JP2006347297A - In-vehicle device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle device for a window glass remote thawing system with improved user convenience.
When an in-vehicle device that executes a requested vehicle operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user requests a heating unit that heats the washer fluid and a thawing operation of the window glass from the vehicle user, Decompressing means for spraying the heated washer fluid toward the window glass, predicting means for predicting the time required for the window glass to be thawed, and the window glass thawing completion estimated time calculated based on the prediction And notification means for notifying to. The predicting means predicts the time required for thawing the window glass from the liquid temperature of the washer liquid and the degree of freezing of the window glass. The degree of freezing estimation means estimates the degree of freezing of the window glass based on the outside temperature of the vehicle, the elapsed time from IG off, and the amount of raindrops attached to the window glass.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention generally relates to an in-vehicle device for thawing frozen window glass, and more particularly to an in-vehicle device for a window glass remote thawing system that improves user convenience.

  If the vehicle is parked in an environment where the outside air temperature is low such as in winter, the window glass may freeze.

Conventionally, from the viewpoint of battery power saving, without using heat rays such as so-called defogger, as a method for shortening the time for thawing (deicing, defrosting, snow removal) the frozen window glass, heating the washer liquid, A method of applying a relatively high temperature washer liquid to a window glass has been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4).
JP 2001-171487 A JP 2001-213282 A JP-T-2002-513362 Special table 2003-520151 gazette

  By the way, conventionally, a vehicle remote operation for operating a vehicle-mounted device from a remote location using wireless communication is known, but the conventional window glass thawing method as described above may be directly executed by a conventional vehicle remote operation. It is not always a user-friendly system.

  Because even if it is possible to spray a relatively high temperature washer liquid toward the window glass by remote control, it is unknown to the vehicle user in the remote location when the thawing of the window glass ends. 1) When the user who requested the remote operation headed for the vehicle but arrived, the decompression was not finished yet, or 2) When the user who headed for the vehicle arrived after the decompression was successful once by the remote operation request This is because a user-friendly situation such as freezing again may occur.

  From the viewpoint of user convenience, the user instructs the window glass to be thawed by remote control in advance before heading to the vehicle, and heads to the vehicle so that it arrives when the window glass is thawed. It is desirable that it is completed and ready for operation immediately.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle device for a window glass remote thawing system with improved user convenience.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and executes a requested vehicle operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user, and heating means for heating the washer fluid And when the vehicle user requests a thawing operation of the window glass, the thawing means for spraying the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass, and until the window glass is thawed by the thawing means. The vehicle-mounted device includes a prediction unit that predicts a time required, and a notification unit that notifies a vehicle user of a window glass thawing completion scheduled time calculated based on the prediction by the prediction unit.

  In this one aspect, the heating means heats the washer liquid by, for example, conducting the heat of the cooling water of the internal combustion engine mounted on the host vehicle to the washer liquid. This is because, for example, a tank is provided in which cooling water is temporarily stored before it exits the internal combustion engine and enters the radiator, and heat is transferred from the cooling water to the washer liquid between the cooling water tank and the washer liquid tank. This is realized by placing them in contact with each other.

  Further, in this aspect, the predicting means includes, for example, a measuring means for measuring the liquid temperature of the washer liquid and a freezing degree estimating means for estimating the freezing degree of the window glass, and the washer measured by the measuring means. The time required for the window glass to be thawed by the thawing means is predicted from the liquid temperature of the liquid and the degree of freezing of the window glass estimated by the freezing degree estimating means.

  Here, the freezing degree estimation means includes, for example, an outside air temperature measuring means (for example, an outside air temperature sensor) that measures the temperature around the vehicle, and a counting means that counts an elapsed time since the ignition (IG) is turned off. And raindrop detecting means (for example, a rain sensor) for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering in a predetermined detection area on the window glass, and the vehicle outside temperature measured by the outside temperature measuring means and the counting means The degree of freezing of the window glass is estimated based on the counted elapsed time from the IG off and the amount of raindrops attached to the window glass detected by the raindrop detecting means.

