• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Abstract A motor vehicle (100) has an engine compartment (111) with an engine (110). An operator gains access to the engine (110) when a door (120) to the engine compartment (111) is arranged in an open position. A sensor (130) produces a first signal if the door is arranged in the open position. In response to the first signal, a control unit (150) controls at least one light source to produce at least one light, which is visible to an operator located at the engine compartment (111), and which has pre- determined characteristics, thus indicating at least one specific piece of information to an operator, for example related to the operation of the engine (110). (Fig. 1)
    公开号:SE1550148A1
    申请号:SE1550148
    申请日:2015-02-10
    公开日:2016-08-11
    发明作者:Claesson André
    申请人:Scania Cv Ab；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Motor Vehicle and Method of Controlling Light in Engine Compartment THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART The present invention relates generally to solutions for improving 5 the working environment for mechanics and other personnel servicing motor vehicles, such as busses, trucks and passenger cars. More particularly the invention relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method. The invention also relates to a computer program product 10 and a computer readable medium.
    Typically, it is relatively complicated to replace a part in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Namely, there is often very limited space for hands and tools, and the visibility may be low due to obstructing components and/or poor irradiation.
    US 8,425,095 describes a mirror assembly for illuminating an underhood area of a vehicle. Here, an electrical system includes a mirror head outer shell defining a light reception opening. At least one work light is mounted to the mirror head outer shell within the light reception opening. The work light is constructed and positioned such that the light emitted from the work light is directed at the underhood area of the vehicle to illuminate the underhood area.
    US 5,521,806 discloses a utility emergency light assembly for a vehicle to be detachably mounted by a slide coupling to a moun- ting bracket attached to the vehicle. The light assembly has a compact, space-saving profile and includes a housing with a lamp assembly mounted within a spool journaled in the housing for reeling and unreeling a power cord, enabling movement of the assembly to areas of the vehicle where light is needed. A cap substantially closes the housing and includes a lens located over the lamp assembly. The lamp assembly is sealed within the spool, while the remainder of the housing is open to allow water 2 drainage and to prevent the accumulation of moisture and debris US 8,494,701 shows a solution for operating a hybrid vehicle wherein the internal combustion engine is started automatically in case the hybrid vehicle is in a ready-to-drive mode and an opening of an engine covering of the hybrid vehicle is detected.
    PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRIOR ART Consequently, technical solutions are known for irradiating certain parts of a motor vehicle, for instance the engine compart- ment thereof. There is also one example of a hybrid vehicle de- sign, wherein an internal combustion engine is automatically started in response to opening the engine covering. However, none of these solutions focus on operator safety, and of course there is a substantial risk of injury for any operator working in the engine compartment if the engine is started while work is in progress.
    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is therefore to reduce the above safety risk, and thus offer an operator friendly solution in 20 connection with accessing the engine compartment of a motor vehicle.
    According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by the initially described motor vehicle, further including a sensor and a control unit. The sensor is configured to produce a first signal if the engine compartment door is arranged in the open position. The control unit is configured to receive the first signal, and in response thereto, control the at least one light source to produce at least one light with predetermined characteristics indicating at least one specific piece of information to the operator. Preferably, the light produced also illuminates at least one portion of the engine and/or the engine compartment. 3 This motor vehicle is advantageous because via the at least one light source the operator is both provided with work light and convenient information, preferably about engine-related matters.
    According to one preferred embodiment of this aspect of the in- vention, the motor vehicle further includes an input member con- figured to control the engine to a particular one of at least two operation modes. The input member is communicatively connected to the control unit, and the control unit is configured to control the at least one light source on the further basis of a state of the input member. Specifically, the control unit is configured to control the at least one light source such that the predetermined type of light indicates a first operation mode of said at least two operation modes of the engine. Consequently, by studying the light, the operator knows in which operation mode the engine is set, and can adapt his/her behavior thereto.
