Method for managing a windshield wiper and calculation unit for its implementation

Abstract

Title: Method for managing a windshield wiper and computing unit for its implementation. Method for managing a windshield wiper (12) of a vehicle (10) with autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving mode being based on sensor data from at least one sensor (14) of the vehicle (10), - the windshield wiper (12) having a safety sensor mode, in particular an autonomous mode, in which the wiper (12) ensures the fault-free or uninterrupted operation of the sensor (14) and the sensor safety mode by activating the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle (10), in particular automatically. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a windshield wiper and calculation unit for its implementation. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing a windshield wiper and a calculation unit for its implementation. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Windscreen wipers for cleaning a sensor window, in particular lidar, are known.

[0003] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for managing a windshield wiper of a vehicle with autonomous driving mode, using data from at least one sensor of the vehicle,

[0005] - the windshield wiper having a sensor safety mode, in particular autonomous in which, along with the windshield wiper, ensures the fault-free or uninterrupted operation of the sensor, and

[0006] - the active sensor safety mode, in particular automatically, for the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle.

[0007] The wiper control method according to the invention provides particularly high operational reliability because the sensor safety mode, which guarantees fault-free and uninterrupted sensor operation, is activated automatically. The invention provides a high level of user-friendliness since the sensor safety mode is activated automatically.

[0008] Preferably, the sensor, in particular the vehicle sensor, is a driving assistance sensor for the operation, preferably autonomous or partially autonomous, of the vehicle. The vehicle is a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, a railway vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, or a drone.

[0009] In particular, the sensor is an optical sensor, for example, a camera, a radar sensor, or a comparable sensor. The sensor has a sensor field as its optical element. The sensor field of view is a measurement area of ​​the sensor and corresponds to the sensor field. The sensor or the sensor field corresponds to the top surface of the sensor.

[0010] The top surface of the sensor is at least partially and preferably entirely made of glass, in particular glass from the vehicle such as the windshield, and the sensor provides sensor data for a driving mode, in particular autonomous or partially autonomous driving of the vehicle. The term "sensor" in this context refers to a unit designed to receive at least one characteristic quantity This reception can be a physical property or characteristic, and is active, resulting from the emission of an electrical measurement signal; it can also be passive, notably through the detection of variations in the properties of a sensor component. Several technically interesting sensors are known.

[0011] The "sensor field" refers to an area, in particular a measurement area, through which the sensor performs a measurement. The data refers to the data, in particular the raw data and preferably the measurement data of the sensor, that are captured during the operation of the sensor. The sensor field is a part of the sensor, a sensor cover, or the vehicle window that is between the sensor and the environment. The expression "intended for" or "installed for" is synonymous with programmed, designed, or manufactured specifically to perform a certain function. The fact that an object performs a certain function or is constituted to perform a certain function means that this object performs or ensures this function in a certain state of application or operation.

[0012] The wiper is a window or sensor wiper. The wiper is applied to a vehicle, in particular a passenger car or a truck. The wiper is part of the wiper system. The wiper is preferably a part of the wiper assembly used to clean a surface, preferably a window, for example, a window of the vehicle or the top surface of a sensor or the lens of a headlight or similar device, in particular of the vehicle. The wiper is designed to clean the window, preferably the window of the vehicle such as the windshield or rear window, or the top surface of a sensor coupled to the vehicle, preferably by the vehicle's wiper drive. The wiper has a wiper blade to clean the window or the sensor surface if the latter is integrated into the vehicle's window, which is then wiped.In particular, the wiper blade has a wiping lip which, during vehicle operation, is in contact with the window or the top surface of the sensor. The term "operating state" preferably means a state in which the wiper is ready to operate to perform a wiping operation or wiping mode, or is already in a wiping mode in which the wiper, including the wiper blade and preferably the wiper lip, passes over the vehicle window or wipes the top surface of the sensor and is thus applied, preferably in contact against the top surface of the sensor or the vehicle window.

[0013] Preferably, the sensor's safety mode corresponds to a function, preferably a safety function. In particular, the sensor's safety mode is designed to detect a malfunction in at least one operating state of the sensor or a function, preferably a safety function, in order to remedy a malfunction of the sensor. The sensor is, in particular, the one of a vehicle in automatic mode that only operates with the sensor safety mode activated. The term "sensor safety mode" means at least one function, preferably a safety function designed to prevent and remedy any damage to the sensor related to safety or operation, in particular, the operation of the sensor.

