JP6232301B2 - Wiper and washer control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper / washer control device that performs the spraying of a washer liquid and the operation of a wiper blade in conjunction with each other.

  2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a wiper / washer control device that drives a wiper in conjunction with an operation of a washer switch is known.

  In this type of apparatus, the wiper is driven after a predetermined delay time elapses after the washer switch is turned on. That is, by wiping with a wiper after spraying the washer liquid onto the windshield glass, the wiper can be wiped smoothly.

  However, if the delay time from when the washer switch is turned on is constant, there is a problem that even when traveling at high speed, the field of view is hindered by the landing of the washer liquid for the same time as during low speed traveling. .

  Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the delay time is changed according to the vehicle speed. Specifically, since the wiper is driven with the delay time shortened as the vehicle speed increases, the visibility can be preferentially ensured during high speed traveling.

JP-A-5-319213

  By the way, the viscosity of the washer liquid increases as the environmental temperature decreases, and the amount of liquid to be ejected decreases. Further, when the humidity is low, friction is large and wiping is not smooth, so that a larger amount of liquid is required than when the humidity is high.

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider such environmental temperature and the like, and there is room for improvement.

  In general, the amount of washer fluid is set to a fluid amount that assumes the worst conditions of environmental temperature and humidity, so the fluid amount is excessive in a favorable environment and is limited to being installed in the vehicle. There was room for improvement because the washer liquid wasted.

  In consideration of the above-described facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a wiper / washer control device capable of wiping a wiper with an optimal amount of washer liquid according to the environment.

  The wiper / washer control device of the present invention includes a wiper motor that is driven to reciprocately rotate a wiper arm, a washer switch that instructs the washer liquid to be sprayed, a washer pump that is driven to spray the washer liquid, and an environmental temperature. When the washer liquid injection is instructed by the determining means for determining the injection amount of the washer liquid, which is predetermined according to the environmental temperature, based on the detection result of the temperature detecting means to be detected, and the washer switch Control means for controlling the driving of the washer pump so as to inject the amount of washer liquid determined by the determining means, and for controlling the driving of the wiper motor so as to start reciprocating rotation of the wiper arm; It has.

  According to the wiper / washer control device having the above-described structure, the wiper arm is reciprocally rotated by driving the wiper motor.

  Further, the washer switch is instructed to inject the washer liquid, and the washer liquid is injected by driving the washer pump.

  By the way, since the viscosity of the washer liquid is different at an environmental temperature, particularly at a low temperature, the amount of the washer liquid ejected by the washer pump also changes.

  Therefore, the determining means determines a predetermined amount of washer fluid injection corresponding to the environmental temperature based on the detection result of the environmental temperature detecting means. The control means controls the driving of the washer pump so as to inject the washer liquid of the injection amount determined by the determination means when the washer switch is instructed by the washer switch. The drive of the wiper motor is controlled to start the movement.

  That is, since the wiper is operated by injecting the washer liquid in an amount corresponding to the environmental temperature, the wiper can be smoothly wiped with the optimal amount of washer liquid in accordance with the environment.

  In the wiper / washer control device according to the present invention, the determining unit determines an injection time of the washer liquid or an injection amount of the washer liquid per unit time as the injection amount.

  According to the wiper / washer control device having the above-described configuration, it is possible to optimally change the injection amount according to the washer liquid injection time or the washer liquid injection amount per unit time.

  Further, in the wiper / washer control device according to the present invention, the determining means further determines the washer liquid previously determined corresponding to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity based on the detection result of the humidity detecting means for detecting the environmental humidity. Determine the injection amount.

  According to the wiper / washer control device having the above-described configuration, it is possible to optimally change the spray amount of the washer liquid in consideration of the environmental humidity in addition to the environmental temperature.

  In the wiper / washer control device according to the present invention, the control unit immediately after the end of the injection of the washer liquid of the injection amount determined by the determination unit when the washer liquid is instructed by the washer switch. Alternatively, the drive of the wiper motor is controlled so that the wiper arm starts to rotate after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the injection.

  According to the wiper / washer control device having the above-described configuration, it is possible to wipe with a wiper after injecting an optimal amount of washer liquid according to the environment.

  In the wiper / washer control device according to the present invention, when the washer switch is instructed by the washer switch, the control unit starts to inject the washer liquid having the injection amount determined by the determination unit. Then, the drive of the washer pump is controlled, and the wiper motor is controlled to start rotating the wiper arm after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the washer fluid injection.

