JP2008222171A - Wiper control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper control device capable of performing responsive operation to meet the expectation of a driver by reliably changing a wiping mode when a sensitivity adjusting means is operated. <P>SOLUTION: When a sensitivity correction switch 40 is changed, a wiping mode determination unit 51 changes the wiping mode, i.e., the reciprocal wiping operation interval time of a wiper blade 13 is changed so as to meet the sensitivity correction direction by the changing operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40. At the same time, the rain threshold between the wiping modes before and after the changing operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40 is replaced by the rainfall which is the value immediately after a new wiping mode. Thus, the wiping operation of the wiper blade 13 after the changing operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40 can meet the expectation of a driver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper control device that drives and controls a wiper blade based on a detection result of a raindrop sensor that detects raindrops, and is suitable for use in an automobile or the like.

  In a car or the like, when the wiper operation switch is switched to the automatic control mode (Auto mode) by the driver's operation, the wiper control device sets the wiping mode based on the detection result of the raindrop sensor that detects raindrops, thereby Drives and controls the wiper blade.

  By the way, during the Auto mode operation, when the rainfall amount changes, the wiper control device switches the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade accordingly. The sense of appropriateness of the timing at which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade is switched differs for each driver. In order to adapt this switching timing to the driver's preference, for example, by comparing the manual operation timing of the wiper switch and the detection signal from the raindrop sensor, learning the wiping mode switching threshold in the Auto mode, There is one that is switched at the timing (see Patent Document 1).

There is also known a wiper control device that is configured to change the switching timing of the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade during Auto mode operation by providing sensitivity adjusting means and operating it. .
JP-A-6-127337

  When the above-described conventional wiper control device is operating in the Auto mode, the wiper blade is driven according to the wiping mode determined based on the detection result from the raindrop sensor. That is, in the wiper control device, the relationship between a plurality of wiping modes with different wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval times and the corresponding rainfall amount is set in advance and determined based on the detection result from the raindrop sensor. The corresponding wiping mode is determined from the amount of rainfall, and the wiper blade is driven at the reciprocal wiping operation interval time in the wiping mode.

  By the way, there are individual differences in the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time that the driver feels desirable for a raindrop adhesion state on a certain windshield. For this reason, the wiper control device is provided with a sensitivity adjusting means so that the driver can adjust the relationship between the rainfall amount and the wiper blade wiping mode to his / her preference. The sensitivity adjustment means, for example, changes the relationship between the plurality of wiping modes described above and the corresponding rainfall amount, i.e., the rainfall threshold value that is the rainfall amount for which switching of the wiping mode is executed, Or move it to the side with less rainfall. Thereby, the threshold value of the rainfall amount which is the wiping mode switching condition is changed to make it closer to the wiping mode of your choice.

  In the conventional wiper control device, one wiping mode is set for a certain rainfall range. For this reason, the wiping mode does not change even if the driver switches the sensitivity by operating the above-described sensitivity adjusting means depending on where in the rainfall range where the current wiping mode holds the wiping mode being performed. In other words, a situation may occur in which the time interval between reciprocating wiping operations of the wiper blade does not change. Then, the driver feels some dissatisfaction or discomfort because there is a reaction against his / her intention to change the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to change the wiping mode when the sensitivity adjustment unit is operated while the wiper control device is operating in the Auto mode. It is to provide a wiper control device that can respond in response to a person's expectation.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  The wiper control device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a raindrop sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection area, with a predetermined area within the wiper blade wiping range on the windshield as a detection area. A wiper control device for driving a wiper blade based on a detection signal from a rainfall amount determining means for determining a rainfall amount attached to a windshield based on a detection signal, and a rainfall amount determined by the rainfall amount determining means A wiping mode determination unit that determines a wiping mode of the wiper blade based on the wiping mode, and one wiping mode corresponding to the amount of rainfall from a plurality of wiping modes in which the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time is different by the wiping mode determination unit And the wiper blade is driven by the wiping mode, and the reciprocating wiping of each wiping mode is performed. The operation interval time is set to be shorter as the corresponding rainfall amount increases, and when the sensitivity adjustment means for changing the relationship between each wiping mode and the corresponding rainfall amount is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, wiping is performed. In the mode determination means, when the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode is changed to the increase side, and the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increase side, the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode is reduced to the decrease side in the wiping mode determination means. In the wiper control device to be changed, when the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determination means is forced to use the wiping mode in which the reciprocal wiping operation interval time is one step longer than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching. Drive the wiper blade for a predetermined time, and then drive the wiper blade according to the wiping mode determined based on rainfall When the node means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, the wiping mode determination means forcibly drives the wiper blade for a predetermined time by the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching, and thereafter Is characterized in that the wiper blade is driven in a wiping mode determined based on rainfall.

