Positioning system for vehicles with parking assistance system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle treatment system (1) which, for the desired positioning of a vehicle (5) relative to the vehicle treatment system (1), has a reflection surface provision device (8, 12) which can temporarily generate and / or place at least one reflection surface (8) detectable by a parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) of the vehicle (5), in particular by an optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signal, at at least one predetermined position (P) in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment system (1).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle treatment facility according to the preamble of claim 1, a positioning system with a vehicle treatment facility and a vehicle to be treated in the vehicle treatment facility according to the preamble of claim 9, and a corresponding method according to the preamble of claim 10. State of the art

[0002] State-of-the-art entry traffic lights are used to determine the desired positioning of a vehicle in a vehicle treatment facility, particularly a car wash. These lights generally display three states when a vehicle enters the car wash, signaling to the driver that the vehicle has not yet reached, has reached, or has exceeded a certain position. The display remains in one state until another state is reached. Between the request to enter (=forward) and reaching the stopping position (=stop), the driver is not provided with any information regarding the progress of the entry process. This means that, depending on the driver's reaction time or the vehicle's braking distance, it is possible to overshoot a switching point (e.g., stop). In this situation, the driver is signaled to reverse the vehicle (=back) in order to reach the desired (optimal) treatment position.However, this maneuvering process takes time. Some drivers, on the other hand, enter the car wash too cautiously, which also leads to delays. In summary, it can be stated that more intuitive guidance / direction of the driver when entering a car wash could maximize the system's throughput potential. To overcome this problem, EP 2 698 294 B1 discloses a vehicle treatment system with orientation markers that facilitate orientation for autonomous vehicles. DE 10 2005 058 628 A1 discloses the use of virtual reflective surfaces in GPS navigation systems. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide means and ways of achieving faster processing of a vehicle to be treated in a vehicle treatment facility.

[0004] This object is achieved with respect to a vehicle treatment device by the features of claim 1, with respect to a positioning system by the features of claim 9, and with respect to a corresponding method by the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A vehicle treatment system according to the invention has at least one reflective surface provision device. The reflective surface provision device is designed to temporarily generate and / or place at least one reflective surface at at least one predetermined position in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment system for the desired positioning of a vehicle relative to the vehicle treatment system. According to the invention, said reflective surface is designed such that it can be detected by a parking assistance or distance measuring system (or object recognition system) of a vehicle, in particular by an optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signal. According to the invention, at least one reflective surface is formed from a fluid, in particular from at least one, in particular planar, water jet or a water column or a water or foam curtain.Such a design has the advantage that damage to the vehicle by water is excluded and ultrasonic waves are well reflected.

[0006] In a preferred development of the above-mentioned aspect, the fluid reflection surface can be generated by a treatment device of the vehicle treatment system, ie a nozzle or the like that is already used for vehicle treatment can be used to generate the fluid reflection surface.

[0007] In other words, the present invention utilizes a vehicle's parking assistance or distance measuring system to assist the driver in positioning the vehicle in front of / in the vehicle treatment facility by positioning an obstacle detectable / detectable by the vehicle's parking assistance or distance measuring system at a specific location and / or by suggesting / fooling the vehicle's parking assistance or distance measuring system into believing that an obstacle is located at a predetermined location. This has the advantage that the driver is generally familiar with the signals (feedback) of their vehicle's parking assistance or distance measuring system and can therefore better cope with them. Furthermore, such a solution has the advantage that said vehicle parking assistance or distance measuring systems usually (additionally) provide an acoustic signal or acoustic feedback. This meansWhere previously the driver had to focus on entering the usually narrow vehicle handling facility and simultaneously on the entrance traffic light, the inventive solution allows them to fully concentrate on entering while receiving acoustic feedback on their distance from the desired (parking) position. Another advantage is that the vehicle's parking assistance or distance measurement system generally increases the frequency of its warning tone the closer the vehicle gets to the reference or reflective surface, thus eliminating the need for abrupt switching, such as at an entrance traffic light. This can prevent unnecessary reversing.

