JPH04349053A - Wiper control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a sensitivity adjustment accurately reflecting the will of an operator by separating the judging period from the intermittent time, and performing sensitivity adjustment through the change of the intermittent time or judging period. CONSTITUTION:The output from a water drop sensor 4 is cumulatively calculated, and a wiper blade is driven at either of the two timings which is the earliest - i.e., the timing, when the cumulation value exceeds the threshold within a certain judging period, and the timing when the intermittent time has elapsed after finish of the wiping motion of the previous run. Therein the step of intermittent time is changed on the basis of the threshold for cumulation value. For example, the intermittent time is shortened when the threshold is exceeded within 80% of the judging period, and is prolonged when it remains under the half of the threshold at the timing when the intermittent time set at the wiping motion of the previous run has elapsed. Further the mode of intermittent time or the mode of judging period is changed in response to the entering operation from a sensitivity adjusting variable resistor 35 made by the operator.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper control device suitable for use in a vehicle, which drives a wiper blade at a wiping interval suitable for rainy conditions.

0002

[Background Art] A so-called automatic wiper control device that controls wiper operation based on the output of a raindrop sensor integrates the output of the raindrop sensor, and when the integrated value exceeds a predetermined threshold, starts the wiping operation of the wiper blade. let

[0003] In typical conventional technology, such sensitivity adjustment of an auto wiper control device is achieved by using a variable resistor in a voltage dividing resistor circuit that generates a threshold voltage, and by changing the resistance value of this variable resistor. There is. In another conventional technique, the sensitivity adjustment is realized by counting pulses from the raindrop sensor using a microcomputer and increasing or decreasing the number of threshold pulses for level discrimination of the counted value.

0004

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In the above-mentioned prior art,
Detection sensitivity is determined by changing the threshold level. On the other hand, the detection range of the raindrop sensor is extremely narrow compared to the area of the windshield, and therefore variations occur even under the same rainfall condition. Furthermore, rainfall conditions change from moment to moment.

[0005] Therefore, by simply adjusting the threshold value as described above, it is impossible for the operator (driver) to perceive a clear improvement in the wiping interval, and it is difficult to accurately reflect the driver's intention. Have difficulty.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper control device that can perform sensitivity adjustment that accurately reflects the operator's intention.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a raindrop sensor that detects a rain condition, and a drive means that drives a wiper blade that removes raindrops attached to the surface to be wiped in a reciprocating manner on the surface to be wiped. , the sensitivity adjustment means operated by the operator and the output from the raindrop sensor are integrated for each predetermined judgment period, and the time when the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and the previous wiping operation of the wiper blade is completed. A drive signal indicating that the wiper blade should be driven is output to the drive means at the earlier of a later predetermined intermittent time, and the output of the sensitivity adjustment means and a determination period are output. control means for updating the intermittent time based on at least one of the time from the start of the period until the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the integrated value at the time when the determination period has elapsed. This wiper control device is characterized by:

The present invention also provides a raindrop sensor for detecting rain conditions, a drive means for driving a wiper blade to reciprocate on the surface to be wiped, and a wiper blade for removing raindrops attached to the surface to be wiped, and a drive means operated by an operator. integrating the output from the sensitivity adjusting means and the raindrop sensor for each predetermined determination period;
The wiper blade is driven by the drive means at the earlier of either the time when the integrated value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, or the time when a predetermined intermittent time has elapsed since the end of the last wiping operation of the wiper blade. Outputting a drive signal representing what should be done, and based on at least one of the time from the start of the determination period until the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, and the integrated value at the time the determination period has elapsed;
The wiper control device is characterized in that the wiper control device includes a control means for updating the intermittent time, and the control means updates the determination period based on the output of the sensitivity adjustment means.