  When the amount of rainfall increases when the wiper control device is operating in the Auto mode, the wiping mode determination means eventually switches the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time is shorter. On the other hand, when the amount of rainfall decreases, the wiping mode determination means eventually switches the wiping mode to a wiping mode with a longer reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade.

  Normally, when the driver feels that the movement of the wiper blade is frequent with respect to the raindrop adhesion state on the windshield during the current wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time, the sensitivity adjustment means of the wiper control device is used as a sensitivity. Switch to lower side. That is, the driver expects the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time to be longer than the present time by switching the sensitivity adjusting means of the wiper control device to the sensitivity lowering side. On the other hand, when the driver feels that the movement of the wiper blade is slow relative to the raindrop adhesion state on the windshield in the current wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time, the sensitivity adjustment of the wiper control device is performed. The means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, so that the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time is expected to be shorter than the current situation.

  According to the configuration of the wiper control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determining means is more reciprocating than the wiping mode before switching the sensitivity adjusting means. When the wiper blade is forcibly driven for a predetermined time by the wiping mode that is longer in time, and then the wiper blade is driven by the wiping mode determined based on the rainfall, and when the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, The wiping mode determination means forcibly drives the wiper blade for a predetermined time by the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching, and then the wiping mode determined based on the rainfall amount To drive the wiper blade. As a result, the actual operating state of the wiper blade after operating the sensitivity adjusting means can be made to substantially match the operating state of the wiper blade expected by the driver. Accordingly, a wiper control device capable of responding to the driver's expectation by changing the wiping mode reliably when the sensitivity adjusting means is operated while the wiper control device is operating in the Auto mode is provided. be able to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper control device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection area, with a predetermined area within the wiper blade wiping range on the windshield as a detection area. A wiper control device for driving a wiper blade based on a detection signal from a rainfall amount determining means for determining a rainfall amount attached to a windshield based on a detection signal, and a rainfall amount determined by the rainfall amount determining means A wiping mode determination unit that determines a wiping mode of the wiper blade based on the wiping mode, and one wiping mode corresponding to the amount of rainfall from a plurality of wiping modes in which the wiper blade reciprocating wiping operation interval time is different by the wiping mode determination unit And the wiper blade is driven by the wiping mode, and the reciprocating wiping of each wiping mode is performed. The operation interval time is set to be shorter as the corresponding rainfall amount increases, and when the sensitivity adjustment means for changing the relationship between each wiping mode and the corresponding rainfall amount is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, wiping is performed. The mode determination means changes the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode to a large amount side, and when the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increase side, the wiping mode determination means reduces the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode to a small amount side. When the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity reduction side in the wiper control device to be changed to wiping mode, the wiping mode determination means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step longer than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching. When the blade is driven and the amount of rainfall immediately after the operation in the wiping mode is reduced, the wiping mode between the wiping mode and the wiping mode is shorter by one step When the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increase side, the wiping mode determination means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before switching the sensitivity adjustment means. And the rainfall amount immediately after the operation in the wiping mode is set as a threshold value for shifting from the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step longer.

  In the above configuration, when the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determination means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step longer than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching, and the wiper blade is The amount of rainfall that is driven and immediately after the operation in the wiping mode is set as a threshold for shifting from the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is shorter by one step. Thereby, the reciprocating wiping operation sense time of the wiper blade can be extended as expected by the operator. Furthermore, the wiper blade drive in the new wiping mode is used because the current rainfall amount is the threshold for the amount of rainfall that shifts from the new wiping mode to the original wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity reduction side. Can be reliably executed, and the wiping operation in accordance with the expectation of the operator can be continued. When the amount of rainfall increases from the current level, the wiping mode determination means determines that the wiping mode is a wiping mode in which the reciprocal wiping operation interval time is one step shorter from the wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side. Migrate to However, since the wiping operation in line with the operator's expectation has been performed for a while after the time when the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, and the amount of raindrops on the windshield has increased, Even if the mode is restored, the operator does not feel uncomfortable.

  In the above configuration, when the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, the wiping mode determining means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjusting means switching. And the rainfall amount immediately after the operation in the wiping mode is set as a threshold value for shifting from the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step longer. Thereby, the reciprocating wiping operation sense time of the wiper blade can be shortened as expected by the operator. Furthermore, the wiper blade drive in the new wiping mode is used because the current rainfall is the threshold for the amount of rainfall that shifts from the new wiping mode to the original wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side. Can be reliably executed, and the wiping operation in accordance with the expectation of the operator can be continued. When the amount of rainfall is reduced from the current level, the wiping mode determination means determines that the wiping mode is a wiping mode in which the reciprocal wiping operation interval time is one step longer from the wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side. Migrate to However, since the wiping operation in line with the operator's expectation has been performed for a while after the time when the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, and the amount of raindrops on the windshield has decreased, Even if the mode is restored, the operator does not feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, the actual operating state of the wiper blade after operating the sensitivity adjusting means can be made to substantially match the operating state of the wiper blade expected by the driver. Accordingly, a wiper control device capable of responding to the driver's expectation by changing the wiping mode reliably when the sensitivity adjusting means is operated while the wiper control device is operating in the Auto mode is provided. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the wiper control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 by taking as an example a case where the wiper control device is applied to a wiper control device 1 mounted on an automobile.

