Detection of ice on a vehicle window by means of an internal temperature sensor

• US 9,330,552 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG), Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG), Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Steurer, Helmut, Gtz, Mario, Vogl, Armin, Iordachescu, Dionisie-Catalin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barakat, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US14/111,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20160078736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,495 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/0008 including means for detecting potential obstacles in vehicle path
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0866 including a temperature sensor heating devices for windshield B60H
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2400/302 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 15/20 Means for detecting icing or initiating de-icing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adapting the signal processing of at least one sensor device arranged behind a window in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises changing at least one detection threshold value if a probability of ice being on the window is detected on the basis of a determined temperature, characterized in that a temperature signal of at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device is used to detect the probability of ice on the window.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a signal processing of at least one sensor device that is arranged behind a windowpane in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises:

providing a temperature signal from at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device,

determining that a probability of ice on the windowpane is detected on the basis of the temperature signal, and

changing at least one detection threshold of a vehicle obstacle detection system if the probability of ice on the window pane is detected.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is integrated in the sensor device to perform at least a continuous determination of an operating temperature of the sensor device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the temperature signal of the at least one temperature sensor is only used to detect the probability of ice on the windowpane when the motor vehicle is started.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the continuous determination of the operating temperature of the sensor device is to prevent overheating.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the change of the at least one detection threshold continues for a predefined period of time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a hysteresis is used for switching from a normal to an increased detection threshold for relevant objects and vice versa.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle obstacle detection system is at least one of driver assistance system, an Adaptive/Active Cruise Control system and a braking assistance system.

8. A sensor device that is arranged behind a windowpane in a motor vehicle, including an integrated temperature sensor and a memory in which is stored a method for adapting a signal processing of the sensor device, the method comprising:

providing a temperature signal from the integrated temperature sensor,

determining that a probability of ice on the windowpane is detected on the basis of the temperature signal, and

changing at least one detection threshold of a vehicle obstacle detection system if the probability of ice on the window pane is detected.

9. The sensor device according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle obstacle detection system is at least one of driver assistance system, an Adaptive/Active Cruise Control system and a braking assistance system.