    According to another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, in the first operation mode, the engine can be started via control means located remote from the engine compartment, e.g. via an ignition key in a driver cabin or by some type of remo- te control. Namely, in such a case, it is especially important for an operator engaged with activities in the engine compartment to be warned about the potential risk that the engine might be started. Thus the above-mentioned illumination is highly useful, in particular if the motor vehicle is a bus, where the distance bet- ween the driver's seat and the engine compartment can be comparatively long, and therefore two persons located at these respective positions may be unaware of one another's movements.
    According to yet another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, in at least one operation mode of said at least two operation modes different from the first operation mode, the en- gine is prevented from being started via control means located remote from the engine compartment. Thus, the absence of illumination of the above-mentioned type can be interpreted as a safety indicator. 4 According to a further preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, in one operation mode of said at least two operation modes different from the first operation mode, the engine can be started exclusively via a control means in the engine compartment. Preferably, the control unit is configured to indica- te the fact that the engine is set in this operation mode by means of a particular type of illumination of the engine and/or the engine compartment.
    According to still another preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the control unit is further configured to receive a status signal indicative of a critical state for a component in the engine compartment. Here, in response to the status signal, the control unit is configured to control the at least one light source to specifically illuminate said component. Hence, for example, the operator's attention may be drawn to the need to replenish a consumable liquid, e.g. washer fluid, which will render regular manual checks more efficient.
    According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by the method described initially, which further involves checking if the engine compartment door is arranged in the open position. In response to the door being arranged in the open position, the at least one light source is controlled to produce at least one light with predetermined characteristics indicating at least one specific piece of information to the operator. The ad- vantages of this method, as well as the preferred embodiments thereof, are apparent from the discussion above with reference to the proposed motor vehicle.
    According to a further aspect of the invention the object is achieved by a computer program product, which is loadable into the memory of a computer, and includes software for performing the steps of the above proposed method when executed on a computer.
    According to another aspect of the invention the object is achie- ved by a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is make a computer perform the method proposed above when the program is loaded into the computer.
    Further advantages, beneficial features and applications of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the dependent claims.
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now to be explained more closely by means of preferred embodiments, which are disclosed as examples, and with reference to the attached drawings.
    Figure 1shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle in im- plementing one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2illustrates an engine compartment which is illumi- nated according to one embodiment of the in- vention; and Figure 3illustrates, by means of a flow diagram, the gene- ral method according to the invention for controlling at least one light source.
    DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Initially, we refer to Figure 1 that shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 100 in which one embodiment of the invention is implemented.
    The motor vehicle 100 has an engine 110 contained in an engine compartment 111. The engine compartment 111 is associated with a door 120, which, when arranged in an open position, allows an operator to gain access to the engine 110. Further, at least one light source 121 is arranged to produce at least one light that is visible to an operator located at the engine compart- 6 ment 111 when the door 120 is arranged in the open position. Preferably, however not necessarily, at least one light source of the at least one light source 121 is further configured to illuminate at least one portion of the engine 110 and/or the engine compartment 111.
    A sensor 130 is configured to produce a first signal if the door 120 is arranged in the open position. A control unit 150 is configured to receive the first signal. In response to the first signal, the control unit 150 is configured to control the at least one light source 121 to produce light with predetermined characteristics, for example a predetermined type of light. This light, in turn, is configured to indicate at least one specific piece of information to an operator.
    For instance, light of a first distinctive color (e.g. green) may in- dicate a first piece of information (e.g. no risk of the engine be- ing started from outside of the engine compartment), and light of a second distinctive color (e.g. red) may indicate a second piece of information (e.g. that there is a potential risk that the engine is started remotely relative to the engine compartment, for instance from a driver cabin of the motor vehicle 100). Additionally, or as a supplement, light with an intensity that varies over time, and/or a direction that varies over time may indicate analogous, or different, information to the operator.
    According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle is also provided with an input member 115 configured to control the engine 110 to a particular one of at least two operation modes. For example, in a first operation mode, the engine 1can be started via control means located remote from the engine compartment 111, e.g. via a wired or wireless remote control; and in a second operation mode, the engine 110 is prevented from being started via control means located remote from the engine compartment 111, e.g. the ignition key at the driver's seat. Moreover, there may be third and/or fourth operation modes in which the engine 110 cannot be started at all, or can be started 7 exclusively via control means in the engine compartment 111 respectively.
