Camera-Based Windshield Wetness Detection for Adaptive Auto Wiping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle windshield wiper systems rely on rain sensors for controlling wiper movement, which may not efficiently manage wiper speed and energy consumption, especially when determining wetness levels and vehicle location, and do not conserve resources when wipers are not needed.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing vehicle cameras to capture images and determine windshield and ground wetness levels, controlling wiper speed and sampling frequency based on these conditions, and deactivating wipers when inside a covered enclosure or when either the windshield or ground is dry, thereby conserving energy and reducing computational resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If rain sensors are used to control wiper movement, then wiper activation is automated, but energy consumption increases and resource efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wetness detection function from dedicated rain sensors and implements it using existing vehicle camera systems. The camera captures images of the windshield and ground, and image processing algorithms determine wetness levels, eliminating the need for separate sensor hardware and its associated energy consumption while maintaining automated wiper control
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle camera system performs multiple functions: it captures images for wetness detection, determines vehicle location (inside/outside enclosure), and provides visual data for ground condition analysis. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate sensors into a single system, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining automation
2Reliability
If wipers operate continuously to ensure clean windshield, then visibility is maintained, but energy consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system operates dynamically based on real-time conditions rather than continuously. The control system adjusts wiper activation and speed according to detected wetness levels, vehicle location, and ground conditions, ensuring the windshield is cleaned only when necessary and at appropriate intensities, thereby maintaining visibility while reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from image analysis to control wiper operation. The camera continuously monitors windshield wetness and ground conditions, and this feedback information is used to adjust wiper activation and speed in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both visibility and energy efficiency
3Measurement precision
If image sampling frequency is increased to improve wetness detection accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but computational resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sampling frequency is adjusted dynamically based on vehicle location and environmental conditions. When the vehicle is inside a covered enclosure or when ground conditions indicate no rainfall, the sampling frequency is reduced or processing is deactivated. When outside in rainy conditions, sampling and processing intensity increases, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and computational resource usage
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a windshield, a wiper and a vehicle camera is disclosed. The wiper may be configured to clean the windshield and the vehicle camera may be configured to capture a windshield image and a ground image. The vehicle may further include a processor that may obtain the windshield image and the ground image from the vehicle camera at a predefined sampling frequency. The processor may determine that the windshield and ground may be wet based on the windshield image and the ground image. The processor may actuate the wiper at a predefined speed based on a determination that both the windshield and the ground may be wet.