  According to this aspect, since the vehicle user who requested the thawing of the frozen window glass by remote operation can know the scheduled thawing time of the window glass in advance while staying at a remote place away from the vehicle, the scheduled thawing time If you arrive at the vehicle, you can start driving as soon as you arrive at the vehicle.

  In other words, when the vehicle user who requested the thawing of the window glass by remote operation arrives at the vehicle, the thawing has not been completed yet, or once thawed, it is frozen again when the user arrives at the vehicle. Therefore, the user who arrives at the vehicle does not have time to wait for the window glass to thaw without starting driving.

  In this embodiment, the heating means includes a storage means for storing the heated washer liquid (for example, a tank having a predetermined heat resistance, etc.) and a storage means for preventing the heated washer liquid from being cooled. It is preferable to have a heat retaining means for retaining the means (for example, a warmer that covers the storage means). In this case, in order to prevent the battery from running off when the vehicle is stopped, the vehicle-mounted device further includes solar power generation means (for example, a solar panel installed on the surface of the vehicle body) that converts the sunlight received by the in-vehicle device into biographical energy, More preferably, the heat retaining means retains the temperature of the storage means using electrical energy generated by the solar power generation means.

  In this embodiment, the thawing means sprays the washer liquid heated by the heating means only on the window glass designated by the vehicle user (for example, only on the window glass). Also good.

  Further, in this aspect, the thawing means is configured to inject the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass when a vehicle user requests a thawing operation of the window glass. The vehicle interior may be warmed by operating an air conditioner (air conditioner) mounted on the vehicle.

  In this aspect, the thawing means is 1) when instructed by a vehicle user, or 2) when the time required for thawing the window glass predicted by the prediction means is shorter than a predetermined time. You may make it warm the vehicle interior by operating the air conditioner mounted in the own vehicle, without spraying the heated washer liquid toward the window glass.

  Furthermore, in this one aspect, it is preferable that the notification means further notifies the vehicle user that the thawing of the window glass is completed when the window glass is thawed by the thawing means. Thereby, the vehicle user can head for the vehicle after confirming that the thawing has been completed. In this case, from the viewpoint of preventing useless notification, when a person getting into the vehicle is detected before the window glass is thawed (for example, door opening detection, ACC on detection, IG on detection, etc.) More preferably, the notification is canceled.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle-mounted apparatus for window glass remote thawing systems which improved user convenience can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The basic concept of the washer, the main hardware configuration, the operating principle, the basic control method, and the like are known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  A window glass remote thawing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall system of the window glass remote thawing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The window glass remote thawing system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle 101 to be remotely operated, a center 102 that is a communication station managed and operated by a vehicle manufacturer, an automobile retailer, or a specialist, for example. It is comprised from the communication terminal 103 which a vehicle user (owner) hold | maintains.

  The vehicle user requests the center 102 to perform a window glass thawing operation on the vehicle 101 using the communication terminal 103. This remote operation request is permitted in principle when the vehicle 101 is in the IG off state.

  Here, the transmission of the window glass decompression operation request to the center 102 by the vehicle user is performed by accessing the web page provided by the center 102 using the communication terminal 103 and performing user authentication, and then on the web page. Done.

  When the center 102 receives a remote operation request for window glass thawing from the vehicle user, the center 102 instructs the vehicle 101 to execute the operation.

  The in-vehicle device 101 ′ of the vehicle 101 that has received the window glass thawing operation command first calculates the scheduled thawing time and transmits it to the center 102 before execution. The center 102 transmits the scheduled decompression time received from the vehicle 101 to the vehicle user's communication terminal 103 (mail address thereof) in the form of an email.

  As a result, when the vehicle user requests remote operation of thawing the window glass, the scheduled thawing time is notified in advance, so that the vehicle user arrives at the vehicle around the scheduled thawing time so that operation can be started immediately upon arrival at the vehicle. As you can see, you can head for the vehicle.

  On the other hand, the vehicle-mounted device 101 ′, which has completed the calculation of the scheduled time for window glass thawing and uploading to the center 102, then starts an actual thawing operation for injecting a preheated and warmed washer liquid toward the window glass.

