DE102007058799A1 - Automobile wash guard system has global positioning hatch closure trigger system - Google Patents

Abstract

An automobile has a GPS-based security system that alerts the driver to open doors, windows or hatches prior to driving into an automatic car wash (5). The vehicle incorporates an electro-magnetic sensor coupled to a computer-based data processing system that identifies the vehicle position with respect to the washing system. The system triggers the necessary hatch closures prior to entering the vehicle wash system.

Description

The Invention is in the field of automatic devices for motor vehicles, which assist the driver in handling a vehicle to make difficult situations manageable, to achieve greater comfort and safety to increase.

Of the meanwhile ever higher degree of complexity at the Automating automobiles causes many Functions of a vehicle automatically taken over by an automatic device can be. Assistance facilities support the driver in a variety of driving situations, for example when parking, when starting, while overtaking, in cornering and while navigating.

diverse Such support will be necessary because of road traffic becomes increasingly dense and the demands on a driver increase.

such However, assistance systems, as described above, do not cover all Eventualities and situations involved in the operation of a Motor vehicle are expected. For example, it happens that when washing a motor vehicle in an automatic washing device not all elements of the vehicle are properly adjusted are that, for example, still a window or a sunroof is open, or that a labile antenna is not retracted is.

For Such elements usually have the driver before driving to ensure the washing device.

does If he does not, the risk of water breaking into the vehicle interior or the damage or destruction of individual Parts of the vehicle.

Out the prior art are isolated automatic control devices or warning devices have become known, based on single or multiple The elements mentioned act when certain environmental conditions enter.

For example, from the German utility model G 9209038.9 for a vehicle, a light or infrared transmitter has become known, which measures a light or infrared intensity on the vehicle continuously or regularly and emits corresponding signals when changing the radiation intensity, which cause a closing of an open vehicle roof.

On This way, the vehicle roof can be opened in bright sunshine stay and with a worsening of the weather and mounting be automatically closed by clouds. The corresponding sensor is via an amplifier circuit with actuators connected to the vehicle.

From the German utility model DE 29905054 U1 Moisture or brightness sensors are known which emit output signals when precipitation or darkness sets in to close different openings of the vehicle.

From the utility model DE 29614795 U1 a vehicle is known with a precipitation sensor, wherein the sensor is integrated into the locking system, whereby the automatic closing of various openings such as ventilation openings, side windows and sunroofs with corresponding electromechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic drives is made possible.

From the utility model DE 20216109 U1 is a closure device for motor vehicle roofs is known, which is coupled to a rain sensor or a humidity sensor, whereby a lifting or sliding or convertible roof and window systems can be automatically actuated when moisture occurs. The sensor registers the change in electrical resistance as a result of precipitation.

From the patent DE 19619643 C1 is a motor vehicle with a navigation system is known in which registers with the aid of the navigation system, the approach of the vehicle to tunnels or other covered roadway parts and the actuation of certain elements of the vehicle, which are usually activated during tunneling, is effected.

For example the ventilation is switched to recirculating air to prevent penetration of used or polluted outside air.

moreover the analysis is addressed by means of a pollutant sensor, wherein registering polluted air for closing all external openings leads.

From the DE OS 10342702 A1 a system is known in which various elements of the vehicle such as windows, doors and roofs are checked and given when leaving the vehicle in response to signals from seat sensors corresponding warnings when the vehicle is unlocked or not sufficiently closed.

Of the The present invention is based on the prior art Technology is the object of a safety device for to create a motor vehicle that helps to prevent damage, the on the vehicle due to adverse influences within a Car wash can arise, safe to avoid.

The Task is according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

The Invention assumes that electromagnetic waves as meaning carrying input signals are available, which proved can be and from which in a processing facility It can be concluded that driving into a car wash imminent. The evaluation of such signals is so far cheaper than the measurement and evaluation of moisture or precipitation readings as correspondingly earlier and not just the ingress of moisture into the vehicle interior or the occurrence of precipitation on the vehicle exterior has to be waited, what immediately the intrusion of Liquid / moisture in the car interior presupposes or entails.

electromagnetic Signals can be available in various forms be placed, for example in the form of position signals, the the immediate proximity of a vehicle to a vehicle View their location known car wash or in shape of radio signals, the short range in the immediate vicinity be sent and received by car wash facilities or also in the form of optical signals of a car wash, which can be recorded and analyzed by means of a camera.

