A method for operating a sun shade device for a motor vehicle by a control system, computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable storage

Abstract

A means of operating a sun shade device (12, Fig.1) for a motor vehicle 10 by a control system (14) of the motor vehicle, comprising: providing an electrochromic material of the sun shade device in a window (18, 20) of the motor vehicle; determining a relative position ‘P’ of the sun 28 relative to the motor vehicle by an electronic computing device (16) of the control system; generating a control signal for the electrochromic material depending on the determined position of the sun by the electronic computing device; and operating the electrochromic material depending on the generated control signal. Also claimed is a computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a control system. The arrangement may further comprise a light sensor. The relative position of the sun may be determined using a current position of the vehicle, a current heading of the vehicle, a current tilt angle of the vehicle and / or a current roll angle of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for operating a sun shade device for a motor vehicle by a control system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as to a corresponding control system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] According to the state of the art sun shade devices are known, which are for example provided at a motor vehicle roof and may be foldable so that a user of the sun shade device can bring the sun shade device into an obstruction position and into a usage position.

[0003] Furthermore, electrochromic material in a windshield of the motor vehicle is also known. The electrochromic material can be switched on in a controlled manner by a user of the motor vehicle or switched off in a controlled manner by a user of the motor vehicle. In particular, with the electrochromic material, a shading of the window can be effected depending on the control signal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as a corresponding control device, by which a sun shade device can be controlled in an improved manner.

[0005] This object is solved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, as well as a control system according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a sun shade device for a motor vehicle by a control system of the motor vehicle. An electrochromic material of the sun shade device is provided in a window of the motor vehicle. A relative position of the sun relative to the motor vehicle is determined by an electronic computing device of the control system. A control signal for the electrochromic material is generated depending on the determined position of the sun by the electronic computing device. The electrochromic material is operated depending on the generated control signal.

[0007] In particular, a more convenient integrated form of a sun-visor for front passengers in the motor vehicle is provided. By using integrated material or film applique in the windshield, the driver and front passenger may have the top portion of the windows become dark or opaque-tinted, where a visor would normally need to be flipped into position to block direct glare from the sun. This may also happen automatically and immediately before glare so that the driver can remain undistracted.

[0008] Additionally, a more convenient integrated form of a sun-visor for rear passengers in the motor vehicle may be provided. By using integrated material or film applique in the windows for the rear passengers, the rear passenger may have the top portion of the windows become dark or opaque-tinted to block direct glare from the sun.

[0009] The motor vehicle can toggle from clear to opaque / tinted when the motor vehicle compass heading, GPS, and / or time data indicate that there should be a solar altitude causing glare into the windows. This calculation could have additional verification, for example light sensors, to account for overcast days.

[0010] The present invention may reduce part complexity by being integrated into the window and no longer needing physical visor assemblies to be separately installed during production. The invention may improve safety and user experience by avoiding glare and driver blinding. Activating the visor automatically to block the direct sunlight before glare occurs instead of requiring the driver to first experience glare / blinding in their eyes may be provided and may prevent the removal of a driver’s hands from driving controls to physically position a sun visor.

[0011] Furthermore, reduced production cost by integrating electrochromic material into or on the windshield is provided. There is no need for a production to install multiple separate parts of the physical visor. Furthermore, better coverage than physical visor is provided, as the common design has coverage gaps.

[0012] According to an embodiment an additional light sensor of the control system determines a current brightness.

[0013] In another embodiment an intensity of shading is adapted depending on the relative position of the sun.

[0014] In another embodiment the position of the sun is determined depending on a current position of the motor vehicle.

[0015] According to another embodiment a current heading of the motor vehicle is taken into consideration by operating the sun shade device.

[0016] In another embodiment a current tilt angle of the motor vehicle and / or a current roll angle of the motor vehicle is taken into consideration by operating the sun shade device.

[0017] In particular, the method is a computer-implemented method. Therefore, another aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0018] A still further aspect of the invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention a control system for operating a sun shade device for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising at least one electronic computing device, wherein the control system is configured for performing a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is performed by the control system.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a sun shade device comprising at least the control system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least the sun shade device.

[0021] Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the control system, the sun shade device, and the motor vehicle. The control system, the sun shade device, and the motor vehicle therefore comprise means for performing the method.

[0022] A computing unit / electronic computing device may, in particular, be understood as a data processing device, which comprises processing circuitry. The computing unit can therefore in particular process data to perform computing operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0023] In particular, the computing unit may include one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, ASIC, one or more field-programmable gate arrays, FPGA, and / or one or more systems on a chip, SoC. The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units, CPU, one or more graphics processing units, GPU, and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors, DSP. The computing unit may also include a physical or a virtual cluster of computers or other of said units.

