Heating device and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heating device (10) for a sensor device (110) for a motor vehicle (100). The heating device (10) comprises a heating element (20) for heating a surface area of ​​a viewing device (112) of the sensor device (110) which is at least partially transparent to the sensor device (110), and an energy interface (30) for supplying the heating element (20) with electrical energy. The energy interface (30) has a first connection device (32) for connecting the heating device (10) to an operating circuit (120) of the motor vehicle (100) and a second connection device (34) for connecting the heating device (10) to a pre-operation circuit (122) of the motor vehicle (100).Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle (100) comprising a sensor device (110) with a vision device (112) that is at least partially transparent to the sensor device (110) and a heating device (10) for heating the vision device (112) over a surface.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a sensor device with a viewing device that is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, and a heating device for heating the viewing device over its entire surface.

[0002] Currently known driver assistance systems comprise a multitude of sensors. To prevent malfunctions and system failures, heating devices are used to defrost and / or reduce interior or exterior condensation caused by moisture. Furthermore, preconditioning procedures are known for electric vehicles. In practice, when preconditioning is activated, condensation has formed on the interior surfaces of sensors, such as camera-viewing windows, due to the activated ventilation. This condensation leads to the failure of the corresponding driver assistance systems shortly after starting the vehicle. Additionally, with known defrosting methods, such as windshield defrosting, activated preconditioning results in little to no defrosting in the sensor area, such as the camera-viewing window, which also leads to the failure of the driver assistance systems.

[0003] Known heating devices are mostly controllable by and / or depending on the corresponding sensor device, so that operation of the heating device only starts with the operation of the corresponding sensor device and thus with operation usually in the form of a switching-on process of the motor vehicle.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least partially overcome, the disadvantages described above in the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle, which makes the reliable operation of the sensor device of the motor vehicle particularly easy. In particular, it is further an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle with a sensor device and a heating device.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved by the claims. In particular, the problem is solved by a heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 10. Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features described in connection with the heating device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, or can make, reciprocal references.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle. The heating device comprises a heating element for heating a surface area of ​​a viewing device of the sensor device which is at least partially transparent to the sensor device, and an energy interface for supplying the heating element with electrical energy. According to the invention, the energy interface has a first connection device for connecting the heating device to an operating circuit of the motor vehicle and a second connection device for connecting the heating device to a pre-operation circuit of the motor vehicle.

[0007] Within the scope of the invention, the viewing device is preferably understood as a device that protects and / or limits the sensor device, through which the sensor device can detect objects. By way of example, the viewing device can be understood as a transparent cover, a light shield, and / or a pane of glass. The sensor device is preferably configured as an optical sensor device, in particular as a camera device, radar device, lidar device, infrared device, and / or other sensor device. By way of example, the sensor device is configured as a front camera behind the windshield of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The heating of the viewing device by the heating element is preferably understood as heating a sufficiently large area of ​​the viewing device to ensure reliable operation of the sensor device. This heating is preferably understood as distinct from point heating. The heating of the viewing device by the heating element is preferably understood as heating by direct heat or by radiant heat.

[0009] The energy interface according to the invention enables the heating device to be supplied with energy from the motor vehicle. The energy interface is preferably designed as a 12V interface and preferably comprises at least one positive terminal and one negative terminal. Preferably, the positive terminal is connected or connectable to the operating circuit and the pre-operation circuit via the first connection device and the second connection device.

[0010] The first connecting device and the operating circuit preferably enable the supply and / or control of the heating device during operation of the motor vehicle, particularly after the vehicle has been started, i.e., after ignition. The operating circuit preferably enables the supply and / or control of the heating device while driving and / or while the vehicle is being used by a user.

[0011] The second connection device and the pre-operation circuit preferably enable the supply and / or control of the heating device before the vehicle is operated, in particular before the vehicle is started, i.e., before ignition. The pre-operation circuit preferably enables the supply and / or control of the heating device during pre-conditioning and auxiliary heating phases of the vehicle.

[0012] In clear and illustrative terms, the heating device according to the invention enables the control of the heating element via different control circuits. Control is thus ensured during driving operation as well as during the preconditioning phase and / or the auxiliary heating phase. Preferably, the heating device according to the invention enables this advantageous operation of the sensor device and the motor vehicle with only a hardware modification of the heating device. Preferably, the heating device according to the invention does not require any software adaptation of the sensor device and / or the motor vehicle.

[0013] A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because it enables the surface heating of a viewing device of the sensor device that is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0014] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a heating device it can be provided that the first connecting device and / or the second connecting device are designed as energy and / or control signal lines.

[0015] The advantageous operation of the heating device is achieved through a conventional supply or de-entry of energy to the heating element and / or through control via signals to the heating element. Both variants enable particularly reliable operation of the sensor device and the vehicle and preferably allow for either a particularly energy-efficient or a cost-effective design of the heating device. Preferably, the heating element is controlled by PWM in a timed manner. A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the first and / or second connecting device enables the surface heating of a sensor device's viewing element that is at least partially transparent to the sensor device, thus enabling reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0016] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a heating device may be provided in such a way that the first connecting device and / or the second connecting device comprise a blocking diode and / or a series resistor.

