DE102018214633A1 - Windshield wiper device with visualization function, operating method and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A windshield wiper device (100) with a visualization function for a vehicle (130) is provided. This comprises at least one windshield wiper (101, 102), which has a plurality of lamps (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111), and a control device (112) which is connected to the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) is. Provision is made for the control device (112) to be set up in an active operating state of the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) as a function of one or more of the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) to activate objects that are detected on a roadway traveled by the vehicle (130). In addition, a vehicle (130) and a suitable method (600) for visualizing detected objects are provided with a windshield wiper device (100) with a visualization function.

Description

The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device with a visualization function for a vehicle, a method for visualizing detected objects with such a windshield wiper device with a visualization function, and a vehicle which has such a windshield wiper device.

The visibility of objects on a road, i.e. H. A road, highway or other route, for passengers and in particular the driver of a vehicle, mostly depends on the weather conditions that are currently prevailing while the road is being driven on by a vehicle. The visibility of objects on the road is often reduced when difficult weather conditions such as rain, fog, snowfall or other contrast-reducing influences are present. This affects various objects, for example other road users, e.g. B. other vehicles or pedestrians, but also other obstacles on the carriageway, street signs (whereby street signs above the carriageway or on the edge of the carriageway are objects on the carriageway in the sense of the invention) and in particular carriageway markings.

For example, the road markings are frequently worn at intersections in cities, so that there is a risk of unintentionally steering the vehicle into another lane. The material used for the road markings also affects their visibility. Metallic surfaces, but also the frequently used white color, can only reflect the light with reduced intensity when wet, so that the visibility for the driver may be greatly reduced. The splashing water from vehicles in front can also make it difficult for drivers to recognize road markings.

The term roadway includes their edge areas, for example sidewalks or hard shoulder. A lane marking is, for example, a stop line, a side line or a solid or broken line that separates several lanes on the lane.

Various image analysis methods are suitable for automatically recognizing road markings. For example, in A. Saha, D. Roy, T. Alam and K. Deb, "Automated Road Lane Detection for Intelligent Vehicles", Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology, Vol. 12, Issue 6, March 2012, ISSN 0975-4350 , presented an algorithm that can be used to detect road markings and boundaries in camera images.

In the WO 2013/029421 A1 it is shown that objects such as the self-cleaning plastic strip described can be attached to wipers.

In the US 2014/0267415 A1 shows an illumination system for lane markings, in which lane markings are automatically detected by a lane marking recognition device and are illuminated with a laser or another light source attached to the vehicle, in order to ensure their visibility for the driver and thus to increase driving safety.

In the US 2011/0301813 A1 describes a virtual lane marking display in which virtual lane markings are superimposed on a windshield of a vehicle, which from the driver's perspective emphasize the course of the lane on which the vehicle is moving.

In the US 8,384,532 B2 A head-up display is presented, in which objects on the road, such as obstacles and road markings, are recorded and projected as graphical representations into the field of vision of the driver of a vehicle so that they can see them and at the same time continue to see the road through the windshield Can keep a look.

In the US 8,031,062 B2 a system is shown with which light rays of a traffic light outside the field of vision of the driver of a vehicle are deflected at an intersection into the field of vision of the driver.

In the US 2017/0240098 A1 describes a signaling system for autonomous vehicles, in which the road situation is recorded and necessary warnings or information about the expected behavior of the autonomous vehicle is transmitted to other road users by projection directly onto the road or onto display fields on the vehicle that are visible from the outside.

The systems presented, with which information is faded into the driver's field of vision, require a complex technical implementation in which either real display means have to be brought into the field of vision in front of the driver or virtual representations, e.g. B. done directly on the windshield. In any case, additional technical means must be provided for display directly in the vehicle cabin, so that it must be changed and, if necessary, converted. In addition, there are virtual representations in the driver's field of vision, but close to the eyes in a different focus level than the real objects on the road that the driver is actually referring to should concentrate for safety reasons, the risk that the driver is distracted or tired more quickly.

In order to maintain visibility for the driver or driver in difficult weather conditions such as rain or snow despite the occurrence of precipitation on the windshield of the vehicle, vehicles, in particular passenger or truck vehicles, generally have one or more wipers, including one or more associated drive motors with which in an active operating state, d. H. in a state in which the windshield wiper is driven by the associated motor over the windshield, the precipitate is stripped off the windshield.

It is known that windshield wipers, for example for aesthetic reasons or to increase the visibility of the vehicle for other road users, can be equipped with lamps such as lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are seen by the other road users without their view of the driver of the vehicle with the wipers modified in this way.

For example, in the US 7,246,403 B2 a wiper with an integrated lamp is shown, in which it is ensured that a person inside the vehicle does not perceive the emitted light.

Also in the US 8,664,867 B1 , the US 6,353,961 B1 and the CN 206374719 shows windshield wipers which are equipped with lamps to increase the visibility of the vehicle and / or to produce an impressive visual effect for observers of the vehicle.