[0008] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the predetermined position at which the reflective surface is generated and / or placed by the reflective surface provision system can be located behind a desired (stop) position with a buffer / offset of 10 to 40 cm, preferably 20 to 30 cm. The reason for this is that the majority of commercially available parking assistance or distance measuring systems issue a collision warning from a previously mentioned distance range, in particular a distance of approximately 30 cm, i.e., a continuous (uninterrupted) (continuous) warning tone or signal tone sounds. In other words, commercially available parking assistance or distance measuring systems no longer differentiate between smaller distances below a certain threshold value.By placing the reflective surface 10 to 40 cm, preferably 20 to 30 cm, behind the actually desired parking or shunting point, the collision warning (the continuous warning tone) will sound when the point is reached.

[0009] According to a particularly preferred aspect, the vehicle treatment system according to the invention can have a parking assistance system detection sensor, preferably arranged in its entry area or on a car wash portal, which is designed to detect a signal emitted by the parking assistance or distance measuring system, in particular an acoustic or electromagnetic signal, particularly preferably an ultrasonic or radar signal. Further preferably, the vehicle treatment system can be designed or have a control device such that the reflection surface provision device is controlled such that it only generates and / or places the at least one reflection surface in the predetermined position when the parking assistance system detection sensor detects that the vehicle to be treated or entering actually has a parking assistance or distance measuring system.distance measuring system in order not to unnecessarily confuse drivers of older vehicle models without such assistance systems.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, in addition to the reflective surface provision device, the vehicle treatment facility can have additional devices that assist the driver when entering and positioning the vehicle in the vehicle treatment facility, for example, a conventional entrance traffic light. This allows owners of vehicles without modern parking assistance or distance measurement systems to continue using the signaling system (including light barriers, etc.) provided at the vehicle treatment facility for vehicle positioning, while owners of vehicles with such assistance systems can be provided with additional assistance in vehicle positioning through the reflective surface provision device.

[0011] Preferably, the reflective surface can be oriented substantially vertically. Further preferably, at least a portion of the reflective surface extends vertically such that it lies within a range of typical ground heights of the distance sensors of parking assistance or distance measurement systems.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, at least one reflection surface can be designed as a solid body, which can be positioned, for example, by means of a servomotor, in such a way that it marks the predetermined position. Advantageously, such a solid body can be designed such that its vibration behavior is so pronounced that it reflects sound waves (ultrasonic waves) and / or its material properties are such that it reflects radar waves and / or optical waves.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the solid body can be made of a flexible and / or soft material, in particular a foam, and / or can be mounted in a flexible manner to prevent vehicle damage. More preferably, the reflective surface can be designed as a pivotable or foldable element, which can preferably be mounted in such a way that it can fold back flexibly in the direction of travel in the event of a collision with the vehicle.

[0014] According to a further preferred aspect, the reflection surface providing device can send back to the vehicle optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signals emitted by the parking assistance or distance measuring system of the vehicle in a modified manner such that the parking assistance or distance measuring system of the vehicle detects a virtual reflection surface / a virtual body and provides corresponding feedback to the driver.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reflective surface can be positioned such that it indicates a stopping area in a travel area of a vehicle, in particular a rollover car wash or car wash tunnel. In such an embodiment, the reflective surface can preferably be created and / or placed in the direction of travel through the vehicle treatment facility behind a location where the vehicle is to be placed for treatment. In an alternative embodiment, the reflective surface can advantageously be positioned such that it (or the predetermined position at which it is created / placed) is only passed through after the end of a vehicle treatment.

[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, a number of reflection surfaces can also be positioned laterally, in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction, opposite one another in the driving area of a vehicle treatment facility, so that they support a central positioning of the vehicle by the driver, since modern parking assistance or distance measuring systems also measure and display the distance in the lateral direction.

[0017] According to a further aspect, the reflection surface providing device can be arranged on or in a vehicle treatment device or a washing portal of the vehicle treatment facility and / or on or in a wheel guide rail and / or on units installed in a hall and / or on or in the hall itself.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, for more precise positioning, two reflective surfaces spaced apart from one another (in the direction of travel) can be created and / or placed to mark the predetermined position, in particular the stop area. In such an embodiment, a first reflective surface for the approach can be located behind a desired stop area, and a second reflective surface can be created and / or placed at a position in front of the position of the first reflective surface when the exact stop position is reached, so that the driver is signaled to stop immediately (e.g. by a continuous beep). In an alternative embodiment, a first reflective surface is created and / or placed in front of a desired stop area for the approach, and when a certain distance to this stop area is undershot, a second reflective surface behind it is created for fine adjustment.

