Method and device for reconizing a water passage by means of distance sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016264142-A1
Application number	US-201415032459-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 28, 2014
Priority date	Oct 30, 2013
Publication date	Sep 15, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device, in particular a control and evaluation unit, for recognizing a water passage or a high water level for a vehicle, which has, as a drive, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust train, in which the functionality of an emission control system is monitored or controlled by at least one exhaust sensor and the exhaust sensor is operated at least intermittently at high temperatures and has thermal shock susceptibility by design. According to the invention, a water recognition criterion is determined based on one or a plurality of distance sensors and, at critical values of the water level which are predicted or have already been reached, protective measures are initiated for the emissions control system of the vehicle or in for the exhaust sensor or exhaust sensors arranged in the exhaust duct. Damage to exhaust sensors or to components of the emissions control system as a result of the severe cooling upon contact with water can thus be minimized. In addition, misinformation of the exhaust sensors due to a thermal shock and a possible accompanying malfunction can also be recognized by said anticipatory protective measures and correspondingly suppressed.

First claim

1 . A method for recognizing a water passage or a high water level for a vehicle, the method comprising:
monitoring functionality of an emission control system via at least one exhaust sensor having thermal shock susceptibility; operating the at least one exhaust sensor at least intermittently at high temperatures determining a water recognition criterion based on data from one or a plurality of distance sensors; and at critical values of the water level which are predicted or have already been reached, initiating protective measures for an emission control system of the vehicle or for at least one exhaust sensor.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein water levels which can take on critical values are detected in an anticipatory manner by the distance sensors, which are arranged in the front region of the vehicle and are oriented substantially forwards in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein water levels which take on critical values are determined by the distance sensors, which are arranged in the rear region of the vehicle and are oriented downwards or rearwards opposite to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein distance sensors and/or evaluation devices are used which are otherwise used for a distance warning system and/or a parking assistance system in the vehicle.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein distance sensors are used which operate on the basis of ultrasound or radar.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein, as a protective measure, a sensor heater of the exhaust sensor is switched off or down-regulated or measures taken within the engine are initiated to reduce the temperature in the exhaust tract of the internal combustion engine.

7 . The method according claim 1 , wherein lambda probes, particle sensors, nitrogen oxide sensors and/or other exhaust sensors based on a ceramic sensor element are used as exhaust sensors.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in an anticipatory manner with regard to expected critical water levels or when backing up, the driver is additionally informed about the current height of the water level by means of displays or warning lights in the cockpit.

9 . A device for recognizing a water passage or a high water level for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an exhaust system, the device comprising:
at least one exhaust sensor monitoring functionality of an emission control system, operated at least intermittently at high temperatures, and having thermal shock susceptibility at least one distance sensor a control and evaluation unit electrically connected to the at least one distance sensor and configured to determine a water recognition criterion based on data from the at least one distance sensor and, at critical values of the water level which are predicted or have already been reached, to initiate protective measures for the emission control system of the vehicle or for the at least one exhaust sensor.

Assignees

• Bosch Gmbh Robert

Inventors

• Di Miro Ariel
• Tiefenbach Andy
• Becker Markus

Classifications

• B60W2554/00

  Input parameters relating to objects · CPC title

• B60W2420/54

  Audio sensitive means, e.g. ultrasound · CPC title

• B60W50/0097

  Predicting future conditions · CPC title

• Y02T10/84

  Data processing systems or methods, management, administration · CPC title

• B60W2555/20

  Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain · CPC title