It is the object of the present invention to increase the recognizability of objects on a road, even in difficult weather conditions, for the driver of a vehicle traveling on the road in a simple, inexpensive and pleasant manner for the driver.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a windshield wiper device with visualization function for a vehicle according to claim 1, a method for visualizing detected objects with a windshield wiper device with visualization function for a vehicle according to claim 13 and a vehicle according to claim 18.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a windshield wiper device with a visualization function for a vehicle comprises at least one windshield wiper, which has a plurality of lamps, and a control device which is connected to the at least one windshield wiper. It is provided that the control device is set up to activate one or more of the plurality of illuminants in an active operating state of the at least one windshield wiper in order to light up as a function of objects detected on a roadway traveled by the vehicle.

The wiper device is a device that one or more wipers, including the necessary electrical and mechanical drive, for example at least one electric motor for driving the wiper (s) to move them over the windshield of the vehicle, and z. B. associated switch to put the wipers in the active operating state and possibly also to change the frequency of the wiping movement, and includes the control device. The windshield wiper device, which usually only serves to remove precipitation from the windshield by wiping, is given a visualization function by the lamps integrated in or attached to or on the windshield wipers in such a way that the control device, which is connected, for example electrically, to the lamps is that their lighting can be controlled by the control device, so that in the active operating state, that is to say during the movement of the windshield wipers over the windshield, exactly those of the plurality of illuminants provided on the windshield wipers illuminate which tell the driver the current positions of detected objects , such as road markings. A windshield wiper device with a visualization function can also be provided, for example, for the rear window in order to highlight objects during a drive in reverse gear.

The term “activate to light up” includes the fact that the control device activates the illuminant in question when a condition associated with the detected object or its current position is met, so that it emits light and emphasizes the position of the detected object, whereby a short activation pulse emits light briefly and the illuminant is then immediately deactivated again or deactivated itself. “Activate to light up” also means that light is emitted at least as long as the activation condition remains fulfilled. "Illuminating" means that after activating the light radiation, it is limited in time and it no explicit deactivation of the lamp is required for the light emission to end. In a special embodiment, an explicit deactivation of the illuminant concerned can also be provided.

So that the lighting can take place as a function of objects detected on the road, these or their position must be detected automatically and the determined data made available to the control device. This requires a corresponding object detection device, for example radar, lidar or camera sensors that deliver video images of the observed lane, and z. B. include a programmable device set up for object detection, e.g. B. a processor and memory in which pieces of code are stored which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a suitable object recognition method. Such an object detection device is in many vehicles that already have one or more driver assistance systems in which, for. B. the course of the road is evaluated, available anyway. The object detection device can be communicatively connected to the control device or, if necessary, for. B. when switching to the active operating state of the windshield wiper device. In a further embodiment, the control device comprises an object detection device. In yet another embodiment, an object detection device comprises the windshield wiper device.

The windshield wiper device described offers, for example, the advantage that a windshield wiper device which is generally provided anyway is provided with an additional visualization function in a simple manner by using windshield wipers having illuminants which are controlled by a correspondingly configured control device, without complex visualization technology being provided in the interior of the vehicle must, so that, for example, inexpensive retrofitting of existing vehicles is also possible. A simple augmented reality environment is thus created for the driver in a simple manner. In addition, the position of the windshield wipers is in the driver's field of vision, but further away from the driver's eyes than in some other visualization systems. In addition, the continuous movement of the windshield wipers in the driver's field of vision prevents the driver from concentrating too long on a point in a viewing plane that lies in front of the plane that is actually to be focused and in which the real detected objects are located.

In a preferred embodiment of the windshield wiper device with visualization function, the control device has a first interface for receiving first position information of the at least one windshield wiper and a second interface for receiving second position information of the detected objects from an object detection device. In addition, when the at least one windshield wiper is in an active operating state, the control device is set up to continuously determine current first positions from the plurality of illuminants and current second positions of the detected objects from the received first and second position information, and the one or more of activate the plurality of lamps for lighting up, as long as one or more current first positions of the one or more of the plurality of lamps each have one or more current second positions of one or more of the plurality of lamps from a viewing direction detected objects are each on a common visual axis.

In this way, those illuminants always light up that just cover part of a detected object from the driver's point of view. In other words, the illuminants always light up, the movement path of which precisely overlaps with a position of a detected object from the driver's perspective. Due to the expansion of the detected object, for example a lane marking, and the simultaneous back and forth movements of the at least one windshield wiper and the movement of the vehicle, usually several illuminants light up simultaneously and / or the lighting extends over a prolonged period of time, so that the Objects are clearly recognizable for the driver. The term "line of sight" here refers to the spatial arrangement of the object and the illuminant on a common line emanating from the driver's eyes and means no statement as to whether and how good the object is for the driver without automatic object recognition and highlighting the windshield wiper device with visualization function can be seen. An advantage of the windshield wiper device described is that the displayed object can also not be recognized by the driver, or can only be recognized with difficulty, without automatic object recognition.