All In any case, these types of signals can already before receive immediate driving a car wash and received be analyzed so that the corresponding elements of a vehicle to close all openings and to retract carried out by antennas and other measures in a timely manner can be.

Advantageous For this purpose, the processing device is a pattern comparison device for comparing the detected input signals with predetermined data having.

In order to The captured input signals can be particularly simple and quickly compared with appropriate presets to decide whether the entry into a car washing facility is imminent.

A Further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the predetermined data is stored in a memory device are.

For example The manufacturer can specify specific signal patterns or the system can increase its database as a learning system. It is also possible that the safety device over a connection to a database a pattern comparison with outside the vehicle existing data to corresponding to To arrive at evaluations.

Further Examples are discussed below.

A advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the sensor a radio receiver capable of receiving signals stationary transmitter in the area of a car wash to recieve.

in this connection For example, it may be provided that there is a weak area in the area of a car wash Radio signals are sent out by corresponding sensors of vehicles exclusively in the immediate neighborhood of the Car wash are perceptible and here on the Processing device for operating certain elements lead the motor vehicles, for example, the windows close the respective motor vehicle and sun roofs and If necessary retract motor antennas or equivalent To issue warning signals, so that the measures mentioned manually to be hit.

It can also be advantageously provided that the sensor has a receiver which is connected to a transmitter, the transmitter being regular Sends out signals from a transponder in the area of a car wash can be returned and where the recipient is the received signals.

It is then, for example, a transponder in the field of car wash present, which are addressed by a transmitter of a vehicle can and reflects a signal, with the reflected signal from the sensor in the motor vehicle is receivable, so that the presence a corresponding transponder and thus to the immediate Close the motor vehicle to a car wash closed can be. The Transpon derverbindung is usually a radio link that runs over short distances of a few Meters works.

It is also a prerequisite that the corresponding transponders of car washing facilities according to the transmitters in the motor veh encoded so that there is a standardized interface.

The Safety device can be programmed so that after Driving through the car wash, if it is found that no more transponder in the vicinity of the motor vehicle available is the elements of the vehicle such as windows and the like restored to its original state so that the windows are opened again.

A Further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the sensor of the receiver of a position detection device is the position of the motor vehicle on the earth's surface determined.

there can be advantageously provided that the determined position of the Motor vehicle in the comparison device with stored positions is compared by car washing facilities and in the case that the motor vehicle is near a car wash is, a corresponding output signal is output.

It is thus constantly determined where the vehicle is located and the current position becomes known positions compared to car washes, for example, in a Database of the vehicle are stored. For position determination different satellites are targeted in a known way, so that in the vehicle itself in the navigation device, the respective Calculated position and with that of car washing facilities can be compared. Since the position determination on few meters Exactly, you can avoid taking action in situations be taken in which a vehicle at a non-critical distance at passing a car wash. Only if the vehicle up to a few meters to the entrance of the car wash has arrived, corresponding output signals are delivered.

A Condition for the functioning is that the vehicle the positions of car washing facilities well known are. This can be supported by a regular Updated the corresponding data in the positioning system performed become.

It is also advantageous possible that the determination of the position the stationary vehicle happens to be outside of the motor vehicle is determined whether the motor vehicle in located near a car wash and in this Case to the motor vehicle detectable by the sensor signal is sent.

In In this case, the position of the motor vehicle to an external Body reported that position with the positions known Washing facilities compares and in the case of conformity corresponding Sends signals to the vehicle. This variant has the advantage that database about the positions of washing facilities easier to keep up to date. In addition, a can such a system with a payment system for the passage the car washing device are connected, as far as the system Identity of the respective motor vehicle is known.

After all can also be advantageously provided that the sensor is a camera whose image is analyzed and in a comparator is compared with features of a car wash and that with proof of a certain degree of agreement an output signal is emitted.

In In this case, a camera image is taken by a sensor is analyzed for the recognizability of a car wash and when a car wash is detected, the processor reports that the appropriate security measures are taken Need to become.

to Detection of a car wash are the corresponding basic data stored in a database of the safety device and the Images of the camera are using the known means of image processing processed and compared with the given data.

These Method has some uncertainties, since different car washing facilities can look different. However, there are matches such as the prevailing position and orientation of Wash rollers and also the recurring occurrence of certain labels like word parts like "washing", which are recognizable are.

The Image recognition signal, for example, by means of a neural Be sufficiently trained for a sufficient amount of time To achieve reaction safety.

It can also be basically prevalent colors like the usual colors of washing rolls as a trigger used to associate the captured images.

