System and method for operating a vehicle function

Abstract

Proposed is a system (1) for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (3). The system (1) is designed to detect, at a plurality of times during an idle state of the motor vehicle (3), in each case a rain condition and a brightness at the location of the vehicle (3) by means of a sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104); to store information about the detected rain conditions and brightnesses; and to operate a vehicle function of the motor vehicle (3) depending on the stored information.

Description

[0001] System and method for operating a vehicle function

[0002] The invention relates to a system and method for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to the automatic execution of a vehicle function of a motor vehicle depending on environmental data acquired by a sensor system while the motor vehicle is at rest.

[0003] Most modern vehicles are equipped with numerous sensors that support the operation of various vehicle functions. For example, when driving a vehicle, the lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, or windshield wiper functions can be operated based on sensor information collected by a rain-light-solar-fogging sensor (RLSBS) located near the windshield. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to obtain relevant weather information from a backend or the internet based on a vehicle's GPS position and to incorporate this information into the operation of such vehicle functions.

[0004] There is a need to increasingly tailor the control of vehicle functions to environmental parameters. The energy consumption of the sensors and processing electronics involved should be as low as possible.

[0005] Based on this, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for operating a vehicle function based on sensor-detected environmental data, as well as a corresponding method. This object is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] It should be noted that additional features of a claim dependent on an independent claim may constitute a separate invention, independent of the combination of all features of the independent claim, without the features of the independent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent claim. This invention may be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This also applies to technical teachings described in the description, which may constitute an invention independent of the features of the independent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a system for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle can, in particular, be a road-bound motor vehicle, such as an electrically powered passenger vehicle.

[0009] According to the invention, the system is configured to operate the vehicle function depending on environmental data recorded while the motor vehicle is at rest. In particular, the system is configured to detect a rain condition and a brightness in the surroundings of the motor vehicle using a sensor system at several points in time during the motor vehicle's at rest, to store information about the detected rain conditions and brightness levels, and to operate the vehicle function of the motor vehicle depending on the stored information.

[0010] In this context, the idle state of a motor vehicle is understood to be a state that is comparatively energy-efficient compared to a state in which the motor vehicle is immediately ready to drive or is even driving. Parked motor vehicles whose engines are not running typically enter such an energy-efficient idle state. In this idle state, only basic monitoring functions or the like are generally performed, placing only a minimal load on the on-board power supply system. Information about the state of rain is understood to mean, in particular, whether or not it was raining at the time in question. Optionally, the information can also indicate the intensity of the rain.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned sensor system is also in an energy-saving standby mode most of the time while the motor vehicle is at rest. The system is configured to wake the sensor system from its standby mode shortly before the multiple points in time at which environmental data are to be recorded, in order to enable the recording of the rain level and brightness (as well as, if applicable, other environmental data such as temperature and / or humidity). It is preferably provided that even while the environmental information is being recorded by the sensor system, the entire motor vehicle is not woken from its sleep state and supplied with power; rather, the motor vehicle preferably remains in the sleep state even during the sensor recordings at the multiple points in time.

[0012] The invention is based on the idea that environmental information, such as weather information, is becoming increasingly important for correctly determining the vehicle status of a motor vehicle at start-up and, based on this, making certain settings or operating vehicle functions. In prior art systems, solutions using vehicle sensors determine weather information at start-up and while a motor vehicle is moving, but not during the time between turning off and restarting the vehicle.

[0013] Furthermore, it is known to access a backend or the internet to determine weather data, whereby a current location of the motor vehicle can be taken into account using GPS positioning. However, it can happen that weather data determined using such global weather data does not match the actual condition of a motor vehicle, e.g., if the vehicle is parked in a protected environment such as an underground car park, a garage, or under a carport. In such cases, it could be concluded from the global weather data, for example, that the vehicle was exposed to rain for the last two days, whereas the vehicle was actually parked in the garage, protected from rain, during this period.

[0014] The solution proposed here overcomes this problem by repeatedly recording and storing environmental data, particularly regarding rain, temperature, and brightness, while the vehicle is at rest – possibly even over an extended period of time. When the vehicle is started, the recorded data can be sent to one or more control units for one or more vehicle functions, enabling the respective vehicle functions to be executed depending on the recorded environmental data. This allows the vehicle functions to be specifically adapted to the environmental conditions to which the vehicle was exposed during its at rest.In addition, it can be provided that the motor vehicle or a functional component of the motor vehicle is woken up from the sleep state when certain individual or combined environmental data are recorded at one or more times in order to promptly activate a suitable action (such as lighting, air conditioning, etc.) in response to the environmental conditions.