A first position of one of the illuminants and at least a second position of an object or also second positions of other objects lie on a common visual axis. Objects generally have a spatial extent, so that an object can also have several second positions, i.e. different sections of the object with several different visual axes different illuminants can lie, that can bring multiple illuminants to light up.

The first position information, i.e. H. The position information of the at least one windshield wiper provided via the first interface includes, for example, its current rotation angle and speed information, for example measured by a suitable sensor, or, in addition to the speed or frequency information, the time of the change in direction of the wiping movement. With this information, the control device, together with position information, where a respective lamp is arranged on the respective wiper, i.e. H. z. B. determine its distance to the pivot point of the respective wiper, its exact position with respect to the windshield and, if the driver's position is known, also determine its position in the driver's field of vision. In a further embodiment, the first interface can also receive the first position information from a separate position determination device, for example from a further object detection device with a camera directed at the windshield, the video images of which are evaluated in order to recognize the current position of the at least one windshield wiper in each case.

The second position information, i.e. H. The position information of objects detected on the roadway, provided by an object recognition device and provided via the second interface, is also, if necessary, transferred by the control device into positions of the objects in the driver's field of vision, so that it can be determined accordingly which illuminant to illuminate is to be activated.

The terms "first and second position information", "first and second positions" and "first and second interface" are used here only to distinguish between the elements and to enable a clear assignment and do not imply any order or significance. In addition, the interfaces can also be implemented as a common interface or only be present internally if, for. B. an object detection device is already part of the windshield wiper device or vice versa.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the second position information of the detected objects comprise position information of road markings. The object detection device is at least designed as a road marking detection device. The visibility of road markings in particular is crucial for safe driving of a vehicle in poor visibility conditions due to the weather. While other road users can ensure their visibility in bad weather, for example, with their own lighting, the recognizability of road markings can not only be reduced, but can also be irritating or misleading for the driver due to the play and refraction of light.

In an exemplary embodiment of the windshield wiper device, the plurality of lamps are arranged in such a way that a light emission direction is provided in the direction of the driver's position of the vehicle, in particular above all or exclusively in the direction of the driver's position. This ensures that the windshield wiper device described can optimally develop its visualization function for the driver. In one embodiment, the suitable arrangement of the lamps not only includes the suitable alignment of the lamps with the driver's position, but also with a structural change in the windshield wiper, so that the light can be emitted sufficiently from any position of the windshield wiper in the direction of the driver's position. In a special embodiment, it is also provided for this purpose to use translucent wiper blades. In a further embodiment, the arrangement is such that at the same time as little or no light from the illuminants is emitted from the vehicle to the outside, i.e. not in the direction of the interior of the vehicle, so that other road users are not affected by alternately illuminating lights to which the other road user is of no importance can assign to irritate. In yet another embodiment, the alignment is carried out in such a way that the emitted light can be clearly recognized not only for the driver but also for the front passenger, an optimized alignment at least with the driver being ensured.

In one embodiment of the windshield wiper device, the plurality of illuminants shows an afterglow for a limited period after the activation for lighting up has been ended by the control device. In this way, the visual impression of each illuminating illuminant is increased, and the structure of the illuminating points is more recognizable to the driver than connected objects, for example continuous markings. A limited period of time can range from a fraction of a second to a few seconds, e.g. B. 1 . 2 . 3 or 4 Include seconds. Depending on the illuminant selected, the length of the period of afterglow can be influenced, for example via the level of the voltage applied to an electrically activatable illuminant.

In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of illuminants comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs are cheap, robust, available in flat designs, also suitable for a very large and irregular number of switching operations, can be operated with low power consumption and are adjustable in their light intensity so that a driver can easily recognize highlighted objects without the light of the Bulbs to be irritated.

In one embodiment, the plurality of lamps is set up to be able to light up in more than one color. This offers the advantage that the control device can be set up to be able to combine additional information with the color in which a lamp illuminates. In an exemplary embodiment it is therefore provided to display road markings in a different color than obstacles or other road users. In a further exemplary embodiment, a color distinction is made as to whether the displayed road marking is a solid line or a broken line. In yet another exemplary embodiment, objects are highlighted in a different color depending on the distance to the vehicle. For example, objects that are less than a minimum distance can be displayed in red, but sufficiently distant objects in green, etc.

In a further embodiment of the windshield wiper device, the control device has a third interface for receiving vehicle safety information and is also set up to activate one or more of the plurality of lamps in response to received driving safety information to light up when the at least one windshield wiper is not active Operating state. The lighting can include a brief lighting, but also constant lighting or lighting of only certain lamps. Here too, the term “third interface” does not imply any order. Although it can designate an interface that is physically separate from the other interfaces, the third interface can also, for. B. be part of a second or first interface. In the described embodiment, when the windshield wiper device is not active because the weather conditions do not require it, the at least one windshield wiper, for example unmoving, lies horizontally on the edge of the windshield, usually at the lower edge, to increase driving safety as a function of Driving safety information is lit up by the control device, so that the driver has an information source for safety-relevant information directly at the edge of his field of vision through the windshield, without additional screens or display means having to be provided for this, and without the driver having to specifically look away from it the lane must turn away to z. B. to look at the dashboard.