[0024] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0025] A memory unit may be implemented as a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory, DRAM, or a static random access memory, SRAM, or as a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory, ROM, a programmable read-only memory, PROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM, a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory, FRAM, a magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM, or a phase-change random access memory, PCRAM.

[0026] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0028] The drawings show in:

[0029] Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of a sun shade device;

[0030] Fig. 2 a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle;

[0031] Fig. 3 a schematic front view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle;

[0032] Fig. 4A another schematic front view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle;

[0033] Fig.4Banother schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle; and

[0034] Fig. 5 a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle.

[0035] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0037] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0038] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0039] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 comprises a sun shade device 12. The sun shade device 12 comprises at least a control system 14, wherein the control system 14 comprises at least one electronic computing device 16. The control system 14 is configured for operating the sun shade device 12 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0041] According to the shown embodiment a sun shade device 12 for a windshield 18 is provided as well as a sun shade device 12 for a side window 20 is provided.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view according to an embodiment of the motor vehicle 10. In particular Fig. 2 shows two areas 22, 24. In a first area 22, an active sun shade device 12 is needed and in a second area 24, a active sun shade device 12 may not be needed.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the invention a method for operating the sun shade device 12 is provided, wherein an electrochromic material 26 (Fig. 1) of the sun shade device 12 in a window 18, 20 is provided. A relative position P of the sun 28 relative to the motor vehicle 10 is determined by the electronic computing device 16. A control signal for the electrochromic material 26 depending on the determined position P of the sun 28 is provided by the electronic computing device 16. The electrochromic material 26 is operated depending on the generated control signal.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a schematic front view according to an embodiment of the motor vehicle 10. Fig. 3 shows the position P of the sun 28. In particular, a third area 30 and a fifth area 34 are shown, where an active sun shade device 12 may be needed. Furthermore, a fourth area 32 is shown, where the active sun shade device 12 may not be needed.

[0045] In particular, with the shown sun shade device 12, an improved safety and user experience is provided by avoiding glare and driver blinding. Activating the sun shade device 12 automatically to block the direct sun light before glare may occur instead of requiring the driver to experience glare / blinding in their eyes or to remove the driver’s hand from driving controls to physically position the visor.

[0046] The production costs are reduced by integrating electrochromic material 26 into the windshield 18. There is no need for production to install multiple separate parts for the physical visor. Furthermore, better coverage than physical visor is provided, wherein this is an incumbent design which has coverage gaps in the space between the visor-to-a-pillar, and visor-to-rear view mirror, causing glare in the open spaces, as well as gaps on the side window 20. Furthermore, it is an incumbent design with a visor only covering one window at a time. This requires the driver to move the visor from the side window 20 to the windshield 18 or vice versa frequently on drives where vehicle heading causes glare between the two windows. Furthermore, an accurate implementation of the sun shade device 12 on side windows 20 as well as the windshield 18 is provided without the need for multiple sophisticated solar altitude sensors.

[0047] The solar altitude and azimuth angles describe how the sun 28 is observed with the spectral point on the earth surface. The arc created from the sun 28, in particular in one daylight cycle, changes based on time of the year, for example summer and winter, and where on earth, in particular latitude, and may be observed. The position P of the sun 28 may also be observed. These arcs and the exact location of the sun 28 can be precisely predicted based on for example GPS and the time of the day.

[0048] Combined with the vehicle compass heading to determine the vehicle 10 orientation, in particular with respect to north as the same reference as the azimuth angle, a difference in angle between the vehicle 10 heading and azimuth angle can be calculated. Combined with the sun altitude and a correction factor for vehicle 10 tilt / roll, it can then be determined whether the electrochromic automatic sun shade device 12 should be activated.

[0049] Combined with vehicle compass heading, a difference in angle between the vehicle heading and azimuth angle can be calculated. Combined with the sun 28 altitude and modified by correction factors for vehicle 10 tilt / roll can then determine whether a correction factor for time of the year will need to be applied based on latitude of the motor vehicle 10. In northern latitudes the correction factor will be more significant as there will be more hours of glare during the winter months of the year due to lower solar elevation.

[0050] Fig. 4A shows that also a roll angle may be determined, and the roll angle is taken into consideration. For example, on the left side of the Fig. 4A, the vehicle 10 roll angle may be subtracted from the solar elevation. On the right side of Fig. 4A, the roll angle may be added to the solar elevation.