[0009]

[Operation] According to the present invention, the control means integrates the output from the raindrop sensor every predetermined judgment period, and when the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the wiper blade finishes the previous wiping operation. A drive signal is output to the drive means at the earlier point of time, or the time when a predetermined intermittent time has elapsed. The driving means, in response to the driving signal,
A wiper blade is driven to reciprocate over a surface to be wiped, such as a windshield, to remove raindrops and the like adhering to the surface to be wiped.

[0010] On the other hand, the intermittent time is updated based on at least one of the time from the start of the determination period until the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, and the integrated value at the time when the evaluation period has elapsed. be done. That is, for example, when the integrated value is equal to or greater than the threshold within 80% of the determination period, the intermittent time is shortened, and on the other hand, when the intermittent time has elapsed, the integrated value is reduced to 1/2 of the threshold. When the time is less than 1, the intermittent time is changed to be longer.

Further, the sensitivity adjustment is realized by, when the operator inputs to the sensitivity adjustment means to set the sensitivity high, for example, the control means sets the intermittent time to be short. In other words, even under the same rainfall condition, if the intermittent time is shortened, the wiping interval is shortened, which is equivalent to an increase in detection sensitivity for the operator.

Alternatively, the sensitivity adjustment is realized by the control means setting the determination period longer when the operator inputs to the sensitivity adjustment means to set the sensitivity higher, for example. That is, even under the same rainfall condition, when the determination period becomes longer, the rate at which the integrated value exceeds the threshold value increases, which for the operator is equivalent to an increase in detection sensitivity.

By separating the intermittent time and the judgment period in this way and changing the intermittent time or the judgment period, sensitivity that accurately reflects the operator's intention is achieved without being affected by variations in rainfall conditions. Make adjustments.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a wiper control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This wiper control device 1 is used for vehicle use, and by turning on an auto wiper switch 2, a control circuit 3 controls a wiper motor 5, which is a driving means, in response to an output from a raindrop sensor 4, as shown in the figure. This is a so-called automatic wiper control device that performs a wiping operation by reciprocating a wiper blade on the windshield.

The raindrop sensor 4 includes, for example, a pair of light receiving and emitting elements, and is an optical sensor that detects the amount of rainfall based on a change in the level of light received when the raindrops pass through an optical path formed by the light receiving and emitting elements. It is a type raindrop sensor. The output of this raindrop sensor 4 is input to the control circuit 3, and after being shaped into a rectangular wave pulse by the waveform shaping circuit 11,
The signal is input to a processing circuit 12 implemented by a microcomputer or the like. Further, the output of the auto wiper switch 2 is input to the processing circuit 12 after noise components such as so-called chattering are removed by a waveform shaping circuit 13 .

Each circuit in the control circuit 3 including the processing circuit 12 is connected to a constant voltage circuit 29 from a power supply line L2.
Electric power is supplied from the battery 23 via. When power is being supplied from the constant voltage circuit 29 and the auto wiper switch 2 is conductive, the processing circuit 12 integrates the output of the raindrop sensor 4 every predetermined determination period W0, and calculates the integrated value M1. The wiper motor 5 is driven at the earlier of either the time when W becomes equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value RP, or the time when a predetermined intermittent time WOT has elapsed since the end of the previous wiping operation of the wiper blade.

As shown in Table 1, the intermittent time WOT can be selected from, for example, three modes: long, medium, and short, and seven steps are set for each mode. Therefore, for example, when the medium mode is set and the wiper motor 5 is selected for the first step, the wiper motor 5 is placed in a high-speed continuous operation state, and when the second step is selected, the wiper motor 5 is placed in a low-speed continuous operation state. When 3 steps are selected, the intermittent operation state is 1.5 seconds, and thereafter, the 4th step is 3 seconds, the 5th step is 6 seconds, the 6th step is 12 seconds, and the longest step is 24 seconds. It is assumed to be in an intermittent operating state.

