Method for checking the condition of windscreen washer fluid for a windscreen wiper device and windscreen wiper device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for checking the condition of windshield washer fluid for a windshield wiper device in a motor vehicle. The windshield washer fluid is stored in a storage tank and supplied by a pumping system for use in a windshield wiper mechanism. A pumping force for delivering the windshield washer fluid is checked, and the condition of the windshield washer fluid is determined based on the checked pumping force. Furthermore, the invention relates to a windshield wiper device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for checking the condition of windshield washer fluid for a windshield wiper device in a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a windshield wiper device.

[0002] It's already known that windshield washer fluid systems are often equipped with antifreeze to prevent the fluid from freezing in cold environments. In practice, however, the challenge is ensuring that the wiper system remains reliable even at sub-zero temperatures, especially when the washer fluid is partially frozen or its flow properties are impaired.

[0003] DE 10 2022 003 269 A1 discloses a windshield washer fluid antifreeze system in which the freezing point of the windshield washer fluid is calculated based on the antifreeze content. The system checks the air temperature for the coming day and, depending on the calculated freezing point, controls the heating of the windshield washer fluid to prevent freezing.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a method for checking the condition of windshield washer fluid and a windshield wiper device with which the condition of the water can be reliably determined and smooth operation of the windshield wiper can be ensured.

[0005] This object is achieved by means of a method having the features of patent claim 1 and by means of a windshield wiper device according to the invention. Advantageous refinements of the windshield wiper device according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, wherein the means of the windshield wiper device are used to carry out the method steps. Furthermore, advantageous developments of the invention are described by the dependent patent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for checking the condition of windshield washer fluid. The method aims to determine the condition of the windshield washer fluid without directly measuring the temperature or freezing point. The method utilizes the pumping force required to pump the windshield washer fluid. Checking the pumping force provides information about whether the fluid is liquid, beginning to freeze, or already completely frozen.

[0007] To achieve the object of the invention and thus ensure the reliable functioning of the windshield wiper system, the invention provides for checking the pumping force used to deliver the windshield washer fluid. This allows the water to be classified as liquid, freezing, or frozen without relying on a direct temperature measurement. Testing the pumping force can be easily performed by measuring the resistance during the delivery of the water; an increased resistance level indicates a frozen state of the water.

[0008] For example, an electronic computing device can be provided that is designed to monitor the measured performance of the pumping system and to draw conclusions about the condition of the windshield washer fluid based on the determined values. By analyzing the performance and resistance when pumping the water, the electronic computing device can precisely determine whether the water is liquid, freezing, or already frozen, and then take appropriate measures to maintain the functionality of the pumping system. When the water is in normal condition, no significant increase in performance above a specified threshold is detected. When the windshield washer fluid begins to freeze, the performance of the pumping system gradually increases, resulting in a rise in performance curve A.Once the windshield washer fluid is completely frozen, the measured power significantly exceeds this threshold, indicating the frozen state of the water and enabling the pumping system to react accordingly.

[0009] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the windshield washer fluid is taken into account in addition to the pumping force, which allows for an even more precise determination of the condition. For example, the temperature can be used in conjunction with the pumping force to improve the prediction of freezing. The check is carried out, for example, starting at a predetermined temperature, so that a detailed analysis of the condition of the windshield washer fluid is only performed when this specified temperature threshold is reached or undercut.

[0010] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, if the vehicle is detected as stationary within a specified period of time, a test check is performed when the vehicle is started. This ensures that the function of the windshield wiper system is checked at the beginning of the journey, especially if the vehicle has been parked for an extended period.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a warning signal is generated when the condition of the windshield washer fluid is determined to be frozen. Such a warning signal enables the driver to take timely action to avoid damage or dangerous situations. The warning signal can be issued acoustically, visually, and / or haptically, both when the vehicle is started, while driving, and when the condition of the windshield washer fluid changes, thus informing the driver at all times about the functionality of the windshield wipers.

[0012] A further aspect of the invention relates to a windshield wiper device for implementing the method. The windshield wiper device comprises a pump system for delivering the windshield washer fluid and an electronic computing device configured to monitor the pumping force for delivering the windshield washer fluid and to determine the condition of the windshield washer fluid based on the monitored pumping force.

[0013] In other words, the invention is intended to encompass not only the method for checking the condition of the windshield washer fluid, but also a complete windshield wiper system that reacts to the detected condition of the fluid by making appropriate adjustments and, if necessary, transmitting a warning message to the driver. This integration leads to improved operational reliability and an increased service life of the windshield wiper system, thereby preventing damage to the system and improving driver safety.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0015] It shows: Fig. 1 a system architecture illustrating a possible implementation of a method for checking a condition of windshield washer fluid for a windshield wiper device.

[0016] In the figure, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0017] Fig.1 shows a system architecture 10 illustrating a possible implementation of a method for checking the condition of windshield washer fluid for a windshield wiper device.

[0018] The method begins with the start S1 of the motor vehicle. In step S2, a check is performed to determine whether the vehicle was stationary. If this is the case, a test check S3 is performed, in which both the pumping performance and the temperature of the windshield washer fluid are checked. The results of this test check are queried in step S4: Is the condition of the water OK? If the answer is "yes," the system returns to step S2 to start the next check loop. Alternatively, an intermediate step S5 can provide confirmation to the driver that the windshield wiper system is operating properly. This intermediate step S5 can generally be repeated repeatedly.

[0019] However, if the answer in step S4 is “No,” a warning S6 is issued informing the driver that the windshield washer fluid is frozen or in another problematic condition.

[0020] However, if the vehicle is not stationary, the system proceeds after step S2 directly to check S7, where both the temperature and pumping performance of the pumping system are checked again. Step S8 then queries the temperature of the windshield washer fluid and whether the pumping performance is increasing. If this is not the case, the condition of the windshield washer fluid remains liquid in the first case (F1), and no further warnings are necessary, which means the pumping system is still considered OK.

[0021] However, if the pumping force increases in a second case F2—i.e., a certain load increases due to the beginning of freezing of the washer fluid—the height of the power curve is checked. As long as the power remains below a predetermined threshold X, a warning S9 is issued, indicating that the water is beginning to freeze. The system then returns to step S2 to continue the check loop.

[0022] Once the pumping power exceeds the threshold value X, an optional further check is performed in step S10 to ensure that, in a third case F3, the condition of the windshield washer fluid is confirmed as frozen. If this is the case, a final warning is issued in step S11, informing the driver that the water is frozen and the pumping system is no longer functioning properly. The system then returns to step S2 to continue the check loop.

[0023] This system architecture ensures that the condition of the windshield washer fluid is reliably checked at all times, both when the vehicle is stationary and while driving, thus alerting the driver to potential problems at an early stage. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2022 003 269 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] A method for checking a condition of windscreen washer fluid for a windscreen wiper device in a motor vehicle, in which the windscreen washer fluid is stored in a storage tank and supplied by a pumping system for use in a windscreen wiper mechanism, characterized by , that a pumping force for conveying the windscreen washer fluid is checked, and The condition of the windscreen washer fluid is determined depending on the checked pump force. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the temperature is taken into account in addition to the pumping force. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that if the vehicle is detected as being at a standstill within a specified period of time, a test check is carried out when the vehicle is started. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a warning signal is generated. [5] Windscreen wiper device (10) for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that an electronic computing device is arranged which is designed to check a pumping force for conveying the windscreen washer fluid and to determine the condition of the windscreen washer fluid as a function of the checked pumping force.

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