[0014] According to another feature, the sensor safety mode is a water protection function, activated automatically, particularly as required, in which the windshield wiper primarily removes water, especially from the sensor's field of view. Advantageously, this provides a high level of operational reliability because the safety mode includes the water protection function. The sensor's field of view is the vehicle's windshield. The water protection function can be activated when precipitation or spray is anticipated or when it occurs.Alternatively or in addition, the sensor, in particular a sensor cover, is protected against environmental influences such as solar radiation or impacts from stones or hail or similar phenomena; in particular, the sensor, preferably the sensor field cover, is protected against water, for example, water from precipitation or splashing water because the wiper is installed between the water and the sensor, in particular the sensor field cover.

[0015] According to another feature, the precipitation or splashing water is deflected by the wiper's deflector element, in particular a wiper deflector, which removes it from the sensor, specifically from the sensor field cover, by diverting the flow to at least partially remove it. Advantageously, high operational reliability is achieved because the precipitation or splashing water is removed from the sensor by the deflector element. The wiper, preferably the wiper's deflector element, is positioned and installed so that the sensor, preferably the sensor field cover, is sheltered from the circulating wind. The deflector is designed to deflect the fluid flow, preferably the airflow, containing the precipitation or splashing water. The flow is, for example, the circulating wind.It is also possible to consider that the stream may contain solid, liquid or gaseous materials such as, for example, particles or exhaust gases or similar elements.

[0016] Preferably, precipitation or spray water at a flow velocity, in particular 150 km / h, preferably 100 km / h, and preferably at least 50 km / h, is removed at least largely from the sensor field coverage. The term "largely" means at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and particularly preferably at least 90%. The term "circulating wind" corresponds to a The direction of ambient airflow surrounding the vehicle. The term "precipitation" refers to meteorological water, for example, rain, snow, hail, fog, frost. The term "sprayed water" refers to water, preferably water in the form of drops, coming from the environment, for example, puddles.

[0017] According to another feature, water carried to the vehicle's surface, for example, by the windshield wiper cleaning the vehicle's windshield, by the wind, or by the wiper's surface contact element, particularly the wiper lip, is removed from the sensor by deflection. Advantageously, this provides high operational reliability because the water is deflected and thus kept away from the sensor, particularly its upper surface. The surface contact element, in particular the wiper lip, displaces the water by deflecting it with the wind, preferably by being pressed against the upper surface in a fluid-tight manner. The water in contact with the vehicle's surface is removed by the surface contact element, preferably the wiper lip, which removes it from the sensor.The surface contact element, preferably the lip, is positioned between the water to be deflected and the sensor, specifically the sensor field cover. The water or water droplets that adhere to the surface are carried by the circulating wind, particularly depending on the vehicle's speed, at least primarily in the direction of the circulating wind to pass over the surface.

[0018] According to another feature, the sensor safety mode includes a sensor verification function that is automatically activated, particularly based on demand, and that covers, in a targeted manner, at least a portion of the sensor's field of vision with at least a portion of the wiper blade. This offers the advantage of enhanced maintenance efficiency, as maintenance will only be required if a fault is detected in the sensor's operation during a sensor verification function.

[0019] The advantage is high operational reliability because, in particular, the sensor check function automatically detects faulty sensor operation. By partially covering the sensor's field of view, the system checks whether an offline message and / or a sensor dirt detection prevents correct operation. Preferably, the sensor's field of view is at least partially covered by the wiper blade, in that the wiper blade moves across the sensor's field of view, is briefly within the sensor's field of view, or remains there.

[0020] It is possible to verify the correct operation of the dirt detection by the sensor each time the windshield wiper passes over the sensor field, in particular in a standard way.

[0021] According to another feature, the sensor safety mode includes a sensor cleaning function that is automatically activated on demand. In this function, the sensor, and in particular the glass covered by the sensor (for example, the vehicle's windshield), is cleaned by the wiper's wiping motion. This ensures high operational reliability and overall safety, as the sensor cleaning function guarantees particularly good visibility through the cleaned glass. The benefit of excellent comfort is achieved through clear vision and automatic glass cleaning. The glass is cleaned by the wiper blade. Specifically, the wiper is driven to clean at least a large portion of the glass.By cleaning the sensor's field of view, which corresponds to a partial area of ​​the windshield, the wiper blade is moved across a portion of the windshield, preferably within a segment of the glass, for example, the area covering the sensor's field of view. This back-and-forth movement of the wiper blade across segments is called "zone sweeping." Depending on the degree of dirt on the sensor and the windshield, a cleaning program can be selected from the available options to clean the windshield or the sensor's field of view.