[0018]

[Table 1]

In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned modes are switched in the following manner based on the set value of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 operated by the operator (driver). The processing circuit 12 controls the sensitivity adjustment volume 35.
In order to read the setting value, a starting pulse is output from the output terminal P3 to the test pulse generation circuit 36. The test pulse generation circuit 36 outputs the line L1 in response to the activation pulse.
A test pulse is output to 1. The test pulse is applied to the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 through the input circuit 37, and from the input circuit 37, an output at a voltage level corresponding to the set value of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 is sent to the processing circuit 12 through the line L12. derived.

The test pulse generating circuit 36 includes a resistor R1.
1 to R13 and a transistor Tr11, and the activation pulse is applied to the base of the transistor Tr11 via a resistor R11. transistor T
The base of r11 is also connected to the high-level power supply line Vcc via a pull-up resistor R12,
Further, the emitter of the transistor Tr11 is also connected to the power supply line Vcc. The test pulse output from the collector of the transistor Tr11 is applied from a resistor R13 to one terminal of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 via a resistor R14 of the input circuit 37.

The input circuit 37 includes resistors R14 to R16,
It is configured to include a capacitor C11 and a transistor Tr12. The other terminal of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 is grounded, and a capacitor C1 is connected in parallel with the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 and the resistor R14 connected in series.
1 is interposed. The output voltage of capacitor C11 is
It is applied to the base of the transistor Tr12 via the resistor R15. The collector of this transistor Tr12 is connected to the power supply line Vcc via a pull-up resistor R16.
It is also connected to the processing circuit 12 via the line L12, and its emitter is grounded.

Therefore, in response to the activation pulse derived from the output terminal P3 of the processing circuit 12 shown in FIG. 2(1), the test pulse generation circuit 36 outputs the test pulse shown in FIG. 2(2). be done. In response to the test pulse, the capacitor C11 derives an output voltage as shown in FIG. 2(3), whereby a pulse shown in FIG. 2(4) is output from the collector of the transistor Tr12 to the processing circuit 12. be done.

In FIG. 2, the sensitivity adjustment volume 35
When the resistance value of C11 is high, as shown between time t1 and t2, the output voltage of capacitor C11 shown in FIG. 2(3) increases in response to the high-level test pulse shown in FIG. 2(2). After the output voltage quickly rises and the output of the test pulse is stopped, the output voltage gradually decreases. Therefore, the pulse width W1 of the output pulse to the processing circuit 12 shown in FIG. 2(4) becomes longer.

On the other hand, when the resistance value of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35 is low, the output voltage of the capacitor C11 shown in FIG. It rises slowly and then falls quickly. Therefore, the pulse width W1 of the output pulse to the processing circuit 12 shown in FIG. 2(4) becomes short. In this way, the processing circuit 12 outputs the output terminal P
In response to the activation pulse output from the input circuit 37, the mode of the intermittent time WOT is set based on the pulse width W1 of the pulse input from the input circuit 37.

On the other hand, in each step, the integrated value M1
is equal to or greater than the threshold value RP, the time is set based on the time WCT from the start of the determination period W0 until the integrated value M1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value RP. Furthermore, when the integrated value M1 is less than the threshold value RP even after the judgment period W0 has elapsed, the integrated value M1 at the time when the judgment period W0 has elapsed.
Each step is set based on the above.

That is, for example, 80% of the determination period W0
When the integrated value M1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value RP within a certain time WUP, the step of the intermittent time WOT is set shorter by one step, and the intermittent time is changed to be shorter. On the other hand, when the integrated value M1 is less than the value MDN which is 1/2 of the threshold value RP after the determination period W0 has elapsed, the step of the intermittent time WOT is changed by one step longer. Such a step change threshold is shown in FIG. Auto wiper control is realized by updating the intermittent time WOT and integrating the output of the raindrop sensor 4 as described above.

When driving the wiper motor 5 at a low speed, the processing circuit 12 outputs a drive signal from the output terminal P2 to the line L3. This drive signal is applied to the base of the transistor Tr2 via a resistor R3 and a bias resistor R4. The emitter of the transistor Tr2 is grounded, and the collector is connected to the power supply line L2 via a relay coil 27 of a relay 26.

