AID FOR CHECKERING THE OPERATION OF A VEHICLE'S SPRAYING SYSTEMS
An automated verification aid method and device for vehicles addresses the inefficiencies and safety risks in manually checking spraying devices by automating their operation, ensuring safe and efficient verification.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023005175
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-05-25
AI Technical Summary
The process of verifying the operation of spraying devices in vehicles is time-consuming, potentially dangerous, and leads to overconsumption of liquid, as technicians must manually activate and observe the operation of these devices, risking safety and efficiency.
An automated verification aid method and device that triggers the operation of spraying devices sequentially, allowing technicians to observe results without manual intervention, reducing safety risks and fluid consumption.
Enables safe, efficient, and controlled verification of spraying devices without manual activation, minimizing liquid waste and ensuring technician safety.
Smart Images
Figure 00000011_0000 
Figure 00000011_0001
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: AID FOR VERIFYING THE OPERATION OF VEHICLE SPRAYING DEVICES Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to vehicles comprising at least two spraying devices, and more specifically to the verification of the operation of these spraying devices. State of the art
[0002] Certain vehicles, possibly of the motor vehicle type, include spraying devices which are each capable, in operation, of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment, and wiping devices which are each capable, in operation, of wiping the surface of a piece of equipment which can also, sometimes, be sprayed.
[0003] For example, quite often, the aforementioned vehicles include at least:
[0004] - a first spraying device designed to spray their windscreen,
[0005] - a second spraying device for spraying part of a camera night vision observation,
[0006] - a possible third spraying device responsible for spraying a part of a rear-view camera (or 360° camera) and / or their rear window or rear tailgate window,
[0007] - a first wiping device designed to wipe their windshield, and
[0008] - a possible wiping device designed to wipe their rear window or windshield rear hatch.
[0009] Currently, when a vehicle comes off an assembly line, it is placed in a control area where a technician is responsible for checking the operation of the spray devices associated with the glazing and camera(s). More specifically, the technician must check not only that there are no leaks under the vehicle (apart from the fluid drainage points of the cowl located behind the front wheels), in the passenger compartment, in the engine compartment / cowl, and in the trunk, but also that the sprayed fluid has indeed come out of all the nozzles of the various spray devices (by observing residual traces of fluid on each window concerned, the grille, the bumpers, the rear license plate, and the ground).
[0010] To do this, the technician starts the vehicle (“ignition”), then places the vehicle's gearbox in neutral, then activates the dipped headlights, then selects the “night vision” mode, then operates the one after the other, the commands necessary to operate the spraying devices and perform the associated observations.
[0011] The windshield spray control typically needs to be held down continuously, and at the same time, it only triggers a single spray from the night vision camera, which is too brief to allow viewing of the result on the vehicle's central display screen. Consequently, the technician is forced to repeat this action, resulting in another spray on the windshield and thus wasting windshield washer fluid. Furthermore, this usually activates the front windshield wipers, which spray fluid laterally towards the technician(s) and nearby equipment, contributing to a slippery and therefore hazardous surface.
[0012] The rear window or tailgate window spray control must also generally be held continuously, and simultaneously triggers the rear-view (or 360°) camera spray. However, since reverse gear is not selected, the technician cannot view the result on the vehicle's central instrument cluster display screen and must therefore move behind the vehicle to try to detect any residual traces. Alternatively, the technician can select reverse gear while keeping a foot on the brake pedal or, if applicable, the clutch pedal, if they wish to view the images acquired at the rear of the vehicle, thus avoiding having to position themselves behind it. However, this introduces a safety risk because the vehicle is not mounted on rollers.
[0013] In general, checking the operation of a vehicle's spraying devices is time-consuming, potentially dangerous and leads to overconsumption of liquid.
[0014] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention
[0015] In particular, it proposes for this purpose a verification aid method intended to be implemented in a vehicle comprising at least two spraying devices, each in operation, to spray a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment.
[0016] This verification assistance method is characterized by the fact that it includes a step in which, in the event of activation of a dedicated assistance function, an automated start-up of each spraying device is triggered according to a chosen sequence, in order to allow verification of the operation of each of the spraying devices.