[0022] According to one feature, the sensor safety mode is deactivated, in particular automatically, when the vehicle's autonomous driving mode is deactivated or if an occupant, in particular the vehicle driver, is asked to confirm that the sensor safety mode should remain activated. This provides enhanced user comfort because, in particular, the sensor safety mode is automatically deactivated when the vehicle's autonomous driving mode is deactivated. Enhanced safety is also ensured because the vehicle driver actively resumes control of the vehicle's operation before the sensor safety mode is deactivated.

[0023] In addition, the sensor safety mode is automatically deactivated by manual activation of the windshield wipers by an occupant, in particular the vehicle driver. This offers the advantage of high user comfort because, in particular, manual activation of the wipers automatically deactivates the safety mode. Specifically, the scheduled cleaning of the sensor field will not be interrupted if the occupants, in particular the vehicle driver, manually activate the windshield wipers or manually request cleaning. Manual activation of the windshield wipers by the vehicle occupant terminates, i.e., deactivates the vehicle's autonomous driving mode. However, it is conceivable that the autonomous driving mode will be activated by manual activation of the windshield wipers.

[0024] According to another feature, the sensor safety mode when activated Outside of the vehicle's autonomous driving mode, for example, in partially autonomous or manual driving mode, the wipers will only be activated upon request and confirmation by a user, such as the vehicle's driver. This offers the advantage of high operational safety and comfort because, in particular, the wipers do not activate without prior warning and do not risk startling the vehicle's passengers. It is also possible to have the safety mode activated by the sensor when a cleaning need is detected.

[0025] The invention also relates to a computing unit, in particular a control and regulation unit for implementing the wiper management method described above. The advantage is enhanced operational reliability because the computing unit has a very short reaction time for implementing the method for wiper operation. The computing unit is integrated into the mechanical-electronic wiper drive and forms part of the mechanical-electronic wiper drive. Alternatively, the computing unit can be an internal or external control and regulation unit within the vehicle's control system. The term "computing unit" refers to a unit with information input, information processing, and information output.Advantageously, the computing unit comprises a processor, memory, an input means, an output means and other electronic components, a management program, regulation routines, control routines and calculation routines. The components of the computing unit are preferably mounted on a common circuit board or are in a common housing.

[0026] The invention also relates to a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode with a sensor whose data is used in part for the autonomous driving mode, and which includes a windshield wiper with a processing unit, in particular a control and regulation unit. The processing unit applies the method described above for managing the windshield wiper. The advantage is a particularly high level of operational reliability because, in particular, the sensor safety mode guarantees fault-free and uninterrupted sensor operation and is activated automatically. The advantage is user-friendliness because, in particular, the sensor safety mode is activated automatically.

[0027] The method for managing a windshield wiper, the calculation unit according to the invention and the vehicle equipped according to the invention are not limited to the realizations and details of description given above. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of a method for managing a windshield wiper of a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode, as shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0029] [Fig-1] vehicle equipped with a windshield wiper and a sensor,

[0030] [Fig.2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the windshield wiper with a deflector element,

[0031] [Fig.3] Schematic view of the windshield wiper with a surface contact element,

[0032] [Fig.4] Schematic view of the windshield wiper with a sensor cover, and

[0033] [Fig.5] Schematic flowchart of the windshield wiper management process.

[0034] DESCRIPTION OF A MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10, which is a self-driving, partially self-driving, or manually operated vehicle. The vehicle 10 has a self-driving or partially self-driving mode. The vehicle is a motor vehicle; it could also be a truck, a boat, an airplane, a drone, or a rail vehicle. The vehicle 10 has a window 22, which is the windshield. The window 22 could also be the rear window or a comparable window such as a sensor window. The vehicle 10 has a sensor 14, which is a vehicle sensor. The sensor 14 is installed in the base of the rearview mirror in the passenger compartment. The sensor 14 is in contact with the window 2. The sensor 14 has a sensor field cover 16. This sensor field cover 16 is the window 22 of the vehicle 10. The sensor field cover 16 is transparent. Sensor 14 has a field of view of sensor 26.The sensor field coverage 16 defines the sensor field of view 26. The sensor captures the vehicle environment that lies within the sensor field of view 26. The sensor 14 provides data which are image data of the vehicle environment.