  When it is determined that the thawing of the window glass has been completed, the in-vehicle device 101 ′ notifies the center 102. The center 102 transmits the decompression completion notice received from the vehicle 101 to the vehicle user's communication terminal 103 (its mail address) in the form of an email.

  Thereby, since the vehicle user can know that the window glass has been thawed even in a remote place, the vehicle user can go to the vehicle after waiting for the window glass to be thawed.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each device constituting the vehicle remote control system according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device 101 ′ that is mounted on the vehicle 101 to be remotely operated and executes an operation instructed by the center 102.

  The in-vehicle device 101 ′ includes a transmission / reception unit 201 for transmitting / receiving information to / from the center 102. The communication connection between the in-vehicle device 101 ′ and the center 102 may be a direct wireless communication connection not via a relay station, or may be a communication connection via road-to-vehicle communication or wired communication. .

  The in-vehicle device 101 ′ further includes a control unit 202 that controls each unit of the in-vehicle device 101 ′. Here, the control unit 202 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

  The in-vehicle device 101 ′ further includes a freezing degree estimation unit 203 that estimates the degree and degree of freezing of the window glass (hereinafter referred to as “freezing degree”). The freezing degree estimation unit 203 obtains outside air temperature data and raindrop amount data from an outside air temperature sensor (not shown) and a rain sensor (not shown), respectively, and counts the elapsed time since the last IG was turned off. calculate.

  As known to those skilled in the art, the outside air temperature sensor is attached to the lower part of the bumper rein hose, for example, and senses the outside air temperature as a resistance change of the thermistor. The rain sensor emits light from, for example, an LED. The reflected infrared light is reflected by the window glass and received by the photodiode, and when raindrops adhere to the detection area, a part of the infrared light emitted from the LED is transmitted through the raindrops to the outside through the window glass to the photodiode. Utilizing the fact that the received infrared rays are reduced, the amount of attached raindrops is detected from the reduced amount of infrared rays.

  The freezing degree estimation unit 203 determines that the temperature of the outer surface of the window glass is substantially the same as the outside air temperature when the elapsed time after the IG off exceeds a predetermined time, and the rain temperature is less than the freezing point. It is determined that the window glass has started to thaw when raindrops of a predetermined amount or more are confirmed by the sensor.

  The in-vehicle device 101 ′ further includes a washer control unit 204 that comprehensively controls the entire washer system (not shown). The washer according to the present embodiment has a structure / mechanism (for example, a structure other than a structure for heating and maintaining the washer liquid, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3) and a structure for measuring the liquid temperature of the washer liquid heated after the heating (for example, The structure / mechanism for injecting the washer liquid toward the window glass, etc.) may be conventional. The washer control unit 204 monitors the liquid temperature of the washer liquid that has been kept warm after heating.

  When the window glass thawing operation command from the center 102 is received by the transmission / reception unit 201, the control unit 202 first acquires the window glass freezing degree estimated by the freezing degree estimation unit 203 and the washer control unit 204. The time required for completing the thawing of the window glass is calculated from the temperature of the washer liquid kept warm after the heating, and the estimated thawing time is predicted based on the time required to complete the thawing. The control unit 202 transmits the predicted scheduled thawing time to the center 102 through the transmission / reception unit 201.

  In addition, after transmitting the scheduled thawing time, the control unit 202 instructs the washer control unit 204 to start spraying the heated washer liquid toward the window glass.

  Furthermore, when the freezing degree estimation unit 203 determines that the window glass has been thawed, the control unit 202 transmits a thaw completion notification to the center through the transmission / reception unit 201.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a method for heating the washer liquid in the present embodiment. In this example, the cooling water that leaves the engine (E / G) 301 and goes to the radiator is guided into the tank 303 through a pipe (or hose) 302, and the relatively high-temperature cooling water temporarily accumulates in the tank 303. Like that. A washer liquid tank 304 in which the washer liquid is stored is provided so as to be in direct physical contact with the cooling water tank 303, and the heat of the cooling water reaches the washer liquid through the casings of the cooling water tank 302 and the washer liquid tank 303. To be communicated.