(First embodiment)
The wiper control device 1 is mounted on the automobile 100 and controls the operation of the wiper device 10 that wipes raindrops adhering to the front windshield 101 in accordance with the operation position of the wiper control switch 30. In particular, when the automatic control (AUTO mode) position is selected in the wiper control switch 30, the amount of raindrops attached to the front windshield 101 is detected by the raindrop sensor 20, and the operation control of the wiper device 10 is performed based on the determination result. Do.

  First, the overall configuration of the wiper control device 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper control device 1 is a microcomputer that drives the wiper device 10 based on a raindrop sensor 20, a wiper device 10, a wiper control switch 30, a signal from the wiper control switch 30, and a signal from the raindrop sensor 20. 50 or the like. The wiper control device 1 is supplied with electric power from an automobile battery via an automobile ignition switch.

  The wiper device 10 includes a wiper blade 13 that is driven via a link mechanism 12 by a driving torque generated by the wiper motor 11 and performs a reciprocating wiping operation on the front windshield 101. The reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade 13 is executed by outputting a drive instruction signal to the wiper motor 11 from the wiping mode determination unit 51 provided in the microcomputer 50.

  The wiper control switch 30 is installed in the driver's seat of the passenger compartment, and stops the reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade 13 (OFF mode), automatic control (AUTO mode), low speed operation (LO mode), and high speed operation (HI mode). Is switched by a manual operation of the driver. The wiper control switch 30 is rotated to any one of four operating positions, for example, so that one of these operation modes is selected. When one of the four operation modes is selected, the wiper control switch 30 outputs information on the selected operation mode to the microcomputer 50 (wiping mode determination unit 51) described later.

  The sensitivity correction switch 40, which is a sensitivity adjustment means, is a wiping mode determination process executed by a wiping mode determination unit 51 of the microcomputer 50 described later when automatic control (AUTO mode) is selected in the wiper control switch 30. It has a function of switching the judgment conditions so that the driver suits his / her preference. The sensitivity correction switch 40 has, for example, three positions of “high sensitivity mode”, “standard mode”, and “low sensitivity mode”, and is rotated by the driver to one of the three sensitivity modes. One of these sensitivity modes is selected. When one of the three modes is selected, the sensitivity correction switch 40 outputs information about the selected sensitivity mode to the microcomputer 50 (wiping mode determination unit 51) described later. The sensitivity correction switch 40 is configured integrally with the wiper control switch 30 in consideration of convenience of use.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the raindrop sensor 20 basically includes a light emitting element 21 such as a light emitting diode that emits infrared light toward the detection region Ad of the front windshield 101, and the light emitting element 21. And a light receiving element 22 such as a photodiode that outputs an output value corresponding to the amount of light received and reflected by the front windshield 101. The light emitting element 21 is connected to the microcomputer 50 via a light emitting element driving circuit (not shown), and the microcomputer 50 controls the turning on / off of the light emitting element 21. The light receiving element 22 is connected to the microcomputer 50 via a detection amplification circuit (not shown), and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected amount of raindrops to the microcomputer 50. With this configuration, when no raindrop is attached to the detection area Ad, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 21 travels as indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. Most of the light is reflected by the front windshield 101 and received by the light receiving element 22. However, when the raindrop D is attached to the detection area Ad, a part of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 21 is broken by the broken line in FIG. 3 via the raindrop D attached to the detection area Ad. It proceeds as indicated by the arrow and exits from the front windshield 101. Therefore, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 22 is reduced. Thus, the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection region Ad is optically detected based on the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection region Ad and the amount of light received by the light receiving element 22. In the raindrop detection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the detection signal of the raindrop sensor 20 decreases as the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection area Ad increases, and the raindrop sensor 20 decreases as the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection area Ad decreases. The detection signal becomes larger.

  The microcomputer 50 actually includes a CPU that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a storage device including a memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) and a writable memory (RAM) for storing various programs and data, A It is configured to include functions of an input circuit such as a / D converter, an output circuit, and a power supply circuit. However, here, as shown in FIG. 2, a rainfall amount determination unit 52 that determines the amount of raindrops attached to the front windshield 101 based on the magnitude of a change in the detection signal output from the raindrop sensor 20, a rainfall amount determination unit The wiping mode related to the operation of the wiper blade 13 is determined based on the rainfall determined in 52, that is, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is determined, and the driving signal is output to the wiper motor 11 based thereon. A conceptual description will be given focusing on the mode determination unit 51.