On the other hand, the relay switch 2 of the relay 26
8 is provided with two individual contacts 28a and 28b, one individual contact 28b is connected to the power supply line L2, and the other individual contact 28a is connected to the common contact 30c of the cam switch 30 via the line L4. There is. Further, the common contact 24c of the relay switch 24 of the relay 21 is connected to the common contact 28c of the relay switch 28, and the individual contact 24c is connected to the common contact 28c of the relay switch 28.
a is connected to a low-speed power input terminal 5a of the wiper motor 5.

When the wiper motor 5 is continuously driven at high speed, the processing circuit 12 also outputs drive signals from the output terminals P1 and P2 to the lines L1 and L3. The drive signal on line L1 is input to the base of transistor Tr1 via resistors R1 and R2, and the drive signal on line L3 is input to the base of transistor Tr2 via resistors R3 and R4.

The emitter of the transistor Tr1 is grounded, and the collector is connected to the relay coil 22 of the relay 21.
It is connected to the power supply line L2 via. One individual contact 24b of the relay switch 24 of the relay 21 is
It is connected to the high-speed power input terminal 5b of the wiper motor 5.

A cam switch 30 is provided in association with the wiper motor 5, and this cam switch 30 has individual contacts 3 when the wiper blade is in the initial position.
0a, the wiper motor 5 is started, the wiper blade starts wiping operation, and when it leaves the initial position, it is electrically connected to the individual contact 30b, and the wiper blade ends the wiping operation and returns to the initial position again. When it returns to normal, the individual contact 30a becomes electrically conductive.

The individual contact 30a is grounded together with the ground terminal 5c of the wiper motor 5, and the individual contact 30b is
It is connected to the power supply line L2. Also common contact 3
0c is connected to the individual contact 28a of the relay switch 28 via line L4, and this common contact 3
The potential of 0c is detected by the processing circuit 12 via the signal processing circuit 31 from the line L5. Processing circuit 12
determines whether the wiper blade is in the wiping operation based on the detected potential of the common contact 30c.

Therefore, when driving the wiper motor 5 at low speed, the processing circuit 12 outputs a drive signal from the output terminal P2 to the line L3. As a result, the transistor Tr2 becomes conductive, the relay coil 27 is excited, and the contacts 28b and 28c of the relay switch 28 are brought into conduction. Therefore, the battery 23 via the power line L2
Electric power is supplied from these contacts 28b and 28c to the low-speed power input terminal 5a of the wiper motor 5 via the contacts 24c and 24a of the relay switch 24.

In this way, the wiper motor 5 is activated and the cam switch 30 is switched from the individual contact 30a to the individual contact 30b, and then when the wiper blade returns to its initial position, the cam switch 30 is switched from the individual contact 30b to the individual contact 30a again. , the processing circuit 12 stops outputting the drive signal. As a result, a brake current flows to the low-speed power input terminal 5a of the wiper motor 5 via the contacts 30a and 30c, the contacts 28a and 28c of the relay switch 28, and the contacts 24c and 24b of the relay switch 24, and the wiper motor 5 is stopped. do.

Further, when driving the wiper motor 5 at high speed, the processing circuit 12 outputs a driving signal from the output terminals P1 and P2, and thereby the transistors Tr1 and Tr2
conducts, relay coils 22 and 27 are both excited, relay switch 24 conducts to individual contact 24b, and relay switch 28 conducts to individual contact 28b. Thereby, electric power from the battery 23 is supplied to the high-speed power input terminal 5b of the wiper motor 5 via the relay switches 28 and 24.

The processing circuit 12 detects whether the wiper blade has returned to the initial position from the output voltage level of the cam switch 30, and until the wiper blade returns to the initial position, the output terminals P1, P2 Continue to derive the drive signal. In this way, the wiper motor 5 can be driven at low speed and high speed.