  Here, the cooling water tank 303 may be provided exclusively, or a known cooling water heat storage system (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-48645) mainly intended for exhaust gas purification at engine start-up. Etc.) may be used.

  Further, in this example, substantially the entire cooling water tank 303 and the washer liquid tank 304 are wrapped in a heat insulator 305 so that the washer liquid heated by heat conduction from the cooling water is not cooled. The warmer 305 may be powered from a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 101, but in order to prevent the battery from running out while the vehicle is stopped, a solar panel 306 for photovoltaic power generation is provided on the vehicle body surface of the vehicle 101. It is more preferable that the warmer 305 is operated using the electric energy generated by the solar panel 306.

  In this example, the control unit 202 of the in-vehicle device 101 ′ is configured so that the washer liquid tank 304 has a use temperature upper limit for maintaining a cleaning ability (for example, an oil film removing ability). It is preferable to control the operation of the incubator 305 so that the temperature of the washer liquid stored in the tank does not exceed the upper limit value and / or to control the amount of cooling water temporarily stored in the cooling water tank 303. .

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the center 102 that causes the vehicle 101 (the in-vehicle device 101 ′) to execute the window glass thawing operation in response to a request from the vehicle user.

  The center 102 includes a transmission / reception unit 401 for transmitting / receiving information to / from the in-vehicle device 101 ′, and a control unit 402 for controlling each unit of the center 102.

  The center 102 further includes an Internet server function unit 403 capable of providing a web page accessible by the vehicle user using the communication terminal 103 and transmitting an e-mail to the communication terminal 103.

  When the transmission / reception unit 401 receives window glass decompression scheduled time information from the in-vehicle device 101 ′ of the vehicle 101, the control unit 402 controls the Internet server function unit 403 to transmit the information to the vehicle user. To the communication terminal 103 (the mail address thereof) of the owner of the vehicle.

  In addition, when the transmission / reception unit 401 receives information indicating that the thawing of the window glass has been completed from the in-vehicle device 101 ′ of the vehicle 101, the control unit 402 controls the Internet server function unit 403 to send the information to the vehicle user. An electronic mail having the content to be transmitted is transmitted to the communication terminal 103 (the mail address) of the owner of the vehicle.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the communication terminal 103 that is used by the vehicle user to execute a remote operation. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 103 is, for example, a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet. Alternatively, as an alternative, it may be a computer terminal such as a PDA or notebook PC, or a fixed terminal such as a desktop PC.

  The communication terminal 103 receives an e-mail from the Internet server function unit 403 of the center 102 and controls the Internet connection unit 501 for accessing a Web page provided by the Internet server function unit 403 and each unit of the communication terminal 103. And a control unit 502.

  The communication terminal 103 further includes a user input unit 503 for the vehicle user to input an arbitrary character string to the communication terminal 103 and to select / determine menu items.

  The communication terminal 103 further includes a display unit 504 that visually presents the received electronic mail and the accessed web page to the user. In the present embodiment, the display unit 504 includes, for example, a small LCD (liquid crystal display). Alternatively, as an alternative example, the user input unit 503 and the display unit 504 may be integrated and realized as a touch panel.

  Next, a processing flow of the in-vehicle device 101 ′ according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the in-vehicle device 101 ′ mounted on the remote operation target vehicle 101 in the window glass remote thawing system according to the present embodiment.

  When the vehicle user accesses the Web page for remote operation request provided by the Internet server function unit 403 of the center 102 through the communication terminal 103 and requests the vehicle 101 to execute the window glass decompression operation (“YES” in S601). ), The control unit 202 of the in-vehicle device 101 ′ of the vehicle 101 causes the freezing degree estimation unit 203 to estimate the freezing degree of the window glass, causes the washer control unit 204 to acquire the liquid temperature of the washer liquid, and finally, the IG The elapsed time since turning off is calculated (S602).