    In any case, the input member 115 is communicatively connected to the control unit 150. The control unit 150, in turn, is confi- gured to control the at least one light source 121 on the further basis of a state of the input member 115, such that the predetermined type of light indicates a first operation mode of said at least two operation modes of the engine 110. This may involve generating a green light, a steady white light, or any other kind light having predefined characteristics the significance of which the operator is informed on beforehand.
    It should be pointed out that, although Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle of general truck type, the invention is equally well applicable to any other type of motor vehicle having an engine cove- ring that can be opened for operator access. Of course, the ter- minology may vary from vehicle to vehicle. For example, if the motor vehicle 100 is represented by a bus, the engine compartment door 120 may be in the form of a hatch; if the motor vehicle 100 is represented by a truck or an automobile, the engine compartment door 120 may in the form of hood, and so on.
    Figure 2 illustrates an engine compartment 111 which is illuminated according to one embodiment of the invention.
    Here, the control unit 150 is configured to also receive a status signal indicative of a critical state for a component in the engine compartment 111. In response to this status signal, the control unit 150 is configured to control the at least one light source 121 to specifically illuminate said component 205, 215 and/or 225, for example represented by a washer fluid container, a battery and a fuse box respectively. Thus, depending on the contents of the status signal, an operator can be guided to perform certain checking and/or maintenance tasks in an efficient manner.
    Preferably, the control unit 150 contains, or is in communicative connection with a memory unit storing a computer program pro- 8 duct, which includes software for making at least one processor in the control unit 150 execute the above-described actions when the computer program product is run on the at least one processor.
    In order to sum up, and with reference to the flow diagram in Figure 3, we will now describe the general method executed in the control unit 150 according to the invention.
    In a first step 310, it is checked if the engine compartment door 120 is arranged in an open position. If so, a step 320 follows; and otherwise, the procedure loops back and stays in step 310.
    Step 320 involves receiving at least one signal, for instance indicative of a setting of the input member 115 that controls the operation mode of the engine 110, and/or carrying data relating to one or more components in the engine compartment 111 being as- sociated with a more or less critical state.
    Then, in a step 330, based on the at least one signal received in step 320, the at least one light source 121 is controlled to produce light with predetermined characteristics, which light is visible to an operator located at the engine compartment 111.
    Thereby, the operator is provided with at least one piece of infor- mation relevant for a work task to be performed in the engine compartment 111.
    All of the process steps, as well as any sub-sequence of steps, described with reference to Figure 3 above may be controlled by means of a programmed computer apparatus. Moreover, although the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the drawings comprise a computer apparatus and processes performed in a computer apparatus, the invention thus also extends to computer programs, particularly computer pro- grams on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as in partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in 9 the implementation of the process according to the invention. The program may either be a part of an operating system, or be a separate application. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may comprise a storage medium, such as a Flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), for example a DVD (Digital Video/ Versatile Disk), a CD (Compact Disc) or a semiconductor ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disc. Further, the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or by other means. When the program is embodied in a signal which may be conveyed directly by a cable or other device or means, the carrier may be consti- tuted by such cable or device or means. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant processes.
    The term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. However, the term does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof.
    The invention is not restricted to the described embodiments in the figures, but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1] 1. A motor vehicle (100) comprising: an engine compartment (111) containing an engine (110), the engine compartment (111) being associated with a door (120) which when arranged in an open position allows an opera- tor to gain access to the engine (110); and at least one light source (121) configured to produce at least one light, which is visible to the operator when located at the engine compartment (111) and when the door (120) is arran- ged in the open position, characterized in that the motor vehic- le (100) further comprises: a sensor (130) configured to produce a first signal if the door (120) is arranged in the open position, and a control unit (150) configured to receive the first signal, and in response thereto, control the at least one light source (121) to produce said at least one light with predetermined characteristics indicating at least one specific piece of information to the operator.
