Vehicle system for performing a service function by means of a vehicle cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle system for performing a service function by means of a cleaning device (10) of a vehicle comprising: an evaluation unit (20) and the cleaning device (10), wherein the evaluation unit (20) is configured in a state of inactive ignition of the vehicle, in response to the occurrence of a predefined event, to activate a service function of the cleaning device (10) corresponding to the event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning a component (30) of the vehicle and / or setting a predefined position (40) of a cleaning element (15) of the cleaning device (10), which deviates from a rest position (45) of the cleaning element (15), and wherein the cleaning device (10) is configured to perform the service function activated by means of the evaluation unit (20).

Description

State of the artThe present invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle system for performing a service function by a cleaning device of a vehicle.

[0002] Cleaning devices for vehicles are known from the prior art, which are provided, for example, as windscreen wipers and / or cleaning nozzles for cleaning windows and / or headlights, etc. of the vehicles.

[0003] Cleaning nozzles are also known which are arranged on an automatically movable telescopic arm in order to be able to lower them, for example, into a part of the vehicle body when not in use, in order to, among other things, reduce air resistance of the vehicle and / or to prevent damage to the cleaning nozzles when not in use.

[0004] In the prior art, such cleaning devices are coupled to an operating state of the vehicles in which an ignition (also called “terminal 15”) or a corresponding state of the vehicle is active. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] The present invention proposes a vehicle system for performing a service function by a cleaning device of a vehicle, such a vehicle being, for example, a road vehicle (e.g., motorcycle, car, van, truck) or a rail vehicle or an aircraft / aircraft and / or a watercraft.

[0006] The vehicle system comprises an evaluation unit and the cleaning device, wherein the evaluation unit is configured, for example, as an ASIC, FPGA, processor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, or similar, and is part of an existing control unit and / or a standalone control unit of the vehicle. For example, it is possible for the evaluation unit to be configured as a component of the cleaning device and / or a higher-level control unit. A functionality according to the invention to be implemented by the evaluation unit can accordingly be implemented on the basis of a computer program product executable by the evaluation unit and / or on the basis of an electronic circuit.

[0007] The field of application of the cleaning device is fundamentally not limited to cleaning specific vehicle components, but preferred vehicle components to be cleaned by means of the cleaning device are specified further below in the course of the description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] When the vehicle's ignition is inactive, the evaluation unit is configured to activate a service function of the cleaning device corresponding to the event in response to the occurrence of a predefined event. The service function provides for cleaning a component of the vehicle and / or setting a predefined position of a cleaning element of the cleaning device that deviates from a rest position of the cleaning element. For this purpose, for example, a first predefined event is logically linked to the activation of the service function, while, for example, a second predefined event that deviates from the first predefined event is logically linked to the activation of the cleaning.Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to activate both service functions (setting the position and cleaning) simultaneously via a single predefined event and / or to predefine a large number of events for each service function, through which different subfunctions can be activated within the respective service function.

[0009] The inactive ignition state is generally understood to mean operating states of the vehicle in which a switched positive pole of a battery supplying a vehicle electrical system is switched off (also called “terminal 15 off” state) and / or in which the vehicle’s engine is not actively running and / or in which the vehicle is locked and / or parked.

[0010] For this purpose, the components of the vehicle system according to the invention are advantageously permanently connected to the terminals of the battery supplying the vehicle electrical system and / or configured to be at least temporarily supplied with electrical energy from the battery when the vehicle's ignition is inactive. The latter can be achieved, for example, by a continuously powered central control unit of the vehicle, which is configured to connect the vehicle system according to the invention to the battery in an event-based manner and preferably at regular intervals. Continuous power supply to the vehicle system according to the invention when the ignition is inactive is therefore not mandatory.

[0011] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the vehicle system according to the invention, or at least a part of the vehicle system (preferably at least the evaluation unit), is supplied via a sub-network of the on-board network, which is designed to provide electrical energy independently of an active ignition of the vehicle.

[0012] For communication with the cleaning unit, the evaluation unit is preferably connected to it via the vehicle's on-board electrical system. The information technology connection can be implemented wirelessly and / or preferably wired, and more preferably based on a vehicle bus system (e.g., CAN, LIN, MOST, Ethernet, etc.).