  The wiping mode determination unit 51 takes in information on the current rainfall situation from the raindrop amount determination unit 52, information on the operation mode from the wiper control switch 30, information on the wiping mode determination condition from the sensitivity correction switch 40, and the like. Based on these pieces of information, the wiper motor 11 is driven and controlled. That is, when the wiper control switch 30 is operated to stop the wiping operation (OFF mode), to operate at a low speed (LO mode), and to operate at a high speed (HI mode), the wiping mode determination unit 51 receives it and performs predetermined driving. An instruction signal is output to the wiper motor 11. On the other hand, when the wiper control switch 30 is operated to automatic control (AUTO mode), the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines the rainfall amount determined by the rainfall amount determination unit 52 based on the detection signal from the raindrop sensor 20 and the sensitivity correction. Based on the operation position signal from the switch 40, the wiping mode by the wiper blade 13, that is, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time by the wiper blade 13, is determined, and a drive instruction signal corresponding to the determined wiping mode is output to the wiper motor 11.

  Next, the operation of the wiper control device 1, particularly the wiping mode determination method in the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the wiper control switch 30 is operated in automatic control (AUTO mode) will be described based on FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of rainfall per unit time and the wiping mode determined based thereon. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the rainfall per unit time determined by the rainfall determination unit 52 based on the detection signal from the raindrop sensor 20, and the vertical axis indicates the wiping mode. In FIG. 4, a line segment or a half line drawn corresponding to each wiping mode indicates a rainfall amount range in which the wiping mode is maintained. The amount of rainfall decreases toward the left and increases as it goes to the right. FIG. 4 shows a case where the above-described sensitivity correction switch 40 is set to the “standard mode”.

  First, each wiping mode will be described. In the “stop mode”, the wipe operation of the wiper blade 13 is literally stopped, and the wiper blade 13 is stopped at its initial position, that is, the position shown in FIG. In the “intermittent 3 mode” to “intermittent 1 mode”, the wiper blade 13 performs an intermittent reciprocating wiping operation. The reciprocating wiping operation interval time is the longest in the “intermittent 3 mode”, and is shorter in the order of “intermittent 2 mode” and “intermittent 1 mode”. In the “Lo mode”, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is shorter than the “intermittent 1 mode”, and it seems that the wiper blade 13 performs a continuous reciprocating wiping operation. The movement speed of the wiper blade 13 is the same in the “Lo mode” and “intermittent 3 mode” to “intermittent 1 mode”. In the “Hi mode”, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is the same as the “Lo mode”, and the wiper blade 13 seems to perform a continuous reciprocating wiping operation, but the movement speed of the wiper blade 13 is faster than the “Lo mode”. .

  Next, the correspondence between the rainfall per unit time and the wiping mode will be described. In FIG. 4, a line segment or a half line drawn corresponding to each wiping mode indicates a rainfall amount range per unit time maintained in each wiping mode. In FIG. 4, among the end points of each line segment or half line, a white circle is a threshold at which the wiping mode is switched to the upper mode, that is, the mode in which the operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is shorter when the rainfall per unit time becomes more than that. A mode-up threshold value is shown. On the other hand, a black circle indicates a mode-down threshold that is a threshold for switching the wiping mode to a lower mode, that is, a mode in which the operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is longer when the rainfall per unit time is less than that.

  When the rainfall per unit time is less than the rainfall R1, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines the “stop mode” and outputs a stop instruction signal to the wiper motor 11. When the rainfall increases and exceeds the rainfall R2, that is, the mode up threshold value in the “stop mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines “intermittent 3 mode” which is the higher mode of the “stop mode”, and the wiper motor 11 In contrast, a drive instruction signal corresponding to the “intermittent 3 mode” is output. During the “intermittent 3 mode” operation, when the rainfall amount further increases and exceeds the rainfall amount R4, that is, the mode up threshold value in the “intermittent 3 mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 is a higher mode of the “intermittent 3 mode” The “intermittent 2 mode” is determined, and a drive instruction signal corresponding to the “intermittent 2 mode” is output to the wiper motor 11. On the other hand, during the “intermittent 3 mode” operation, when the rainfall amount decreases and falls below the rainfall amount R1, that is, the mode down threshold in the “intermittent 3 mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 is in a lower mode of the “intermittent 3 mode”. A certain “stop mode” is determined, and a stop instruction signal is output to the wiper motor 11. Thereafter, during the “intermittent 3 mode” to the “Lo mode”, the wiping mode is switched with each mode-up threshold and each mode-down threshold as the boundary in the same manner as the above-described operation. During the “Hi mode” operation, the “Hi mode” operation is maintained even if the rainfall increases. On the other hand, when the rainfall amount decreases during the “Hi mode” operation and falls below the rainfall amount R9, that is, the mode down threshold value in the “Hi mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 is “Lo mode” which is a lower mode of “Lo mode”. The mode is determined, and a drive instruction signal corresponding to the “Lo mode” is output to the wiper motor 11.