[0015] Another advantage of the proposed solution is that, where necessary, it can operate without the involvement of a backend or the internet, and thus without the corresponding communication connections. For example, a vehicle parked in an underground garage that currently has no access to a mobile connection can operate the system described here locally or execute the method proposed here locally.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a time interval in the range of 10 minutes to 200 minutes, preferably in the range of 15 minutes to 60 minutes, such as approximately 20 minutes or 30 minutes, is provided between the multiple points in time at which the environmental data are acquired. For example, a constant time interval with such a duration can be provided between the multiple points in time at which the sensors acquire the respective environmental data.

[0017] According to a further development, the system is further configured to detect a temperature (in particular an ambient temperature of the motor vehicle) and / or a humidity for each of the points in time by means of the sensor system in addition to the rain condition and the brightness, to store information about the detected temperatures and / or humidity and to operate the vehicle function also depending on the stored information about the detected temperatures and / or humidities.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the sensor system is arranged in the region of a windshield of the motor vehicle, for example in the form of a rain-light sensor module or a rain-light-solar-fogging sensor module. Generally, the sensor system can be arranged in a sensor module, which, for example, in addition to the actual sensors, can comprise a data processing device for controlling the respective sensors and a data storage device connected to the data processing device for storing the acquired information.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the system is configured to send the stored information—e.g., in the form of a compact measurement data report—to a control device for controlling the vehicle function of the motor vehicle when the vehicle is started or otherwise awakened from its sleep state. In this case, the vehicle function can be operated depending on the stored information after the vehicle has exited its sleep state, such as while driving.

[0020] However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the system can be configured to wake the motor vehicle from its idle state depending on information about rainfall conditions and brightness levels detected at one or more of the points in time (as well as possibly other environmental data such as temperatures and / or humidities) and then to promptly execute the vehicle function. In other words: operating the vehicle function depending on the stored information can, according to some embodiments, also include waking the motor vehicle from the idle state depending on detected environmental conditions. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that one or more vehicle functions can be executed while the motor vehicle is still in its idle state depending on the stored information.

[0021] The vehicle function, which is operated depending on the stored functions, can include, for example, an interior and / or exterior lighting function of the vehicle. Thus, the stored environmental information can be used, for example, to activate or deactivate one or more active lighting functions at night.

[0022] For example, depending on the stored information (and possibly other recorded information, such as a sensor-detected approach of a driver to the vehicle), a lighting display can be carried out, for example in the form of a welcoming display (“Welcome Light”) involving front and / or rear headlights, direction indicators, interior lighting and / or a light projection onto the ground near the vehicle. Such a staging function requires a lot of energy for the permanent monitoring of whether the driver is near the vehicle, for example within a radius of 5 m around the vehicle. In order to save power, this function should therefore only be carried out at night or in dark vehicle surroundings.The present invention enables a control device controlling the light staging to be immediately woken up when a state change between day and night is detected based on the brightness information and can thus provide the light staging functions.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle function comprises at least one ventilation and / or air conditioning function. For example, when the motor vehicle is started, the vehicle interior can be ventilated or air-conditioned depending on the stored information about the ambient conditions.

[0024] It is further within the scope of the invention that the vehicle function can comprise a drive and / or braking function of the motor vehicle. For example, it can be provided that the stored information is used to control active braking after the idle state in ferry operation and thus specifically prevent corrosion of the brakes after the motor vehicle has been exposed to rain. For example, in the case of an electrically powered motor vehicle, braking can be deliberately carried out somewhat less by means of recuperation (i.e. via energy recovery by the electric drive) and instead somewhat more actively by means of a conventional braking system if the stored information allows the conclusion that the motor vehicle was exposed to rain and / or moisture during its idle state to an extent or for a duration that makes corrosion of parts of the braking system likely.

[0025] For example, additional stored temperature information can also be taken into account in this decision.

[0026] In this context, the advantage of the solution according to the invention is that information about rain and humidity can be obtained not only based on a GPS location of the vehicle in combination with weather data from the Internet or a backend. Rather, the brightness and rain condition information stored according to the invention can, in particular, provide added value in that it can be used to determine, for example, that the vehicle was parked in a protected environment, such as an underground car park, for several days before setting off. For example, it can be deduced from the stored brightness data that the vehicle was parked in such a protected environment, and the stored rain sensor data can directly confirm that the motor vehicle has not been exposed to rain in the last few days.In such a case, even though global weather data indicate that it has been raining for a long period, it may not be advisable to shift the focus from recuperation to active braking using the brake system during ferry operation, as there is no risk of brake corrosion after the vehicle has been in the garage.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises the steps of: detecting, by means of a sensor system, a respective rain condition and a respective brightness in the surroundings of the motor vehicle at multiple points in time during a stationary state of the motor vehicle; storing information about the detected rain conditions and brightness levels; and operating a vehicle function of the motor vehicle depending on the stored information.