[0036] The vehicle 10 has a windshield wiper 12. The windshield wiper 12 has a safety mode. This safety mode is designed to ensure the fault-free or uninterrupted operation of the sensor 14. The sensor safety mode includes a water protection mode. The sensor safety mode includes a sensor check function and a sensor cleaning function. The sensor safety mode could have other functions such as, for example, a sensor protection function. The windshield wiper 12 has an arm 32. The wiper arm 32 is coupled to the wiper drive 34 of the vehicle 10. The windshield wiper 12 has a wiper blade 36 which has a lip 24. The wiping lip 24 is made of rubber. This lip 24 is in contact with the glass and is intended to move on the glass 22. The area of ​​the glass 22 swept by the wiping lip 24 is called the wiping area 40.

[0037] The wiping area 40 is a sector of a circle. The sector of the circle has a smallest angle 62, which is at most equal to 180°. The coverage of the sensor field 16 is within the wiping area 40. The glass 22 has a sensor wiping area 42. The sensor wiping area 42 is a part of the wiping area 40. The area The wiper area of ​​sensor 42 completely overlaps the field coverage 16 of sensor 14. The wiper area of ​​sensor 42 is in the form of another circular sector. This other circular sector of the wiper area of ​​sensor 42 has another smaller angle 64 that is less than the smallest angle 62 of the circular sector of the wiper area 40. This other circular sector has another smaller angle 64 equal to at most 30°. The vehicle has a computing unit 28 which is an internal or external control and regulation unit. The computing unit 28 controls or regulates the autonomous driving mode based on the data from sensor 14. The computing unit 28 is designed to control and regulate the wiper 12. A control and regulation unit 40 can be considered as a control device for the vehicle 10.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the window 22 in a schematic cross-sectional view and the wiper 12, the lip of which 24 is in contact with the window 22. The wiper 12 passes over the field cover 16 of the sensor 14 to remove the water. The wiper 12 has a deflecting element 18. The deflecting element 18 diverts the fluid flow. The fluid flow is generated by the ambient circulating wind. The deflector element 18 is installed to prevent rainwater or splashing water by diverting the flow from the sensor field cover 16. The deflector element 18 creates a wind "shelter" 38. The operating wiper 12 is positioned on the window 22 so that the sensor field cover 16 is within the shelter 38 of the deflector element 18 of the wiper 12.

[0039] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of a window 22 and the wiper 12. This wiper 12 has a surface contact element 30. The surface contact element 30 of the wiper 12 touches the window 22. The surface contact element 30 of the wiper 12 pressed against the window 22 acts as a liquid-tight contact between the wiper 12 and the window 22. The surface contact element 30 is the wiping lip 24 of the wiper 12. The surface contact element 30 removes water carried along the window 22 by the deflection of the sensor field cover 16.

[0040] Figure 4 shows the window 22 in a schematic top view and the wiper 12, which is installed so that a portion of the wiper 12 passes over the sensor field cover 16. The wiper 12 completely overlaps the sensor field cover 16 in the longitudinal direction of the wiper 12. The wiper 12 obscures a partial area of ​​the sensor field of view 26. The sensor 14 is designed to detect a portion of the cover or the overlap of the sensor field cover 16. It can also be envisaged that the wiper 12 completely covers the sensor field cover 16 or the sensor field of view 26. By this partial cover / overlap of the sensor field cover 16 by the wiper 12, we can check if the sensor 14 has detected without fault any dirt or wetness of the sensor field cover 16.

[0041] The [Fig.5] is a diagram of a flowchart of the windshield wiper management process 12.

[0042] In process step 44, the windshield wiper 12 ensures uninterrupted and fault-free operation of the sensor in that, in sensor safety mode, when the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle 10 is activated, this safety mode is automatically activated. It is conceivable that a vehicle passenger could manually activate the sensor safety mode. It is also conceivable that the sensor safety mode could be activated automatically or manually by activating the partially autonomous driving mode of the vehicle 10.

[0043] According to another process step 46, the sensor field cover 16 of the sensor 14 is protected by the wiper 12 against rain or splashing water. The sensor field cover 16 of the sensor 14 is protected by the water protection function, which is automatically activated as required. The water protection function is activated if dirt or wetness on the sensor field cover 16 is detected by the sensor 14. The water protection function is activated in the event of a high probability of precipitation. The probability of precipitation can be set, for example, using data from the meteorological service.

[0044] In another process step 48, rainwater or splash water is removed from the deflector element 18 of the wiper 12 by diverting the flow from the field cover 16 of the sensor 14. The deflector element 18 diverts the circulating wind to protect ([Fig.2]) the sensor field cover 16 by the wind shelter 18 against rainwater and splash water.

[0045] According to another process step 50, the water displaced along the window 22 removed by the wiper 12 and carried away by the circulating wind is eliminated (see [Fig.3]), with the wiping lip 24 of the wiper 12 relative to the sensor field cover 16. It may also be envisaged to carry out the other process step 48 and the other process step 50 simultaneously.