[0017] The coupling of the first and second connection devices is preferably implemented with two blocking diodes, in particular one blocking diode each for the first and second connection devices, and a series resistor, particularly for the second connection device. A heating device designed in this way advantageously enables a conductor connection between two different potentials via the first and second connection devices. Such a heating device is particularly advantageous because the design of the first and / or second connection device allows for the area heating of a sensor device's viewing element, which is at least partially transparent to the sensor device. This enables the reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0018] According to a preferred further development of the invention, in a heating device it can be provided that the series resistor is designed as a heating wire to support the heating element for the area heating of the viewing device.

[0019] The series resistor is preferably designed as a heating wire. To illustrate this, the series resistor is implemented as a separate resistor in the form of a heating wire. This means that the heat is not lost at the series resistor, but is instead used as an additional heat source on the viewing device to be heated, for example, a lens hood, for defrosting and / or reducing or preventing condensation. Thus, the heat is not lost at the series resistor, but increases the effective power output at the element being heated. Such a heating device is particularly advantageous because the design of the series resistor enables the surface heating of a viewing device that is at least partially transparent to the sensor device, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0020] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a heating device may be provided in such a way that the first connecting device and the second connecting device are connected as a common input of the heating element and / or that the first connecting device and the second connecting device are designed as a common plug device.

[0021] The heating device is designed to be particularly space-saving and / or energy-efficient if the first and second connection devices are wired together as a common input for the heating element and / or if the first and second connection devices are designed as a common plug connector. Designing the first and second connection devices as a common input for the heating element allows for the advantageous and cost-effective use of existing or previously used heating elements. Designing the first and second connection devices as a common plug connector results in a particularly small installation space requirement for the heating device.A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the first connecting device and the second connecting device makes it particularly advantageous to heat a surface area of ​​a viewing device of the sensor device which is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the operation of the sensor device reliably and with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a heating device may be configured with a heating element in the form of a heating film, heating mat, heating wire, radiant heater, and / or heating coil. The heating element enables direct or indirect heat generation or radiation onto and / or into the viewing device to reduce and / or prevent fogging and / or icing of the viewing device. A configuration of the heating element as a heating film, heating mat, heating wire, radiant heater, and / or heating coil advantageously allows for area heating with low energy consumption while simultaneously maintaining favorable transparency of the viewing device for the operation of the sensor device.A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the heating element makes it particularly advantageous to heat a surface area of ​​a viewing device of the sensor device which is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the operation of the sensor device to be reliable and with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0023] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a heating device may be provided in such a way that the second connection device for connecting the heating device to a pre-operation circuit is designed in the form of a rear window heating device, a pre-conditioning circuit and / or a parking heater circuit.

[0024] The design of the second connection device, linking the heating device to a pre-operation circuit in the form of a rear window defroster, a pre-conditioning circuit, and / or a parking heater circuit, represents a particularly advantageous way to efficiently utilize existing vehicle resources. Using and connecting the heating device to existing circuits and / or systems enables cost-effective, space-saving, and / or material-saving operation of both the heating device and the vehicle.A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the design of the second connecting device makes it particularly advantageous to enable the surface heating of a viewing device of the sensor device which is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the operation of the sensor device reliably and with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0025] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a heating device may be provided in that the heating device comprises a base body, in particular a housing, wherein the heating element, the first connecting device and / or the second connecting device are arranged in the base body and / or that the base body is designed to receive the sensor device and / or the sighting device.

[0026] Arranging and / or fastening the heating element, the first connecting device, and / or the second connecting device within the base body, particularly a housing for the heating device, allows for a space-saving and / or protected design of the heating device. Preferably, the base body is further configured to also accommodate the sensor device and / or the viewing device and / or to fasten these within and / or to the base body. By way of example and illustration, the heating device is arranged with a front camera of the motor vehicle in a housing behind the windshield, the housing comprising a viewing window as a viewing device for the advantageous operation of the sensor device.A heating device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the base body enables surface heating of a viewing device of the sensor device that is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a heating device may include a sensing device for detecting a variable of the heating device, the sensor device, and / or the environment, wherein the heating element is controllable by the sensing device depending on the detected variable. A sensing device is preferably understood within the scope of the invention to be a sensing device of the heating device itself. The sensing device enables the detection of a variable of the heating device, the sensor device, and / or the environment, such that the heating element is controllable by the sensing device depending on the detected variable.For example, the detection device enables the detection of the ambient temperature and / or humidity of the heating element, and thus the control of the heating element depending on the detected ambient temperature and / or humidity. Such a heating device is particularly advantageous because the detection device facilitates the uniform heating of a sensor element that is at least partially transparent to the sensor, thereby enabling reliable operation of the sensor element with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a motor vehicle comprising a sensor device with a viewing device that is at least partially permeable to the sensor device and a heating device for heating the viewing device over its entire surface. The heating device is designed according to the first aspect. The described motor vehicle offers all the advantages already described for the heating device according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0029] The motor vehicle preferably comprises a rear window heating device, a preconditioning circuit, and / or an auxiliary heater circuit. Within the scope of the invention, the viewing device is preferably understood as a device protecting and / or limiting the sensor device, through which the sensor device can detect objects. By way of example, the viewing device can be understood as a transparent cover, a light deflector, and / or a glass panel. The sensor device is preferably configured as an optical sensor device, in particular as a camera device, radar device, lidar device, infrared device, and / or other sensor device. By way of example, the sensor device is configured as a front camera behind the windshield of the motor vehicle.A motor vehicle designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the heating device enables the surface heating of a viewing device of the sensor device that is at least partially permeable to the sensor device, thus enabling the reliable operation of the sensor device with particularly simple and space-saving means.