  According to the wiper / washer control device having the above-described configuration, it is possible to wipe the wiper with the optimum amount of washer liquid according to the environment.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the wiper washer control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the injection quantity (when changing injection time) of the washer liquid of the wiper washer control device concerning this embodiment, (A) shows the injection quantity of the washer liquid at the time of low temperature, B) shows the amount of washer liquid injected at room temperature, (C) shows the amount of washer liquid injected at a high temperature, and (D) shows an example of the conventional amount of washer liquid injected. It is a flowchart in the wiper washer control device concerning this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the modification of the injection quantity (when changing injection pressure) of the washer liquid of the wiper washer control device concerning this embodiment, (A) shows the injection quantity of the washer liquid at the time of low temperature, (B) shows the amount of washer fluid sprayed at room temperature, and (C) shows the amount of washer fluid sprayed at high temperature. It is explanatory drawing explaining the injection of a washer liquid of the wiper washer control device which concerns on this embodiment, and the operation start timing of a wiper, (A) is the injection amount (when changing injection time) of the washer liquid at the time of low temperature. An example of operating the wiper before the injection is completed and an example of operating the wiper after a certain period of time after the injection is completed. (B) injects the washer liquid injection amount at normal temperature (when changing the injection time) An example of operating the wiper before finishing and an example of operating the wiper after a certain period of time after the end of injection, (C) before the injection of the washer fluid injection amount at high temperature (when changing the injection time) is finished An example of operating the wiper and an example of operating the wiper after a lapse of a certain time after the end of injection are shown. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the modification of the wiper apparatus used as the control object of a wiper washer control apparatus. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the modified example shown in FIG. 6, (A) is an explanatory view showing the washer liquid ejection and the rotation start of the wiper arm of the modified example, and (B) is a rotation of the wiper arm after the washer liquid is ejected. It is explanatory drawing which shows the delay time for every temperature until it starts a motion.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wiper / washer control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a wiper / washer control apparatus 10 includes a wiper motor 12 that reciprocally rotates a wiper arm, and a washer pump 14 that pumps the washer liquid in order to inject the washer liquid from a nozzle provided in an engine hood of the vehicle. And a controller 16.

  The wiper motor 12 and the washer pump 14 are each connected to a controller 16, and each drive is controlled by the controller 16.

  The controller 16 is further connected to a washer switch 18, a temperature sensor 20, and a humidity sensor 22 provided on the vehicle side.

  The washer switch 18 is a switch that gives an instruction to inject the washer fluid. When the washer switch 18 is operated by the occupant, the operation result is input to the controller 16.

  The temperature sensor 20 detects the outside air temperature as the environmental temperature, more specifically, the outside air temperature in the vicinity of the windshield of the vehicle to be cleaned, and the detection result can be input to the controller 16. The humidity sensor 22 detects environmental humidity, more specifically, atmospheric humidity in the vicinity of the windshield of the vehicle to be cleaned, and the detection result can be input to the controller 16. The temperature sensor 20 and the humidity sensor 22 may be those used in a vehicle air conditioner or those used in engine control or the like. In the present embodiment, the detection result of the humidity sensor 22 can also be input to the controller 16, but the humidity sensor 22 may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, when the washer switch 18 is operated by the occupant to instruct the injection of the washer liquid, the operation result of the washer switch 18 is input to the controller 16. When the operation result of the washer switch 18 is input to the controller 16, the controller 16 immediately drives the washer pump 14 based on the operation result of the washer switch 18 to inject a predetermined amount of washer liquid, and drives the wiper motor 12. Start.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, the viscosity of the washer liquid changes depending on the environmental temperature. Therefore, the controller 16 sets the injection amount of the washer liquid according to the environmental temperature in advance and injects the liquid amount according to the environment. Controls the drive of the washer pump 14.

  Specifically, the lower the environmental temperature, the higher the viscosity of the washer liquid, and the higher the environmental temperature, the lower the viscosity of the washer liquid. Therefore, even if the washer pump 14 is operated for the same time depending on the environmental temperature, the injection amount varies. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the amount of washer liquid sprayed is determined in advance and stored in the controller 16 at each of a predetermined low temperature, normal temperature, and high temperature (high humidity). Then, based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor 20, the controller 16 determines the injection amount of the washer liquid, and controls the driving of the washer pump 14 to inject the determined amount of washer liquid. Thereby, the washer liquid of the injection quantity according to environmental temperature can be injected.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the injection amount is controlled by injecting a washer liquid of an injection amount for each temperature by changing the injection time for each temperature at a constant injection pressure. Can do.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2 (D), since the viscosity of the washer fluid at low temperatures is high, it has been common to inject the washer fluid at a constant injection pressure and duration determined under the worst conditions. However, by changing the injection amount for each environmental temperature, smooth wiping is possible by wiping with a wiper after injecting the optimal liquid amount according to the environment, and the viscosity of the washer liquid is low It becomes possible to save the washer liquid under normal temperature or high temperature environment. In this embodiment, since the low temperature is the worst condition, the injection amount at the low temperature (the area of the hatched portion in FIG. 2A) and the injection amount in FIG. 2D (in FIG. 2D). The hatched area is the same injection amount.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 16 controls the driving of the wiper motor after the injection amount of the washer liquid corresponding to the environmental temperature is injected, so that the reciprocating rotation of the wiper arm is started. Thereby, smooth wiping of the windshield glass with an appropriate amount of washer liquid becomes possible.