    [2] 2. The motor vehicle (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source (121) is configured to illuminate at least one portion of the engine (110) and/or the engine compartment (111) with a predetermined type of light when the door (120) is arranged in the open position.
    [3] 3. The motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising an input member (115) configured to control the engine (110) to a particular one of at least two operation modes, wherein the input member (115) is communicatively connected to the control unit (150), and the control unit (150) is configured to control the at least one light source (121) on the further basis of a state of the input member (115) such that the predetermined type of light indicates a first operation mode of said at least two operation modes of the engine (110).
    [4] 4. The motor vehicle (100) according to claim 3, wherein in the 11 first operation mode, the engine (110) can be started via control means located remote from the engine compartment (111).
    [5] 5. The motor vehicle (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein in at least one operation mode of said at least two operation modes different from the first operation mode, the en- gine (110) is prevented from being started via control means located remote from the engine compartment (111).
    [6] 6. The motor vehicle (100) according to claim 5, wherein in one operation mode of said at least two operation modes diffe- rent from the first operation mode, the engine (110) can be star- ted exclusively via a control means in the engine compartment (111).
    [7] 7. The motor vehicle (100) according to any one of the prece- ding claims, wherein the control unit (150) is further configured to:receive a status signal indicative of a critical state for a component in the engine compartment (111), and in response to the status signal control the at least one light source (121) to specifically illuminate said component (205, 215, 225).
    [8] 8. A method of controlling at least one light source (121) to produce at least one light being visible to an operator when located at the engine compartment (111), and when a door (120) of the engine compartment (111) is arranged in an open position thus allowing the operator to access the engine (110), the me- thod characterized by: checking if the door (120) is arranged in the open position, and in response to the door (120) being arranged in the open position controlling the at least one light source (121) to produce said at least one light with predetermined characteristics indica- ting at least one specific piece of information to the operator. 12
    [9] 9. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one light source (121) is configured to illuminate at least one portion of the engine (110) and/or the engine compartment (111), and the method comprises: controlling the at least one light source (121) to produce a predetermined type of light in response to the door (120) being arranged in the open position.
    [10] 10. The method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, further comprising: checking if the engine (110) has been set to a particular one of at least two operation modes, and if the engine (110) has been set to said particular one operation mode controlling the at least one light source (121) such that said at least one light indicates a first operation mode of said at least two operation modes of the engine (110).
    [11] 11. The method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, further comprising: checking if a status signal has been received, which status signal indicates a critical state for a component in the engine compartment (111), and in response to the status signal controlling the at least one light source (121) to specifically illuminate said component (205, 215, 225).
    [12] 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the predetermined type of light has: a distinctive color, an intensity that varies over time, and/or a direction that varies over time.
    [13] 13. A computer program product (SW) loadable into a memory of at least one computer, comprising software for performing the 30 steps of the method according to any of the claims 8 to 12 when executed on the at least one computer. 13
    [14] 14. A computer readable medium haying a program recorded thereon, where the program is to make at least one computer perform the steps of any of the claims 8 to 12.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    SE539391C2|2017-09-12|
    DE102016000591A1|2016-08-11|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5521806A|1994-03-16|1996-05-28|Donnelly Corporation|Vehicle utility/emergency light assembly|
    WO2009080315A1|2007-12-20|2009-07-02|Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft|Method and device for operating a hybrid vehicle|
    US8425095B2|2011-06-27|2013-04-23|International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc|Mirror assembly|
    法律状态:
    2021-09-28| NUG| Patent has lapsed|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    SE1550148A|SE539391C2|2015-02-10|2015-02-10|Motor Vehicle and Method of Controlling Light in Engine Compartment|SE1550148A| SE539391C2|2015-02-10|2015-02-10|Motor Vehicle and Method of Controlling Light in Engine Compartment|
    DE102016000591.2A| DE102016000591A1|2015-02-10|2016-01-21|A motor vehicle and method for controlling light in an engine compartment|
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