Method for assisting with a change of a wiper blade

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for assisting with a change of a wiper blade (11a) on a vehicle (10), comprising the steps of: receiving (100) and / or retrieving sensor data, determining (200) indicators by means of the sensor data, detecting (300) a user's wish to change a wiper blade (11a) by evaluating the indicators, and outputting and / or providing (400) an instruction signal to move the wiper (11) into a predefined maintenance position when there is a user's wish, and wherein the indicators have a relative position of the user (13) with respect to the vehicle (10).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Procedure to assist in changing a windshield wiper blade

[0004] State of the art

[0005] The present invention relates to a method for assisting in changing a windshield wiper blade on a vehicle and to a vehicle.

[0006] There are currently a variety of different solutions for activating a system to assist the driver with changing the windshield wipers. The driver must follow a predefined procedure. This procedure specifically includes steps that the driver must actively perform. Since these procedures vary depending on the vehicle from different manufacturers, the driver must familiarize themselves with the operating instructions before using the procedure to assist the windshield wiper change. The number of vehicle assistance systems to support the driver with a wide variety of tasks and vehicle functions, as well as the growing competition for such assistance systems, is constantly growing. This is creating greater demand and greater customer expectations for driver assistance systems that require no training or prior knowledge from the driver.

[0007] The inventive method according to claim 1 detects a user's desire to change a windshield wiper blade without the user having to actively perform an activation action. It allows a user to receive support according to the method without any prior knowledge. This increases comfort for the driver. The inventive method for assisting in changing a windshield wiper blade comprises the following steps:

[0008] A first step involves receiving or retrieving sensor data. A second step involves determining indicators using the sensors. A third step involves detecting a user request to change a windshield wiper blade by evaluating the indicators. A fourth step involves outputting and / or providing an instruction signal to move the windshield wiper to a predefined maintenance position upon receipt of a user request. The indicators indicate a relative position of the user to the vehicle.

[0009] In other words, if the user approaches the area of ​​the windshield wiper, the sensors detect this and the user's request to change the windshield wiper blade is recognized. A signal is emitted and / or provided so that the windshield wiper can move into a maintenance position. The maintenance position comprises a position of the windshield wiper on a cleaning surface, such as a vehicle's windshield, which is to be cleaned by the windshield wiper itself. The maintenance position allows the user to change the windshield wiper unhindered; in particular, the windshield wiper can be easily reached by the user in a maintenance position without additional tools. In particular, the maintenance position does not correspond to a rest position of the windshield wiper, in which, for example, a particularly aerodynamically favorable but not optimally accessible arrangement is given.

[0010] The subclaims show preferred developments of the invention.

[0011] Preferably, the indicators comprise a posture of the user and / or a posture of the user's arm and / or a presence of objects, in particular a presence of an additional windscreen wiper blade, in the vicinity of the windscreen wiper.

[0012] An advantage of this embodiment is that, based on the evaluation of the user's arm posture, it is possible to distinguish whether the user is in the vicinity of the windshield wiper by chance and to perform another function along the side of the vehicle, or whether the driver actually intends to change a windshield wiper blade. By evaluating the presence of an additional windshield wiper blade or another object near the windshield wiper blade to be replaced, a user's desire to change the windshield wiper blade can be reliably detected.

[0013] Particularly preferred is the recognition of the user request comprising the following steps:

[0014] A fifth step involves determining the probability of the user's request to change a windshield wiper blade based on the indicators. A sixth step involves recognizing the user's request if the probability of the user's request is greater than a predefined threshold.

[0015] The predefined threshold can be received and / or retrieved first. An advantage of this embodiment can be that by calculating the probability of a user request and comparing the probability of the user request with a predefined threshold, it is possible to determine the reliability with which a user request to change the windshield wiper blade should be recognized. This allows the sensitivity for detecting the user request to be increased to a reasonable level. This reduces the probability of incorrect detection of the user request.

[0016] Advantageously, the method for determining the probability of the user request based on the indicators comprises the following steps.

[0017] A seventh step comprises determining a distance of the user from the windshield wiper using the sensor data. An eighth step comprises determining a distance of the user's hands from the windshield wiper using the sensor data. A ninth step comprises determining a distance of the object, in particular of the additional windshield wiper blade, from the windshield wiper using the sensor data. A tenth step comprises determining the length of time the user was standing in front of the windshield wiper using the sensor data. An advantage of this embodiment can be that by determining the distance of the user from the windshield wiper using the sensor data, it can be identified whether the driver is sufficiently close to the windshield wiper to even change the windshield wiper blade.By determining the distance between the user's hands and the windshield wiper, it can also be determined whether the driver is at a sufficient distance and / or whether the driver is signaling a user request to change the windshield wiper blade by possibly extending their hands. By determining the distance of the object, in particular the additional windshield wiper blade, it can be determined whether the driver is signaling a request to change a windshield wiper blade. By determining the length of time the user is standing in front of the windshield wiper, it can also be identified whether the driver is merely accidentally standing in front of the vehicle, i.e. for a short time, or whether the driver is intentionally staying in front of the windshield wiper for an extended period as an expression of a user request to change the windshield wiper.