[0013] Respective predefined events, the occurrence of which causes the evaluation unit to activate the respective service function of the cleaning device, are fundamentally not restricted and can be vehicle-internal and / or vehicle-external events, which are explained in more detail in the course of the following description of advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0014] Finally, the cleaning device is configured to carry out the service function activated by the evaluation unit.

[0015] The vehicle system according to the invention offers the particular advantage that one or more service functions can be carried out even when the vehicle's ignition is not active, whereby, for example, the operational readiness of the vehicle can be permanently maintained or restored more quickly by, for example, (regularly) cleaning dirt from the vehicle component to be cleaned even when the vehicle is parked.

[0016] In addition, the setting of the predefined position, which deviates from the rest position of the cleaning element, is enabled when the ignition is inactive. This means that, for example, when using an external vehicle event, no opening of the vehicle or actuation of an internal vehicle control element (e.g., a steering column lever, etc.) is required to set the predefined position. The predefined position can, in particular, be a position in which servicing (e.g., checking and / or replacing and / or cleaning) for the cleaning element of the cleaning device is enabled or at least facilitated.

[0017] Furthermore, it is advantageously possible to carry out a recurring automatic cleaning of the area to be cleaned even when the vehicle's ignition is not active and the vehicle user is inside the vehicle (e.g., in the presence of precipitation in a drive-in cinema, etc.).

[0018] The above-mentioned advantages according to the invention can accordingly also increase the comfort for a user of the vehicle.

[0019] In particular, in a case in which the vehicle system according to the invention can be supplied with electrical energy when the vehicle's ignition is switched off via a pure software adaptation of vehicle components, the functionality according to the invention can also be implemented particularly cost-effectively by adapting existing vehicle software.

[0020] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning device comprises a wiper system for the vehicle, and in particular a wiper system for a windshield and / or for a headlight of the vehicle. The wiper system preferably comprises at least one wiper arm, which can be moved over the windshield and / or the headlight of the vehicle by means of an actuator (e.g., a wiper motor). The windshield is, for example, a windshield, a rear window, or a side window of the vehicle. In this case, the cleaning element is a wiper blade of the wiper system, which is arranged on the wiper arm.The predefined position that can be set using the service function is a position of the wiper blade that is suitable for changing a wiper rubber arranged on the wiper blade and that is, in particular, a position in which the wiper blade is arranged at an angle of 20° to 80°, preferably of 30° to 70°, and more preferably at an angle of 40° to 60°, relative to the rest position of the wiper blade. The rest position preferably corresponds to a substantially horizontal orientation of the wiper blade, in which the wiper blade is usually arranged at a lower edge of a surface of the vehicle to be cleaned (e.g., the windshield). The predefined position here accordingly represents a service function for maintenance and / or repair and / or inspection of the cleaning element.Alternatively or additionally, the predefined position that can be set using the service function is a position of the wiper blade in which precipitation striking the vehicle component to be cleaned is not retained by the wiper blade and which corresponds in particular to a position in which the wiper blade is arranged at an angle of 80° to 100° with respect to the rest position of the wiper blade. This position can be advantageously used, for example, when the vehicle is parked and exposed to snowfall, so that a substantially vertical orientation of the wiper arm results in snow accumulating on the vehicle component to be cleaned being able to slide down more easily, whereby the surface to be cleaned can be cleaned with less effort before starting a journey.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning device comprises a washer-water dispensing unit for the vehicle, in particular a washer-water dispensing unit for a window and / or a headlight of the vehicle. The window of the vehicle to be cleaned by means of the washer-water dispensing unit is, for example, as already mentioned above, a windshield, a rear window, or a side window of the vehicle. Furthermore, the washer-water dispensing unit advantageously comprises at least one pump and at least one cleaning nozzle, wherein the pump is configured, in response to a control, to convey a washer fluid from a reservoir under pressure to the cleaning nozzle in order to dispense the washer fluid for cleaning the vehicle component to be cleaned.Furthermore, it is possible for the cleaning device to additionally comprise a telescopic arm configured to move the cleaning nozzle into a predefined cleaning position (e.g., in front of a headlight) during cleaning and to retract the cleaning nozzle into a surface of the vehicle when not in use. For cleaning and / or maintenance of the cleaning nozzle, the predefined position of the cleaning element can accordingly be an extended position of the telescopic arm, in which the cleaning nozzle is accessible. It is understood that such a washer fluid dispensing unit can be used in combination with the vehicle's wiper system described above.

