

[0028] The detection of the light intensity in the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant by the at least one sensor means can occur directly or indirectly. For example, the sensor means can be arranged in or on the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant. Furthermore, the sensor means can be directed towards the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and detect the radiation reflected in the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant, thereby determining the light intensity of the light reflected from the eye area. Furthermore, the first sensor means can comprise, for example, a camera directed in the direction of travel. The light intensity and direction of incidence of the light detected in this way can be calculated by the control device for the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant.

[0029] By specifying or being able to specify a threshold value for the light intensity, the anti-glare device prevents the vehicle occupant's eye area from being shaded even at low light intensity. Because the control device determines whether the vehicle occupant's eye area can be deactivated by the anti-glare device, unnecessary activation of the anti-glare device can be avoided in cases where the anti-glare device cannot provide protection for the vehicle occupant's eye area due to the direction of the light beam.

[0030] The threshold value for the light intensity, which can be specified or predefined in the control device, can be stored manually or automatically.

[0031] For example, it is conceivable that the vehicle occupant increases the threshold value for the light intensity by simply manually moving the anti-glare device from the anti-glare position to the release position. In this case, the control device detects that the vehicle occupant does not perceive the light intensity as dazzling. Conversely, it is conceivable that manually moving the anti-glare device from the release position to the anti-glare position leads to a reduction in the threshold value.

[0032] In addition, it is advantageous if the procedure includes the following additional steps: a. Detecting the position and orientation of the anti-glare device by the control device and / or by the drive unit; b. Evaluation of the position and orientation of the anti-glare device by the control device; and c. Calculating and generating the control signal depending on the position and orientation of the anti-glare device and supplying the control signal to the drive unit.

[0033] By detecting the position and orientation of the anti-glare device, the shading effect of the anti-glare device can be calculated depending on the direction of the light. This can be achieved by calculating and generating the control signal, depending on the position and orientation of the anti-glare device.

[0034] When further developing the process, the following additional procedural steps prove to be advantageous: a. Recording of vehicle data of a navigation means, in particular navigation data, by the control device; b. Evaluation of the vehicle data by the control device.

[0035] By capturing vehicle data, particularly navigation data, the control device is able to detect the vehicle's movements in space. This allows the control device, after detecting the light intensity and irradiation direction by the at least one sensor, to calculate the irradiation direction and light intensity without having to rely on data from the at least one sensor or data from additional sensor devices.

[0036] It is particularly advantageous if the vehicle data includes a change in direction of travel. Finally, it is advantageous if the method includes the following additional steps: a. Calculating a path of the anti-glare device through the vehicle interior when transferring the anti-glare device from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa, and detecting a possible collision of the anti-glare device with the vehicle occupant when transferred by the control device; b. Calculating an evasive maneuver of an electronic seat adjustment of the motor vehicle by the control device if a collision of the anti-glare device with the vehicle occupant is detected when the anti-glare device is transferred from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa; c. Control of the electronic seat adjustment of the motor vehicle by the control device to carry out the evasive maneuver of the electronic seat adjustment at least when transferring the anti-glare device from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa.

[0037] This makes it possible to avoid a collision of the anti-glare device when moving from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position by calculating and controlling an electronic seat adjustment by the control device, whereby a seat avoids the anti-glare device in such a way that a collision between the vehicle occupant and the anti-glare device is prevented.

[0038] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawing and the following description of a preferred embodiment of the anti-glare device and the method for operating the anti-glare device.

[0039] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A plan view of an anti-glare device for a motor vehicle; Fig. 2 A schematic flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention; Fig. 3 A schematic flow diagram of the process according to Fig. 2 with additional procedural steps; Fig. 4 A schematic flow diagram of the process according to Fig. 2 with additional procedural steps; Fig. 5 A schematic flow diagram of the process according to Fig. 2 with additional procedural steps.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an anti-glare device for a motor vehicle 4, generally designated by the reference numeral 2. The anti-glare device 2 comprises an anti-glare means 6, which in the case of the Fig. 1, is arranged in an anti-glare position. In this anti-glare position, the anti-glare device 6 at least partially shades the eye area of ​​a vehicle occupant. The anti-glare device 2 further comprises a sensor 8, by which the incidence of light 10 toward the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be detected.

[0041] In order to transfer the anti-glare means 6 from a release position, in which the anti-glare means 6 releases direct incidence of light 10 from a light source arranged in particular outside the motor vehicle 4, in the direction of the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant, into the anti-glare position, the anti-glare device 2 comprises a drive unit 12.