[0018] The probability of the user's desire to change a windscreen wiper increases particularly according to one of the following criteria:

[0019] Accordingly, the likelihood of the user wanting to change the wiper blade increases the closer the user is to the wiper. Furthermore, the likelihood of the user wanting to change the wiper blade increases the closer the user's hands are to the wiper. Furthermore, the likelihood of the user wanting to change the wiper blade increases the closer the object, especially the additional wiper blade, is to the wiper. Finally, the likelihood of the user wanting to change the wiper blade increases the longer the user is standing in front of the wiper.

[0020] An advantage of this embodiment may be that not only proximity is taken into account, but also the degree of proximity of the user to the wiper blade. Thus, the probability can be determined more precisely. This allows for reliable detection of the user's desire to change the wiper blade. By considering one or all of the above indicators, the probability of the user's desire to change a wiper blade is determined more precisely.

[0021] Preferably, the sensor data includes data from a camera that records the area around the windshield wiper. Furthermore, the sensor data includes data from an ultrasonic sensor. Furthermore, the sensor data includes data from a smart key localization sensor.

[0022] In other words, the data for evaluating and recognizing a user request to change a windshield wiper blade is obtained from data from a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, or a smart key localization sensor. The ultrasonic sensor specifically detects a side area, particularly an area near the fender or the A-pillar of the vehicle. Furthermore, the camera's recorded area includes an area on the windshield, particularly an area toward the A-pillar of the windshield and the windshield wiper itself. Furthermore, a smart key localization sensor allows the proximity of a driver to such a sensor to be measured.Using this data from the camera and / or ultrasonic sensor and / or smart key localization sensor, a distance of the user to the windscreen wiper, and / or a distance of the user's hands to the windscreen wiper, and / or a distance of the object, in particular an additional object, and / or a length of time the user was standing in front of the windscreen wiper can be reliably recorded.

[0023] Particularly preferred for determining the user's distance from the windshield wiper are the sensor data from the camera and the windshield wiper, as well as the data from the smart key localization. One advantage may be that this sensor data is particularly suitable for detecting the user's distance from a windshield wiper.

[0024] Particularly preferably, determining the distance of the user's hands from the windshield wiper comprises the sensor data from the camera. One advantage of this embodiment may be that the camera is particularly suitable for recording hands on a windshield near a windshield wiper. Particularly preferably, determining the distance of the object, in particular the additional windshield wiper, from the windshield wiper comprises the sensor data from the camera. One advantage of this embodiment may be that the camera is particularly suitable for recording hands or other objects near the windshield wiper and making them clearly visible.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the duration of the user's stay in front of the windshield wiper is determined based on the sensor data from the camera, the ultrasonic sensor, and the smart key localization sensor. An advantage of this embodiment may be that by taking all three sensors into account, the plausibility of the data from the individual sensors can be ensured.

[0026] The invention further comprises a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the method according to one of the preceding embodiments. The advantages of this embodiment correspond to the advantages of the preceding embodiments of the method.

[0027] The invention further comprises a machine-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program according to the previous embodiment is stored on the machine-readable storage medium. The advantages of this embodiment are analogous to the advantages of the embodiment for the computer program.

[0028] The invention further comprises a vehicle. The vehicle comprises a windshield wiper, sensors, and a control unit. The windshield wiper has an actuator for moving the windshield wiper arm. The sensors are configured to detect the immediate surroundings of the vehicle. The windshield wiper actuator and the sensors are initially connected to the control unit for signal exchange. The control unit is configured to carry out a method according to one of the previous embodiments. The advantages of this embodiment are analogous to the advantages of the individual embodiments of the method.

[0029] Short description of the drawings

[0030] Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a vehicle according to a first embodiment with a user,

[0031] Figure 2 shows a control unit according to the first embodiment,

[0032] Figure 3 shows a method according to the first embodiment, and

[0033] Figure 4 shows a method according to a second embodiment.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention

[0035] Preferably, all elements, units and / or assemblies in all figures have the same reference numerals.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The vehicle has a windshield wiper 11, sensors 12, and a control unit 15. The windshield wiper 11 has an actuator for moving the wiper arm. The sensors 12 are configured to detect the immediate surroundings of the vehicle 10. The actuator of the windshield wiper 11 and the sensors 12 are connected to the control unit 15 for signal exchange. The control unit 15 is configured to execute a method according to one of the following exemplary embodiments.