[0046] According to another process step 52, the sensor check function of the sensor safety mode is automatically activated as required. The sensor check function is activated regularly at regular intervals. For example, the sensor check function can be activated depending on the engine type. Alternatively, the sensor check function can be activated each time the wiper 12 passes over the sensor field of view. For the sensor check function, a portion of the sensor 14's field of view 26 is selectively covered by a portion of the wiper 12. When the portion of the field of view sensor vision 26 is covered by part of wiper 12, we check if sensor 14 simulates wetting / dirt of the cover recognized as without defect ( [Fig.4]).

[0047] According to another process step 54, a sensor cleaning function is automatically activated with the sensor safety mode as needed. For example, the sensor cleaning function is activated if the sensor 14 detects precipitation. In the case of the sensor cleaning function, the lens 22 covering the sensor 14 is cleaned by a wiping motion of the wiper 12. For this purpose, the wiping lip 24 of the wiper 12 is moved over the lens 22. The lens 22 is cleaned by mechanically scraping the water off the lens 22 with the lip 24 or by pushing the water to one side of the lens 22. The lens 22 can also be cleaned at different cleaning intervals.

[0048] According to another step of the process 56, the sensor safety mode is automatically deactivated by deactivating the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the driver of the vehicle 10, after a request, can activate the continued operation of the sensor safety mode.

[0049] According to another step of the process 58, the sensor safety mode is automatically deactivated if the driver of the vehicle 10 manually activates the windshield wiper 12. Alternatively, the driver may be required to wait until the sensor 10 is in a cleaning state before allowing the windshield 22 to be cleaned. For example, the driver may be required to prioritize cleaning the sensor 14 before cleaning the windshield 22.

[0050] According to another step of the process 60, the sensor safety mode is activated beyond the vehicle's autonomous driving mode exclusively after a request or confirmation from the driver. For example, if the safety mode is only activated in the vehicle's autonomous or partially autonomous driving mode, the activation request must be confirmed by the driver.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of managing a windshield wiper (12) of a vehicle (10) in autonomous driving mode, the autonomous driving mode using data from at least one sensor (14) of the vehicle (10), - the windshield wiper (12) having a sensor safety mode in particular autonomous in which with the wiper (12) the fault-free or uninterrupted operation of the sensor (14) is guaranteed and, - the sensor safety mode is activated automatically by the activation of the autonomous driving mode of the vehicle (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor safety mode includes a water protection function, activated automatically in particular as needed and in which the wiper (12) practically protects the sensor (14) against water in particular by covering the field (16) of the sensor (14).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that precipitation water or projection water is removed from the sensor (14), in particular from the sensor field cover (16), by a deflector element (18) of the wiper (12), in particular with the deflector of the wiper (12) by deflection of the flow.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that with a top surface contact element (30) of the wiper (12), in particular its wiping lip (24) water, in particular water carried by the circulating wind along the surface of the vehicle (10), for example, from a window (22) of the vehicle (10) cleaned with the wiper (12), is moved away by its deviation from the sensor (14), in particular from the sensor field cover (16).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor safety mode includes a sensor verification function in particular activated automatically as needed, and in which at least a part of the field of vision (26) of the sensor (14) is covered in a particularly targeted manner by at least a part of the wiper (12).

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety mode of the sensor includes a sensor cleaning function, activated automatically as needed, and in which the sensor, in particular the glass (22) covering the sensor (14), for example, the windshield of the vehicle, is cleaned by a wiping motion of the windshield wiper (12).

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the autonomous mode of the vehicle (10) is deactivated, the sensor safety mode is deactivated, in particular automatically or a passenger, in particular the driver of the vehicle (10) is requested to activate the continued operation of the sensor safety mode.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor safety mode is automatically deactivated by the manual activation of the windshield wiper (12) by a passenger, in particular the driver of the vehicle (10).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor safety mode is activated when the vehicle is activated beyond the autonomous driving mode, for example, in a partially autonomous or manual driving mode of the vehicle (10), only upon request or confirmation by a passenger, in particular by the driver of the vehicle (10).

10. Computing unit (28), in particular control and regulation unit designed to apply the process according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Vehicle (10) having in particular an autonomous driving mode comprising a sensor (14) whose sensor data at least partly constitutes the autonomous driving mode, having a windshield wiper (12) and a computing unit (28), in particular a control and computing unit, characterized in that the computing unit (28) is designed to apply a method according to claims 1 to 9.

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