In principle, the abovementioned embodiments of the invention can serve to establish that the entry into a car wash is imminent and that appropriate measures must be taken. In a first variant, the invention then provides that the Ausgangssig is a warning signal for checking one or more elements of the motor vehicle before entering a car wash.

In This case receives the most remaining in the vehicle Driver a signal that he has all the openings of the vehicle close, in which water can penetrate, like the Windows, doors, the tailgate and the roof and any Vents and that he, for example, the Ventilation can be switched to "circulating air" This variant has the advantage that the driver the information respectively Check the warning again for authenticity can, before taking appropriate action.

It On the other hand, it can also be provided that the output signal is instantaneous the actuation of at least one or more elements of the motor vehicle causes.

In In this case, an action of the driver or an operator is not necessary and the measures to prevent intrusion of Water is automatically seized.

It makes sense to inform the driver of the upcoming actions, so that he in the event of a false signal the intended procedure as possible with can stop a keypress.

Around to carry out the above actions in a meaningful way is in accordance with Invention advantageously provided that the output signal the review the status of at least one element of the motor vehicle and the Comparison of the respective status with a target status causes.

By the notification of the status of the various eligible elements of the vehicle such as the doors, the windows and the roof corresponding information continuously to the processing device be reported, which can easily identify which elements still must be operated before entering the car wash. in the In case of emergency, these will usually be only a few elements that are used by the Driver were forgotten, such as the retraction of the engine antenna or closing a window gap. By the status transmission to the processing device are the elements of the vehicle often not yet activated and only those elements become addressed where this is necessary.

in the The following is the invention with reference to an embodiment shown in a drawing and then described.

there shows

1 a vehicle schematically in a side view, wherein the information about entering a car wash is determined by means of a GPS system;

2 shows the determination of the required information within a GPS system;

3 shows the determination of the imminent entry into a car wash by means of a transponder system;

4 shows a similar method that works exclusively with a fixed transmitter;

5 shows the determination of the imminent entry into a car wash by image processing in conjunction with an electronic camera;

6 shows the basic logical process of image recognition, as in accordance with 5 is used.

1 shows a vehicle 1 with a safety device 2 having as a component a GPS (geo positioning system) receiver. By means of the GPS receiver is by receiving signals from satellites 3 . 4 the exact position of the vehicle 1 determined on the earth's surface.

In the 1 is also a car wash 5 with two vertical rotating cylindrical washing brushes 6 represented, between which the car can enter.

In the 2 is the basic function of the safety device with the GPS system shown in more detail.

The position 7 of the motor vehicle can be determined by means of the bearing of the satellite by the GPS system. The known positions 8th of washes are in a store 9 stored the safety device and are taken into account as soon as the motor vehicle 1 A car wash comes so close to both at the same time on the screen 10 being represented. It is also possible to choose a different distance from which the relative position of the vehicle for the next car wash is more accurately detected and tracked.

If the distance from the next car wash falls short of a few meters, then a corresponding information to the processing device 11 given the sensors via the states of the individual elements to be actuated 12 . 13 . 14 such as door closers, power windows and closing devices for a car roof, from which the processing device 11 the necessary determined to be initiated. These are sent to a warning or notification device 15 issued to notify the driver and possibly also to actuators 16 . 17 . 18 for direct operation.

In the 2 an alternative system is shown in which out of the safety device 2 Continuously radio signals are sent for recording and reflection in a transponder 19 is provided. If the transponder is properly prepared and adjusted, it will reflect a signal that tells the driver that there is a car wash nearby. The transmission directions and intensities of the transmitter in the safety device and the transponder 19 are set up such that the corresponding outward and return communication only at a very small distance between the motor vehicle 1 and a car wash works. By appropriate coding of the signals is clearly to determine that the responding transponder 19 actually belonged to a car wash.

If the safety device proves that the vehicle is in the immediate vicinity of a car wash, then, as in 2 shown the appropriate safeguards carried out or the driver warned.

In the 4 Another principle is shown in which only one transmitter 20 Short-range signals are emitted by motor vehicles in the immediate vicinity, via an appropriate receiver in the safety device 2 can be received. If a vehicle receives such a signal coded according to a certain standard in order to distinguish it from other radio signals, the safety device concludes from this that a car wash is in the immediate vicinity and that the vehicle is to enter the car wash, whereupon the corresponding safety measures are carried out automatically or after confirmation by the driver.