[0037] The sensors 12 further include a camera, ultrasonic sensors, and a smart key location sensor. The ultrasonic sensors 12 are mounted in a side area near the fender, in particular in the immediate vicinity of the A-pillar, on the outer wall of the vehicle 10. The camera 12 records a front area, in particular a windshield of the vehicle 10, and also records the windshield wiper and the area around the windshield wiper.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a control unit 15 according to the first embodiment, which is connected to the sensors 12 for signal exchange. Furthermore, the control unit 15 is connected to the control of the actuator of the windshield wiper 11 for signal exchange. Thus, the actuator of the windshield wiper 11 can be actively controlled by outputting a signal and / or providing a signal by the control unit 15. Figure 3 describes a method 1000 according to the first embodiment for changing a windshield wiper blade 11a on the vehicle 10. The method comprises the following steps:

[0039] In a first step 100, sensor data is received and / or retrieved. In a second step 200, indicators are determined using the sensor data. In a third step 300, a user request to change a windshield wiper blade 11a is detected by evaluating the indicators. In a fourth step 400, an instruction signal for moving the windshield wiper 11 to a predefined maintenance position is output and / or provided upon the user request. The indicators indicate a relative position of the user 13 to the vehicle.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a method 1000 according to a second exemplary embodiment for supporting a change of the windshield wiper blade 11a on the vehicle 10. In the first step 100, sensor data 12 is received and / or retrieved. In the second step 200, indicators are determined using the sensor data. In the third step 300, the determination of indicators from sensor data, an eleventh step 310, a fifth step 320, and a sixth step 330 are executed. The eleventh step 310 comprises receiving and / or retrieving a predefined threshold value. The fifth step 320 comprises determining a probability of the user's request to change a windshield wiper blade 11a based on indicators. The sixth step comprises recognizing the user's request if the probability of the user's request is greater than the predefined threshold value.

[0041] The fifth step 320 comprises a seventh step 321, an eighth step 322, a ninth step 323 and a tenth step 324. The seventh step 321 comprises determining a distance of the user from the windshield wiper 11 using the sensor data. The eighth step 322 comprises determining 222 a distance of hands 13a of the user 13 from the windshield wiper 11. The ninth step 323 comprises determining 223 a distance of the object, in particular the additional windshield wiper blade, from the windshield wiper 11. The tenth step 324 comprises determining a standing time of the user in front of the windshield wiper 11. The sixth step 330 is followed by the fourth step 400, after which an instruction signal for

[0042] Movement of the windscreen wiper 11 into a predefined maintenance position is output and / or provided upon a user request.

Claims

Claims 1 . A method for assisting in changing a windshield wiper blade (11a) on a vehicle (10), comprising the steps: Receiving (100) and / or retrieving sensor data, determining (200) indicators using the sensor data, recognizing (300) a user request to change a windscreen wiper blade (11a) by evaluating the indicators, and Outputting and / or providing (400) an instruction signal for moving the windscreen wiper (11) into a predefined maintenance position when a user request is present, wherein the indicators have a relative position of the user (13) to the vehicle (10).

2. Method (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicators comprise a posture of the user (13) and / or a posture of the arm (13a) of the user (13), and / or a presence of objects, in particular an additional windscreen wiper blade, in the vicinity of the windscreen wiper (11).

3. Method (1000) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recognition of the user request comprises the following steps: Determining (220) a probability of the user's desire to change a windshield wiper blade (11 a) based on the indicators, and Recognizing (230) the user request if the user's probability is greater than a predefined threshold.

4. The method (1000) according to claim 3, characterized in that the determination (220) of the probability of the user request based on the indicators comprises the following steps: Determining (221) a distance of the user (13) to the windscreen wiper (11) using the sensor data, and / or Determining (222) a distance of the hands (13a) of the user (13) to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or Determining (223) a distance of the object, in particular the additional windscreen wiper blade, from the windscreen wiper (11), and / or determining (224) the length of time the user (13) is standing in front of the windscreen wiper (11).

5. Method (1000) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the probability of the user's desire to change the windscreen wiper blade (11a) increases the smaller the distance of the user (13) to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or the smaller the distance of the hands (13a) of the user (13) to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or the smaller the distance of the object, in particular the additional windscreen wiper blade, to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or the longer the user (13) is standing in front of the windscreen wiper (11).

6. Method (1000) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor data, Data from a camera that records the area around the windscreen wiper (11), and / or Data from an ultrasonic sensor, and / or contain data from a smart key location sensor.

7. Method (1000) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for determining (221) the distance of the user (13) from the windscreen wiper (11) sensor data of the camera and the Windscreen wiper sensor and the data from the smart key localization sensor are used, and / or the sensor data from the camera are used to determine (222) the distance of the hands (13a) of the user (13) to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or the sensor data from the camera are used to determine (223) the distance of the object, in particular the additional windscreen wiper (11) to the windscreen wiper (11), and / or the sensor data from the camera and the ultrasonic sensor and the smart key localization sensor are used to determine the duration (224) of the user's (13) stay in front of the windscreen wiper (11).

8. Computer program which is configured to carry out the method (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 8 is stored.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising: a windscreen wiper (11), Sensors (12), and a control unit (15), wherein the windscreen wiper (11) has an actuator for moving a windscreen wiper arm, wherein the sensors (12) are configured to detect an immediate environment of the sensor (10), wherein the actuator of the windscreen wiper (11) and the sensor data of the sensors (12) are connected to the control unit (15) for signal exchange, and wherein the control unit (15) is configured to carry out a method (1000) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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