Apparatus for motor vehicle with heatable windows and method for controlling the apparatus

Abstract

To provide heatable windows which can defrost and defog a window in a simple and effective way.SOLUTION: An apparatus for a motor vehicle (1) includes a heatable windshield comprising an electrically conductive material, an electric power source (4) electrically connected to the electrically conductive material, transducer means (6) configured to detect environmental quantities and state quantities of the heatable windshield and to generate signals relating to the detected quantities, a control unit (15) coupled to the transducer means (6) to acquire the signals, where the control unit (15) is configured to adjust a power supplied to the electrically conductive material by the power source (4) as a function of at least one of the acquired signals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle comprising a heatable window, and to a method for controlling such a device.

[0002] [Cross - reference to related applications] This patent application claims the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000000776 filed on January 19, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] As is known, there are commercially available motor vehicles equipped with heatable windows.

[0004] Among heatable windows, the rear window is the most common, but in some cases, the front windshield or side windows can also be made of heatable windows.

[0005] A heatable window is a motor vehicle window provided with a conductive material having a high electrical resistance, and when an electric current passes through the material, it can dissipate energy in the form of heat.

[0006] This material can be composed of, for example, electrical microfilaments, or more preferably, a metal incorporated in glass.

[0007] More specifically, a heatable window may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of layers, at least one of which contains a conductive material. For example, the layer is metallized by dissolving metal particles in a transparent glass compound.

[0008] The heatable window, or more precisely, the conductive material therein, is connected to a power source so as to be supplied with power.

[0009] The typical functions of a heatable window are essentially two, namely defrosting and anti - fogging of the window.

[0010] If necessary, the driver of the vehicle can activate the heated windows using a specific command. This command can be operated by the driver to supply a predetermined amount of power to the windows.

[0011] Generally, there is a perceived need to improve the performance and functionality of heat-sensitive windows, which may lead to the presence of unnecessary, and therefore unnecessary, dedicated vents designed to direct hot airflow directly towards the window.

[0012] One objective of the present invention is to satisfy the above-mentioned needs, preferably in a simple and effective manner. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0013] This objective is achieved by the automotive apparatus and method as defined in the independent claims.

[0014] Each dependent claim defines a specific embodiment of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] The following is a non-limiting example, and the attached drawings are provided to better illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1] This is a plan view of an automobile with parts removed for simplicity, and includes the apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 is used to represent the automobile as a whole.

[0017] Automobile 1 comprises a body 2 and a number of automobile windows connected to the body 2. These windows are indicated by reference numerals 3d, 3e, and 3f in Figure 1. The body 2 defines the passenger compartment of automobile 1, which accommodates the driver and one or more passengers. Hereinafter, the interior of automobile 1 is understood to mean the passenger compartment defined by the body 2, while the exterior of automobile is defined by the external environment of the body 2.

[0018] Automobile 1 also includes an engine 8 and a regulating device 9 for regulating the engine 8 with a regulating fluid, particularly a cooling fluid for the engine 8, as well as a further regulating device 10 for regulating the air inside the passenger compartment. The engine 8 and devices 9 and 10 are known and commonly used in the automotive field, so no detailed description will be given.

[0019] The vehicle 1 also includes a control unit 11 configured to control the adjustment device 10, and a command device 12 that the driver can operate to set a desired temperature inside the vehicle. The control unit 11 is configured to control the adjustment device 10 by taking in information associated with the desired temperature from the command device 12 and setting the desired temperature as a setpoint.

[0020] As is well known, there are various control laws that the control unit 11 can apply based on a setpoint, such as open-loop control or closed-loop control.

[0021] One of the windows of a car, specifically window 3f defining the windshield, is a heat-retaining window, that is, a window that can be controlled to generate heat. More specifically, window 3f can be electrically controlled. In other words, heat is generated by dissipating the power supplied to window 3f.

[0022] Therefore, as described above in the prior art description, window 3f includes a conductive material, such as an electrical microfilament or a metallized layer.

[0023] Specifically, the window 3f comprises a plurality of layers including an intermediate metallization layer.

[0024] The windows 3d and 3e can also each comprise a conductive material, and thus, all that has been described above with reference to the window 3f should not be understood as being limiting, since they can be heated instead of or in addition to the window 3f.