In an exemplary embodiment, the control device is set up to activate the one or more of the plurality of illuminants as a function of a type of the received driving safety information in accordance with a code assigned to the type for lighting up.

In this way, different driving safety information can be displayed with the same lamps. Depending on the embodiment, the code is a color code, for example, so that the lamps light up in a different color depending on the type of driving safety information received. A different frequency of lighting can also be provided, e.g. B. depending on the urgency of the information with increasing frequency.

In an exemplary embodiment, the received driving safety information relates to one or more obstacles on the road. These can be obstacles detected by the object detection device, for example other vehicles that have fallen below a certain distance from the vehicle (or, for example, lights in red for “warning of an obstacle”, lights in green for “free travel”). The driving safety information can also include, for example, traffic monitoring information received via radio. B. in combination with data from its own navigation system, which determines the position of the vehicle, so that, for example, warning of a traffic jam ahead with the lighting of the lamps. By changing the color or a frequency of lighting z. B. from green to yellow to red and / or from permanently lit to flashing z. B. emphasize the urgency of the information.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the received driving safety information relates to a state, for example a weather-related state, of the road. This information can be obtained, for example, from sensors of the vehicle, for example moisture and / or outside temperature sensors, or also from traffic information received via radio and, for example, relate to a risk of slippage.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the received driving safety information relates to an operating state of the Vehicle. It can be provided here, for example, to display a critical temperature value or fill level of the fuel tank of a gasoline engine or a critical state of charge of the battery of an electric motor, but also other vehicle-related warnings, for example from other driver assistance systems. For example, a sound that indicates the distance to obstacles in the case of a parking aid can be supported by a lighting or wiping device that changes in color or frequency.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, the operating state of the vehicle comprises an activation state of a self-driving mode of the vehicle. For example, it can be provided to display a manual driving mode, in which the driver controls the vehicle himself, in one color and a self-driving mode, in which the vehicle is controlled automatically, in a different color, possibly also with a further color for one Park mode and another color to indicate that the mode is being changed. In yet another embodiment it can be provided that the current mode is not displayed, but an automatic suggestion that the mode could or should be changed, for example from the manual driving mode to the self-driving mode or vice versa.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for visualizing detected objects with a windshield wiper device with visualization function for a vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. The method includes at least one activation of one or more of a plurality of illuminants, which is comprised by at least one windshield wiper, as a function of objects detected on a roadway traveled by the vehicle, for lighting up when the at least one windshield wiper is in an active operating state. In this way, the advantages and special features of the windshield wiper device according to the invention with a visualization function for a vehicle are also implemented as part of a suitable operating method.

In one embodiment of the method, this also includes receiving first position information from the at least one windshield wiper and receiving second position information from detected objects from an object detection device. The activation of one or more of a plurality of lamps included in at least one windshield wiper for lighting up when the at least one windshield wiper is in an active operating state includes current first positions from the plurality of lamps and current second positions of detected objects from received first ones and to continuously determine second position information and to activate the one or more of the plurality of lamps for lighting up, as long as one or more current first positions of the one or more of the plurality of lamps are in each case from a viewing direction from a driver position in the vehicle with one or more current second positions of one or more of the detected objects each on a common visual axis. Depending on the embodiment, provision can be made to receive the first and / or second position information only if the windshield wiper device is in an active operating state or independently of its operating state.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method, receiving second position information from detected objects includes receiving position information from road markings.

In a further embodiment, the method also includes receiving vehicle safety information and activating to light up one or more of the plurality of lamps as a function of received driving safety information when the at least one windshield wiper is not in the active operating state.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a vehicle is also provided which comprises a windshield wiper device with a visualization function according to the first aspect of the invention. In this way, the advantages and special features of the windshield wiper device according to the invention with a visualization function for a vehicle are also implemented in the context of a suitable vehicle with a windshield wiper device according to the invention.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Fahrzeugs mit einer Scheibenwischvorrichtung mit Visualisierungsfunktion in einer beispielhaften Ausgestaltung;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels für einen Scheibenwischer mit einer Mehrzahl von Leuchtelementen;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer ersten Ansicht einer Fahrbahn durch eine Windschutzscheibe mit Scheibenwischern in einem aktiven Betriebszustand;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer zweiten Ansicht einer Fahrbahn durch eine Windschutzscheibe mit Scheibenwischern in einem aktiven Betriebszustand;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer Ansicht einer Fahrbahn durch eine Windschutzscheibe mit Scheibenwischern in einem inaktiven Betriebszustand; und
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Visualisieren von detektierten Objekten mit einer Scheibenwischvorrichtung mit Visualisierungsfunktion für ein Fahrzeug in einer beispielhaften Ausgestaltung.

