Automatic activation device for windshield wipers on motor vehicles based on the amount of dust on the windshield

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the automatic activation of the windshield wipers of a motor vehicle according to the dust present on the windshield, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor for measuring in real time the amount of dust present on the windshield, a control module connected, on the one hand, to said sensor to compare the amount of dust measured with a predefined limit value and, on the other hand, to an automatic activation mechanism of the windshield wipers controlled by said module.

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic activation device for windshield wipers of motor vehicles based on the amount of dust on the windshield

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of windshield wipers equipping motor vehicles and is more particularly concerned with a device for automatic activation of the sweeping based on the detection of the amount of dust present on the windshield.

[0002] Generally, traditional windshield wipers are activated at predefined time intervals, either manually according to the programming chosen by the vehicle user, or automatically depending on the amount of water reaching the windshield. Thus, today, automatic activation of the windshield wipers is exclusively linked to the presence of water and is independent of the amount of dust that may be present on the windshield.

[0003] However, it turns out that visibility is significantly reduced when there is an excessive accumulation of dust on the windshield, especially in the absence of rain. This problem, which adversely impacts driving safety, is all the more critical when the vehicle is frequently driven in an environment where the level of dust present in the ambient air or generated by the passage of several vehicles is high and bothersome.

[0004] In addition, the activation and manual adjustment of the windshield wipers according to the external environment of the vehicle is a concern of the driver who tends to lower his level of vigilance even when traffic conditions may become difficult, particularly in an area polluted by the presence of particles suspended in the air.

[0005] Finally, when the amount of dust suspended in the vehicle environment is low, excessive or inappropriate use of the windshield wipers leads to premature wear of the blades.

[0006] Patent application CN113492800A describes a windshield dust removal system comprising a dust sensor coupled to means using static electricity to expel dust.

[0007] However, the structure of this system is complex because it includes electronic means coupled with electrical means which are attached to the windshield wipers and which act on the dust independently of the latter.

[0008] In this context, the invention sought a simple and intelligent technical solution to solve the problems raised by scanning devices and known dust removal methods and, in particular, making it possible to do away with complex mechanical or electrical components that would otherwise need to be added and integrated.

[0009] This goal is achieved, according to the invention, by means of an automatic activation device for the windshield wipers of a motor vehicle based on the dust present on the windshield, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor for measuring in real time the amount of dust present on the windshield, a control module connected, on the one hand, to said sensor to compare the amount of dust measured with a predefined limit value and, on the other hand, to an automatic activation mechanism for the windshield wipers controlled by said module.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the device of the invention, the sensor is installed on the windshield.

[0011] Preferably, the activation device of the invention further comprises a human-machine interface integrated into the vehicle's dashboard and intended for programming the module and adjusting the device.

[0012] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the activation device is connected and powered by the vehicle's electrical circuit.

[0013] Preferably, the device of the invention further comprises a rain sensor.

[0014] Another object of the invention is a method of dusting a windshield of a motor vehicle by means of a device as defined above, characterized in that the user of the vehicle sets the automatic triggering threshold and the sweeping frequency of the windshield wipers via a programming of the control module by selecting a threshold value of the amount of dust on the windshield.

[0015] Another object of the invention is a computer program for implementing the process as defined above, characterized in that it integrates a detection and control algorithm operating from data from at least one analysis of the texture of dust particles and / or the shape of dust particles and / or the movement of said particles.

[0016] Preferably, this program ensures a weighting between the size and density of dust particles when detecting these particles on the windshield.

[0017] Yet another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with an automatic wiper blade activation device as defined above.

[0018] In its most general aspect, the invention proposes an intelligent device and method providing an improved technical solution to the problem of dusting the windshield of motor vehicles.

[0019] Thanks to the device of the invention, visibility and safety become optimal while eliminating the constraints resulting from the manual adjustment of the windshield wipers.

[0020] At the same time, the lifespan of the windshield wiper blades is increased due to more efficient use and better adaptation to traffic conditions.

[0021] The device of the invention also allows a personalized adjustment of the maximum permissible dust threshold before the automatic activation of the windshield sweep in order to satisfy the individual preferences of different drivers.

[0022] Finally, the device of the invention can be installed on existing vehicles without the need to carry out laborious and difficult installation operations.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Naturally, the embodiment of the activation device of the invention described below is given only by way of non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided for in the scope of the invention that different modes can be proposed and combined to offer others.

[0024] The invention relates to the general field of maintenance and / or cleaning of motor vehicle windshields and, more particularly, to their dust removal. Indeed, traditional windshield wipers are generally only suitable and intended to remove water that may fall on the windshield, either while driving in the rain or during vehicle washing. Furthermore, the automatic activation of the windshield wipers is solely linked to the presence of water and is independent of the amount of dust that may be present on the windshield, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion.

[0025] In this context, the invention proposes to implement an intelligent windshield wiper activation device on existing vehicles. This device comprises a dust sensor appropriately installed on the windshield to measure the amount of dust present in real time. The sensor data is transmitted to a control module that analyzes the information and compares the detected and measured dust level with a predefined maximum threshold. This module integrates one or more software programs and controls a mechanism that ensures the automatic activation of the windshield wipers on command.

[0026] Thus, when the dust level exceeds the maximum threshold, the control module automatically activates the windshield wipers to remove the dust and clean the windshield. For this purpose, the wipers are equipped with special blades featuring advanced technologies that eliminate dust without leaving streaks or scratching the windshield glass.