[0025] The motor vehicle 1 also comprises a power source 4 which is electrically connected to the conductive material.

[0026] In particular, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a connector 5 which is electrically coupled to the conductive material, and an electrical cable 7 which connects the power source 4 to the connector 5.

[0027] The power source 4 is controllable, i.e., in any case, it is suitable for supplying power to the conductive material.

[0028] The power supplied to the conductive material must be at least partially dissipated in the form of heat so that the window 3f warms up. In this way, it is possible to defrost or anti-fog the window 3f when an ice layer or condensation forms on the window 3f due to the thermodynamic state inside the motor vehicle 1 and / or the atmospheric state outside the motor vehicle 1.

[0029] In addition to the power source 4, the motor vehicle 1 also comprises transducer means 6.

[0030] The means 6 are configured to detect one or more environmental quantities indicating the atmospheric state outside the motor vehicle 1 and / or the thermodynamic state inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 1.

[0031] Furthermore, the means 6 are configured to detect one or more state quantities indicating the state of the window 3f.

[0032] Furthermore, the means 6 are also configured to generate one or more signals related to the detected quantities.

[0033] More specifically, at least one of the environmental quantities is one of the following: ambient temperature, ambient pressure, ambient relative humidity, and in particular solar radiation intensity through window 3f.

[0034] Specifically, the ambient temperature can be the temperature outside the vehicle 1 or the temperature inside the vehicle. Preferably, the environmental quantity detected by means 6 includes both a quantity indicating the temperature outside the vehicle 1 and a quantity indicating the temperature inside the vehicle.

[0035] This also applies to ambient pressure and ambient relative humidity, and therefore, several environmental quantities relating to the interior and exterior of the automobile 1 can be detected by means 6. Thus, means 6 can detect quantities indicating the pressure inside the automobile 1, the pressure outside the automobile 1, the humidity inside the automobile 1, and the humidity outside the automobile 1, respectively.

[0036] More precisely, humidity refers to relative humidity.

[0037] Means 6 may comprise multiple transducers, or fewer, for detecting environmental quantities and generating associated signals, with each transducer configured to detect two or more environmental quantities and generate one or more associated signals. In fact, each signal may be associated with only one detected environmental quantity, several environmental quantities, or even all detected environmental quantities. Naturally, means 6 may also comprise only one transducer for detecting only one environmental quantity and generating a single associated signal.

[0038] The individual transducers are well-known, and therefore no detailed explanation will be provided.

[0039] Generally, from this point forward, the expression "a quantity indicating ~" includes the actual quantity indicated itself. For example, a quantity indicating the temperature inside a vehicle can be the temperature itself. This applies to all quantities in this description. Furthermore, the term "indicates" is used in the sense that the indicated quantity or state can be explained or described by that indicated quantity, for example, using calculated or estimated values.

[0040] Preferably, one of the state variables is the amount of condensation on the glass 3f, or the presence of condensation. In this case, means 6 may include a specific transducer, including a known fog sensor, such as an optical sensor, designed to detect the amount of condensation on the window 3f. Thus, the specific transducer is configured to detect the state variable and generate a corresponding signal.

[0041] Alternatively, or in addition, more specifically, one of the state variables indicates the temperature of window 3f. In this case, means 6 may include a specific temperature transducer configured to detect the state variable and generate a corresponding signal.

[0042] Conveniently, means 6 is also configured to detect other quantities related to quantities or states indicated by the environmental quantities and / or state quantities, and is therefore useful for calculating or estimating them together with the detected environmental quantities and / or state quantities.

[0043] For example, these other quantities include a quantity indicating the temperature of the regulating fluid in the device 9. This temperature affects the control result of the device 10 and therefore affects the actual environmental or thermodynamic state inside the cabin, which is represented, for example, by the actual temperature and / or humidity level of the cabin. In fact, in embodiments where the device 10 is controlled to heat the air inside the cabin, the desired temperature set by the driver can actually be reached when the engine 8 is warm, i.e., when the temperature of the regulating fluid exceeds the desired temperature. Thus, the actual thermodynamic state inside the cabin depends on the temperature of the regulating fluid. In this way, a quantity indicating the temperature of the regulating fluid can be used, in particular, along with the desired temperature, to calculate or estimate the actual thermodynamic state inside the cabin.

