Method for reducing rear window contamination

Abstract

A method (100) for reducing rear contamination of a vehicle (22) while driving using an active rear spoiler system (38), comprising: Providing an active rear spoiler (38A) for a vehicle (22) with a rectangular rear; Determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold; Detect if the rear end is contaminated; Using rain sensor technology (34) to determine whether the rear end is contaminated by rain, wherein determining whether the rear end is contaminated by rain comprises determining whether the rear window (35) and the rear view camera (36) are contaminated by rain; Determine whether the windshield wipers are switched on; and Extending the active rear spoiler (38A) when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is dirty and the windshield wipers are switched on.

Description

Introduction

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system

[0002] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) 10 and other quad-rear vehicles may experience rear-end contamination 12 while being driven, including, but not limited to, contamination of rear glass and rearview cameras. This contamination typically occurs from water or dust contamination.

[0003] EP 2 711 254 A2 describes a spoiler for regulating airflows at a rear of a vehicle, comprising a movable portion disposed at a rear side of a roof panel and an upper side of a rear window of a vehicle and extending along the width direction of the vehicle. The movable portion is movable to increase and decrease a projection of a front end portion of the movable portion upward in a vehicle front-rear direction from an upper surface of the roof panel. The deflector further includes a drive system for driving the movable portion to decrease (increase) the projection as a vehicle speed increases (decreases) to decrease (increase) an amount of air introduced through the movable portion and flowing along the rear window.

[0004] WO 2004 / 106127 A1 describes a system for cleaning the exterior of a substantially vertical window pane of a motor vehicle, comprising a hydrophilic coating and an active coating of the photocatalytic type applied to the outer vertical surface of the window pane. The system according to the invention comprises a device used to spray a cleaning fluid onto at least a portion of the exterior of the window pane and comprising at least one set of multiple nozzles.

[0005] DE 10 2004 041 266 A1 describes a method for controlling a rear window wiper of a vehicle, in which the wiping operations of the rear window wiper and a windshield wiper arranged on a windshield are triggered with at least partially different control signals. The control signal for the rear window wiper is obtained from a rain sensor signal from a rain sensor monitoring the windshield, a vehicle speed signal, and a road condition signal.

[0006] US 6,193,302 B1 describes a motor vehicle comprising a spoiler pivotable between a storage position substantially flush with the vehicle body and an extended position vertically spaced from the vehicle body. The aerodynamic element is connected to the body by first and second supports. The supports are oriented substantially vertically when the aerodynamic elements are in the extended position and horizontally when the aerodynamic elements are in the storage position. A drive arrangement moves the aerodynamic element between its storage position and its deployment position.

[0007] US 2018 / 0 251 166 A1 describes a spoiler intended to be positioned in a region of a rear edge of a roof above a rear window, the spoiler having an upper surface substantially aligned with an imaginary continuation of a streamline of the roof and at least one through opening opening above a region of the rear window, the opening being provided with at least one inner wall intended to direct an air flow coming from the roof over the region through the opening, characterized in that the wall is mounted so as to be movable with respect to the spoiler so as to be able to open towards the rear window to direct the air flow over the region and to be able to close the opening in a closed position.

[0008] DE 10 2014 104 157 A1 describes a spoiler for a full-rear-end motor vehicle, which is arranged in the area of ​​a rear roof edge above a rear window and comprises an air guide element that can be moved from a rest position into at least one active position. A gap-sealing device is provided that seals a gap present in the active position between a front edge of the spoiler and a body surface around which air flows during driving.

[0009] DE 197 38 026 A1 describes a spoiler that directs the air flowing over the rear edge into the free-standing area at the rear. It is only extended at high speeds, while it folds inward when stationary or driving slowly. This does not widen or lengthen the body. It can be deployed by an adjustment mechanism or automatically by wind pressure. It can run vertically or horizontally across the direction of travel and be oval or rectangular when viewed from above. Several spoilers can be mounted one behind the other.