  Next, a specific flow of processing performed by the wiper / washer control device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed when the washer liquid is ejected by operating the washer switch 18 in the wiper / washer control apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing in FIG. 3 will be described as starting when an unillustrated ignition switch is turned on.

  When an ignition switch (IG) (not shown) is turned on, in step 100, the detection result of each sensor is acquired by the controller 16, and the process proceeds to step. That is, the controller 16 acquires each detection result from the temperature sensor 20 and the humidity sensor 22.

  In step 102, the amount of washer fluid injection corresponding to the sensor detection result is set by the controller 16, and the process proceeds to step 104. Specifically, the controller 16 sets a predetermined injection amount corresponding to the detection result of the temperature sensor 20, and allows the injection of the amount of washer liquid set when the washer switch 18 is operated.

  In step 104, it is determined by the controller 16 whether or not the washer switch 18 is turned on. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and the above-described processing is repeated. If the determination is affirmative, step 106 is performed. Migrate to

  In step 106, the amount of washer liquid set in step 102 is injected under the control of the controller 16, and the process proceeds to step 108. That is, the controller 16 performs control so that the washer pump 14 is driven for the injection time corresponding to the set injection amount.

  In step 108, the wiper is operated by the controller 16, and the process proceeds to step 110. That is, the controller 16 rotates the wiper arm by driving the wiper motor 12. For example, the controller 16 drives the wiper motor so that the wiper arm reciprocates a predetermined number of times.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the ignition switch (IG) has been turned off. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and the above-described processing is repeated. If the determination is negative, a series of processing is performed. Exit.

  In the present embodiment, the washer liquid injection pressure is kept constant, and the injection time is changed according to the environmental temperature so as to change the injection amount of the washer liquid according to the environmental temperature. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (C), by changing the injection pressure according to the environmental temperature while keeping the injection time of the washer liquid constant, the injection amount of the washer liquid is set to the environmental temperature. You may make it change according to it. Here, the injection pressure can be changed by changing the injection amount per unit time. For example, the injection amount per unit time can be changed by changing the rotation speed of the motor of the washer pump 14. Can do.

  In this embodiment, the wiper motor 14 starts to be driven after spraying the amount of washer liquid corresponding to the ambient temperature. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the spray of the washer liquid is stopped. You may make it start the operation | movement of a wiper before doing. As an example, as shown by the dotted lines in FIGS. 5A to 5C, after a predetermined time Ta has elapsed since the start of the injection of the washer liquid of the injection amount corresponding to the environmental temperature, You may make it start the operation | movement of a wiper before the injection of the washer liquid of the injection quantity according to temperature is complete | finished. Alternatively, as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIGS. 5A to 5C, after a predetermined time Tb has elapsed since the injection of the washer liquid of the injection amount corresponding to the environmental temperature has ended, the wiper The operation may be started.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a general wiper device that can be interlocked with a washer device that injects washer liquid from a nozzle provided in an engine hood or the like of a vehicle has been described as a control target of the wiper / washer control device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a wiper device in which a nozzle for injecting a washer liquid is provided on the wiper arm may be controlled.

  Here, a case where a wiper device in which a nozzle for injecting a washer liquid is provided on a wiper arm is controlled will be described as a modified example. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a wiper device to be controlled by a wiper / washer control device according to a modified example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a first main nozzle 24 and a second main nozzle 26 are provided in the vicinity of the tip of the wiper arm 30, and a washer liquid can be ejected from each nozzle.

  When such a wiper device is applied, in order to selectively inject the washer liquid from the two nozzles, the washer pump 14 is provided corresponding to each of the two nozzles to selectively select from the two nozzles. Washer liquid can be injected. Or you may make it provide in the washer pump of the structure which selectively switches the nozzle injected by switching the rotation direction of a motor using a single washer pump.