Further advantages of the present invention are evident from the detailed description and the figures. The invention is explained below in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a windshield wiper device with visualization function in an exemplary embodiment;
• 2 a schematic representation of an example of a windshield wiper with a plurality of lighting elements;
• 3 is a schematic representation of an example of a first view of a road a windshield with wipers in an active operating state;
• 4 a schematic representation of an example of a second view of a road through a windshield with wipers in an active operating state;
• 5 a schematic representation of an example of a view of a road through a windshield with wipers in an inactive operating state; and
• 6 is a schematic representation of a method according to the invention for visualizing detected objects with a windshield wiper device with a visualization function for a vehicle in an exemplary embodiment.

It is understood that other embodiments may be used and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described above and below can be combined with one another, unless specifically stated otherwise. The description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

In 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle according to the invention with a windshield wiper device with visualization function is shown in an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle shows 130 a windshield wiper 100 with visualization function. In the embodiment shown, this comprises a first windshield wiper 101 and a second wiper 102 , to the first wiper 101 a first drive motor 103 and to the second wiper 102 a second drive motor 104 belong with which the first wipers 101 and the second wiper 102 in an active operating state of the windshield wiper device 100 are driven in each case by a wiping movement over a portion of the surface of a windshield 105 execute to the field of vision of a driver of the vehicle 130 through the windshield onto a road on which the vehicle 130 drives to keep free from disturbing precipitation.

The first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 have a plurality of lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 on. These can be light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In the embodiment shown, these are separate, for example at equidistant intervals from one another, on the first windshield wiper 101 or the second wiper 102 appropriate. The distances can also be different. In a further embodiment, the lamps can also be used together as strips or strips on the first windshield wiper that have many LEDs 101 and the second wiper 102 be appropriate, e.g. B. glued, screwed or otherwise firmly connected to the respective wiper. Instead of the first drive motor 103 and the second drive motor, which can be, for example, electric motors, the windshield wipers can also be driven, for example, by a common motor.

The windshield wiper 100 also has one with the first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 connected control device 112 on. The connection also includes, for example, an electrical connection to that of the wipers 101 . 102 included bulbs 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 to switch them, ie to activate them so that they light up and emit light. The control device 112 is in particular set up in the active operating state of the first windshield wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 one or more of the lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 depending on on the lane on which the vehicle 130 drives to activate detected objects to light up.

In the embodiment shown, the control device 112 the windshield wiper 100 a first interface 113 for receiving first position information of the first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 on. In the embodiment shown, the connection to the lamps is also made 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 over this interface. In other embodiments, a further interface and possibly a separate connection can also be provided instead, via which the control device controls the illuminants 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 can activate to light up. In 1 is also a first sensor 114 and a second sensor 115 provided with which first position information of the first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 recorded and sent to the control device 112 can be transmitted. The first position information is z. B. from monitoring the first drive motor 103 and the second drive motor 104 won, the control device 112 from this in knowledge of the position data of the individual lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 on the first wiper 101 and second wipers 102 , e.g. B. in relation to a respective pivot point or end point of the respective wiper, the associated first positions in the driver's field of view. For this, as for the others from the control device 112 performed calculations includes the control device 112 a programmable device in the embodiment shown 116 with at least one processor 117 and a memory 118 , is stored in the code with instructions that, when issued by the processor 117 executed, cause the latter to perform the appropriate calculations.

The windshield wiper 100 also has a second interface 119 for receiving second position information, ie position information of the detected objects. This is the control device 112 over the second interface 119 with an object recognition device 120 connected. This can be, for example, at least one on-board radar, lidar or camera sensor, coupled to a video evaluation device, the video evaluation device continuously carrying out object detection in the recorded video images and the second position information thus determined to the control device 112 transmitted. In other embodiments, the object recognition device 120 part of the control device 112 or vice versa or the object recognition is done directly by the control device 112 executed as second position information on the basis of received video data.

In the embodiment shown, the control device 112 to set up when the first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 (including the associated first and second drive motors 103 . 104 ) is in an active operating state, current first positions of the illuminants are continuously obtained from received first and second position information 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 and determine current second positions of the detected objects and then one or more lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 to activate for lighting up, as long as it is viewed from a driver's position in the vehicle 130 from one or more current first positions of the one or more of the lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 each with one or more current second positions of one or more of the detected objects each on a common visual axis. The driver's field of vision corresponds to 1 the viewer's gaze on the windshield 105 , so that lying on a common visual axis would have to be represented here as an overlap of a (part of) a detected object with the position of a lamp, see here 4 ,

In the in 1 shown embodiment has the control device 112 also a third interface 121 for receiving vehicle safety information from a vehicle safety information source 122 to be provided. Depending on the vehicle safety information to be received, this is, for example, a radio receiver for traffic information or a sensor of the vehicle 130 , the z. B. current weather conditions or an operating state of a safety-relevant device of the vehicle 130 , The control device 112 is set up to one or more of the lamps 106 . 107 . 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 depending on the received driving safety information to light up when the first wiper 101 and the second wiper 102 are not in the active operating state, i.e. not over the windshield 105 be moved.