[0027] The activation device of the invention also offers drivers the possibility of customizing the maximum dust threshold at which activation occurs, via a user-friendly human-machine interface integrated into the vehicle's dashboard and located near the driver's seat. This configuration allows drivers to adjust the device according to their individual preferences and adapt it to specific driving conditions by programming the control module, either beforehand or incidentally.

[0028] The minimum size of detectable dust particles depends on the precision of the sensor used and is generally in the micrometer or even nanometer range. Modern sensors that can be integrated into the device of the invention are capable of distinguishing between fine and coarser particles by analyzing their physical properties, such as their size, density, etc.

[0029] For a significant amount of fine particles present on the windshield, the process will implement more frequent wiper operation to maintain adequate visibility. Conversely, the presence of coarser particles will only require less frequent wiper activation if their density is not high.

[0030] The scanning frequency is determined by the manufacturer from extensive studies and experimental tests to calibrate the device optimally and ensure a suitable response to both the dust levels encountered in different driving conditions and the specific weather or environmental conditions of each marketing area.

[0031] If the size threshold defined by the manufacturer is not suitable for the vehicle user, the latter can also adjust this threshold according to his own preferences. Thus, the user could choose a low threshold to trigger the windshield wipers more frequently in difficult driving conditions, or a higher threshold for less frequent activation in less demanding conditions.

[0032] The invention also makes it possible to characterize the type of dust detected by the windshield camera using advanced image processing algorithms. These algorithms can be adapted to recognize and distinguish different types of particles based on characteristics such as color, texture, shape, and light reflectance. For example, soot dust, which is black and opaque, can be differentiated from sand grains, which are brown and translucent. However, the reliability of this distinction depends on the performance of the camera used, the image resolution, and the accuracy of the algorithm used.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the method of the invention, it is possible to provide a weighting between the size and density of the particles during their detection and the activation of the windshield wipers. This weighting can be integrated into the device's control algorithm to take into account the combined impact of particle size and density on visibility and the need to clean the windshield. For example, the method can assign a higher weighting to denser particles, as they tend to adhere more strongly to the windshield and can significantly reduce visibility. However, larger particles Size can also be taken into account, as they can further obstruct the driver's view, even if they are less dense.

[0034] Thus, by adjusting the weighting between particle size and density, the method of the invention can optimize its implementation to ensure effective windshield cleaning while minimizing unnecessary wiper activations. Such a mode contributes to improved safety and driving comfort in a variety of environmental conditions. However, precisely determining an activation threshold, based on particle density and / or size, can be complex due to the variability of environmental conditions and the diverse characteristics of dust particles. Extensive studies and experimental tests allow for optimal calibration of the device and ensure an appropriate response to dust levels encountered under different driving conditions.

[0035] The detection and control algorithm used by the computer program integrated into the device of the invention makes it possible to distinguish dust grains from raindrops. This algorithm can operate using various data, including the following analyses:

[0036] - Texture analysis: the algorithm may use texture analysis techniques to differentiate dust grains, which often have a rougher texture, from raindrops, which have a smooth texture.

[0037] - Shape analysis: the algorithm can examine the shape of the detected particles to identify the distinctive characteristics of dust grains compared to raindrops. For example, raindrops tend to be rounder and more symmetrical, while dust grains can have more irregular shapes.

[0038] - Motion analysis: by monitoring the movement of particles on the screen- In a breeze, the algorithm can detect raindrops based on their characteristic movement compared to dust grains, which may be more stationary.

[0039] According to alternative embodiments, the device of the invention can integrate several sensors so as to combine, via the algorithm, the different data from these sensors. These sensors are, for example, dust sensors and rain sensors, to improve the accuracy of detection by merging information from different sources.

[0040] Installing the device of the invention on existing vehicles requires only the integration of the dust sensor, the control module, and the windshield wiper control mechanism. The activation device of the invention is connected to and powered by the vehicle's electrical circuit. Mechanical and / or Electrical components may also be required to allow the proper functioning of the windshield wipers.

[0041] Thus, the activation device of the invention offers an effective and practical solution for improving visibility and road safety by automatically adapting the operation of the windshield wipers to the actual driving conditions.

Claims

Demands

1. Automatic activation device for the windshield wipers of a motor vehicle based on the dust present on the windshield, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor for measuring in real time the amount of dust present on the windshield, a control module connected, on the one hand, to said sensor to compare the amount of dust measured with a predefined limit value and, on the other hand, to an automatic activation mechanism for the windshield wipers controlled by said module.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor is installed on the windshield.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a human-machine interface integrated into the vehicle's dashboard and intended for programming the module and adjusting the device.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is connected and powered by the vehicle's electrical circuit.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a rain sensor.

6. Method of dusting a motor vehicle windshield by means of a device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle user sets the automatic triggering threshold and the wiper sweeping frequency via programming the control module by selecting a threshold value for the amount of dust on the windshield.

7. Computer program for implementing the method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it integrates a detection and control algorithm operating from data from at least one analysis of the texture of dust particles and / or the shape of dust particles and / or the movement of said particles.

8. Computer program according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it ensures a weighting between the size and density of dust particles when detecting these particles on the windshield.

9. Motor vehicle equipped with an automatic wiper blade activation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.