[0042] In order to be able to transfer the anti-glare means 6 automatically from the release position into the anti-glare position depending on the data detected by the sensor means 8, the anti-glare device 2 comprises a control device 14 to which the at least one sensor means 8 is functionally assigned and by which the drive unit 12 can be controlled.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows the anti-glare device 6 in a first anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare device 6 is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a windshield 16 of the motor vehicle 4. The anti-glare device 6 can also be arranged in at least one second anti-glare position and can be transferred by the drive unit 12, for example, from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare device 6 is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a side window 18 of the motor vehicle 4.

[0044] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the anti-glare device 6 comprises a plate-shaped body. This body is mounted so that it can be driven by a bearing means 20, whereby the anti-glare device 6 is mounted so that it can rotate from the release position into the first anti-glare position and pivot from the first anti-glare position into the second anti-glare position.

[0045] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the sensor means 8 comprises a camera of the motor vehicle 4, which is arranged in an interior mirror 22 of the motor vehicle 4. Furthermore, the anti-glare device 2 comprises a navigation means 24 that is functionally associated with the control device 14.

[0046] Finally, the anti-glare device 2 comprises an electronic seat adjustment 26, which is also functionally assigned to the control device 14 and which can be controlled by the control device 14 at least when transferring the anti-glare means 6 from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and back.

[0047] Based on the Fig. 2 to 5, the interaction of the individual components of the anti-glare device 2 is shown in accordance with Fig. 1 is explained in more detail.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a method for operating an anti-glare device 2 which has the Fig. 1. In a first step 100, an incidence of light 10 toward the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant is detected by the sensor means 8. Here, the sensor means 8 detects at least the light intensity and the direction of incidence of the light 10. In the same step 100, a characterizing sensor signal is generated from the detected signal, in particular the detected light intensity and the direction of incidence of the light 10.

[0049] In a subsequent step 101, the sensor signal of the sensor means 8 is evaluated by the control device 14 and it is determined whether the sensor signal of the sensor means 8 reaches or exceeds at least one predetermined or predeterminable threshold value for the light intensity of the light and / or whether the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be shaded by the anti-glare means 6.

[0050] If these two conditions are met, in a subsequent step 102 a control signal is calculated and generated by the control device 14, by means of which the drive unit 12 can be controlled, depending on the direction of incidence of the light, to transfer the anti-glare means 6 into an anti-glare position.

[0051] In a subsequent step 103, the anti-glare device 6 is moved into an anti-glare position by the drive unit 12 in response to the control signal. Depending on the direction of incidence of the light 10, the anti-glare position comprises at least a first anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare device 6 is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and the windshield 16, or at least a second anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare device 6 is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and the side window 18 of the motor vehicle 4.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows the procedure according to Fig. 2, in which the calculation and generation of the control signal according to step 103 is based not only on the data acquired by the sensor means 8, but also takes into account the position and orientation of the anti-glare device 6. Thus, in a parallel step 100', the position and orientation of the anti-glare device 6 is acquired by the control device 14 or by the drive unit 12. In a subsequent step 101', the position and orientation of the anti-glare device 6 is evaluated by the control device 14.

[0053] In a subsequent step 102', which is based on the method step 102 according to Fig. 2 and additionally takes the position and orientation of the anti-glare device 6 into account to calculate and generate the control signal.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows another variant of the method according to Fig. 2, in which the generation of the control signal according to step 102 or 102' is additionally generated as a function of vehicle data. This is preceded by a detection of vehicle data of the navigation means 24 by the control device 14 in a step 100" and the evaluation of the vehicle data by the control device 14 in a step 101".

[0055] In the following step 102", which is based on the method step 102 according to Fig. 2 and, if necessary, the addition of process step 102' according to Fig. 3, the control signal is additionally calculated and generated depending on the vehicle data.

[0056] The vehicle data may, for example, include navigation data and thus make a change in direction detectable for the control device 14.

[0057] Fig. 5 shows further process steps that are parallel to the process according to Fig. 2 and at least in process step 103 according to Fig. 2 with these.

[0058] In a first method step 104, the path of the anti-glare device 6 is calculated as it moves through the vehicle interior during transition from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa. This determines whether a collision of the anti-glare device 6 with the vehicle occupant is possible during transition from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position or vice versa.

[0059] In a subsequent step 105, the control device 14 calculates an evasive maneuver of the electronic seat adjustment 26, by means of which a collision of the vehicle occupant with the anti-glare device 6 can be avoided.

[0060] Together in step 103, i.e. when the anti-glare device 6 is transferred by the drive unit 12 from one anti-glare position to the other anti-glare position, the electronic seat adjustment 26 is controlled by the control device 14 and carries out the evasive maneuver of the electronic seat adjustment 26.