In 2 a schematic representation of an example of a windshield wiper with a plurality of lighting elements is shown. In the example shown, the light elements are on the wiper 200 designed as a strip with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) continuously adjacent to one another, in the example shown as the first LED strip 201 and second LED strip 202 , This enables high resolution when highlighting or visualizing the detected objects and simple assembly.

In 3 shows a schematic representation of an example of a first view of a roadway through a windshield with windshield wipers in an active operating state, for example in poor weather conditions. Through the windshield 300 of a vehicle (not shown) is a road surface 301 to see on which the vehicle is moving. In the active operating state, a first windshield wiper 302 and a second wiper 303 moves, which are in the view shown at a starting point in an approximately horizontal starting position before they each perform a rotary movement, in the view shown through the first movement path 304 the end point of the first wiper 302 and through the second trajectory 305 the end point of the second wiper 303 be made clear. The rotary movement of a windshield wiper comprises a change of direction of the movement after rotation by a certain angle. Both the first wipers 302 as well as the second wiper 303 have (not shown) illuminants that can be activated to illuminate in the form of LED strips corresponding, for example, to those in FIG 2 shown. Road markings are located on the road as objects to be detected 301 , a left boundary marker 306 , a right boundary marker 307 , as well as a first lane marking 308 and a second Lane marking 309 , with the first lane marking 308 and the second lane marking 309 consist of several objects as broken lines. In the lane shown 301 it is, for example, a three-lane highway, in which the vehicle is currently in the left lane.

In 4 is a schematic representation of an example of a second view of a road 401 through a windshield 400 shown with wipers in an active operating state. The view corresponds to that in 3 shown at a time later than that in 3 illustrated start time lies between the start time in which the first wiper 402 and the second wiper 403 were in an approximately horizontal orientation, at least the past times t _-1 and t _-2 lie. Both the first wipers 402 as well as the second wiper 403 have (not shown) illuminants in the form of LED strips corresponding, for example, to those in 2 shown. The windshield wipers lead through the first movement path in the view shown 404 the end point of the first wiper 402 and through the second trajectory 405 the end point of the second wiper 403 illustrated rotary movement by. Road markings are located on the road as objects to be detected 401 , the left boundary mark 406 , the right boundary mark 407 , as well as the first lane marking 408 and the second lane marking 409 ,

A control device of a windshield wiper device with visualization function continuously determines their current positions with respect to the driver position from position information of the LEDs of the windshield wipers and the road markings and then activates the LEDs for lighting up, which are from a direction of view from the driver's position in the vehicle, here from the direction of view of the viewer 4 , each with one or more current positions of one or more of the detected lane markings each on a common visual axis. The driver's field of vision corresponds to 4 the viewer's view of or through the windshield 400 , so that lying on a common line of sight here as an overlap of a (part of) a detected object with the position of one of the LEDs of the LED strip on one of the first and second windshield wipers 402 . 403 equivalent. An LED at the end point of the first wiper 402 is activated, for example, always to light up when its path of movement, ie the first path of movement 404 , intersects with one of the road markings or covers them.

The LEDs therefore turn on at the time shown 410 . 411 and 412 on the first wiper 402 and the LEDs 413 . 414 and 415 on the second wiper 403 activated to light up. Previously, LEDs had already been activated to light up, for example at times t _-1 and t _-2 . The higher the frequency of the rotary movement of the windshield wipers, the faster and more frequently the activation pulses occur and the more precisely the detected road markings are emphasized. Afterglow of the LEDs leads to a broadening of the displayed object highlighting and thus to an increased perceptibility of the detected objects.

In 5 FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example of a view of a roadway through a windshield with wipers that are not in an active operating state. This is the case, for example, in good weather conditions. Through the windshield 500 of a vehicle (not shown) is a road surface 501 to see on which the vehicle is moving. Because there is a first wiper 502 and a second wiper 503 are not in an active operating state in the view shown, they are in an approximately horizontal rest position at the lower edge of the windshield 500 , The first wiper 502 and the second wiper 503 have illuminants that can be activated in the form of a first LED strip 504 and a second LED strip 505 , In the view shown there are road markings on the road 501 a left boundary marker 506 , a right boundary marker 507 , as well as a first lane marking 508 and a second lane marking 509 to recognize. In the lane shown 501 it is, for example, a three-lane highway, in which the vehicle is currently in the left lane.