[0030] A heating device according to the invention and a motor vehicle are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings schematically show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view a heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle, Fig. 2 in a perspective view another heating device for a sensor device for a motor vehicle, and Fig. 3 in a side view a motor vehicle with a sensor device and a heating device.

[0031] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are in the Fig. Items 1 to 3 are each labelled with the same reference numerals.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a heating device 10 for a sensor device 110 for a motor vehicle 100. The heating device 10 comprises a heating element 20 for heating a surface of a viewing device 112 of the sensor device 110, which is at least partially transparent to the sensor device 110, and an energy interface 30 for supplying the heating element 20 with electrical energy. The energy interface 30 has a first connection device 32 for connecting the heating device 10 to an operating circuit 120 of the motor vehicle 100 and a second connection device 34 for connecting the heating device 10 to a pre-operation circuit 122 of the motor vehicle 100. The first connection device 32 and the second connection device 34 are designed as control signal lines. The heating element 20 is designed as a heating film.The second connecting device 34 is designed to connect the heating device 10 to a pre-operation circuit 122 in the form of a rear window heating device. The heating device 10 comprises a base body 40, here in the form of a housing, wherein the heating element 20, the first connecting device 32, and the second connecting device 34 are arranged in the base body 40, and wherein the sensor device 110 and the sight device 112 are also designed and attached in the base body 40. The heating device 10 comprises a detection device 50 for detecting a variable of the heating device 10 and the environment, wherein the heating element 20 can be controlled by the detection device 50 depending on the detected variable.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a further heating device 10 for a sensor device 110 for a motor vehicle 100. The heating device 10 comprises a heating element 20 for heating a surface area of ​​a viewing device 112 of the sensor device 110, which is at least partially transparent to the sensor device 110, and an energy interface 30 for supplying the heating element 20 with electrical energy. The energy interface 30 has a first connection device 32 for connecting the heating device 10 to an operating circuit 120 of the motor vehicle 100 and a second connection device 34 for connecting the heating device 10 to a pre-operation circuit 122 of the motor vehicle 100. The first connection device 32 and the second connection device 34 each include a blocking diode 36. The second connection device 34 additionally includes a series resistor 38.The first connection device 32 and the second connection device 34 are connected as a common input of the heating element 20. The first connection device 32 and the second connection device 34 are designed as a common plug device.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a motor vehicle 100 with a sensor device 110 and a heating device 10.

Claims

[1] Heating device (10) for a sensor device (110) for a motor vehicle (100), the heating device (10) comprising a heating element (20) for heating a surface area of ​​a sighting device (112) of the sensor device (110) which is at least partially permeable to the sensor device (110) and an energy interface (30) for supplying the heating element (20) with electrical energy, characterized by , that the energy interface (30) has a first connection device (32) for connecting the heating device (10) to an operating circuit (120) of the motor vehicle (100) and a second connection device (34) for connecting the heating device (10) to a pre-operation circuit (122) of the motor vehicle (100). [2] Heating device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first connecting device (32) and / or the second connecting device (34) are designed as energy and / or control signal lines. [3] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first connecting device (32) and / or the second connecting device (34) comprise a blocking diode (36) and / or a series resistor (38). [4] Heating device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the series resistor (38) is designed as a heating wire to support the heating element (20) for the area heating of the viewing device (112). [5] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first connecting device (32) and the second connecting device (34) are connected as a common input of the heating element (20) and / or that the first connecting device (32) and the second connecting device (34) are designed as a common plug device. [6] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the heating element (20) is designed as a heating film, heating mat, heating wire, heating radiant and / or as a heating coil. [7] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second connecting device (34) for connecting the heating device (10) to a pre-operation circuit (122) is designed in the form of a rear window heating device, a pre-conditioning circuit and / or a parking heater circuit. [8] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the heating device (10) comprises a base body (40), in particular a housing, wherein the heating element (20), the first connecting device (32) and / or the second connecting device (34) are arranged in the base body (40) and / or that the base body (40) is designed to accommodate the sensor device (110) and / or the sighting device (112). [9] Heating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the heating device (10) comprises a detection device (50) for detecting a variable of the heating device (10), the sensor device (110) and / or the environment, wherein the heating element (20) is controllable by the detection device (50) depending on the detected variable. [10] Motor vehicle (100) comprising a sensor device (110) with a vision device (112) that is at least partially transparent to the sensor device (110) and a heating device (10) for heating the vision device (112) over a surface, wherein the heating device (10) is configured according to one of the preceding claims.

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