[0017] Thanks to the invention, the technician only has to activate the dedicated help function for all the spraying devices to be put into operation without him then having to act on control devices and / or a display screen (digital or touch) of the vehicle, which allows him to only have to devote himself to checking the results of the activation of the spraying devices, without risk to himself or to other people and / or equipment located near the vehicle.
[0018] The verification aid method according to the invention may include other features which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:
[0019] - in its step, a chosen sequence can be used which is specific to triggering an automated activation of the spraying devices one after the other for initially chosen durations;
[0020] - in its step, a chosen sequence can be used which is specific to triggering each automated start-up of a spraying device after the elapsed time associated with a second chosen duration;
[0021] - in its step, before proceeding to activate the dedicated help function, one can place a vehicle's gearbox in a neutral (or neutral) position;
[0022] - in its step, the dedicated help function can be activated by the at least one action on at least one control component of the vehicle;
[0023] - Alternatively, in its step, the help function can be activated dedicated by a selection of a dedicated option present in a menu accessible via a human / machine interface of the vehicle.
[0024] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing a verification aid method of the type presented above, in a vehicle comprising at least two spraying devices each capable, when in operation, of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment, to allow verification of the operation of each of these spraying devices.
[0025] The invention also proposes a verification aid device intended to equip a vehicle comprising at least two spraying devices, each in operation, to spray a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment.
[0026] This verification aid device is characterized by the fact that it includes at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to perform the operations consisting, in the event of activation of a dedicated aid function, of triggering the operation of each spraying device according to a chosen sequence, in order to allow verification of the operation of each of these spraying devices.
[0027] The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type, comprising, on the one hand, at least two spraying devices, each capable in operation of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment, and, on the other hand, a verification aid device of the type of that presented above. Brief description of the figures
[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of a vehicle comprising spraying devices associated with equipment having a surface that can be sprayed,
[0030] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an example of an embodiment of an assistance calculator comprising an example of an embodiment of a verification assistance device according to the invention, and
[0031] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a verification aid method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention
[0032] The invention aims in particular to provide a verification aid method, and an associated verification aid device DAV, intended to help verify the operation of at least two DAk spraying devices of a vehicle V.
[0033] In what follows, vehicle V is considered, by way of non-limiting example, to be a motor vehicle. For example, it is a car, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. However, the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It relates to any type of vehicle comprising at least two spraying devices, each capable of spraying a liquid onto the surface of at least one onboard component. Thus, it relates to land vehicles (commercial vehicles, motorhomes, minibuses, coaches, trucks, road maintenance vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, tracked vehicles, trains and trams, for example), aircraft, and boats.
[0034] Figure 1 schematically represents a vehicle V comprising spray devices DAk (here k = 1 to 3), associated with equipment Ej (here j = 1 to 4), each having a sprayable surface, and a verification aid device DAV according to the invention. It is important to note that the number of spray devices DAk can take any value greater than or equal to two (2), and the number of equipment Ej can take any value greater than or equal to two (2).
[0035] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], the vehicle V comprises:
[0036] - a first spraying device DA1 (k = 1) responsible for spraying a first equipment El (j = 1) which is a windshield,
[0037] - a second spraying device DA2 (k = 2) responsible for spraying a second Equipment E2 (j = 2), which is a night (or forward) observation camera, installed here in the grille of vehicle V (but it could be on the outer face of the windshield El, for example), and
[0038] - a third spraying device DA3 (k = 3) responsible for spraying a third equipment E3 (j = 3) which is a rear window and a fourth piece of equipment E4 (j = 4) which is a rear observation camera (or 360°), here installed on the upper part of the rear window E3.
[0039] It should be noted that the vehicle V may also include at least one other spraying device DAk responsible for spraying at least one other piece of equipment Ej such as, for example, front optical blocks, a reversing camera or an interior digital rear-view camera.
[0040] Each DAk spraying device includes at least one electric pump supplying a circuit to which is connected at least one nozzle located near (or in front of) the surface to be sprayed.
[0041] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a verification aid method intended to help verify the operation of at least two DAk spraying devices of vehicle V.