  As described above, as the rainfall amount changes from a small amount to a large amount, the wiping mode determination unit 51 sequentially selects a wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is shorter. Further, in two adjacent wiping modes, the mode-up threshold value in the lower mode is set larger than the mode-down threshold value in the upper mode, and so-called hysteresis is provided, so that switching between the wiping modes is performed smoothly.

  Here, the function of the sensitivity correction switch 40 will be described. The sensitivity correction switch 40 has three positions of “high sensitivity mode”, “standard mode”, and “low sensitivity mode”. By switching each position of the sensitivity correction switch 40, the rainfall range per unit time corresponding to each wiping mode, in other words, the rainfall range per unit time from the mode down threshold to the mode up threshold is changed. FIG. 4 shows a case where the sensitivity correction switch 40 is set to the “standard mode”. When the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched to the “high sensitivity mode”, the rainfall range per unit time from the mode-down threshold value to the mode-up threshold value in each wiping mode is translated to the low rainfall side, that is, the left side in FIG. . Thereby, the wiping mode is switched to the upper mode with less rainfall than in the case of the “standard mode”. On the other hand, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched to the “low sensitivity mode”, the rainfall range per unit time from the mode-down threshold value to the mode-up threshold value in each wiping mode is translated to the heavy rainfall side, that is, the right side in FIG. Is done. As a result, the upper mode is switched with a greater rainfall than when the wiping mode is the “standard mode”.

  Next, a specific example of the wiping mode setting process in the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched during the automatic control (AUTO mode) operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  It is assumed that the wiper control device 1 of the automobile is in operation by operating the wiper control switch 30 in automatic control (AUTO mode) and the “standard mode” is selected for the sensitivity correction switch 40. At this time, the rainfall per unit time is the rainfall RA as shown by the asterisk in FIG. 5, and the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines the “Lo mode” as shown in FIG. The “Lo mode” drive instruction signal is output to the wiper motor 11. As a result, the wiper blade 13 performs the wiping operation in the “Lo mode”.

  The driver feels that the operation frequency of the wiper blade 13 is higher than the degree of raindrops adhering to the front windshield 101 and wants to reduce the operation frequency of the wiper blade 13, that is, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is set. The sensitivity correction switch 40 was switched from the “standard mode” to the “low sensitivity mode” in response to a request to increase the length.

  First, processing corresponding to a sensitivity correction switch switching operation performed in a conventional wiper control device will be described. The rainfall range per unit time of “Lo mode”, which is the currently selected wiping mode, that is, the threshold range from the rainfall R7 as the mode-down threshold to the rainfall R10 as the mode-up threshold, , Translated to the right side in FIG. As a result, the rainfall range per unit time in the new “Lo mode” is from the rainfall amount R7L to the rainfall amount R10L, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. However, the rainfall RA, which is the actual rainfall, is larger than the rainfall R7L, which is the mode-down threshold in the new “Lo mode”, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines the “Lo mode”, and the wiper blade 13 is still performing the wiping operation in the “Lo mode”. When this state is continued, the driver says, “The wiping mode did not change even though the sensitivity correction switch 40 was switched to the“ low sensitivity mode ”. "I feel." In other words, because you do not get the expected response, you will feel some dissatisfaction or discomfort.

  Therefore, in the wiper control device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched from the “standard mode” to the “low sensitivity mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 first sets the wiping mode before the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. The wiping mode one lower than the wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is longer by one step is selected, and a driving instruction signal for the wiping mode is output to the wiper motor 11. Then, the wiping operation is performed in the wiping mode. Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 replaces the mode-down threshold value in the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation with the rainfall per unit time detected by the raindrop sensor 20 at the present time. At this time, since the rainfall range that is the threshold range from the mode-up threshold to the mode-down threshold is not changed, the mode-up threshold in the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation is also changed at the same time. This process will be described with reference to the specific example described above. When the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched from the “standard mode” to the “low sensitivity mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 sets the mode down threshold R7 of the “Lo mode” that is the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation, As shown in FIG. 5, the actual rainfall is changed to the rainfall RA. Correspondingly, the “Lo mode” mode-up threshold R10 is also changed to the rainfall RB as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the rainfall range in which the “Lo mode” is maintained after the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched is the range indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 5, that is, from the rainfall RA to the rainfall RB. Therefore, after the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines that the mode is “Lo mode” when the rainfall amount is within the range from RA to RB. Thereby, the wiping mode determination unit 51 executes the mode down determination based on the actual rainfall RA, that is, the switching from the “Lo mode” to the “intermittent 1 mode” which is the lower mode, and the wiper blade 13 Wiping operation is performed in “intermittent 1 mode”.