  Next, the control unit 202 calculates the time required to thaw the window glass based on the window glass freezing degree, the washer liquid temperature, and the elapsed time after the IG is turned off, and the estimated time of thawing is calculated based on the current time. Is calculated. Then, the calculated scheduled decompression time is transmitted to the center 102 through the transmission / reception unit 201 (S603).

  Next, the control unit 202 of the in-vehicle device 101 'instructs the washer control unit 204 to inject the heated washer liquid toward the window glass, and starts a thawing operation (S604).

  While the window glass is being thawed by the jet of the heated washer liquid, the in-vehicle device 101 'monitors the user's entry into the vehicle interior of the vehicle 101 (S605). Here, the user's boarding can be detected, for example, by determining that boarding has occurred when door opening, ACC on, or IG on is detected.

  When the user's boarding is detected (“YES” in S605), there is a possibility that sending the decompression completion notice even if the user is already in the vehicle interior may give the vehicle user an annoying impression. Based on the insight, transmission of the decompression completion notification is skipped, and one routine of this flow is terminated.

  When the user's boarding is not detected (“NO” in S605), it is determined whether or not the thawing of the window glass is completed (S606). If not completed (“NO” in S606), the process returns to S605 and the decompression operation is continued. When the decompression is completed (“YES” in S606), the control unit 202 of the in-vehicle device 101 'transmits a decompression completion notification to the center 102 through the transmission / reception unit 201.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the vehicle user who has requested the thawing of the frozen window glass by remote operation can know in advance the scheduled thawing time of the window glass in a remote place away from the vehicle. The driving can be started as soon as the vehicle arrives by heading for the vehicle to arrive at the vehicle at the scheduled decompression time.

  In other words, when the vehicle user who requested the thawing of the window glass by remote operation arrives at the vehicle, the thawing has not been completed yet, or once thawed, it is frozen again when the user arrives at the vehicle. Therefore, the user who arrives at the vehicle does not have time to wait for the window glass to thaw without starting driving.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the vehicle user is notified of the scheduled time for completion of thawing when the window glass thawing operation is started immediately has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a remote operation request is made, a desired decompression completion time is specified from the vehicle user side, and the request is made so that the decompression is completed by the user's desired time by calculating backward from the above-described prediction of the time required for decompression on the in-vehicle device side The thawing operation may be automatically started before a predetermined time.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned one embodiment, as the window glass thawing operation, only the heated washer liquid is sprayed toward the window glass as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to or in place of the relatively high temperature washer fluid injection as described above, the vehicle interior may be warmed by operating an air conditioner (air conditioner) mounted on the vehicle. If the vehicle is parked in an environment where the window glass freezes, the interior of the vehicle is likely to be considerably cold, so the method of warming the interior of the vehicle by operating the air conditioner should be The effect of making the passenger compartment comfortable is also obtained. In this case, if the degree of freezing of the window glass is low, only the operation of the air conditioner may be executed without spraying the washer liquid. Alternatively, as the freezing operation, the vehicle user may be able to select “injection of washer fluid + air conditioner operation” or “only the air conditioner operation” when a remote operation is requested.

  Moreover, in the said one Example, when the washer of the vehicle 101 is provided in the several window glass, you may enable the vehicle user to select the glass which performs decompression | decompression operation at the time of a remote request | requirement of the decompression | defrosting of a window glass. Thereby, for example, only the windshield can be targeted for the thawing operation. Alternatively, as another method, the vehicle user may set a priority order for performing a thawing operation on a plurality of window glasses. Alternatively, as another method, without requiring the vehicle user to make any selection / setting, as a fixed setting, when a decompression operation is requested, according to a predetermined priority (for example, windshield is the highest priority) The decompression operation may be executed.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the washer fluid is heated using engine waste heat, and the case where the heated washer fluid is kept warm using solar power has been described. Waste heat or solar power may be used simultaneously to warm anything other than the washer fluid. Examples of what may be useful to keep warm include steering handles, side brake levers, shift levers, drink holders, seats, seat belts, engines, suspensions, tires, batteries, wipers, and the like.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a window glass remote thawing system that defrosts a window glass from a remote place using wireless communication. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the target vehicle are not limited.