The wipers shown 502 . 503 with LED strips 504 . 505 are part of a windshield wiper device with visualization function, in which the control device is set up to switch on individual or all of the LEDs of the first LED strip 504 and / or the second LED strip 505 depending on received driving safety information to light up when the wipers are not in the active operating state. The lighting can include a brief lighting, blinking, but also constant lighting or lighting of only certain lamps. Depending on the embodiment, certain lighting safety information can be associated with the lighting up, or the control device is set up to switch the LEDs as a function of a type of the driving safety information received in accordance with a code assigned to the type, e.g. B. one Color code, or a code associated with the frequency of lighting, to activate lighting. The driving safety information can e.g. B. concern obstacles on the road that were detected by an object detection device, for example other vehicles or people who are within a certain safety distance, for example with the color code "red" as a warning of an obstacle and the color code "green" for the display of free travel, whereby an emergency level can also be added by flashing. The driving safety information can also relate to traffic information received via radio, so that when the LEDs light up, a warning can be given, for example, of a traffic jam ahead, the urgency depending on the presumed distance to the end of the traffic jam being indicated by color code or flashing. In a further embodiment, the received driving safety information relates to a weather-related condition, the road surface, in particular, for example, the risk of slippery conditions, e.g. B. is determined by the evaluation of on-board moisture and / or outside temperature sensors or traffic information. The driving safety information can also relate to an operating state of the vehicle, for example the activation state of a self-driving mode or a critical temperature value or fill level of a fuel tank or a critical state of charge of a battery or warnings, for example from other driver assistance systems, which are additionally visualized by the LEDs of the windshield wiper device.

In 6 A method according to the invention for visualizing detected objects with a windshield wiper device with a visualization function for a vehicle is shown schematically in an exemplary embodiment. The procedure shown 600 starts in a start state 601 and includes at least one review 602 whether the windshield wiper or windshield wipers, which have illuminants that can be activated by a control device of the windshield wiper device for lighting up, are in an active operating state. If this is the case, it is activated 603 one or more of the illuminants depending on objects detected on a roadway traveled by the vehicle for lighting up. In the embodiment of the method shown, this is done according to the start state 601 first a receiving 604 first position information of the at least one windshield wiper and a reception 605 of second position information of detected objects carried out by an object detection device. In the embodiment shown, reception also takes place 606 vehicle safety information.

Then the result is the checking 602 whether the wiper or wipers of the wiper device are in an active operating state, that is the case, includes the activation 603 one or more of the illuminants comprised by one or more of the windshield wipers for lighting up a step to continuously determine 607 current first positions of the illuminants and current second positions of detected objects from received first and second position information, and a further step that one or more of the Activate illuminants to light up as long as one or more current first positions of the one or more of the illuminants each have one or more current second positions of one or more of the detected objects on a common one from a viewing direction from a driver position in the vehicle Line of sight is 608.

Then the result is the checking 602 Whether the windshield wiper or windshield wipers are in an active operating state, and this is not the case, is activated to light up one or more of the plurality of illuminants as a function of received driving safety information 609 ,

The method ends, for example when the vehicle or the windshield wiper device with visualization function is switched off, in a final state 610 ,

In other embodiments, it is provided after the start state 601 checking first 602 whether the wiper or wipers of the wiper device are in an active operating state, and the steps of receiving 604 of first position information and receiving 605 to perform second position information only when checking 602 indicates that the wipers are in the active operating state and the receiving step 609 of driving safety information only if this is not the case.

The figures are not necessarily true to detail and to scale, and may be enlarged or reduced in order to provide a better overview. The functional details disclosed here are therefore not to be understood in a restrictive sense, but merely as an illustrative basis, which provides the person skilled in the art with instructions for using the present invention in a variety of ways.

Unless otherwise stated, terms such as "first" and "second" or similar were used. only used (e.g. first and second Interface, position information, positions, etc.) to distinguish between the respective elements or parameters. The use of the terms therefore does not imply a qualitative or other prioritization of one or the other element or parameter.

It goes without saying that method steps, although described in a certain order, could in part be carried out in a different order than that described here. It is further understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described here could be omitted. In other words, the present descriptions are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should not be construed as limiting the disclosed subject matter.

The term “and / or” used here when used in a series of two or more elements means that each of the elements listed can be used alone, or any combination of two or more elements listed can be used. For example, a composition is described as being the components A . B and or C , contains, the composition A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A . B , and C included in combination.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in more detail by the preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The invention is therefore not intended to be limited to individual embodiments, but only by the appended claims.

