MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A GUIDANCE DEVICE TO GUIDE THE DRIVER IN THE USE OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a windshield, at least one windshield wiper and a rain sensor, said windshield wiper being capable of presenting a sweeping frequency, said vehicle comprising a control for the driver to control the sweeping frequency of the windshield wiper, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an interior camera configured to determine a windshield obstruction rate, the vehicle comprising a guidance device configured to indicate to the driver that he must increase the sweeping frequency of the windshield wiper via the control when the obstruction rate is greater than a first predetermined threshold value or that he must decrease the sweeping frequency of the windshield wiper via the control when the obstruction rate is less than a second predetermined threshold value.The invention also relates to a real-time guidance method for regulating the wiper sweep frequency of a motor vehicle. Figure from the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A GUIDANCE DEVICE FOR GUIDING THE DRIVER IN THE USE OF A WINDSHIELD WIPER

[0001] The invention relates to the adjustment of the sensitivity of windshield wipers of motor vehicles.

[0002] Prior art patent application CN114633723 is known, describing a method for controlling a windshield wiper on a motor vehicle. The method comprises a step of collecting rain information at the vehicle's location, a step of collecting the sensitivity controlled by the driver, and a step of controlling the wiper to operate at a specific sweep frequency or for a specific sweep time. The rain information is collected by a rain sensor. The rain sensor distinguishes whether it is raining or not and, if so, the amount of rain. The wiper automatically enters intermittent mode when the amount of rain is below a threshold value. The threshold value is defined as a period during which the wiper operates at a low sweep frequency. However, a drawback remains.The amount of rain affects the driver differently depending on the intensity of the rain and the size of the raindrops. For example, it might be raining very large raindrops at a relatively low frequency. In this case, there is enough rain to trigger a relatively high wiper frequency, although the driver's vision is not significantly affected. If the wiper frequency is too high relative to the amount of rain on the windshield, the wipers are at risk of premature wear. Conversely, it is possible that there might be very light but heavy rain. In this case, the amount of rain will not be sufficient to trigger a high wiper frequency, although it will still affect the driver's vision.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to offer guidance in managing the wiper sweep frequency for the driver, without imposing a specific control on him.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising a windshield, at least one windshield wiper, and a rain sensor, said wiper being capable of exhibiting a sweep frequency, said vehicle comprising a control for the driver to control the sweep frequency of the windshield wiper, notable in that said vehicle comprises an interior camera configured to determine the rate of obstruction of the windshield by rain when said sensor rain detects rain, the vehicle having a guidance device configured to indicate to the driver that he should increase the wiper sweep frequency via the control when the obstruction rate is above a first predetermined threshold value or that he should decrease the wiper sweep frequency via the control when the obstruction rate is below a second predetermined threshold value.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the driver is guided in the use of his windshield wiper, while remaining free to follow or not the instructions of the guidance device.

[0006] Advantageously, the first predetermined threshold value is between 50% and 70% and the second predetermined threshold value is between 30% and 45%.

[0007] Advantageously, the first predetermined threshold value is equal to 60% and the second predetermined threshold value is equal to 40%.

[0008] Such values ​​make it possible to propose an adaptation of the wiper sweep frequency by the guidance device before the driver is visually hindered by the rain.

[0009] The invention also relates to a real-time guidance method for regulating the sweep frequency of the windshield wiper of a motor vehicle as previously described, notable in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of determining the rate of obstruction of the windshield by the interior camera when rain is detected by the rain detector, the windshield wiper having a non-zero initial sweep frequency; - a step of determining an optimal wiper sweep frequency based on the obstruction rate determined by the interior camera when the obstruction rate is greater than the first predetermined threshold value or when the obstruction rate is less than the second predetermined threshold value; - a comparison step between the initial sweep frequency and the optimal sweep frequency, the guidance device indicating to the driver that he must increase the sweep frequency of the wiper if the optimal sweep frequency is greater than the initial sweep frequency, the guidance device indicating to the driver that he must decrease the sweep frequency of the wiper if the optimal sweep frequency is less than the initial sweep frequency.