Furthermore, timers 32 and 33 are provided in the processing circuit 12.
The timer 32 starts timing operation when the output of the drive signal from the output terminal P2 is stopped, and measures the intermittent time WOT. This timer 32
, the latest intermittent time WOT is calculated every time the time WOT elapses.
is set. The timer 33 also controls the determination period W0.
Repeatedly measure the time.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the auto wiper control operation according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the auto wiper switch 2 is turned on, the process moves to step n1, where initialization processing such as initialization of flags F1 to F3 and the integrated value M1, and setting of an initial value of the intermittent time WOT, which will be described later, is performed.

In step n2, the output signals of the raindrop sensor 4 are integrated. In step n3, the count value WCT1 of the timer 33 that measures the time since the start of the determination period W0 is updated by incrementing it by 1, and a counting operation is performed. In step n4, it is determined whether the integrated value M1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value RP, and if so, the process moves to step n5.

At step n5, the count value WCT1 of the timer 33 is counted until the integrated value M1 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value RP.
is within the time WUP which is 80% of the determination period W0 or less. If so, in step n6, a flag F1 for decreasing the step of the intermittent time WOT is set to 1. , a flag F2 for holding the step, and a flag F2 for raising the step.
3 is reset to zero. Further, in step n5, when the count value WCT1 exceeds the time WUP, the process moves to step n7, where the flag F2 is set to 1 and the flags F1 and F3 are reset to zero.

In this way, the flag F1 is set at steps n6 and n7.
After the setting of ~F3 is completed, the process moves to step n8, and the step of the intermittent time WOT corresponding to the set flag is selected. In step n9, the integrated value M1 is reset to zero, and in step n10, the count value WCT2 is reset to zero.
is reset to zero.

From step n10, step n11
Step n8 and step n2 described below
The next intermittent time WOT is set corresponding to the step of the intermittent time WOT selected in step 6 and the mode selected in steps n34 to n36, which will be described later.

At step n12, a drive signal is output from the terminals P1 and P2 of the processing circuit 12, and the wiper motor 5 is started. In step n13, the cam switch 3
It is determined whether the common contact 30c of 0 has been switched to the individual contact 30b, that is, whether the wiper blade has left the initial position and started the wiping operation, and once the wiping operation has started, the process moves to step n14. In step n14, it is determined whether the common contact 30c of the cam switch 30 has been switched to the individual contact 30a, that is, whether the wiping operation has been completed. When the wiping operation is completed, the process moves to step n15. In step n15, the output of the drive signal is stopped and the wiper motor 5 is stopped, and then in step n2
Return to

When the integrated value M1 is less than the threshold value RP in step n4, the process moves to step n21, where the count value WCT2 of the timer 32 is incremented by 1 and a counting operation is performed, and in step n22, the count value WCT1 is It is determined whether the determination period W0 has been reached, and if so, the process moves to step n23.

In step n23, it is determined whether the integrated value M1 is less than the value MDN which is 1/2 of the threshold RP, and if so, the process moves to step n24, and the flag F3 is set to 1. In addition, flag F1,
F2 is reset to zero; otherwise, in step n25, the flag F2 is set to 1, and flags F1 and F3 are reset to zero.

Thereafter, in steps n26 to n28, step selection of the intermittent time WOT and clearing of the integrated value M1 and the count value WCT1 are performed in the same way as steps n8 to n10, and the process moves to step n29. Further, in step n22, the count value WCT1 is determined during the determination period W0.
If the value has not been reached, the process moves directly to step n29. In step n29, it is determined whether or not the count value WCT2 has exceeded the intermittent time WOT. If so, the process moves to step n10, and the count value WC
When T2 is reset to zero, the wiper blade performs a wiping operation, and if not, the process moves to step n31.

In step n31, a test pulse is output from the test pulse generating circuit 36, and in step n32, it is determined whether the pulse width W1 of the pulse from the input circuit 37 in response to the test pulse is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value W11. If so, the process moves to step n34, the mode of the intermittent time WOT is set to the short mode, and then the process returns to step n2.