[0042] This verification aid method can be implemented at least partially by the verification aid device DAV (illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 and 2), which comprises for this purpose at least one PR1 processor, for example a digital signal processor (or DA VP (“Digital Signal Processor”)), and at least one MD memory. This verification aid device DAV can therefore be implemented as a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or “hardware”) and software modules (or “software”). For example, it could be a microcontroller.
[0043] The MD memory is random access memory (RAM) to store instructions for the implementation by the PR1 processor of at least part of the verification assistance process. The PR1 processor may include integrated circuits (or printed circuit boards), or several integrated circuits (or printed circuit boards) connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated circuit (or printed circuit board) is defined as any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.
[0044] In the example illustrated, but not limited to, in Figures 1 and 2, the DAV verification aid device is part of an AC aid control unit installed in vehicle V. However, this is not mandatory. Indeed, the DAV verification aid device could comprise its own dedicated control unit, which is then coupled to the AC charger control unit, or it could be part of another control unit fitted to vehicle V and performing at least one other function.
[0045] As illustrated, without limitation, in [Fig. 3], the (verification aid) method according to the invention comprises a step 10-30 which is implemented when a A technician (or a robot) wants to check the operation of the DAk spraying devices of vehicle V, for example in a control area located at the exit of an assembly line.
[0046] Step 10-30 of the method includes a substep 30 in which, upon activation of a dedicated assistance function, an automated start-up of each DAk spraying device (for example, the DAV verification assistance device) is triggered according to a chosen sequence. This automated start-up according to the chosen sequence advantageously allows verification of the operation of each of the DAk spraying devices.
[0047] It will be understood that from now on the technician only has to activate the dedicated help function for all the DAk spraying devices to be put into operation without him having to then act on control elements and / or a display screen (digital or touch) of the vehicle V. In other words, after activation the technician (or the robot) only has to devote himself to the sole verification of the results of the activation of the DAk spraying devices.
[0048] It should be noted that when a robot performs the verification of the results, within the framework of a fully automated verification procedure, it can acquire images of the areas concerned and analyze them.
[0049] This verification of the results is therefore risk-free for the technician, even if they wish to exit the vehicle V's passenger compartment, because no vehicle V's wiping device is activated and therefore there is no risk of the sprayed liquid being projected laterally onto the ground. Furthermore, there is no risk of other people and / or equipment located near vehicle V being affected by the sprayed liquid. In addition, since the technician (or the robot) no longer needs to select reverse gear, there is no longer a safety risk related to improper depressing of the brake or clutch pedal. Finally, the sequence can be easily chosen to minimize fluid consumption.
[0050] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], step 10-30 may include a substep 20 in which one (for example, the technician) can activate the dedicated assistance function. It should be noted that activation could also be carried out by a robot or by transmitting a dedicated message to the communication module via radio waves of vehicle V.
[0051] Also, for example, in substep 30 of step 10-30, a selected sequence can be used (for example, the verification aid device DAV) which is specific to triggering an automated activation of the DAk spray devices one after the other (or in series) for selected initial durations. In this case, each DAk spray device is associated with a first specific duration, chosen so as to be long enough for the technician or a robot to observe the result(s) of its operation.
[0052] But it could be envisaged that within a sequence at least two DAk spraying devices are put into operation in parallel (totally or partially).
[0053] Also, for example, in substep 30 of step 10-30, a selected sequence can be used (for example, the verification aid device DAV) to trigger each automated activation of a spraying device DAk after the elapsed time of a selected duration. This option is intended to allow a technician (or a robot) to move to the location best suited for observing the results of spraying by a spraying device DAk even before the latter (DAk) has begun spraying.
[0054] It should be noted that the chosen sequence can also optionally trigger the automated activation of a camera E2 or E4 just before it is sprayed, and of a display screen EA in vehicle V to display the images acquired by this camera E2 or E4 just before and during its spraying. This can allow the technician (or the robot) to remain in vehicle V without moving to observe the results of the spraying when they cannot do so visually.
[0055] Also, for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.1], the display screen EA can be part of the central CC instrument cluster of the vehicle V which is generally fitted to the dashboard PB of the latter (V).
[0056] For example, and as illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 3], step 10-30 may include a substep 10 in which, before activating the dedicated assistance function, the transmission of vehicle V is placed in neutral (or in neutral gear if it is manual and not automated) before being placed in neutral (for example, by a technician). It should be noted that this placement could also be carried out by a robot or by transmitting a dedicated message to the communication module of vehicle V via radio waves.