  As described above, in the wiper control device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the driver switches the sensitivity correction switch 40 from the “standard mode” to the “low sensitivity mode”, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is as follows. Thus, the switching is reliably performed at an interval time that is one step longer than the state immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. As a result, after the driver switches the sensitivity correction switch 40, the wiping operation against the driver's intention / expectation is continued, and it is possible to reliably prevent problems such as dissatisfaction and discomfort.

  Next, a specific example of the wiping mode setting process in the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched from the “standard mode” to the “high sensitivity mode” will be described with reference to FIG.

  The wiper control device 1 of the automobile is in operation by operating the wiper control switch 30 in automatic control (AUTO mode), and the “standard mode” is selected for the sensitivity correction switch 40. At this time, the rainfall amount per unit time is the rainfall amount RX as shown by ♦ in FIG. 6, and the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines “intermittent 1 mode” as shown in FIG. Thus, an “intermittent 1 mode” drive instruction signal is output to the wiper motor 11. As a result, the wiper blade 13 performs the wiping operation in the “intermittent 1 mode”.

  The driver feels that the operation frequency of the wiper blade 13 is lower than the degree of raindrop adhesion to the front windshield 101, and wants to increase the operation frequency of the wiper blade 13, that is, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is set. The sensitivity correction switch 40 was switched from the “standard mode” to the “high sensitivity mode” in response to a request for shortening.

  First, processing corresponding to a sensitivity correction switch switching operation performed in a conventional wiper control device will be described. The rainfall range per unit time of the “intermittent 1 mode” that is the currently selected wiping mode, that is, the threshold range from the rainfall amount R5 that is the mode-down threshold value to the rainfall amount R8 that is the mode-up threshold value, That is, it is translated to the left side in FIG. As a result, the rainfall range per unit time in the new “Lo mode” is from the rainfall amount R5H to the rainfall amount R8H, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the rainfall amount RX that is the actual rainfall amount is smaller than the rainfall amount R8H that is the mode-up threshold value in the new “intermittent 1 mode”. Therefore, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines the “intermittent 1 mode”, and the wiper blade 13 is still performing the wiping operation in the “intermittent 1 mode”. When this state is continued, the driver says, “While the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched to the“ high sensitivity mode ”, the wiping mode does not change. "I feel." In other words, because you do not get the expected response, you will feel some dissatisfaction or discomfort.

  Therefore, in the wiper control device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched from the “standard mode” to the “high sensitivity mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 first sets the wiping mode before the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. The wiping mode that is one higher than the above wiping mode, that is, the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is one step shorter is selected, and a driving instruction signal for the wiping mode is output to the wiper motor 11. Then, the wiping operation is performed in the wiping mode. Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 replaces the mode-up threshold in the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation with the amount of rainfall per unit time detected by the raindrop sensor 20 at the present time. At this time, since the rainfall range which is the threshold range from the mode-down threshold to the mode-up threshold is not changed, the mode-down threshold in the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation is also changed at the same time. This process will be described along the specific example described above. When the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched from the “standard mode” to the “high sensitivity mode”, the wiping mode determination unit 51 sets the mode-up threshold R8 of “intermittent 1 mode” that is the wiping mode immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation. As shown in FIG. 6, the rainfall amount RX is changed to the actual rainfall amount. Correspondingly, the mode-down threshold value R5 of the “intermittent 1 mode” is also changed to the rainfall amount RY as shown in FIG. Thus, the rainfall range in which the “intermittent 1 mode” is maintained after the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched is the range indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6, that is, from the rainfall RY to the rainfall RX. Therefore, after the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation, the wiping mode determination unit 51 determines “intermittent 1 mode” when the rainfall is in the range of RY or more and less than RX. Thereby, the wiping mode determination unit 51 performs a mode-up determination based on the actual rainfall amount RX, that is, switches from the “intermittent 1 mode” to the “Lo mode” that is the higher mode, and the wiper blade 13 Wiping operation is performed in “Lo mode”.

  As described above, in the wiper control device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the driver switches the sensitivity correction switch 40 from the “standard mode” to the “high sensitivity mode”, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is as follows. Thus, the switching is surely performed at an interval time that is one step shorter than the state immediately before the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. As a result, after the driver switches the sensitivity correction switch 40, the wiping operation against the driver's intention / expectation is continued, and it is possible to reliably prevent problems such as dissatisfaction and discomfort.