It is a figure showing the outline of the whole window glass remote thawing system concerning one example of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle-mounted apparatus mounted in the remote operation object vehicle in the window glass remote thawing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the washer liquid tank of the remote operation target vehicle in the window glass remote thawing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the center in the window glass remote thawing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the user communication terminal in the window glass remote thawing system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the vehicle-mounted apparatus mounted in the remote operation object vehicle in the window glass remote thawing system which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 window glass remote thawing system 101 vehicle 101 ′ in-vehicle device 102 center (communication station)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Communication terminal 201 Transmission / reception part 202 Control part 203 Freezing degree estimation part 204 Washer control part 301 Engine (E / G)
302 Cooling water pipe 303 Cooling water tank 304 Washer liquid tank 305 Insulator 306 Solar panel 401 Transmission / reception unit 402 Control unit 403 Internet server function unit 501 Internet connection unit 502 Control unit 503 User input unit 504 Display unit

Claims (12)

An in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and executes a requested vehicle operation in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user,
Heating means for heating the washer fluid;
When a vehicle user requests a thawing operation of the window glass, a thawing means for injecting the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass;
Prediction means for predicting the time required for the window glass to be thawed by the thawing means;
An in-vehicle device comprising: notification means for notifying a vehicle user of a window glass thawing completion estimated time calculated based on prediction by the prediction means. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1,
The on-vehicle apparatus characterized in that the heating means conducts heat of cooling water of an internal combustion engine mounted on the host vehicle to a washer fluid. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2,
The heating means includes
Storage means for storing heated washer fluid;
An in-vehicle apparatus comprising: a heat retaining means for retaining the storage means. The in-vehicle device according to claim 3,
It further has a photovoltaic power generation means for converting the received sunlight into electrical energy,
The in-vehicle device characterized in that the heat retaining means retains the storage means by using electric energy generated by the solar power generation means. It is an in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The in-vehicle device characterized in that the thawing means injects the washer fluid heated by the heating means only to the window glass designated by the vehicle user. It is an in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The thawing means, in addition to injecting the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass when a vehicle user requests a thawing operation of the window glass, The vehicle-mounted device characterized in that the vehicle interior is warmed by operating. The in-vehicle device according to claim 6,
The thawing means, when instructed by a vehicle user, warms the vehicle interior by operating an air conditioner mounted on the host vehicle without spraying the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass. In-vehicle device characterized by the above. The in-vehicle device according to claim 6 or 7,
When the time required for thawing the window glass predicted by the prediction means is shorter than a predetermined time, the thawing means is mounted on the own vehicle without spraying the washer liquid heated by the heating means toward the window glass. A vehicle-mounted device characterized in that the vehicle interior is warmed by operating the air conditioner. The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The prediction means includes
Measuring means for measuring the liquid temperature of the washer liquid, and freezing degree estimating means for estimating the freezing degree of the window glass,
Predicting the time required for the window glass to be thawed by the thawing means from the liquid temperature of the washer liquid measured by the measuring means and the freezing degree of the window glass estimated by the freezing degree estimating means. In-vehicle device characterized. The in-vehicle device according to claim 9,
The freezing degree estimation means includes
Outside temperature measuring means for measuring the ambient temperature around the vehicle, counting means for counting the elapsed time since the ignition was turned off, and raindrops for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering in a predetermined detection area on the window glass Detecting means,
Based on the vehicle outside air temperature measured by the outside air temperature measuring means, the elapsed time from the ignition off counted by the counting means, and the amount of raindrops attached to the window glass detected by the raindrop detecting means, a window An in-vehicle device characterized by estimating the degree of freezing of glass. It is an in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The in-vehicle device further characterized in that the notification means notifies a vehicle user that the thawing of the window glass is completed when the window glass is thawed by the thawing means. The in-vehicle device according to claim 11,
The in-vehicle device, wherein the notification means cancels the notification that the thawing of the window glass has been completed when it is detected that a person has entered the vehicle before the window glass is thawed.

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