[0019] According to a further preferred aspect, the vehicle treatment facility can have a control device / system controller and at least one entry sensor that detects the entry of a vehicle into the driving area of the vehicle treatment facility. Preferably, the control device / system controller can control the reflective surface provision device such that it generates and / or places the reflective surface, in particular behind a desired parking area, when the entry sensor detects that a vehicle has entered the driving area or has reached or fallen below a predetermined distance from the vehicle treatment facility or the desired parking area.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the reflective surface provision device can be controlled and / or positioned depending on a process state of a vehicle treatment process. Particularly preferably, the reflective surface provision device can be controlled such that at the start of a vehicle treatment, i.e., when the vehicle is in the correct treatment position and the treatment begins, the reflective surface provision device is removed or its creation is discontinued. In a vehicle treatment system with several treatment stations connected in series, the reflective surface provision device can, in a preferred embodiment, be controlled such that, after the end of a treatment at a first treatment station, a number of reflective surfaces are created and / or placed at a second, subsequent treatment station for the desired positioning of the vehicle, and so on.

[0021] A further aspect of the invention, which may be claimed independently, relates to a positioning system with a vehicle treatment facility according to one of the aspects described above and a vehicle to be treated in the vehicle treatment facility, which vehicle is equipped with a parking assistance or distance measuring system which can emit optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signals, in particular an ultrasonic signal, for measuring a distance between the vehicle and a reflection surface.

[0022] A further aspect of the invention, which may be claimed independently, relates to a method for the desired positioning of a vehicle relative to a vehicle treatment facility, comprising the step of temporarily generating and / or placing at least one reflective surface detectable by a parking assistance or distance measuring system of a vehicle, in particular by an optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signal, at at least one predetermined position in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment facility.

[0023] A further preferred embodiment relates to a method comprising the following steps: detecting a vehicle approaching the vehicle treatment facility; generating and / or placing at least one reflective surface detectable by a parking assistance or distance measuring system of a vehicle, in particular by an optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signal, at at least one predetermined position in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment facility after detecting the approaching vehicle; and / or removing the reflective surface after reaching the desired position or the desired area or at a predetermined process time.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures are merely schematic in nature and serve exclusively to facilitate understanding of the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0025] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a vehicle treatment plant according to a preferred embodiment. Fig. 2 a diagram showing a relationship between a distance to a reflection or reference surface measured by a parking assistance or distance measuring system and a signal tone frequency; Fig. 3 is a block diagram for controlling a vehicle treatment system according to a preferred embodiment; Fig. 4 is a schematic side view according to a second preferred embodiment; and Fig. 5 a schematic side view according to a third preferred embodiment.

[0026] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle treatment facility 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle treatment facility 1 shown is a gantry car wash, representative of any type of vehicle treatment facility or car wash. The facility 1 shown has two parallel gantry guide rails 2 and two likewise parallel wheel guide rails 3, which form a driving area of the vehicle treatment facility 1 between them, into which a vehicle 5 to be washed, guided by an entrance light 4, can enter. The vehicle 5 shown has a commercially available parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 with at least one signal transmitter 6 and at least one sensor 7. The parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle shown is based on a time-of-flight measurement of ultrasonic waves.However, all such systems that are familiar from the state of the art are also conceivable, such as radar wave-based or optical systems.

[0027] Previously known treatment systems of a similar design exclusively use the entrance traffic light 4 to assist the driver in positioning the vehicle 5 in the system 1. Such an entrance traffic light 4 is usually switched depending on various position detection sensors 11 and signals to the driver when entering a vehicle treatment system 1 that he should continue driving.