  As described above, in the wiper control device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched, the wiping mode determination unit 51 performs the wiping mode, that is, the reciprocating wiping operation interval of the wiper blade 13. The time is switched so as to match the sensitivity correction direction by the switching operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40. At the same time, the rainfall threshold value between the wiping modes before and after the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation is replaced with the rainfall amount R6 which is the rainfall amount immediately after the new wiping mode is activated, and the other threshold values are similarly changed by the change width in this threshold change. It has changed. As a result, the wiping operation of the wiper blade 13 after the sensitivity correction switch 40 switching operation can be matched with the driver's expectation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling dissatisfied and uncomfortable. It is also possible to change the rainfall threshold value to a value obtained by adding a margin to the rainfall amount.

  Next, the wiper automatic control processing executed in the microcomputer 50 of the wiper control device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a specific processing procedure of the wiper motor drive control process executed by the microcomputer 50.

  When the automatic control (AUTO mode) is selected through manual operation of the wiper control switch 30 by the driver of the automobile, the wiper automatic control process shown in FIG. 7 is started. When the process is started, the microcomputer 50 first executes the initialization process in step S1.

  Subsequently, in step S2, the microcomputer 50 determines whether or not the sensitivity correction switch 40 has been switched. As a result of this determination processing, when it is determined that the sensitivity correction switch 40 has not been switched, that is, the sensitivity correction switch 40 has not been switched after the AUTO mode has been selected by the wiper control switch 30, the microcomputer 50 is Subsequently, as a process of step S3, a sensitivity correction switch position determination process is executed.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 50 performs a rainfall amount determination process as the subsequent process of step S4. The rainfall amount determination process is performed by the rainfall amount determination unit 52.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 50 performs a wiping mode determination process as the subsequent process of step S5. The wiping mode determination process is performed in the wiping mode determination unit 51 based on the selected position of the sensitivity correction switch 40 determined in step S3 and the rainfall determined in step S4.

  Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 outputs a drive instruction signal to the wiper motor 11 as the process of subsequent step S <b> 6.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination process in step S2, if it is determined that the sensitivity correction switch 40 has been switched after the AUTO mode is selected in the wiper control switch 30, the microcomputer 50 performs wiping as the process in the subsequent step S7. Change the mode one step further from the current one. Specifically, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched to the low sensitivity side (standard → low sensitivity, or high sensitivity → standard), the sensitivity correction switch 40 moves to the side where the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is long. Is switched to the high sensitivity side (standard → high sensitivity, or low sensitivity → standard), the wiper blade 13 is switched to the side where the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is short.

  Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 outputs a drive instruction signal to the wiper motor 11 in accordance with the wiping mode switched in step S7 as the process of subsequent step S8.

  Subsequently, the microcomputer 50 performs a rainfall amount determination process as the subsequent process of step S9. The rainfall amount determination process is performed by the rainfall amount determination unit 52.

  Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 updates the rainfall amount threshold value for wiping mode determination based on the rainfall amount determined in step S9 as the processing of the subsequent step S10.

  Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 performs a wiping mode determination process as the subsequent process of step S11. This wiping mode determination process is performed based on the rainfall determined in step S9 and the rainfall threshold updated in step S10.

  Subsequently, the wiping mode determination unit 51 outputs a drive instruction signal to the wiper motor 11 as the process of subsequent step S <b> 6.

  In the wiper control device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, when the switching operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40 is performed, only the wiping mode selected when the operation is performed is performed. The mode down threshold and the mode up threshold are changed. However, the mode-down threshold value and the mode-up threshold value may be changed by the same change width not only for the wiping mode selected at the time of executing the operation but for all wiping modes.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the wiper control device according to the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the wiping mode setting process in the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched during the automatic control (AUTO mode) operation. The method is different. That is, in the wiper control device 1 according to the second embodiment, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched during the automatic control (AUTO mode) operation, the wiping mode is changed by one step from the current state as in the first embodiment. Specifically, when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched to the low sensitivity side (standard → low sensitivity, or high sensitivity → standard), the sensitivity correction switch 40 moves to the side where the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 is long. Is switched to the high sensitivity side (standard → high sensitivity, or low sensitivity → standard), the wiper blade 13 is switched to the side where the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is short. Then, after the wiper motor 11 is driven by the new switched wiping mode for a predetermined time, the wiping mode determination unit 51 performs the wiping mode based on the determination curve corresponding to the new sensitivity mode selected by the switching operation of the sensitivity correction switch 40. A determination process is performed, and the wiper motor 11 is driven based on the result. That is, in the second embodiment, the rainfall threshold value for wiping mode determination performed in the first embodiment is not updated.

  Even in such a configuration, when the driver switches the sensitivity correction switch 40 to the “low sensitivity mode”, the reciprocating wiping operation interval time of the wiper blade 13 changes from before the switching, so that the operation of the wiper blade 13 is performed by the driver. It will be in line with expectations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the driver from feeling dissatisfied and uncomfortable.