[0010] DE 601 00 893 T2 describes a system and method for removing liquids from a rear window (i.e., a rear window) of a vehicle, such as a car, a truck, or an off-road vehicle. In particular, the system and / or method may comprise a rear spoiler or air deflector designed to accelerate the air / wind flow and direct it toward the rear window, which has a hydrophobic coating provided thereon, so that liquid (e.g., rain) and / or dirt can be easily removed from the rear window.

[0011] Based on the prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a possibility for reducing rear contamination while the vehicle is being driven. Description of the invention

[0012] A method according to the invention for reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active rear spoiler system comprises: Providing an active rear spoiler for a vehicle with a rectangular rear end; determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold; detecting whether the rear end is debris; using rain sensing technology to determine whether the rear end is debris-laden by rain, wherein determining whether the rear end is debris-laden by rain includes determining whether the rear window and rearview camera are debris-laden by rain; determining whether the windshield wipers are engaged; deploying the active rear spoiler when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is debris-laden, and the windshield wipers are engaged.

[0013] In another embodiment, determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold further includes using a vehicle speed sensor.

[0014] In another embodiment, providing the active rear spoiler further includes using a linear actuator to outwardly extend a vane disposed in the active rear spoiler.

[0015] In another embodiment, the outwardly extending vane creates a channel to redirect air to the rear end to reduce contamination.

[0016] In a further embodiment, an operator is enabled to selectively extend the active rear spoiler using an actuation switch.

[0017] In another embodiment, deploying the active rear spoiler includes using a shutter when the vehicle speed is above a predetermined threshold, the rear is dirty, and the windshield wipers are engaged. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is an illustration of a square-tailed vehicle with rear contamination that may occur while driving; Fig. 2 is a component diagram illustration for reducing rear vehicle contamination while driving with an active spoiler system according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3A is an illustration of a vehicle with a non-deployed active rear spoiler system according to aspects of the exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3B is an illustration of a vehicle with an extended active rear spoiler system according to aspects of the exemplary embodiment; and Fig. 4 is an illustration of an algorithm for the method for reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while driving with an active spoiler system according to aspects of the exemplary embodiment. Detailed description

[0018] Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a method of reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while in motion using an active spoiler system is provided.

[0019] As in Fig. 2, a graphical illustration of a vehicle system diagram 20 is provided for reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while driving with an active spoiler system according to an exemplary embodiment. Rear contamination refers to contaminants such as rain, dust, or foreign matter that may accumulate on the vehicle. It should be understood that reducing contamination also refers to the rear end of the vehicle when referring to reducing contamination of the rear-end components, including, but not limited to, the rear windshield and the rearview camera 36.

[0020] The system 20 includes a vehicle 22 with electronic control units (24, 26, and 28) in electrical communication with a conventional 12-volt battery 30. The control units include a body control module (BCM) 24, an engine control module (ECM) 26, and a transmission control module (TCM) 28.

[0021] Further related to Fig. 1, the battery 30 is in electrical communication with the BCM 24, ECM 26, and TCM 28 via a series of electrical cables 40 to power the control modules (24, 26, and 28). The control modules (24, 26, and 28) are also interconnected via one or more network connections, such as a communications network 42, which allows the control modules (24, 26, and 28) to exchange information as needed. Examples of suitable network connections include a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Media Oriented System Transfer (MOST), a Local Area Network (LIN), a Local Area Network (LAN), and other suitable connections, such as Ethernet, or others conforming to, among others, known ISO, SAE, and IEEE standards and specifications.The rain sensor technology 34, the rear view camera 36 and the active rear spoiler system 38 are in signal communication with the BCM 24 via the conductors 44, which are suitable for transmitting the respective sensing or control information to the BCM 24.

[0022] It should be noted that instead of the BCM 24, another stand-alone control unit (not shown) may be used to receive information from the vehicle speed sensor 32, the rain sensor technology 34, and the rearview camera 36 and to control the operation of the active rear spoiler 38 in response to the information received from these devices.