[0051] Fig.4Bshows that also a tilt angle may be determined, and the tilt angle is taken into consideration. For example, on the left side of the Fig. 4B, the vehicle 10 tilt angle may be subtracted from the solar elevation. On the right side of Fig. 4B, the tilt angle may be added to the solar elevation.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method. In a first step S1 the method starts. In a second step S2 a user may choose to toggle the electrochromic visor to be a fixed-on mode, a fixed-off mode, or an automatic mode. Choosing one of the fixed modes may bypass the calculations and output the applicable on or off decision for the electrochromic visor. Therefore, in an off state a third step S3 can be performed, wherein the sun shade device 12 is in the fixed-off mode. If the user chooses an on state, a fourth step S4 may be performed, wherein the sun shade device 12 is in the fixed-on state.

[0053] If, for example, the user selects the automatic mode, a fifth step S5 is performed. In particular based on existing equipment in the motor vehicle 10, the direct travel of the motor vehicle 10 is determined in degrees. In a sixth step S6 based on existing equipment in the motor vehicle 10, the position of the motor vehicle 10 is determined relative to the earth, in particular latitude and longitude, as well as local time / date. With this information, the position P of the sun 28 is accurately determined. In a seventh step S7, based on existing equipment in the motor vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 tilt and roll relative to a level horizon is determined in degrees and is used to add or subtract relative correction factors to the solar altitude value to correct for vehicle 10 angles due to geography. Also seasonal solar altitude adjustments are made based on the time in the seventh step S7.

[0054] In an eight step S8, if the vehicle 10 heading is within the pre-determined map of the heading-angles relative to the azimuth angle, the decision can proceed to the next logic gate in the nineth step S9. Otherwise, if the vehicle 10 heading is not within the predetermined map of the heading-angles relative to the azimuth angle, the logic proceeds to the third step S3 and sets the shade device 12 in an inactive mode.

[0055] In the ninth step S9, if the solar altitude is within the pre-determined map including correction factors for vehicle 10 tilt / roll and seasonal solar altitude adjustment a tenth step S10 is performed afterwards. If the solar altitude is not within the predetermined map including correction factors, the logic proceeds to the third step S3 and sets the sun shade device 12 in an inactive mode.

[0056] In the tenth step S10, additional factors may be processed for sun shade device. For example, an input from the light sensor to verify light levels, weather data from external sources, ultraviolet index data from external sources or furthermore may be used. If the additional factors indicate that the sun shade device 12 is not needed, then the logic may proceed to the third step S3 to set the sun shade device 12 in an inactive mode.

[0057] Furthermore, then the logic can proceed and activate the automatic electrochromic visor of the sun shade device 12 during the tenth step S10, if the additional factors indicate that the sun shade device 12 is needed. Alternatively, if no further data is provided during the tenth step S10, the fourth step S4 may be provided to set the shade device 12 in an active mode. Coming from the third step S3 or from the fourth step S4, an eleventh step S11 may be performed, which ends the loop.

[0058] In particular, commercially available materials are suitable to meet the physical and reliability needs of the applications. Such materials are known as electrochromic materials. Electrochromic materials undergo reversable changes and optical absorbance upon electrically induced oxidation and reduction. Devices comprising these materials only require an initial electrical stimulus sufficient to induce a change in oxidation state, and hence color, rather than a constant stimulus to sustain the mission. There are many well-developed solutions for reliable material to which have these properties with metal oxide such as WO3, Mods, IrOs, NiO and V2O5.

[0059] Electrochromism, in particular a solid-state effect, and electrochemichromism, in particular electrochemical effect, are exhibited by a number of materials, both inorganic and organic liquids and solids such as polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), and polymer-network liquid crystals (PNLC). PDLC and PNLC often require a constant electrical stimulus to maintain the non-default state of the film which is one distinction from metal oxide materials. Signs motor vehicle sun shade device control system electronic computing device windshield side window first area second area electrochromic material sun third area fourth area fifth area position steps of the method

Claims

1. A method for operating a sun shade device (12) for a motor vehicle (10) by a control system (14) of the motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of:- providing an electrochromic material (26) of the sun shade device (12) in a window (18, 20) of the motor vehicle (10);- determining a relative position (P) of the sun (28) relative to the motor vehicle (10) by an electronic computing device (16) of the control system (14);- generating a control signal for the electrochromic material (26) depending on the determined position (P) of the sun (28) by the electronic computing device (16); and - operating the electrochromic material (26) depending on the generated control signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that additionally a light sensor of the control system (14) determines a current brightness.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatan intensity of shading is adapted depending on the relative position (P) of the sun (28).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe position (P) of the sun (28) is determined depending on a current position of the motor vehicle (10).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thata current heading of the motor vehicle (10) is taken into consideration by operating the sun shade device (12).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thata current tilt angle of the motor vehicle (10) and / or current roll angle of the motor vehicle (10) is taken into consideration by operating the sun shade device (12).

7. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage comprising the computer program product according to claim 7.

9. A control system (14) for operating a sun shade device (12) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one electronic computing device (16), wherein the control system (14) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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