[0061] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. List of reference symbols 2 anti-glare device 4 Motor vehicle 6 anti-glare agents 8 Sensor means 10 light 12 Drive unit 14 Control device 16 Windscreen 18 side window 20 storage resources 22 interior mirrors 24 navigation tools 26 electronic seat adjustment 100105 procedural steps

Claims

[1] Anti-glare device (2) for a motor vehicle (4) with at least one anti-glare means (6) which can be transferred from a release position, in which the anti-glare means (6) releases direct incidence of light (10) from a light source arranged outside the vehicle in the direction of the eye area of ​​a vehicle occupant, into at least one anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means (6) at least partially shades the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant, with at least one sensor means (8) by which the incidence of light (10) in the direction of the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be detected, with at least one drive unit (12) by which the at least one anti-glare means (6) can be transferred from the release position into the at least one anti-glare position, and with at least one control device (14) to which the at least one sensor means (8) can be or are functionally assigned and by which the drive unit (12) can be controlled,wherein the anti-glare means (6) can be transferred by the drive unit (12) from a first anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare means (6) is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a windscreen (16) of the motor vehicle (4), into at least one second anti-glare position, in which the anti-glare means (6) is arranged between the vehicle occupant and a side window (18) of the motor vehicle (4), , characterized by that an electronic seat adjustment (26) of the motor vehicle is functionally assigned to the control device (14), wherein the seat adjustment (26) can be controlled by the control device (14) at least when transferring the anti-glare means (6) from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa. [2] Anti-glare device (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the anti-glare means (6) comprises a plate-shaped body. [3] Anti-glare device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byat least one bearing means (20) by means of which the anti-glare means (6) is mounted so as to be rotatable and driven from the release position into the first anti-glare position, and by means of which the anti-glare means (6) is mounted so as to be pivotable and driven from the first anti-glare position into the second anti-glare position and back. [4] Anti-glare device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one sensor means (8) comprises a camera of the motor vehicle (4). [5] Anti-glare device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control device (14) comprises at least one navigation means (24), such as GPS, motion sensor, inertial navigation system, etc., or that at least one navigation means (24) can be or is functionally assigned to the control device (14). [6] Method for operating an anti-glare device (2) for a motor vehicle (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, which comprises at least one anti-glare means (6), a sensor means (8), a drive unit (12) and a control device (14), with the steps: a. detecting an incidence of light (10) in the direction of an eye region of a vehicle occupant by the at least one sensor means (8), wherein at least a light intensity and a direction of incidence of the light (10) are detected, and generating a sensor signal characterizing what is detected; b. evaluating the sensor signal of the sensor means (8) by the control device (14) and determining whether the sensor signal of the sensor means (8) reaches or exceeds at least one predetermined or predeterminable threshold value for the light intensity and / or whether the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be shaded by the anti-glare means (6); c. Calculating and generating a control signal for the drive unit (12), depending on the direction of incidence of the light (10), for transferring the anti-glare means (6) into an anti-glare position in which the light intensity in the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant is reduced with respect to the light intensity measured by the sensor means (8) when the threshold value is reached or exceeded and the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant can be shaded, and supplying the control signal to the drive unit (12); and d. Transferring the anti-glare means (2) by the drive unit (12) as a function of the control signal into an anti-glare position which, as a function of the direction of incidence of the light (10), comprises at least a first anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means (6) is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and a windscreen (16) of the motor vehicle (4), or at least a second anti-glare position in which the anti-glare means (6) is arranged between the eye area of ​​the vehicle occupant and a side window (18) of the motor vehicle (4). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by the steps: a. detecting the position and orientation of the anti-glare device (6) by the control device (14) and / or by the drive unit (12); b. Evaluation of the position and orientation of the anti-glare device (6) by the control device (14); and c. Calculating and generating the control signal depending on the position and orientation of the anti-glare device (6) and supplying the control signal to the drive unit (12). [8] Method according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by the steps: a. detecting vehicle data of a navigation means (24) by the control device (14); b. Evaluation of the vehicle data by the control device (14); and c. Calculating and generating the control signal depending on the vehicle data and supplying the control signal to the drive unit (12). [9] Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by a. Calculating a path of the anti-glare device (6) through the vehicle interior when transferring the anti-glare device (6) from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa and detecting a possible collision of the anti-glare device (6) with the vehicle occupant when transferred by the control device (14); b. Calculating an evasive maneuver of the electronic seat adjustment (26) of the motor vehicle (4) by the control device (14) if a collision of the anti-glare device (6) with the vehicle occupant is detected when the anti-glare device (6) is transferred from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa; c. Controlling the electronic seat adjustment (26) of the motor vehicle (4) by the control device (14) to carry out the evasive maneuver of the electronic seat adjustment (26) at least when transferring the anti-glare means (6) from the first anti-glare position to the second anti-glare position and vice versa.

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