[0023] With reference to the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, depictions of a vehicle with a non-extended active rear spoiler system and a vehicle with an extended active rear spoiler system are provided. Fig. 3A, the non-deployed active rear spoiler 38A can provide an aerodynamic benefit while driving, rather than simply providing a wind deflector at the rear of the vehicle 22. Rear spoilers are notoriously sensitive to aerodynamic performance, so an active rear spoiler system 38A according to aspects of the exemplary embodiment provides a cross-functional benefit of good aerodynamic performance as well as an innovative way to reduce contamination at the rear of the vehicle while driving. In the non-deployed position, the active rear spoiler 38A causes air to flow in a direction 50 such that drag is minimized as much as possible.

[0024] With reference to Fig. 3B, the active rear spoiler 38B is in the extended position, so that the airflow 52 is redirected through a channel formed between a vane 54, which is extended outwardly by an actuating mechanism 56, such as a linear actuator, a hydraulic / pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid-driven linkage, or other suitable mechanism. The airflow 52 flows through the channel so that it is directed toward the rear window 35 and possibly toward the rearview camera 36 to blow off contaminants such as water, dust, or other debris while driving.

[0025] With reference now to Fig.4, an illustration of an algorithm is provided for the method 100 of reducing rear contamination of the vehicle while driving using an active spoiler system according to aspects of the exemplary embodiment. The method begins at 105 by providing an active rear spoiler for a square-backed vehicle. Typically, the active rear spoiler system would be useful for square-backed vehicles, such as SUVs, but it is contemplated that the system may be applied to other vehicles without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0026] The method then continues at block 110 by determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, e.g., 35 km / h. The system may also be configured to operate between a predetermined range of vehicle speeds, e.g., 35–70 km / h, to limit the maximum amount of drag caused by the system. Continuing at block 115, the system detects whether there is any debris, e.g., rain, dust, or leaves, at the rear of the vehicle, and at block 120, the system determines whether the windshield wipers are engaged. Through its communication link with the rain-sensing technology and the windshield wipers, the BCM can easily determine whether these functions are active.

[0027] At block 125, if the vehicle speed is greater than a predefined threshold, the rear area is contaminated, and the wipers are engaged, the system deploys the active rear spoiler to reduce the rear area's contamination. If one of the deployment conditions is not met—i.e., the vehicle speed is not greater than a predefined threshold, the rear area is not contaminated, and the wipers are not engaged—the method continues to block 130, where the active rear spoiler is not deployed.

[0028] At block 135, after the active rear spoiler is deployed to reduce pollution, the method determines whether the ignition is on. If so, the method returns to block 110. If not, the method ends.

Claims

[1] A method (100) for reducing rear contamination of a vehicle (22) while driving using an active rear spoiler system (38), comprising: Providing an active rear spoiler (38A) for a vehicle (22) with a rectangular rear; Determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold; Detect if the rear end is contaminated; Using rain sensor technology (34) to determine whether the rear end is contaminated by rain, wherein determining whether the rear end is contaminated by rain comprises determining whether the rear window (35) and the rear view camera (36) are contaminated by rain; Determine whether the windshield wipers are switched on; and Extending the active rear spoiler (38A) when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is dirty and the windshield wipers are switched on. [2] The method (100) of claim 1, wherein determining whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold further comprises using a vehicle speed sensor (32). [3] The method (100) of claim 1, wherein extending the active rear spoiler (38A) further comprises using a linear actuator (56) to outwardly extend a vane (54) disposed in the active rear spoiler (38A). [4] The method (100) of claim 3, wherein the outwardly extending vane (54) creates a channel to redirect air to the aft end to reduce contaminants. [5] The method (100) of claim 1, further comprising using an actuation switch that enables an operator to selectively extend the active rear spoiler (38A). [6] The method (100) of claim 1, further comprising using a shutter to deploy the active rear spoiler (38A) when the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined threshold, the rear end is contaminated, and the windshield wipers are engaged.

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