  In the above-described modification, when the washer switch 18 is operated, as shown in FIG. 7A, the wiper arm 30 is rotated after the delay time t has elapsed after the washer liquid starts to be ejected from the first main nozzle 24. The controller 16 controls the driving of the washer pump 14 and the wiper motor 12 so as to start. At this time, when the wiper arm 30 starts to rotate in the upward reverse direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6A), the delay time t is changed according to the environmental temperature so as to start the rotation of the wiper arm 30. The controller 16 controls the driving of the washer pump 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the delay time is 0.8 seconds when the temperature is low, the delay time is 0.5 seconds when the temperature is normal, and the delay time is 0.2 seconds when the temperature is high (high humidity). Set to seconds. As a result, the wiper can be operated after the spray amount of washer liquid set according to the environmental temperature is sprayed from the first main nozzle 24.

  Further, when the wiper arm 30 reverses at the upper reverse position and rotates in the lower reverse position direction (the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 6B), the controller 16 injects the washer liquid from the second main nozzle 26. Controls the drive of the washer pump 14. Note that the injection amount for injecting the washer liquid from the second main nozzle 26 may also be changed according to the environmental temperature.

  Even in this way, smooth wiping with a wiper can be performed after injecting an optimal amount of washer according to the ambient temperature.

  In the modified example, as shown in FIG. 7A, after the injection amount of the washer liquid corresponding to the environmental temperature is injected, the washer liquid is injected until a predetermined time passes or a predetermined amount of the washer liquid is injected. However, the spraying of the washer liquid may be stopped when the spray amount of the washer liquid corresponding to the environmental temperature is sprayed, as in the above embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotation of the wiper arm 30 may be started after the injection of the washer liquid for the injection time corresponding to the temperature is completed, or as shown in FIG. You may make it start rotation of the wiper arm 30 after completion | finish of injection of the washer liquid for a predetermined time with the injection pressure according to. As a result, the washer liquid can be saved as in the above embodiment.

  On the contrary, in the above embodiment, as in the modification shown in FIG. 7, the injection amount of the washer liquid is constant, and the injection amount from the start of the washer liquid injection to the start of the rotation of the wiper arm 30 is set as the environment. You may make it change according to temperature. By doing so, it is not possible to save the washer liquid, but smooth wiping with a wiper after spraying the optimal amount of washer liquid according to the environmental temperature becomes possible.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the spray amount of the washer liquid is determined according to the environmental temperature. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and environmental humidity may be further considered. For example, a spray amount of the washer liquid corresponding to the environmental humidity is determined in advance, and a spray amount of the washer liquid corresponding to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity, that is, an optimal washer liquid in which both the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity are considered. You may make it inject the injection quantity.

  In the above embodiment, the ambient temperature is detected by the temperature sensor 20 as the environmental temperature, but the temperature of the windshield glass may be detected as the environmental temperature.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and other various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiper washer control apparatus, 12 ... Wiper motor, 14 ... Washer pump, 16 ... Controller, 18 ... Washer switch, 20 ... Temperature sensor, 22 ... Humidity sensor, 30 ... Wiper arm

Claims (5)

A wiper motor driven to reciprocate the wiper arm;
A washer switch for instructing injection of the washer fluid;
A washer pump driven to inject the washer fluid;
A determination unit that determines a spray amount of the washer liquid that is determined in advance corresponding to the environmental temperature based on a detection result of the temperature detection unit that detects the environmental temperature;
When the washer liquid is instructed by the washer switch, the driving of the washer pump is controlled so as to inject the amount of the washer liquid determined by the determining means, and the wiper arm is rotated back and forth. Control means for controlling the drive of the wiper motor to start;
Wiper and washer control device with   The wiper / washer control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines an injection time of the washer liquid or an injection amount of the washer liquid per unit time as the injection amount.   The said determination means further determines the injection amount of the said washer liquid predetermined corresponding to environmental temperature and environmental humidity based on the detection result of the humidity detection means which detects environmental humidity. The wiper washer control device according to 2.   When the washer liquid is instructed by the washer switch, the control means immediately after the end of the injection of the washer liquid of the injection amount determined by the determination means or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the injection, The wiper washer control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wiper motor drive is controlled so as to start rotation of the wiper arm.   The control means controls the driving of the washer pump so as to start the injection of the amount of the washer liquid determined by the determination means when the washer liquid is instructed by the washer switch. The wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wiper motor drive is controlled to start the rotation of the wiper arm after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the washer fluid injection. Washer control device.

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