WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM

Abstract

A windshield wiper system for a vehicle. In one example, the windshield wiper system includes a drive, a wiper, and a control device, which is connectable to a continuous power supply of the vehicle. The control device is configured to communicate with at least one control unit of the vehicle via a predefined data transfer system, and to control the drive to move the wiper arm based on specifications from the control unit. Another example relates to a method for controlling a windshield wiper system of a vehicle, where the system is configured to clean a windshield of the vehicle by means of at least one wiper. The method includes monitoring an environment of the vehicle, establishing a wiper mode for detected conditions in the environment of the vehicle, and controlling a drive of the windshield wiper system to move the wiper according to the wiper mode.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper system (1) for a vehicle (2), the windshield wiper system (1) comprising: a drive (3), a wiper (4) that can be driven by the drive (3), and a control device (5), configured to be connected to a continuous power supply of the vehicle (2), and to communicate with at least one control unit (6) of the vehicle (2) via a predefined data transfer system, and to control the drive (3) to move the wiper arm (4) based on specifications from the control unit (6).

2. The windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (5) is configured to receive a wiping mode and/or a wiping duration to be performed from the control unit (6) of the vehicle (2), wherein the control device (5) is configured to control the drive (3) to perform the wiping mode and/or the wiping duration.

3. The windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (5) is configured to monitor an environment of the vehicle (2) via at least one sensor (7) of the vehicle (2), and to control the drive according to the conditions in the environment of the vehicle (2).

4. The windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the predefined data transfer system is a bus system.

5. A method for controlling a windshield wiper system (1) of a vehicle (2), said system configured to clean a windshield (8) of the vehicle (2) by means of at least one wiper (4), said method comprising the following steps: monitoring an environment of the vehicle (2) while the vehicle (2) is in a parked state, establishing a wiper mode for detected conditions in the environment of the vehicle (2), and controlling a drive (3) of the windshield wiper system (1) to move the wiper (4) according to the wiper mode.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein monitoring the environment of the vehicle (2) comprises identifying weather data for the environment of the vehicle, wherein the wiper mode is established as a function of the weather data.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein a precipitation wiper mode comprises parking of the wiper (4) in a position that allows precipitation impacting the windshield (8) to drain off and/or a snow wiper mode comprises wiping of the windshield (8) with the wiper (4) as long as the weather data includes a snowfall.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein identifying weather data comprises retrieving a weather report from another unit via a mobile data connection, and/or detecting weather data using sensors that detect precipitation.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein monitoring the environment of the vehicle (2) includes detecting persons and/or animals, wherein a startle wiper mode comprises moving the wiper (4) in order to startle the animal and/or the human.

10. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to monitor, via a sensor, an environment of the vehicle (2) while the vehicle (2) is in a parked state, establish a wiper mode for detected conditions in the environment of the vehicle (2), and control a drive (3) of the windshield wiper system (1) to move the wiper (4) according to the wiper mode.

11. A vehicle (2) comprising a windshield wiper system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the windshield wiper system (1) is connected to a server or integrated into a cloud to control the windshield wiper system via the server or via the cloud.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings include:

[0020] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a vehicle with a windshield wiper system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows a vehicle 2 having a windshield wiper system 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. The windshield wiper system 1 comprises two wipers 4, each having a drive 3. The wipers 4 are configured to wipe a windshield 8 of the vehicle. In this example, the windshield 8 is the front windshield of the vehicle 2. In this example, the wipers 4 are synchronous, but can also be configured in an opposing manner. The wiper 4 includes one or more wiping arms, which are moved by the drive 3 directly or by means of a linkage.

[0022] The windshield wiper system 1 further comprises a control device 5. The control device 5 is connected to a continuous power supply of the vehicle 2. In addition, it is provided that the vehicle 2 comprises a control unit 6, the control device 5 being configured to communicate with the control unit 6 of the vehicle 2. In this way, the control device 5 can be sent wiping specifications by the control unit. The control device 5 is configured to control the drive 3 to move the wiper arm 4 in accordance with the wiping specifications of the control unit 6.

[0023] Communication between the control unit 6 and the control device 5 is performed in particular via CAN/LIN bus or another type of communication, e.g. Ethernet. In this case, operation of the vehicle 2 is not necessary; an advantage is that the wipers 4 can also be used even without the ignition of the vehicle 2 being switched on.

[0024] It is provided that an environment of the vehicle 2 is monitored either by the control device 5 or by the control unit 6 while the vehicle 2 is in a parked state. In particular, a sensor 7 of the vehicle 2 is used for this purpose. For example, the sensor 7 comprises a precipitation sensor and/or a proximity sensor and/or a camera. Alternatively or additionally, the environment can also be determined by retrieving data from an external instance, e.g. a server. For example, weather data can be retrieved in this way. Likewise, weather data can be detected by means of the sensor 7. Alternatively or additionally, people and/or animals in the environment of the vehicle 2 can also be detected.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that a wiper mode for detected conditions in the environment of the vehicle 2 be established, and that the respective drive 3 of the windshield wiper system 1 be controlled by control device 5. The control device 5 thereby enables the wiper 4 to move according to the wiper mode.

[0026] Various wiper modes can be provided. An example of three different wiper modes are described hereinafter:

[0027] If the weather data includes precipitation to be expected or present, then a precipitation wiper mode is used. In this mode, the wipers 4 are parked in a position that enables precipitation impacting the windshield 8 to drain off. The wipers 4 therefore do not block any precipitation drainage. The precipitation is preferably rain. However, the precipitation wiper mode is also applicable to mineral dust particles, e.g. Saharan dust.

[0028] If the weather data includes a snowfall, there is a risk that the snow forms a layer on the windshield 8 that has to be cleared manually. Given a certain layer thickness, overload of the drive 3 and/or the wiper 4 can occur. As a result, a snow wiper mode is provided that prevents a formation of a corresponding layer thickness of snow. To this end, the windshield 8 is wiped with the wiper 4 as long as the weather data includes a snowfall. In this way, snow is cleaned regularly from the windshield 8 so that no layer remains or builds up that is to be cleared manually.

[0029] A startle wiper mode is also provided. In this wiper mode, the wiper 4 is moved to startle an animal and/or a human. As previously described, people and/or animals in the environment of the vehicle 2 can be detected. If animals are to be prevented from establishing themselves on the vehicle 2, in particular on the windshield 8, the wipers 4 are moved. In the same way, for example, it can be prevented that people attach advertising fliers or the like to the windshield wiper system 1.

[0030] By incorporating the communicative wiper system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment into a communication environment of the vehicle 2, the wipers 4 can be moved as required. The vehicle 2 is not limited to the wiper 4 operating only when the ignition is on. This enables a variety of helpful wiping modes.

[0031] The control unit 6 and/or control unit 5 are in particular connected to a server or integrated into a cloud. This enables a user to remotely control the windshield wiper system 1. In particular, a cell phone of the user can be connected to the server or integrated into the cloud by means of a corresponding app. The user can therefore specify a wiping mode at any time, even if the vehicle is parked at a remote location.