[0023] Particularly advantageously, the vehicle system according to the invention further comprises a user interface, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to output to a user of the vehicle, via the user interface, information about a contamination state (which, for example, represents a degree and / or type of contamination) of the component to be cleaned and / or a recommended action for using the service function and / or the vehicle and / or a result of the executed service function and / or a malfunction of the service function. This enables the user, in particular a driver of the vehicle, to go to the vehicle well in advance of a planned start of a journey in the event of a possible manual cleaning requirement of the vehicle component to be cleaned and / or to implement further measures corresponding to the recommended action.

[0024] The user interface is preferably a display and / or a loudspeaker and / or a lighting system of the vehicle. Particularly preferably, the user interface is a portable mobile device of the user, such as a smartphone and / or a tablet computer and / or a smartwatch, etc., so that the information described above can also be provided to the user of the vehicle away from the vehicle. For this purpose, the vehicle is preferably connected to the portable mobile device (e.g., via an internet connection) via a wireless communication connection (e.g., a cellular connection, a WLAN connection, etc.). Further preferably, a dedicated app (application software for a mobile device) is provided on the portable mobile device for this purpose, via which the information is output, for example, via a push message. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to provide the information via a cloud service.Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the information to be output via a home automation system of the vehicle user, for example by outputting the information on a wall display of a property belonging to the user or similar.

[0025] The evaluation unit is particularly advantageously configured to accept activation and / or configuration of the service function by the user via the user interface. This does not explicitly rule out the possibility of activation and / or configuration being carried out alternatively or additionally via a further user interface that differs from the user interface. Other possible user interfaces include a touch display on the vehicle and / or a voice input system on the vehicle and / or another mobile device, etc. During the configuration, parameters such as an expected parking time for the vehicle and / or a desired extent and / or type of cleaning and / or a desired cleaning performance can be set. Furthermore, cleaning intervals and / or cleaning start times and / or an automatic function for cleaning can be set, for example.The latter can be carried out particularly advantageously based on information from vehicle sensors, which are configured, for example, to determine the degree and / or type of soiling of the vehicle component to be cleaned. For this purpose, known rain sensors for vehicles can be used, for example, which are usually located behind a windshield of the vehicle and are directed toward the surroundings of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is possible to use cameras, humidity sensors, etc.

[0026] Preferably, the predefined event for activating the cleaning device represents an outside temperature falling below a predefined temperature threshold (e.g. a freezing point temperature of water) and / or upcoming historically determined and / or predefined times of use of the vehicle and / or a user input (e.g. via an app) and / or an approach of the user to the vehicle and / or an unlocking and / or opening of the vehicle by the user and / or an existing precipitation (which is determined, for example, based on sensors and / or on the basis of external weather information) and / or an existing contamination of the component of the vehicle and / or a respective expiration of predefined cyclical time intervals.In an exemplary case in which the predefined temperature threshold is reached or undershot by the outside temperature and a rain sensor of the vehicle detects the presence of precipitation, an automatic cleaning of, for example, a windscreen and a rear screen of the vehicle using the respective wiper systems can be activated by the evaluation unit on the basis of this information, so that snowfall that is expected due to the outside temperature is counteracted by cleaning the windows repeatedly at predefined intervals and / or depending on the amount of precipitation.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the evaluation unit is configured to execute the service function only when a charge state and / or voltage of a battery of the vehicle for supplying the vehicle system is greater than a predefined threshold value and / or a previously determined operational readiness of the cleaning system does not exhibit any relevant impairment (e.g., blockage due to icing and / or contamination) and / or the vehicle is parked outside an area protected from environmental influences (e.g., outside a garage and / or a parking garage, etc.). The latter can be determined, for example, based on the vehicle's environmental sensors and / or a GPS-based localization of the vehicle by the evaluation unit.

[0028] Furthermore, it is possible for the evaluation unit to be configured to activate and deactivate at least one part of the vehicle's electrical system relevant to the cleaning device in response to the occurrence of the predefined event. For this purpose, it is possible for only part of the cleaning device according to the invention (i.e., at least the evaluation unit) to be permanently connected to the poles of the battery, so that the evaluation unit is permanently energized and in this way configured to activate the cleaning device and / or the user interface when required. Alternatively, it is possible for the entire vehicle system according to the invention to be energized at least temporarily by means of a higher-level component of the vehicle when the ignition is not active.