Reference list

100

Windshield wiper

101

first wiper

102

second wiper

103

first drive motor

104

second drive motor

105

Windshield

106

Illuminant

107

Illuminant

108

Illuminant

109

Illuminant

110

Illuminant

111

Illuminant

112

Control device

113

first interface

114

first sensor

115

second sensor

116

programmable device

117

processor

118

Storage

119

second interface

120

Object recognition device

121

third interface

122

Vehicle safety information source

130

vehicle

200

windshield wipers

201

first LED strip

202

second LED strip

300

Windshield

301

roadway

302

first wiper

303

second wiper

304

first trajectory

305

second trajectory

306

left boundary marker

307

right boundary marker

308

first lane marking

309

second lane marking

400

Windshield

401

roadway

402

first wiper

403

second wiper

404

first trajectory

405

second trajectory

406

left boundary marker

407

right boundary marker

408

first lane marking

409

second lane marking

410

LED

411

LED

412

LED

413

LED

414

LED

415

LED

500

Windshield

501

roadway

502

first wiper

503

second wiper

504

first LED strip

505

second LED strip

506

left boundary marker

507

right boundary marker

508

first lane marking

509

second lane marking

600

Process for visualizing detected objects

601

Start state

602

Check whether windshield wipers are in an active operating state

603

Activate to light up

604

Receive first position information

605

Receive second position information

606

Receive vehicle safety information

607

Get current positions

608

Activate to light up when positions are on a visual axis

609

Activate to light up depending on driving safety information

610

Final state

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2013/029421 A1 [0006]
• US 2014/0267415 A1 [0007]
• US 2011/0301813 A1 [0008]
• US 8384532 B2 [0009]
• US 8031062 B2 [0010]
• US 2017/0240098 A1 [0011]
• US 7246403 B2 [0015]
• US 8664867 B1 [0016]
• US 6353961 B1 [0016]
• CN 206374719 [0016]

Non-patent literature cited

• A. Saha, D. Roy, T. Alam and K. Deb, "Automated Road Lane Detection for Intelligent Vehicles", Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology, Vol. 12, Issue 6, March 2012, ISSN 0975-4350 [ 0005]

Claims (18)

Windshield wiper device (100) with a visualization function for a vehicle, comprising at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) which has a plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111); and a control device (112) connected to the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102), characterized in that the control device (112) is set up to, in an active operating state of the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102), one or more of the To activate a plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) as a function of objects detected to illuminate on a roadway traveled by the vehicle. Windshield wiper device after Claim 1 , wherein the control device (112) - a first interface (113) for receiving first position information of the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) and - a second interface (119) for receiving second position information of the detected objects from an object detection device (120) having; and wherein the control device (112) is set up when the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) is in an active operating state - current first positions from the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108) are continuously obtained from received first and second position information , 109, 110, 111) and to determine current second positions of the detected objects and - to activate the one or more of the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) for lighting up, as long as one Direction of view from a driver position in the vehicle from one or more current first positions of the one or more of the plurality of lamps (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) each with one or more current second positions of one or more of the detected objects are each on a common visual axis. Windshield wiper device after Claim 2 , wherein the second position information of the detected objects comprise position information of road markings. Windshield wiper device after Claim 2 or Claim 3 , wherein the plurality of lamps (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) is arranged such that a light emission direction is provided in the direction of the driver's position of the vehicle. The windshield wiper device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) shows an afterglow for a limited period after the activation for lighting up has been terminated by the control device (112). The windshield wiper device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) comprises light-emitting diodes. Windscreen wiper device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of lamps (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) is set up to be able to light up in more than one color. Windscreen wiper device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (112) has a third interface (121) for receiving vehicle safety information and is also configured to use one or more of the plurality of lamps (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) in response to received driving safety information to be activated when the at least one windshield wiper (101, 102) is not in the active operating state. Windshield wiper device after Claim 8 , wherein the control device (112) is set up to light up the one or more of the plurality of illuminants (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) depending on a type of the received driving safety information in accordance with a code assigned to the type to activate. Windshield wiper device after Claim 8 or Claim 9 , wherein the received driving safety information relates to one or more obstacles on the road. Windshield wiper device according to one of the Claims 8 to 10 , wherein the received driving safety information relates to a state of the road. Windshield wiper device according to one of the Claims 8 to 11 , wherein the received driving safety information relates to an operating state of the vehicle. Windshield wiper device after Claim 12 , wherein the operating state of the vehicle comprises an activation state of a self-driving mode of the vehicle. Method (600) for visualizing detected objects with a windshield wiper device with visualization function for a vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, comprising - Activating (603) one or more of a plurality of illuminants encompassed by at least one windshield wiper as a function of objects detected on a roadway traveled by the vehicle for lighting up when the at least one windshield wiper is in an active operating state (602). Procedure according to Claim 14 , further comprising - receiving (604) first position information of the at least one wiper; - receiving (605) second position information from detected objects from an object detection device; and wherein activating one or more of a plurality of illuminants comprised by at least one windshield wiper for lighting up when the at least one windshield wiper is in an active operating state (602), current first positions from the plurality of illuminants and current second positions from to continuously detect (607) detected objects from received first and second position information and - to activate the one or more of the plurality of lamps for lighting up, as long as one or more current first positions of one of them are seen from a direction of view from a driver's position in the vehicle or the plurality of the plurality of illuminants each with one or more current second positions of one or more of the detected objects are each on a common visual axis (608). Procedure according to Claim 15 wherein receiving (605) second position information from detected objects includes receiving position information from lane markings. Procedure according to one of the Claims 14 to 16 , further comprising - receiving vehicle safety information (606), and - activating to light up one or more of the plurality of lamps in dependence on received driving safety information (609) when the at least one wiper is not in the active operating state (602). Vehicle (130) comprising a windshield wiper device (100) with visualization function according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 ,

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