[0028] The method according to the second aspect of the invention can be carried out, in particular, by means of a system according to the first aspect of the invention. For example, the system can comprise a data processing device programmed to execute all or some of the aforementioned method steps automatically. Such a data processing device can, for example, comprise one or more processors on which the necessary computing operations for executing such a computer program run. Furthermore, the data processing device or the system can comprise a data memory for recording the information about the detected environmental conditions.

[0029] The above and following statements regarding the system according to the first aspect of the invention can also be applied analogously to the method according to the second aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention not explicitly described here or in the claims correspond to the advantageous embodiments of the system according to the invention described in the description or in the claims, and vice versa.

[0030] The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned in the description and / or shown alone in the drawings 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.

[0031] Fig. 1A shows schematically and by way of example a motor vehicle with a system for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle as a function of environmental information acquired during a rest state of the motor vehicle.

[0032] Fig. 1B shows schematically and exemplary details of the system from Fig. 1A.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle as a function of environmental information detected during a rest state of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Fig. 1A shows a plan view of a motor vehicle 3 which is equipped with a system 1 for operating a vehicle function as a function of environmental information acquired during a rest state of the motor vehicle 3.

[0035] The system 1 comprises a sensor module 10 in the form of a rain-light-solar-fogging sensor (RLSBS) arranged in an upper, central area of ​​a windshield (in the area of ​​an interior mirror) of the motor vehicle 3. The sensor module 10 is connected for data purposes to a control device 11 of a vehicle function and is configured to transmit stored environmental data to the control device 11.

[0036] Fig. 1B shows a schematic view of the system 1 from Fig. 1A and in particular of the sensor module 10 in greater detail.

[0037] The sensor module 10 comprises a sensor system with a rain sensor 101, a light sensor

[0038] 102, a solar sensor 103 and a condensation sensor 104. Such sensors 101, 102,

[0039] 103, 104 as part of an RLSBS are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the rain sensor 101 can be an optoelectronic sensor that detects that it is raining based on a change in reflection behavior caused by raindrops. This information can be used, for example, to control a windshield wiper system. The light sensor 102 can have one or more photodiodes for detecting a

[0040] Ambient brightness. This information can be used, for example, to automatically switch a headlight on and off. The solar sensor 103 can be configured to detect the intensity of the sunlight for the driver and passenger side using a photodiode each. This information can be used, for example, to adjust the air conditioning system to suit the situation. The fogging sensor 104 uses a capacitive sensor to detect the air humidity in the area of ​​the windshield as well as the temperature on the inside of the windshield. A dew point can be calculated from these measured values. Using the information about the dew point, fogging can be prevented or reduced at an early stage by making a suitable setting or activating a ventilation and / or air conditioning system.

[0041] In Figs. 1A-B, control unit 11 is exemplary of one or more control units for controlling a variety of vehicle functions. For example, an interior and / or exterior lighting function, a lighting system, a ventilation and / or air conditioning function, or (particularly in the case of an electrically powered motor vehicle 3) a drive and / or braking function can be operated by means of a respective control unit 11 depending on the stored information.

[0042] The system 1 is configured to detect at least one rain condition and one brightness in the surroundings of the motor vehicle 3 at a plurality of points in time while the motor vehicle 3 is at rest. For this purpose, the data processing device 105 of the sensor module 10 can wake up the rain sensor 101 and the light sensor 102 (and optionally additionally the solar sensor 103) from an energy-saving standby mode at regular intervals, such as every 20 or 30 minutes, and store the respective rain condition and the respective brightness in the data memory 106. In addition to the brightness and the rain condition, further environmental data, such as a temperature and / or humidity detected by the fogging sensor 104, can also be detected and stored at each of the plurality of points in time.

[0043] Between the multiple time points, a time interval in the range of 10 minutes to 200 minutes, preferably in the range of 15 minutes to 60 minutes, can be provided. A consistent recording interval, such as every 20 minutes or every 30 minutes, is conceivable. The time interval can be configured as needed to enable different granularity in the recording of environmental data depending on the requirements of the functional application.

[0044] As already mentioned, the data processing device 105 can be configured to send the stored information to the control device 11 when the motor vehicle is woken up from its sleep state, i.e., for example, when it is started. The stored information can be sent, for example, in the form of a report that includes a compact summary of the recorded measured values ​​along with the associated times. For example, after the motor vehicle 3 has been stationary for several days, such a report can provide information at 250 times each, showing when and how often the vehicle was exposed to rain at its location, when and how often it was light or dark in the area surrounding the motor vehicle 3, what temperatures prevailed at the various times, and whether or not the vehicle interior was humid at the various times.