[0028] When a specific desired stopping position W is reached (e.g., measured by a light barrier 11b), the signal of the entrance traffic light 4 changes, signaling the driver to stop. This abrupt signal change often results in a permitted parking area being exceeded. Such an exceedance is transmitted, for example, by another light barrier 11c to the system control 9, which then instructs the entrance traffic light 4 to issue a signal to reverse. The maneuvering processes described above result in a lot of time being lost, which is why the resulting potential throughput in vehicle processing facilities 1 is reduced. Increasing the tolerance range (between light barrier 11b and light barrier 11c) to reduce the probability of exceeding it requires additional, expensive corridor length.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment of a vehicle treatment system 1 according to the invention, the established entry signal 4 is therefore supplemented by an additional auxiliary system. This system integrates the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 into the positioning process and thus provides the driver with additional and, above all, familiar feedback regarding their relative distance to the desired (parking) position W. By suggesting an impending collision, the stopping reaction is significantly improved, and the acoustic design of the signals of the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 allows the driver to concentrate fully on entering the narrow driving area without having to constantly look at the entry signal 4.

[0030] In order to implement the inventive concept described above, the vehicle treatment system 1 has a reflection surface provision device 8, 12, which places a reflection surface 8 at a predetermined position P, so that the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 signals the driver to stop before reaching the predetermined position P. Advantageously, the position P is therefore located a short distance (by a lower distance threshold) behind the desired (stopping) position W. It is further advantageous that the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 increases the frequency of a warning tone the closer the vehicle 5 comes to the predetermined position, thereby eliminating the need for an abrupt switch, as with the entrance traffic light 4.Since in the illustrated embodiment the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 is based on a transit time measurement of ultrasonic waves, the reflection surface 8 is designed such that it reflects ultrasonic waves in the frequencies commonly used for these purposes.

[0031] Again Fig. 2, in commercially available parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7, the frequency (F1, F2, F3) of a warning tone generally increases the smaller the measured distance (X1, X2, X3, X4) to an object becomes or the closer the vehicle 5 approaches the object. When a certain threshold value X1 is undershot, a continuous warning tone or collision warning generally sounds, and the commercially available parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7 do not differentiate further when the vehicle approaches the object even closer. Since this threshold value X1 is generally a distance of 20 to 30 cm, in the advantageous embodiment shown, the reflection surface 8 is positioned at the predetermined position P, which is approximately 30 cm behind the desired (stopping) position W.

[0032] The illustrated reflective surface 8 is designed as a plate that can be folded up from the floor by a servomotor (not shown). This allows the reflective surface 8 to be folded up vertically as needed, then folded back after use to clear the path for the vehicle 5. In the example shown, the reflective surface / plate 8 is pivotally attached to the floor of the hall in such a way that it yields and folds in upon a collision. It is conceivable to use one or two laterally pivoting wings with reflective plates that can be swung in and out laterally instead.

[0033] Furthermore, the reflection surface / plate 8 is made of a flexible / soft material, more precisely a foam, in order to avoid damage to potentially colliding vehicles 5.

[0034] The reflective surface provision device 8 of the illustrated embodiment also has, in addition to or instead of the reflective surface / plate 8, flat jet nozzles (reflective surface nozzles) 12, which are arranged on a gantry 10 guided along the gantry guide rails 2 (in particular on the underside of its cross member (not shown). The flat jet nozzles 12 are designed to generate a flat water jet or curtain, which serves as a reflective surface and is detected as an obstacle by the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5. Such a fluidically designed reflective surface utilizes the resources already available (washing nozzles and water) of the vehicle treatment system 1 and, moreover, does not pose a risk of damage to a vehicle 5 being treated.

[0035] Different parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7 of different vehicles (from different manufacturers) indicate after falling below different limit values (X1 in Fig. 2) a collision warning (continuous warning tone). This means that one vehicle type, for example, issues a collision warning at a distance of 20 cm from the reflective surface 8, while another vehicle type issues a collision warning at a distance of 40 cm from the reflective surface 8. To reduce the positioning inaccuracy resulting from this discrepancy, the reflective surface / plate 8 in the example shown is located slightly behind the desired (parking) position W. As a result, the driver receives an indication from the parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7 that they are approaching the desired (parking) position W through the increasing frequency of the warning tones when entering. The position P of the reflective surface / plate 8 is selected at such a distance that at the desired (parking) position W, the detection of the reflective surface / plate 8 alone would not trigger a collision warning (continuous warning tone).If the system control 9 now detects via the light barrier 11b that the vehicle is at the predetermined (parking) position P, it signals the reflection surface provision device 12 arranged on the portal 10 to generate a fluidic reflection surface at a position in front of the position P of the reflection surface / plate 8 and behind the desired (parking) position W, so that the parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7 issue a collision warning (continuous warning tone) via the fluidic reflection surface exactly upon reaching the desired (parking) position W. In other words, the position P of the reflection surface / plate 8 is located with reference to the reference values of the . Fig. 2 in a distance range >X1, preferably between X1 and X2, behind the desired (parking) position W and upon reaching the desired (parking) position W, the reflection surface providing device 12 generates a reflection surface which is at a distance <X1 hinter der gewünschten (Abstell-)Position W erzeugt und / oder platziert wird.