[0044] The desired temperature is not detected, but in any case, it is information that the control unit 11 can utilize.

[0045] According to the present invention, the automobile 1 comprises a control unit 15 coupled thereto to acquire signals generated by means 6. The control unit 15 is configured to adjust the power supplied to a conductive material by power supply 4 in accordance with at least one of the acquired signals.

[0046] This means that the control unit 15 does not necessarily use all signals related to the detected amount to adjust the power supply.

[0047] Of course, each signal indicates the detected quantity, and therefore also indicates the quantity or state indicated by the detected quantity.

[0048] The control unit 15 may include, for example, a control unit 11. This does not necessarily mean that the control unit 11 is physically integrated into the control unit 15. Instead, the control unit 15 may include further control units spaced apart from the control unit 11. Rather, the control unit 15 can exchange information with the control unit 11 and can acquire information and signals processed and / or received by the control unit 11. In other words, the control unit 15 is coupled to or connected to the control unit 11.

[0049] In particular, control unit 11 can transmit a signal to control unit 15. This signal is related to a desired temperature set using command device 12.

[0050] Furthermore, the power supply 4 can be part of the control unit 15. In other words, the control unit 15 can perform the function of a power supply itself. This is clearly not limiting. The power supply 4 may be separate from the control unit 15 and may include, for example, a battery or a condenser.

[0051] Regarding the adjustment of the power supply, for example, the power supply has a positive correlation with the humidity inside and / or outside of vehicle 1, as indicated by the acquired signal.

[0052] Furthermore, the supplied power is inversely correlated with the internal and / or external temperature of vehicle 1, as indicated by the acquired signals.

[0053] In addition, the power supply has an inverse correlation with the temperature of window 3f, in more detail.

[0054] Furthermore, the power supply has an inverse correlation with solar radiation intensity, in more detail.

[0055] It should be noted that the acquired signals may include signals related to the temperature of the regulated fluid acquired by means 6, as well as signals related to the desired temperature acquired by the control unit 11.

[0056] In fact, based on the acquired signals, the control unit 15 can estimate or calculate the atmospheric conditions outside the vehicle 1 and / or the thermodynamic conditions inside the vehicle.

[0057] Therefore, the control unit 15 adjusts the power supply according to the estimated atmospheric and / or thermodynamic conditions, as described above, for example. Here, for clarity, it should be noted that the atmospheric and / or thermodynamic conditions are defined or indicated by, or associated with, the detected environmental quantities.

[0058] In particular, the control unit 15 is configured to process a functional relationship between an input quantity, more specifically defined by the detected ambient quantity and state quantity, or including the ambient quantity and state quantity itself, and an output quantity corresponding to the reference power.

[0059] This standard power is sufficient to defrost or prevent fogging of the window 3f within a predetermined time period, specifically within the time period specified by the conformity standards of the vehicle 1, and is particularly just, just enough, or more specifically, necessary and sufficient.

[0060] In other words, the reference power can be just enough power to precisely defrost or de-fogging window 3f after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, in order to avoid any waste of power.

[0061] This period should not be understood as an indefinite time interval, but rather as a precisely determined time interval that is stored, for example, by the control unit 15.

[0062] If necessary, this period may be predetermined as a function of other convenient parameters or conditions, such as time or the current season, or it may be set by the driver. This period can be stored and / or adjusted by the control unit 15.

[0063] The control unit 15 is configured to adjust the supplied power by setting a reference power at the adjustment target or setpoint. One of several control laws, such as the open-loop control method or the closed-loop control method, can be applied to the control unit 15. In particular, each control law makes the supplied power approximate the reference power. In other words, the difference between the supplied power and the reference power becomes negligible. That is, it becomes smaller than the negligible limit, or even better, the difference disappears.

[0064] The input quantity may include not only the desired temperature obtained by the control unit 11, but also other quantities detected by means 6.

[0065] For example, the control unit 15 stores the function relationship and applies it to the input quantity in order to calculate the output quantity.