[0057] Also, for example, in substep 20 of step 10-30, the dedicated assistance function can be activated by at least one action on at least one control element of the vehicle V. As illustrated, but not limited to, in [Fig. 1], this control element can be a lever (or a stalk) that is coupled to the steering wheel or steering column of the vehicle V and that the driver of the latter (V) uses to control the various spray devices and wiper devices. In this case, at least one specific action on this control element can be dedicated to activating the dedicated assistance function. But the control element could be dedicated solely to the verification aid. In this case, it may, for example, be part of the dashboard PB (or a central console coupled to it (PB)), and may, for example, take the form of a push button or a touch or digital area.
[0058] In an alternative embodiment, in substep 20 of step 10-30, the dedicated assistance function can be activated by selecting a dedicated option that is present in a menu accessible via a human-machine interface (HMI) of the vehicle V. For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 1], this human-machine interface (HMI) can be part (at least partially) of the central instrument cluster (CC) (or even its display screen EA).
[0059] It should be noted that an additional advantage of the invention is that its sequence can be adapted according to particular characteristics of a vehicle or to take into account spraying devices added after the manufacture of the vehicle.
[0060] It should also be noted, as illustrated but not limited to [Fig. 2], that the AC charger computer (or the DAV verification aid computer) may also include a mass memory MM1, in particular for storing the possible state of the gearbox, as well as any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this AC charger computer (or the DAV verification aid computer) may also include an IE input interface for receiving at least the possible state of the gearbox and an indication of the activation of the dedicated assistance function for use in calculations or processing, possibly after having been shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified, in a manner known per se, by means of a PR2 digital signal processor.In addition, this AC charger computer (or the DAV verification aid computer) may also include an IS output interface, notably to deliver a message (or command) containing each message containing an order to start up at least one DAk spray device or the EA display screen or a controllable Ej device (such as an E2 or E4 observation camera).
[0061] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the type of electronic circuits (or hardware), such as for example the PR1 processor, is suitable for implementing the verification assistance method described above to verify the operation of the DAk spraying devices of the vehicle V.
Claims
Demands
1. A method for visually verifying, by an operator, the operation of spray devices (DAk) of a vehicle (V) comprising at least two spray devices (DAk), each capable of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment (Ej), the method being carried out on said vehicle (V) at rest, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-30) in which, in the event of activation of a dedicated assistance function of a specific verification mode, distinct from the usual washing controls, an automated activation of each spray device (DAk) is triggered according to a chosen sequence, said activation being carried out without triggering any wiping devices possibly associated with said surfaces, in order to allow a visual verification of the operation of each of said spray devices (DAk).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-30) a selected sequence is used to trigger an automated start-up of said spraying devices (DAk) one after the other for selected initial durations.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step (10-30) a chosen sequence is used to trigger each automated start-up of a spraying device (DAk) after the elapsed time associated with a second chosen duration.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step (10-30), before proceeding with said activation of the dedicated assistance function, a gearbox of said vehicle (V) is placed in a neutral position.
5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in said step (10-30) said activation of the dedicated assistance function is carried out by at least one action on at least one control element (OC) of said vehicle (V).
6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in said step (10-30) said activation of the dedicated assistance function is carried out by selecting a dedicated option present in a menu accessible by means of a human / machine interface (HMI) of said vehicle (V).
7. Product computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is suitable for implementing the verification aid method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in a vehicle (V) comprising at least two spraying devices (DAk) each suitable in operation for spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment (Ej), to allow verification of the operation of each of said spraying devices (DAk).
8. Verification aid device (VAD) for a vehicle (V) comprising at least two spray devices (DAk) each capable of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment (Ej), characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to perform the operations consisting, in the event of activation of a dedicated aid function, of triggering the activation of each spray device (DAk) according to a chosen sequence, in order to allow verification of the operation of each of said spray devices (DAk).
9. Vehicle (V) comprising at least two spraying devices (DAk) each capable in operation of spraying a liquid onto a surface of at least one piece of equipment (Ej), characterized in that it further comprises a verification aid device (DAV) according to claim 8.