[0010] Such a process allows real-time guidance of the driver based on detected rain.

[0011] Preferably, the vehicle includes a traffic sign identification camera cooperating with the interior camera to determine the obstruction rate during the obstruction rate determination step.

[0012] The traffic sign identification camera provides additional information enabling the windshield obstruction rate to be determined more accurately.

[0013] Preferably, said vehicle includes a sound sensor capable of identifying a squeaking sound of the windshield wiper on the windshield, said method including an additional step in which the guidance device indicates to the driver that he must reduce the wiper sweep frequency via the control when the squeaking sound is identified by said sound sensor.

[0014] Reducing the sweep frequency when the sound of the wiper squeaking is detected reduces the risk of premature wear of the wiper.

[0015] Preferably, the control includes a vibrator, said method including a step of vibrating the control when the initial sweep frequency is equal to the optimal sweep frequency during the comparison step.

[0016] Thus, the driver receives confirmation that the windshield wiper is operating at the correct sweeping frequency, without having to look at the guidance device. His attention therefore remains focused on the road and his driving.

[0017] Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the latter to implement the steps of the real-time guidance method for regulating the sweep frequency of the windshield wiper of a motor vehicle previously described.

[0018] The invention will be further detailed by the description of a non-limiting embodiment, and on the basis of the attached figure illustrating the invention, in which [Fig.1] schematically illustrates, in the form of a logic diagram, a real-time guidance method for regulating the sweeping frequency of the windshield wiper of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0019] A real-time guidance method for regulating the wiper sweep frequency of a motor vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, is schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1] in the form of a flowchart. The vehicle includes a windshield and at least one wiper. This may be the front or rear windshield of the vehicle. The wiper is capable of exhibiting a sweep frequency when activated. Wiper activation may be automatic when the rain sensor detects rain, or manual at the driver's request. The vehicle includes a control, or lever, allowing the driver to manually regulate the wiper sweep frequency as needed. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a rain sensor to detect rainy weather.The vehicle also features a camera facing the windshield capable of determining the rate of windshield obstruction by rain when... The rain sensor detects rain. Indeed, depending on the intensity of the rain, visibility varies and requires a higher or lower wiper frequency. For example, in heavy rainfall, the wiper frequency must be sufficient to allow the driver to see the road through the windshield. Furthermore, the vehicle has a guidance system configured to indicate to the driver that they should increase the wiper frequency via the control when the obstruction level exceeds a first predetermined threshold, or decrease the wiper frequency via the control when the obstruction level falls below a second predetermined threshold.Preferably, the guidance device takes the form of a pictogram, for example, an upward-pointing arrow to indicate to the driver that they should increase the wiper frequency or a downward-pointing arrow to indicate to the driver that they should decrease the wiper frequency. Alternatively, a different pictogram could be used, for example, two upward-pointing or downward-pointing arrows, to indicate to the driver that they should significantly increase or decrease the wiper frequency. Such a pictogram could be displayed on the instrument panel, next to the wiper operation pictogram found in most vehicles.The guidance system is switched off or indicates to the driver that the wiper frequency is adjusted according to the determined obstruction rate when the obstruction rate is between the first predetermined threshold value and the second predetermined threshold value. Advantageously, the first predetermined threshold value is between 50% and 70%, preferably 60%. Advantageously, the second predetermined threshold value is between 30% and 45%, preferably 40%.