[0066] The functional relationships to be loaded into the control unit 15 can be obtained using one or more steps, including an experimental calibration step. In these steps, a larger set of input quantity values ​​is selected. Each set of values ​​sets up a corresponding experimental condition, which is artificially created on the test stand. Thus, again in the experimental calibration step, the output quantity value is determined and recorded in relation to each experimental condition or each set of values. The output quantity value corresponds to sufficient, or just sufficient, power supply to defrost or de-fogging the window 3f within a predetermined period, or at the end of a predetermined period.

[0067] In this way, the calibration step yields a function between the input and output quantities. This function can be used to define a functional relationship.

[0068] Alternatively, depending on the case, an additional step to obtain a functional relationship may be the step in which an interpolation function is calculated. This interpolation function is designed to interpolate the function to obtain the output quantity as a function of a set of input quantity values ​​other than those selected during the calibration step.

[0069] Therefore, by applying an interpolation function to a function, we can define the functional relationship.

[0070] In another embodiment, the control unit 15 performs functional relationship processing in the sense that it relates input quantities to output quantities as a result of optimization based on a mathematical model of the automobile 1, for example, or more specifically as a result of an optimal control problem, or in particular as a result of minimizing or maximizing a limit of the cost function, depending on the case. More precisely, the cost function is minimized to indicate the time required to defrost or defog window 3f. In particular, minimizing the cost function is constrained by safety constraints. An example of a safety constraint can be defined by setting a maximum limit on the temperature and / or its time derivative of window 3f.

[0071] Furthermore, as already mentioned above, the fact that the power obtained as a result of optimization must be sufficient to defrost or prevent fogging of window 3f within a predetermined period further restricts the minimization of the cost function. In the mathematical model, input quantities are associated with output quantities. The mathematical model can be stored in the control unit 15. The mathematical model can be obtained not only from theoretical knowledge about the automobile 1, but also, or in addition to that, from various methods, such as known identification techniques starting from experimental data, and artificial intelligence techniques including self-learning techniques.

[0072] In another embodiment, since the functional relationship can be defined by this mathematical model, the control unit 15 processes the functional relationship by applying the mathematical model to determine the output quantity based on the input quantity.

[0073] In practice, the control unit 15 is configured to determine a reference power from an input quantity by a functional relationship. Here, the reference power is always sufficient, or just sufficient, to defrost or defogging the window 3f within a predetermined period, or at the exact end of the predetermined period, under the environmental conditions defined by the input quantity.

[0074] It is preferable that the control unit 15 is configured to reduce or eliminate the power supply when a signal acquired by means 6 indicates that the temperature of window 3f exceeds, for example, a threshold stored in the control unit and / or a threshold that can be set by the driver via the vehicle's specific command device (not shown).

[0075] In other words, this essentially amounts to separating the power supply, or actually turning off the function of window 3f, or the function of adjusting the temperature according to environmental and state variables.

[0076] In addition, conveniently, the automobile 1 is equipped with a command device 16 that can be operated by the driver to send command signals to the control unit 15. The control unit is configured to increase the power supply in response to the command signals sent by the command device 16.

[0077] In practice, in this case, the control unit 15 increases the power supply only when the power supply is zero. In other words, the control unit 15 is configured to turn on the function of window 3f in response to a command signal. However, there may be variations in which the control unit 15 increases the power supply even in other cases where the power supply is not zero. For example, the command device 16 may be suitable for setting a desired power increase. In this case, the transmitted signal indicates a desired power increase. Here, the control unit 15 increases the power supply in response to the desired power increase.

[0078] Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit 15 is configured to turn on the function of window 3f or to start adjusting the power supply starting from zero if the acquired signal indicates that one or more of the environmental variables and / or one or more of the state variables satisfy the respective relationships with corresponding thresholds, which are stored, for example, by the control unit and / or can be set by the driver via a special command device (not shown) of the vehicle 1.

[0079] In light of the foregoing, the window 3f, power supply 4, means 6, and control unit 15 are part of the apparatus for automobile 1 according to the present invention.

[0080] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a device for an automobile.

[0081] This method includes the steps of detecting an environmental quantity, detecting a state quantity, generating signals related to the environmental quantity and the state quantity, and adjusting the power supplied to a conductive material by a power supply according to at least one of the generated signals.