[0036] The reflection surface provision device 8, 12 of the illustrated embodiment is further configured to simulate a virtual reflection surface for the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5. For this purpose, the vehicle treatment system 1 has sensors and signal transmitters (not shown in detail), e.g., in the wheel guide rail. The sensors are configured to detect a measurement or scanning signal emitted by the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 in order to be able to send a corresponding signal (same frequency range, etc.) back to the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5. Furthermore, said sensor system is capable of measuring a distance A of the vehicle 5 from the wheel guide rail 1 in the width direction of the driving area.The reflection surface providing device 8, 12 transmits correspondingly calculated signals based on the determined distance A and the signals received from the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5, which signals suggest an obstacle to the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 and can thus help the driver to align the vehicle 5 centrally in the driving area.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a block diagram for an exemplary control of a reflective surface provision device 8, 12. Upon a corresponding user input or after a corresponding payment transaction by a customer, the exemplary control routine starts and puts the system into standby. In the course of this, an entry sensor (light barrier 11a) is also put into standby. If the entry sensor 11a detects an incoming vehicle 5, the system switches to a positioning mode in which the reflective surface 8 is generated and / or placed by the reflective surface provision device 8, 12. As a further condition for switching the system 1 to the positioning mode, the reception and detection of a distance measurement signal (e.g., an ultrasonic signal) at the system 1 can be checked in order to first ensure whether the incoming vehicle 5 is even equipped with a parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7.

[0038] The positioning mode is operated until a treatment position sensor (e.g., a triggered light barrier 11b while the light barrier 11c is not triggered) confirms that the vehicle 5 is in the correct treatment position (W). If this is confirmed, the system controller 9 triggers a vehicle treatment process and simultaneously instructs the reflective surface provision device 8, 12 to remove / fold in the reflective surface 8 or to stop its generation. After the triggered vehicle treatment process has ended, the system controller 9 ends in the example shown. However, a system with several treatment stations connected in series is also conceivable, in which the system controller 9 switches to a further positioning mode after the first vehicle treatment process has ended and initiates the generation / placement of a second reflective surface at a second treatment station.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a vehicle treatment system 1 according to the invention. Basically, the system 1 shown is constructed similarly to the embodiment described above and also has a portal 10 guided on portal guide rails 2 for treating a vehicle 5. The system 1 of the embodiment according to Fig. 4 also has a desired stopping area or positioning area W. To detect whether the vehicle 5 is in the desired stopping area and thus in the optimal treatment area, two positioning light barriers 11 are arranged on the pillars of the portal 10, spaced apart in the direction of travel. When a vehicle 5 approaches the system 1, the system first determines via a parking assistance system detection sensor 13 (in this example, an ultrasonic microphone) whether the vehicle 5 has a parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7, or whether the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 is activated / in operation. If the parking assistance system detection sensor 13 detects ultrasonic waves in a specific frequency range, it informs the system control 9 that a vehicle 5 with a parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 is approaching, and the system control activates the reflective surface provision device 12 in addition to the entrance traffic light 4.This then initially generates a flat water fan at position P1 at a distance of 40 to 50 cm (at a distance >X1) behind the desired stopping area W. If the vehicle reaches the rear of the two positioning light barriers 11, the reflective surface provision device 12 generates a second flat water fan at position P2 immediately behind the desired stopping area W, and the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 signals the driver of vehicle 5 to stop (continuous warning tone). If the parking assistance system detection sensor 13 does not detect any ultrasonic waves, the entering vehicle 5 is guided conventionally using the entrance light 4.