In the 5 As an alternative, the detection of a car wash by digital image processing of images represented by a camera 21 be included, which part of the safety device 2 is. The images are sent to a processor 10 transmitted as it is in the 6 is shown in more detail. In the processing facility 10 are the images with predetermined patterns or stored standard images stored in a storage device 22 are stored, compared and by means of a comparison algorithm, when a certain similarity measure is exceeded, the signal to an output device 23 that the appropriate precautionary measures are taken and the driver is warned. The output device 23 has contacts to the actors 24 . 25 . 26 . 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 , which are each able to close individual windows, doors and roofs or roof parts and ventilation flaps.

It In addition, a mechanism may be provided after the extension from the car wash the appropriate items back in set the initial state.

As evidence in the image comparison can be in the processing facility 11 For example, color information such as the typical coloring of the roller brushes and certain recurring structures such as the contour of the roller brushes left and right of a driveway and certain letter combinations that occur in the naming and advertising of car washes are used.

It can also several of the alternatives shown together or used sequentially to a higher degree Safety in predicting an upcoming washing process to reach.

It In addition, provision may be made for the measures taken to protect the interior of the vehicle from the ingress of water their implementation in principle by the driver to avoid unwanted actions.

1

vehicle

2

safety device

3, 4

satellite

5

carwash

6

wash brushes

7

position of the motor vehicle

8th

positions of car washes

9

Storage

10

screen

11

processing device

12 13, 14

To actuating elements

15

warning or message device

16 17, 18

actuators

19

transponder

20

transmitter

21

camera

22

memory device

23

output device

24 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

actuators

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 9209038 [0008]
• - DE 29905054 U1 [0010]
• - DE 29614795 U1 [0011]
• - DE 20216109 U1 [0012]
• - DE 19619643 C1 [0013]
• - DE 10342702 A1 [0016]

Claims (13)

Safety device ( 2 ) for a motor vehicle with at least one sensor for detecting an input signal and with a processing device ( 11 ) for generating an output signal in the event that environmental conditions of a car wash ( 5 ) require the actuation of elements of the vehicle, characterized in that the at least one sensor is an electromagnetic wave sensor for detecting, with the sensor, a processing device ( 11 ) is connected to the recognition of a code and that a signaling device ( 15 ) is provided for outputting an output signal as a function of the work result of the processing device, wherein the output signal for actuating elements ( 16 . 17 . 18 ), which avoid adversely affecting the motor vehicle in a car wash. Safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing device ( 11 ) has a pattern comparing means for comparing the detected input signals with predetermined data. Safety device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the predetermined data are stored in a memory device ( 9 ) are stored. Safety device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the sensor is a radio receiver which is capable of signals from a stationary transmitter ( 19 ) in the area of a car wash. Safety device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the sensor has a receiver, which is connected to a transmitter, wherein the transmitter regularly emits signals transmitted by a transponder ( 19 ) in the area of a car wash ( 5 ) and the receiver receives the returned signals. Safety device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the sensor of the receiver Position determining device is the position of the motor vehicle determined on the earth's surface. Safety device according to claim 6, characterized in that the determined position of the motor vehicle in the comparison device with stored positions of car washing devices ( 5 ) is compared and in the case that the motor vehicle is in the vicinity of a car wash, a corresponding output signal is delivered. Safety device according to claim 6, characterized that the determination of the position of the motor vehicle stationary happens to be outside the motor vehicle If the motor vehicle is near a car wash located and in this case to the motor vehicle a through the sensor detectable signal is sent. Safety device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sensor is a camera ( 12 ) whose image is analyzed and compared in a comparison device with features of a car washing device according to a predetermined metric and that upon detection of a certain degree of agreement, an output signal is emitted. Safety device according to Claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the output signal is a warning signal for checking one or more elements ( 16 . 17 . 18 ) of the motor vehicle before entering a car wash. Safety device according to claim 1 or one the following, characterized in that the output signal directly the actuation of at least one or more elements of the motor vehicle causes. Safety device according to claim 1 or one the following, characterized in that the output signal is the review the status of at least one element of the motor vehicle and the Comparison of the respective status with a target status causes. Method for operating a safety device according to Claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that, together with the sensor, a processing device ( 11 ) is operated to detect a proximity of a car wash signaling code and that a signaling device ( 15 ) outputs an output signal in dependence on the work result of the processing device, wherein the output signal on the actuation of elements ( 16 . 17 . 18 ), which avoid adversely affecting the motor vehicle in a car wash.