[0082] Generally, as described above, preferred steps of the method can be defined, either entirely or partially, by each function performed by the control unit 15 and means 6.

[0083] From the above, the advantages of the apparatus and method according to the present invention are clear.

[0084] Depending on the actual environmental conditions outside the vehicle 1 and the actual thermodynamic conditions inside the vehicle, the window 3f can be effectively defrosted or prevented from fogging. In fact, the power supplied to the conductive material is no longer independent of the above conditions and is precisely gain-adjusted in terms of efficiency and effectiveness based on the actual need to heat the window 3f.

[0085] Furthermore, the method and apparatus according to the present invention make it possible to eliminate any vents, particularly those configured to directly guide air to the window 3f. Thus, the automobile 1, more specifically its dashboard or instrument panel, does not have such vents. Nevertheless, the automobile 1 will still meet the typical compliance requirements, particularly thanks in part to the configuration of the control unit 15.

[0086] By eliminating ventilation holes, automobile 1 becomes lighter and smaller.

[0087] Finally, it is clear that modifications can be made to the apparatus and methods according to the present invention, and that any resulting modifications will not deviate from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A device for a motor vehicle (1), comprising: a heatable car window (3f) comprising an electrically conductive material; a power source (4) electrically connected to the conductive material; A transducer means (6), a) detecting one or more environmental quantities indicative of atmospheric conditions outside the vehicle (1) and / or thermodynamic conditions inside the vehicle's cabin; b) detecting one or more state quantities indicative of the state of said heatable car window (3f); c) generating one or more signals related to the detected environmental and state quantities; a transducer means (6) configured so as to a control unit (15) coupled to said transducer means (6) for acquiring said signals; The apparatus, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to adjust the power supplied by the power source (4) to the conductive material in response to at least one of the acquired signals.

2. At least one of the environmental quantities is Ambient temperature, Ambient pressure, Ambient relative humidity, solar radiation intensity The device of claim 1 , wherein the device indicates the amount of

3. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said state quantities is indicative of the amount or presence of condensation on a window (3f) of said heatable vehicle.

4. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said state quantities is indicative of the temperature of said heatable vehicle window (3f).

5. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to reduce or disable the supplied power if the acquired signal indicates that the temperature of the heatable vehicle window (3f) exceeds a threshold value.

6. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a command device (16) operable by a driver of the vehicle to send a command signal to the control unit (15), whereby the control unit (15) is configured to increase the supplied power in response to the command signal sent by the command device (16).

7. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to initiate adjustment of the supplied power starting from a zero value when the acquired signals indicate that one or more of the environmental quantities and / or one or more of the state quantities satisfy their respective relationships with corresponding threshold values.

8. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to process a functional relationship between input quantities including the environmental quantities and the state quantities and an output quantity corresponding to a reference power, the reference power being sufficient to defrost or defog the heatable vehicle window (3f) within a predetermined amount of time, whereby the control unit (15) is configured to adjust the supplied power by setting the reference power as an adjustment target.

9. The device described in claim 1, wherein the heatable automobile window (3f) is a heatable windshield.

10. A motor vehicle (1) comprising a device according to claim 1.

11. 10. A method for controlling a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: detecting the environmental quantity; detecting the state quantity; generating signals related to the environmental quantities and the state quantities; and adjusting the power supplied to the conductive material by the power source (4) in response to at least one of the generated signals.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the state quantities is indicative of a temperature of the heatable vehicle window (3f), the method further comprising the step of reducing or disabling the supplied power if the generated signal indicates that the temperature of the heatable vehicle window (3f) exceeds a threshold value.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting the supplied power starts from a zero value of the supplied power if the generated signal indicates that one or more of the environmental quantities and / or one or more of the state quantities satisfy their respective relationships with corresponding threshold values.

14. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of processing a functional relationship between an input quantity defined by the environmental quantity and the state quantity and an output quantity corresponding to a reference power, wherein the reference power is sufficient to defrost or defog the heatable vehicle window (3f) within a predetermined amount of time, so that the step of adjusting the supplied power comprises setting the reference power as the adjustment target.

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