[0040] Fig. Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a vehicle treatment system according to the invention. This differs from the embodiment of Fig.4 mainly in that the reflection surface providing device 12 generates only a single flat water fan at a single predetermined position P. In such an embodiment, the position P is advantageously located a defined distance D of approximately 10 to 40 cm behind the desired stopping area W. The reason for this is that common parking assistance or distance measuring systems 6, 7 issue a collision warning (continuous warning tone) from a threshold distance X1 (in the range of approximately 30 cm) and no longer resolve smaller distances to an obstacle.If the reflective surface (water fan of the reflective surface provision device 12) is offset rearward from the desired stopping area W by a defined distance D of 30 cm, for example, the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 issues a collision warning (continuous warning tone) precisely when the vehicle reaches the end of the desired stopping area W (assuming a threshold distance of 30 cm). Preferably, the reflective surface can be offset rearward by a distance D of 20 cm from the desired stopping area. In this way, the parking assistance or distance measuring system 6, 7 of the vehicle 5 issues the collision warning (continuous warning tone) at a position approximately 10 cm before the end of the desired stopping area W. This creates a buffer zone approximately 10 cm long to compensate for the driver's reaction time or manufacturer-related fluctuations in the threshold distance.

[0041] Starting from the illustrated embodiment, numerous variants of the claimed invention are conceivable.

[0042] Thus, the reflection surface 8 can also be formed by a temporarily placeable curtain, the material properties of which are designed to reflect radar waves and / or ultrasonic waves.

[0043] Likewise, the position sensors 11 are not limited to light barriers, but can also be implemented by pressure sensors in the hall floor, Hall sensors or the like, or be based on optical detection. Reference symbol 1 vehicle treatment facility; 2 portal guide rails; 3 wheel guide rail; 4 entrance traffic lights; 5 vehicle; 6 signal transmitters of the parking assistance or distance measuring system; 7 Parking assistance or distance measuring system sensor; 8 Plate (reflective surface generating device) 9 Plant control; 10 portals; 11a to 11c position sensors, light barrier; 12 flat jet nozzle (reflection surface generating device); 13 Parking assistance system detection sensor; D defined distance; W Desired stopping area; and P predetermined position.

Claims

[1] Vehicle treatment system (1) for the desired positioning of a vehicle (5) relative to the vehicle treatment system (1), a reflection surface provision device (8, 12) is provided, which can temporarily generate and / or place at least one reflection surface (8) detectable by a parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) of the vehicle (5) at at least one predetermined position (P) in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment system (1), characterized by that the at least one reflection surface is formed from a fluid. [2] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that furthermore at least one reflection surface is designed as a solid body (8) which can be positioned in front of or in the vehicle treatment system (1) in such a way that it marks the predetermined position (P). [3] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to claim 2, characterized bythat the solid body (8) consists of a flexible and / or soft material and / or is mounted in a flexible manner in order to avoid damage to the vehicle. [4] Vehicle treatment plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one reflection surface is formed from a fluid consisting of at least one flat water jet or a water column or a water or foam curtain. [5] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the reflection surface providing device (8, 12) sends back to the vehicle (5) optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signals emitted by the parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) of the vehicle (5) in a modified manner such that the parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) of the vehicle (5) detects a virtual reflection surface. [6] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the predetermined position (P) of the reflection surface (8) is positioned such that it lies behind a desired holding area (W) in a vehicle treatment facility (1). [7] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reflection surface (8) is controlled and / or positioned by the reflection surface providing device (8, 12) depending on a process state of a vehicle treatment process. [8] Vehicle treatment system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reflection surface providing device (8, 12) sequentially produces and / or places two reflection surfaces (8) spaced apart from one another in order to be able to mark the predetermined position (P) more precisely. [9] Positioning system with a vehicle treatment facility (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a vehicle (5) to be treated in the vehicle treatment facility (1), which vehicle is equipped with a parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) which can emit optical, acoustic and / or electromagnetic signals for measuring a distance between the vehicle (5) and a reflection surface (8). [10] Method for the desired positioning of a vehicle (5) relative to a vehicle treatment plant (1), characterized by the step: Temporarily generating and / or placing at least one reflection surface (8) detectable by a parking assistance or distance measuring system (6, 7) of a vehicle (5) from a fluid at at least one predetermined position (P) in and / or in front of the vehicle treatment system (1).

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