Method for removing fogging from a window of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing fogging from a window of a motor vehicle, wherein a body of the motor vehicle has a nozzle head for spraying the window, with the aid of which the window is sprayed with a spray agent, wherein a control device of the motor vehicle activates the removal process. According to the invention, the spray agent is sprayed onto the window at intervals, wherein the spray agent is at least partially an antifreeze, the motor vehicle is an electric vehicle, a location of the motor vehicle is an outdoor location, at least partially uncovered, this location is detected by distance sensors, and the removal process is activated after detection of this location.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for removing fogging on a window of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Due to environmental influences, there is the problem that, particularly in cold seasons, condensation forms on the windscreen of a motor vehicle, which may lead to ice formation and which cannot be removed, is difficult to remove, or cannot be removed quickly enough with the help of a windscreen wiper before the vehicle is put into operation.

[0003] Especially in the case of purely electric vehicles, i.e. motor vehicles that are powered exclusively by electrical energy, this means that a heating unit usually has to be activated, which, however, also has to be fed from an energy reservoir that supplies the electrical energy.

[0004] Windscreen cleaning methods are known from the prior art, with the published patent application CN 110182176 A disclosing a windscreen cleaning method for a windscreen cleaning system of a motor vehicle, wherein, in a non-driving state of the motor vehicle, environmental information and possible deposits on the windscreen are detected and, based on this, the windscreen cleaning system is activated at intervals to remove dirt from the windscreen.

[0005] DE 199 09 939 A1 discloses a method for cleaning a windshield of a motor vehicle. During a motor vehicle standstill, particularly at night, a sensor detects soiling on the windshield, and the windshield is cleaned based on this information. The method is intended for cleaning stubborn dirt, such as insects, and thus solid particles on the windshield.

[0006] DE 10 2009 051 263 A1 describes a method for automatically defrosting a motor vehicle window, e.g. when icing of the window is detected or when the exterior mirror heating is active.

[0007] DE 10 2013 010 151 A1 discloses a method for defrosting a vehicle window, in which the window is sprayed preventively or periodically.

[0008] DE 10 2014 011 512 A1 describes a method for preventing icing of a window of a parked vehicle by repeatedly removing moisture from the window.

[0009] DE 11 2018 004 504 T5 shows a vehicle cleaning system with a cleaning priority for sensors.

[0010] From DE 19 42 120 A a windscreen washer system for vehicles with a spray circuit is known.

[0011] DE 10 2006 029 406 A1 describes a method for preventing icing or defrosting a window in which moisture is periodically removed and defrosting agent is applied when necessary.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for defrosting a window of a motor vehicle.

[0013] This object is achieved according to the invention with a method for defrosting a window of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

[0014] A method according to the invention for removing fogging from a windshield of a motor vehicle, wherein a body of the motor vehicle has a nozzle head for spraying the windshield, with the aid of which the windshield is sprayed with a spray agent, wherein a control device of the motor vehicle activates the removal process, comprises a spray agent that is sprayed onto the windshield at intervals and is at least partially an antifreeze. In other words, this means that a spray agent is sprayed onto the windshield to prevent icing of the fogging or at least to remove the fogging, even in crystalline form. Spraying can also be carried out preventively to prevent fogging.

[0015] The motor vehicle can be a fully electric vehicle, meaning that it is powered exclusively by a battery, thus being a so-called electric vehicle. It could also be a partially electric vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle. However, with a fully electric vehicle, the advantage of energy savings is significantly more relevant, as defrosting is significantly more energy-intensive, as the energy source used to power the vehicle is typically used to defrost the vehicle.

[0016] The invention thus offers the advantage of energy-reduced demisting or defogging. Furthermore, the vehicle can be started immediately, especially after a longer downtime, such as overnight, since defrosting the windshield is no longer necessary, especially shortly before departure. The inconvenient covering of the windshield is also eliminated.

[0017] The spray is applied to the window depending on various parameters, such as ambient temperature, forecast or current weather, location, and time of day. In particular, the removal process must be carried out at an ambient temperature that could cause the fog to freeze on the window.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the spray can be removed in a further step, for example, using a windshield wiper. The removal of the spray can be carried out until the windshield is completely dry. This can prevent or at least reduce repeated fogging.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the spray agent can be collected after spraying and fed to a spray agent circuit of the motor vehicle, whereby a cost-effective method is realized since the spray agent can be used several times.