[0029] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the evaluation unit is configured to initiate and / or adjust the cleaning of the component depending on the type and / or extent of soiling and / or the expected time of use of the vehicle, and / or to support the cleaning process using another component of the vehicle. The another component is, for example, a parking heater and / or a window heater of the vehicle, on the basis of which icing and / or snow covering the vehicle component to be cleaned can be at least partially removed. Short description of the drawings

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle system according to the invention for performing a service function by a cleaning device of a vehicle; and Fig. 2 an exemplary integration of the vehicle system according to the invention into an on-board network architecture of a vehicle. Embodiments of the invention

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle system according to the invention for performing a service function by a cleaning device 10 of a vehicle.

[0032] The vehicle system comprises an evaluation unit 20 designed as an ASIC, which is connected in terms of information technology to the cleaning device 10, to a user interface 50 designed as a display, to a mobile radio-based wireless communication unit 90 and to a parking heater 50 of the vehicle.

[0033] Furthermore, the vehicle system according to the invention is electrically connected to a battery 100 of the vehicle, which is configured to supply the components of the vehicle system according to the invention with electrical energy via the vehicle's electrical system. The evaluation unit 20 is additionally connected for information purposes to a battery management system (not shown) of the battery 110.

[0034] The cleaning device 10 is formed here from a wiper system 12 and a washer water dispensing unit 16 for a windshield 30 of the vehicle, wherein the wiper system 12 is operated by means of respective wiper motors 14 and the washer water dispensing unit 16 is operated by means of respective pumps (not shown).

[0035] In a state of non-active ignition of the vehicle, the evaluation unit 20 is configured to activate a service function of the cleaning device 10 in response to the occurrence of a predefined event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning the windshield 30 of the vehicle and / or setting a predefined service position 40 of a wiper blade 15 of the cleaning device 10, which deviates from a rest position 45 of the wiper blade 15.

[0036] The predefined event is triggered here by a vehicle user activating a virtual control surface in an app on a smartphone 100. The smartphone 100 transmits the activation in the form of an activation signal via a mobile radio connection to the vehicle's wireless communication unit 90. The wireless communication unit 90 is, in turn, configured to forward the activation signal to the evaluation unit 20.

[0037] When a cleaning operation is to be performed, the cleaning device 10 is configured to execute the service function for cleaning the windshield 30, activated by the evaluation unit 20, and to transmit status information representing a successful completion of the cleaning process and / or information regarding a malfunction that occurred during the cleaning process to the user's smartphone 100. During the cleaning process, the wiper motors 14 of the wiper system 12 and the pumps of the washer fluid dispensing unit 16 are activated to wet the windshield 30 with a washer fluid through the respective cleaning nozzles 18 of the washer fluid dispensing unit 16.

[0038] The evaluation unit 20 is further configured to receive, via the wireless communication unit 90, a start time for cleaning and / or for setting the service position, entered via the smartphone 100, and to automatically execute the service function upon reaching the start time. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 20 is configured to receive parameters for configuring the respective service functions of the cleaning device 10 from the smartphone 100 and to set them accordingly.

[0039] Furthermore, the evaluation unit 20 is configured to start and / or adjust a cleaning of the windshield 30 depending on a sensor-determined type and / or a sensor-determined extent of contamination and / or an expected time of use of the vehicle and / or to support the cleaning by activating the auxiliary heater 120 (and / or a windshield heater not shown).

[0040] The evaluation unit 20 is further configured to execute the service function only if the charge level and voltage of the vehicle's battery 110 for supplying the vehicle system are greater than respective predefined threshold values ​​and if a previously determined operational readiness of the cleaning system 10 does not exhibit any relevant impairment. Information about the charge level and voltage is advantageously provided to the evaluation unit 20 via the battery management system of the battery 110, which is connected to the evaluation unit 20 for information technology purposes.

[0041] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary integration of the vehicle system according to the invention into an on-board network architecture of a vehicle (not shown).