In step n32, if the pulse width W1 is less than the threshold value W11, the process moves to step n33;
It is determined whether the pulse width W1 is greater than or equal to a threshold value W12 which is smaller than the threshold value W11, and if so, the process moves to step n35 and is set to the medium mode; otherwise, the mode is set to the long mode in step n36. After that, the process returns to step n2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the auto wiper control operation according to another embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the intermittent time WOT is not divided into a plurality of modes, and is therefore set to the same value as the medium mode in Table 1, for example. Therefore, only the step selection is performed based on the count value WCT1 at the time when the integrated value M1 becomes equal to or more than the threshold value RP, or the integrated value M1 at the time when the determination period W0 has elapsed. Therefore, as shown in Table 2, the determination period W0 is divided into a plurality of modes and steps, similar to the intermittent time WOT, and step selection is determined by the intermittent time WOT.
The mode selection is performed in response to the step selection, and the mode selection is performed in response to the operation of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35, and thus the raindrop detection sensitivity is adjusted.

[0050]

[Table 2]

That is, as shown in Table 2, even if the same step is selected, the determination period W0 becomes longer as the mode becomes longer than the short mode and the longer mode becomes longer than the medium mode. As a result, the sampling period of the raindrop pulse from the raindrop sensor 4 becomes longer, and even under the same rainfall condition, the percentage of the integrated value M1 being equal to or higher than the threshold RP increases, and the step of the intermittent time WOT becomes a lower step. will be selected. Therefore, this is equivalent to setting the raindrop detection sensitivity high, and in this way, the raindrop detection sensitivity can be adjusted in accordance with the setting value of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35.

Therefore, when the auto wiper switch 2 is turned on, the process moves to step m1, and flags F1 to F1 to be described later are activated.
F4, initialization of the integrated value M1, and intermittent time WOT
Initialization processing such as initial value setting is performed. step m
2, the output signal of the raindrop sensor 4 is integrated. In step m3, the count value WCT1 of the timer 33 is 1.
is added and updated, and a counting operation is performed. In step m4, it is determined whether the count value WCT1 has reached the determination period W0, and if not, the process moves to step m5.

In step m5, the integrated value M1 is equal to the threshold value RP.
It is determined whether or not the above has been reached, and if not, the process moves to step m6. In step m6, the count value WCT2 of the timer 32 is incremented by 1 and updated, and a counting operation is performed. In step m7, the count value WCT2 is set to an intermittent time WO, which is set as described later.
It is determined whether the count value WCT2 is greater than or equal to T, and if not, the process returns to step m2, and when the intermittent time has elapsed, the process moves to step m8, where the count value WCT2 is reset to zero.

[0054] In step m11, step m, which will be described later,
The next intermittent time WOT is set corresponding to the flags set in steps 22, m24, and m26. step m12
Then, the wiper motor 5 is started, and in step m13 it is determined whether or not the wiper blade has started the wiping operation, and once the wiping operation has started, the process moves to step m14. step m
In step 14, it is determined whether or not the wiping operation has been completed;
When the wiping operation is completed, the process moves to step m15, and after the wiper motor 5 is stopped, the process returns to step m2.

In step m4, the count value W
When CT1 is longer than the determination period W0, step m2
1, it is determined whether the integrated value M1 is less than the value MDN, and if so, in step m22, the flag F3 is set to 1, and the flags F1, F
2 is reset to 0.

Further, in step m5, when the integrated value M1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value RP, the process moves to step m23, and a control request flag F4 indicating that a wiping operation should be performed is set.
is set to 1. In step m24, it is determined whether the count value WCT1 is within the time WUP. If so, in step m25, the flag F1 is set to 1, and the flags F2 and F3 are reset to 0.

Furthermore, when the integrated value M1 is equal to or greater than the value MDN in step m21, and when the count value WCT1 exceeds the time WUP in step m24, the process moves to step m26, and the flag F2 is set to 1.
At the same time, flags F1 and F3 are reset to zero. Thus, steps m22, m25, m2
Corresponding to the flags F1 to F3 set in step 6, the step of the intermittent time WOT is selected in step m11, and the intermittent time WOT is set.