[0045] Such environmental information collected over a longer period, such as several days, can be used profitably, for example, to determine whether corrosion on parts of the motor vehicle 3 is to be expected due to the environmental conditions to which the motor vehicle 3 is exposed while at rest. This can particularly affect the brakes of the motor vehicle 3. Depending on the stored information, a braking function can then be specifically activated to remove the corrosion. In particular, in the case of an electrically powered vehicle, more or less active braking (as opposed to recuperation using the electric drive motor) can be targeted to counteract a possible collision.

[0046] In an example scenario, based on the information recorded over several days regarding temperature, brightness, humidity, and / or fogging, it can be determined relatively reliably that the vehicle was most likely in a garage. It is therefore not to be expected that motor vehicle 3 was exposed to conditions that promote moisture-induced corrosion of the brakes. A countermeasure in the form of a targeted increase in the proportion of active braking (as opposed to recuperation) is not necessary in this case, and the drive and braking functions of motor vehicle 3 can therefore be operated normally, e.g., with the focus on electrical recuperation. It should be noted that, particularly with the corrosion problem described, longer-term data collection can be advantageous, since such effects can also be detected, e.g.,may occur a few days after the motor vehicle 3 was last exposed to a humid environment.

[0047] The data processing device 105 of the sensor module 10 can further be configured to wake the motor vehicle 3 from its sleep state depending on information about rain conditions and brightness levels detected at one or more points in time (as well as possibly other environmental data such as temperature and humidity), in order to be able to promptly execute a vehicle function in response to these environmental conditions. This can, for example, relate to the prompt activation of a light staging function when there is a change from day to night or from brightness to darkness in the vehicle environment. Activating the light staging means putting the light staging system into a state in which it monitors the vehicle environment for a possible approach of a driver to the motor vehicle 3 in order to then execute a welcome staging.

[0048] Because, according to the invention, the sensor system 101, 102, 103, 104 is not permanently active during the idle state of the motor vehicle 3, but only wakes up briefly from an energy-saving standby mode at several times in order to record the respective measured values, energy-efficient monitoring and documentation of the ambient conditions is possible even over longer periods of time, such as several days.

[0049] Fig. 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a method 2 for operating a driving function of a motor vehicle 3 as a function of environmental information acquired while the motor vehicle 3 is at rest. The method can correspond to the above-described mode of operation of the system 1 from Figs. 1A-B. In other words, the method 2 can be executed by means of the system 1, or the system 1 can be configured to perform the method 2.

[0050] In accordance with this, the method comprises in particular the following steps 21, 22, 23: detecting 21, by means of a sensor system 101, 102, 103, 104, a respective rain condition and a respective brightness in an environment of the motor vehicle 3 at several points in time during a rest state of the motor vehicle 3; storing 22 information about the detected rain conditions and brightness levels; and operating 23 a vehicle function of the motor vehicle 3 depending on the stored information.

[0051] Further details and possible configurations of this method 2 correspond to the explanations for system 1 described above.

Claims

Patent claims 1. System (1) for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (3), wherein the system (1) is arranged - to detect a rain condition and a brightness at the location of the motor vehicle (3) at several points in time during a rest state of the motor vehicle (3) by means of a sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104); - to store information about the recorded rainfall conditions and brightness; and - to operate a vehicle function of the motor vehicle (3) depending on the stored information.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the system (1) is arranged - to detect a temperature for each of the points in time by means of the sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104) in addition to the rain condition and the brightness; - to store information about the recorded temperatures; and - to operate the vehicle function depending on the stored information about the recorded temperatures.

3. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) is arranged - to detect humidity for each of the points in time by means of the sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104) in addition to the rain condition and the brightness; - to store information about the measured moisture levels; and - to operate the vehicle function depending on the stored information about the detected humidity.

4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the time interval between the plurality of times is in the range of 10 minutes to 200 minutes.

5. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle function comprises one or more of the following functions: - an interior and / or exterior lighting function of the motor vehicle (3); - a light show; - a ventilation and / or air conditioning function; - a drive and / or braking function. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) is configured to wake up the sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104) from an energy-saving standby mode before each of the multiple points in time in order to enable the detection of the rain condition and the brightness. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) is configured to send the stored information to a control device (11) for controlling the vehicle function when the motor vehicle (3) is woken up from its idle state. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) is configured to wake up the motor vehicle (3) from its idle state depending on information about rain conditions and brightness detected at one or more of the points in time. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104) is arranged in the region of a windshield of the motor vehicle (3).Method (2) for operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (3), comprising the steps:. - detecting (21), by means of a sensor system (101, 102, 103, 104), a respective rain state and a respective brightness at the location of the motor vehicle (3) at several times during a rest state of the motor vehicle (3); - storing (22) information about the recorded rainfall conditions and brightness; and - Operating (23) a vehicle function of the motor vehicle (3) depending on the stored information.

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