[0020] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features and combinations of features mentioned can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0021] The method according to the invention is intended for removing fogging from a window of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is a fully electrically operated motor vehicle. It could also be a partially electrically operated motor vehicle, for example a hybrid vehicle or a motor vehicle driven solely by an internal combustion engine. The fogging essentially consists of water droplets; thus, the fogging can also be in the form of mist, which can settle on the window and, depending on the ambient temperature, form a solid coating in the form of a layer of ice on the window. This occurs particularly in the colder seasons and preferably at night.

[0022] A motor vehicle body has at least one nozzle head, which is assigned to the windshield and configured and designed to spray it. Typically, if it is a windshield of the motor vehicle, two or more nozzle heads are assigned to the windshield. It should be noted here that the windshield does not necessarily have to be the windshield; it could be any window of the motor vehicle, including a rear window, or even windows associated with the vehicle's lights. These also predominantly have nozzle heads nowadays.

[0023] The method according to the invention provides for spraying the windshield with a spray agent, wherein the spray agent consists at least partially of an antifreeze. The antifreeze can be added in a specific ratio to a conventional windshield cleaning agent present in a container of the motor vehicle. The spray agent could also be pure antifreeze. This depends in particular on the composition of the antifreeze.

[0024] The spray is sprayed onto the windshield at intervals to ensure preferential action and as complete a wetting of the windshield as possible. Spraying is the first step in the removal process, which is automated in that a control device on the vehicle activates the removal process. In other words, the removal process is started automatically depending on various parameters of the removal process, which can be determined using sensors.

[0025] The ambient temperature of the vehicle can be determined using a temperature sensor, and the spray agent is sprayed onto the windshield depending on the measured value. This value corresponds to a value that indicates that the fogging on the windshield will freeze. The demisting process can also be activated based on a weather forecast or current weather data.

[0026] According to the invention, distance sensors activate the demisting process depending on the location of the motor vehicle. Window fogging typically occurs when the motor vehicle is outdoors, i.e., without a roof (in other words, uncovered), or only partially covered. Therefore, the activation of the demisting process can be limited to a motor vehicle location outdoors or with only a partial roof to avoid increased energy consumption.

[0027] Likewise, the activation of the removal process can be based on the time of day, with the time of day being between dusk and dawn, as this is when the ambient temperature drops. For example, a GPS signal, which can be used to determine the location, or a brightness sensor, which can be used independently of a clock to determine the time of day, can be advantageously used to activate the removal process.

[0028] Of course, the activation of the removal process could also be initiated manually, whereby the individual steps of the removal process are carried out automatically.

[0029] After spraying the windshield, the spray can be removed in a further step. This can be easily accomplished using a windshield wiper assigned to the windshield, which is activated during or preferably shortly after spraying. The spray can be removed until the windshield is completely dry.

[0030] It may also be possible to collect the spray after spraying and feed it into the vehicle's spray circuit. In other words, the spray is returned to the container from which it was taken for spraying, for example, via a targeted drain.

[0031] Of course, the removal process can be reactivated, even several times, shortly after or immediately after completion. Spraying could also be performed preventively to prevent fogging.

Claims

[1] A method for removing condensation on a window of a motor vehicle, wherein a body of the motor vehicle has a nozzle head for spraying the window, with the aid of which the window is sprayed with a spray agent, wherein a control device of the motor vehicle activates a removal process, wherein the spray agent is sprayed onto the window at intervals to prevent the window from icing over, wherein the spray agent is at least partly an antifreeze, and wherein the motor vehicle is an electric vehicle, characterized by that a location of the motor vehicle is an outdoor location, at least partially uncovered, this location is detected by distance sensors, and the removal process is activated after detection of this location. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the spray agent is sprayed onto the window depending on the ambient temperature. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by that the ambient temperature has a value corresponding to a value that causes the mist on the window to freeze. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the spray is removed after spraying the window. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by that the spray is removed using a windscreen wiper assigned to the windscreen. [6] Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the spray is removed until the window is completely dry. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the removal process is activated depending on a weather forecast or current weather data. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the removal process is activated depending on the time of day. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that daytime is a time of day between dusk and dawn. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that is used to activate the removal process with the help of a GPS signal or a brightness sensor. [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spray agent is collected after spraying and fed into a spray agent circuit of the vehicle.