From steps m22, m25, and m26, the process moves to step m31, in which a test pulse is output from the test pulse generation circuit 36, and in step m32, the pulse width W of the pulse from the input circuit 37 in response to the test pulse is determined.
1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value W11. If so, the process moves to step m34, and after the mode of the determination period W0 is set to the long mode, the process moves to step m41. Further, when the pulse width W1 is less than the threshold value W11 in step m32, it is determined in step m33 whether the pulse width W1 is greater than or equal to the threshold value W12, and if so, the process moves to step m35 and is set to the medium mode, If not, the short mode is set in step m36, and then the process moves to step m41.

In step m41, the step m34
The next determination period W0 is set based on the mode set in steps m36 and the steps set in step m11. In step m42, the integrated value M1 is reset to 0, and in step m43, the count value WCT
1 is set to 0. After that, when the control request flag F4 is set to 1 in step m44,
Moving on to the processing after step m11, the intermittent time WOT
When set, the wiping operation is performed, and if not, the process returns to step m2.

As described above, the wiper control device 1 according to the present invention
In this case, the sensitivity is adjusted by changing the mode of the intermittent time WOT or the mode of the judgment period W0 in response to the operation of the sensitivity adjustment volume 35, so that the driver is not affected by variations in rain conditions and the like. The wiping interval can be changed to such an extent that it is perceptible to the driver, and the sensitivity can be adjusted to accurately reflect the driver's intention.

It should be noted that other means such as a switch may be used instead of the volume 35 as the sensitivity adjustment means.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, the intermittent time and the judgment period are separated and the sensitivity is adjusted by changing the intermittent time or the judgment period. The wiping interval can be changed to such an extent that the operator can sufficiently perceive the wiping interval without being affected, and the sensitivity can be adjusted to accurately reflect the operator's intention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a wiper control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram for explaining an operation of reading a setting value of a sensitivity adjustment volume 35.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a threshold value for step change of intermittent time WOT.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an auto wiper control operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an auto wiper control operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Wiper control device 2 Auto wiper switch 3 Control circuit 4 Raindrop sensor 5 Wiper motor 12 Processing circuit 32, 33 Timer 35 Sensitivity adjustment volume 36 Test pulse generation circuit 37 Input circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A raindrop sensor that detects rainfall conditions and a wiper blade that removes raindrops attached to a surface to be wiped.
The drive means for reciprocating displacement on the surface to be wiped, the sensitivity adjustment means operated by the operator, and the outputs from the raindrop sensor are integrated for each predetermined determination period, and the integrated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A drive signal indicating that the wiper blade should be driven is outputted to the drive means at the earlier of either the time when the wiper blade is wiped or the time when a predetermined intermittent time period has elapsed since the end of the previous wiping operation of the wiper blade. and based on at least one of the output of the sensitivity adjustment means, the time from the start of the determination period until the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, and the integrated value at the time when the determination period has elapsed. A wiper control device comprising: control means for updating an intermittent time. [Claim 2] A raindrop sensor that detects rainfall conditions and a wiper blade that removes raindrops attached to a surface to be wiped.
The drive means for reciprocating displacement on the surface to be wiped, the sensitivity adjustment means operated by the operator, and the outputs from the raindrop sensor are integrated for each predetermined determination period, and the integrated value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A drive signal indicating that the wiper blade should be driven is outputted to the drive means at the earlier of the time when the wiper blade is wiped or the time when a predetermined intermittent time has elapsed since the end of the previous wiper blade wiping operation. and a control that updates the intermittent time based on at least one of the time from the start of the determination period until the integrated value becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the integrated value at the time the determination period has elapsed. and the control means includes:
A wiper control device characterized in that the determination period is updated based on the output of the sensitivity adjustment means.