[0020] The method includes an obstruction rate determination step El, during which the interior camera determines the obstruction rate of the windshield when rain is detected by the rain sensor. During the obstruction rate determination step El, the windshield wiper has a non-zero initial sweep frequency. In other words, during the obstruction rate determination step El, the windshield wiper is active, whether it was activated automatically upon rain detection by the rain sensor or manually by the driver via the control.Optionally, the vehicle includes a traffic sign identification camera capable of cooperating with the interior camera for determining the obstruction rate during the EL obstruction rate determination step. Indeed, the traffic sign identification camera is positioned against the windshield, which does not allow it by itself to determine the obstruction rate. of the windshield, but which can specify the obstruction rate by cooperating with the interior camera. During an optimal sweep frequency determination step E2, the optimal sweep frequency that can reduce the obstruction rate is determined by the interior camera. The optimal sweep frequency determination step E2 is implemented when the obstruction rate determined during the obstruction rate determination step E1 is greater than the first predetermined threshold value or when the obstruction rate is less than the second predetermined threshold value. During a comparison step E3, the initial sweep frequency presented by the windshield wiper is compared to the optimal sweep frequency determined by the interior camera during the optimal sweep frequency determination step E2.The guidance device indicates to the driver that they should increase the wiper speed via the control if the optimal speed is higher than the initial speed, or decrease the wiper speed when the optimal speed is lower than the initial speed. Preferably, the control includes a vibrator. The method then includes a step where the control vibrates when the initial speed equals the optimal speed during the comparison step E3. This indicates to the driver that they have selected the optimal speed—that is, the appropriate speed for the intensity of the rain—without the driver needing to look at the guidance device. Thus, the driver's attention remains focused on driving, and not on whether or not to adjust the wiper speed.Optionally, the vehicle is equipped with a sound sensor capable of identifying a squeaking sound from the windshield wipers. When the wiper speed is too high relative to the intensity of the rain, the wipers sweep the windshield too frequently, causing excessive friction and resulting in a squeaking sound. In this case, the system includes an optional additional step where the guidance system instructs the driver to reduce the wiper speed using the appropriate control when the squeaking sound is detected by the sound sensor.

[0021] The invention further relates to a computer program configured to implement the method described above.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle comprising a windscreen, at least one windscreen wiper and a rain sensor, said wiper being capable of exhibiting a sweep frequency, said vehicle comprising a control for the driver to control the sweep frequency of the windscreen wiper, characterized in that said vehicle comprises an interior camera configured to determine a rate of obstruction of the windscreen by rain when said rain sensor detects rain, the vehicle comprising a guidance device configured to indicate to the driver that he must increase the sweep frequency of the windscreen wiper via the control when the rate of obstruction is greater than a first predetermined threshold value or that he must decrease the sweep frequency of the windscreen wiper via the control when the rate of obstruction is less than a second predetermined threshold value.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first predetermined threshold value is between 50% and 70% and the second predetermined threshold value is between 30% and 45%.

3. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the first predetermined threshold value is equal to 60% and the second predetermined threshold value is equal to 40%.

4. A real-time guidance method for regulating the wiper sweep frequency of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: - a step of determining the obstruction rate (E1) of the windshield by the interior camera when rain is detected by the rain sensor, the wiper having a non-zero initial sweep frequency; - a step of determining an optimal sweep frequency (E2) of the wiper as a function of the obstruction rate determined by the interior camera when the obstruction rate is greater than the first predetermined threshold value or when the obstruction rate is less than the second predetermined threshold value;- a comparison step (E3) between the initial scanning frequency and the optimal scanning frequency, the guidance device indicating to the driver that it must increase the frequency by; wiper sweep if the optimal sweep frequency is greater than the initial sweep frequency, the guidance device indicating to the driver that he must decrease the wiper sweep frequency if the optimal sweep frequency is less than the initial sweep frequency.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the vehicle comprises a traffic sign identification camera cooperating with the interior camera to determine the obstruction rate during the obstruction rate determination step (El).

6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said vehicle comprises a sound sensor capable of identifying a squeaking sound of the windshield wiper on the windshield, said method comprising an additional step in which the guidance device indicates to the driver that he must decrease the wiper sweep frequency via the control when the squeaking sound is identified by said sound sensor.

7. A method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control comprises a vibrator, said method comprising a vibration step of the control when the initial sweep frequency is equal to the optimal sweep frequency during the comparison step (E3).

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the steps of the real-time guidance method for regulating the wiper sweep frequency of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7.