[0042] A central vehicle computer 60, which is configured to carry out a central control of the vehicle, is connected in an information-technical manner to a wireless communication unit 90 of the vehicle in order to receive, in a state of non-active ignition of the vehicle, via the wireless communication unit 90 a signal generated away from the vehicle, which signal indicates a predefined event for executing a service function of a cleaning device 10 (see Fig. 1) of the vehicle.

[0043] An evaluation unit 20 according to the invention is here a component of the vehicle computer 60 and the evaluation unit 20 is configured, in response to the reception of the signal, to activate a zone control unit 70 of the vehicle, which in turn is configured to activate a driver control unit 80 which is provided for controlling a wiper motor 14 of the cleaning device 10 of the vehicle.

[0044] The driver control unit 80 is also capable of executing the service function in response to a request from the evaluation unit 20 and transmitting information regarding completion of the service function to the evaluation unit 20.

Claims

[1] Vehicle system for performing a service function by a cleaning device (10) of a vehicle, comprising: • an evaluation unit (20), and • the cleaning device (10), wherein • the evaluation unit (20) is configured, in a state of non-active ignition of the vehicle, to activate a service function of the cleaning device (10) corresponding to the event in response to the occurrence of a predefined event, wherein the service function provides for cleaning of a component (30) of the vehicle and / or setting of a predefined position (40) of a cleaning element (15) of the cleaning device (10), which deviates from a rest position (45) of the cleaning element (15), and • the cleaning device (10) is configured to carry out the service function activated by means of the evaluation unit (20). [2] Vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein • the cleaning device (10) comprises a wiper system (12) for the vehicle and in particular a wiper system (12) for a window (30) and / or a headlight of the vehicle, • the cleaning element is a wiper blade (15) of the wiper system (12), • the predefined position (40) that can be set using the service function is a position (40) of the wiper blade (15), o which is suitable for changing a wiper rubber arranged on the wiper blade (15) and which is in particular a position (40) in which the wiper blade (15) is arranged at an angle of 20° to 80°, preferably of 30° to 70° and more preferably at an angle of 40° to 60° with respect to the rest position (45) of the wiper blade (15), and / or o in which precipitation impinging on the vehicle component (30) to be cleaned is not retained by the wiper blade (15) and which corresponds in particular to a position (40) in which the wiper blade (15) is arranged at an angle of 80° to 100° with respect to the rest position (45) of the wiper blade (15). [3] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning device (10) has a washing water dispensing unit (16) for the vehicle, in particular a washing water dispensing unit (16) for a window (30) and / or a headlight of the vehicle. [4] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a user interface (50), wherein the evaluation unit (20) is configured to use the user interface (50) • information about the contamination status of the component to be cleaned (30), and / or • a recommendation for action regarding the use of the service function and / or the vehicle, and / or • a result of the service function performed, and / or • to indicate a malfunction of the service function to a user of the vehicle. [5] Vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the user interface (50) • a display and / or a loudspeaker and / or a lighting system of the vehicle, and / or • a control element of the vehicle, and / or • a portable mobile terminal of the user (100), and / or • a cloud service, and / or • is a home automation system. [6] Vehicle system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the evaluation unit (20) is configured to receive an activation and / or a configuration of the service function by the user by means of the user interface (50). [7] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predefined event for activating the cleaning device (10) • an outside temperature falling below a predefined temperature threshold, and / or • upcoming historically determined and / or predefined times of use of the vehicle, and / or • a user input, and / or • the user approaching the vehicle, and / or • unlocking and / or opening the vehicle by the user, and / or • existing precipitation, and / or • existing contamination of the component (30) of the vehicle, and / or • represents a respective sequence of predefined cyclic time intervals. [8] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (20) is arranged to carry out the service function only when • a charge state and / or a voltage of a battery (110) of the vehicle for supplying the vehicle system is greater than a predefined threshold value, and / or • a previously determined operational readiness of the cleaning system (10) does not show any relevant impairment, and / or • the vehicle is parked outside an area protected from environmental influences. [9] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (20) is configured to activate and deactivate at least one part of an on-board electrical system of the vehicle relevant to the cleaning device (10) in response to the occurrence of the predefined event. [10] Vehicle system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (20) is configured to start and / or adapt the cleaning of the component (30) depending on a type and / or extent of contamination and / or an expected time of use of the vehicle and / or to support it by means of a further component (120) of the vehicle.

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