  In each of the above embodiments, the windshield on which the wiper control device 1 is installed has been described as the front windshield 101 in front of the driver's seat. However, the windshield need not be limited to the front windshield 101, and other windows, for example, rear windows. You may apply to a shield.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the example which mounted the said raindrop amount detection apparatus in the motor vehicle was mentioned, the mounting place is not restricted to a motor vehicle. In addition, it is useful to be widely mounted on mobile objects such as airplanes, railway vehicles, and ships.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a wiper control device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on an automobile 100. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a wiper control device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing explaining the structure of the raindrop sensor 20, and is the III-III sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between rainfall and the wiping mode determined based on it. It is a schematic diagram explaining the wiping mode setting process performed by the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. It is a schematic diagram explaining the wiping mode setting process performed by the wiping mode determination unit 51 when the sensitivity correction switch 40 is switched. It is the flowchart which showed the specific process sequence of the wiper automatic control process performed in the wiper control apparatus 1 by 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wiper control apparatus 10 Wiper apparatus 11 Wiper motor 12 Transmission mechanism 13 Wiper blade 20 Raindrop sensor 21 Light emitting element 22 Light receiving element 30 Wiper control switch 40 Sensitivity correction switch (sensitivity adjustment means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Microcomputer 51 Wiping mode determination part 52 Raindrop amount determination part 100 Automobile 101 Front windshield A Wiping area Ad detection area (predetermined area)
D Raindrops R1-R10 Rainfall RA, RB, RX, RY Rainfall

Claims (2)

A wiper that drives the wiper blade based on a detection signal from a raindrop sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection region, with a predetermined region within the wiping range of the wiper blade on the windshield as a detection region A control device,
Rainfall determination means for determining the amount of rainfall attached to the windshield based on the detection signal;
Wiping mode determining means for determining a wiping mode of the wiper blade based on the rainfall determined by the rainfall determining means,
The wiping mode determination means determines one wiping mode corresponding to the amount of rainfall from a plurality of the wiping modes with different reciprocal wiping operation interval times of the wiper blade, and the wiper blade is driven by the wiping mode. ,
The reciprocating wiping operation interval time of each wiping mode is set to be shorter as the corresponding rainfall amount is larger,
When the sensitivity adjustment means for changing the relationship between each wiping mode and the corresponding rainfall amount is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determination means has the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode. In the wiper control device in which the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode is changed to the decreasing side in the wiping mode determining means when the sensitivity adjusting means is changed to the sensitivity increasing side when changed to the increasing side,
When the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determination means is forced to perform a predetermined time by the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step longer than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means switching. Drive the wiper blade, and then drive the wiper blade in a wiping mode determined based on the rainfall,
When the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, the wiping mode determination means is forced to perform a predetermined time by the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjusting means switching. A wiper control device that drives the wiper blade, and thereafter drives the wiper blade in a wiping mode determined based on the rainfall amount. A wiper that drives the wiper blade based on a detection signal from a raindrop sensor that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the amount of raindrops adhering to the detection region, with a predetermined region within the wiping range of the wiper blade on the windshield as a detection region A control device,
Rainfall determination means for determining the amount of rainfall attached to the windshield based on the detection signal;
Wiping mode determining means for determining a wiping mode of the wiper blade based on the rainfall determined by the rainfall determining means,
The wiping mode determining means determines one wiping mode corresponding to the amount of rainfall from a plurality of the wiping modes with different reciprocal wiping operation interval times of the wiper blade, and the wiper blade is driven by the wiping mode. ,
The reciprocating wiping operation interval time of each wiping mode is set to be shorter as the corresponding rainfall amount is larger,
When the sensitivity adjusting means for changing the relationship between each wiping mode and the corresponding rainfall amount is switched to the sensitivity lowering side, the wiping mode determining means increases the amount of rainfall corresponding to each wiping mode. When the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity increase side, the wiping mode determination means is a wiper control device that changes the rainfall amount corresponding to each wiping mode to a small amount side.
When the sensitivity adjustment means is switched to the sensitivity reduction side, the wiping mode determination means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocal wiping operation interval time is one step longer than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjustment means is switched, and the wiper blade is moved. Driving and setting the rainfall amount immediately after the operation in the wiping mode as a threshold for shifting from the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter,
When the sensitivity adjusting means is switched to the sensitivity increasing side, the wiping mode determining means switches to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is one step shorter than the wiping mode before the sensitivity adjusting means switching, and the wiper blade And the amount of rainfall immediately after the operation in the wiping mode is set as a threshold for shifting from the wiping mode to the wiping mode in which the reciprocating wiping operation interval time is longer by one step.

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