JPH0220459B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to a control device for a windshield wiper for a vehicle. Power-driven windshield wipers for vehicles are typically manually operated by the vehicle driver. Although it has become commonplace for modern vehicles to be equipped with windshield wiper controls that allow the driver to adjust the operating speed of the windshield wiper to suit various weather conditions, windshield wiper controls operation is still somewhat frustrating, especially in conditions with variable rainfall on the windshield. Apart from this, if the windshield wiper is constantly readjusted by switching it on and off or adjusting its speed under such conditions, the driver may lose concentration on driving. undesirable. One object of the present invention is to provide a device for controlling a windshield wiper system of a vehicle, such as enabling the windshield wiper system to be turned on and off without interfering with the driver. Another object of the present invention is to detect the presence of dust or water on a windshield by radiation such as infrared rays, and to detect changes in the intensity of reflected radiant energy due to the presence of dust or water on the windshield. and operating the windshield wiper and the windshield washer in response to the detection of the change, operating only the windshield wiper when water is present on the windshield, and operating only the windshield wiper when dust is present on the windshield. The purpose is to be able to operate both the windshield wiper and the windshield washer. The present invention provides a control device for a windshield wiper in a vehicle having a windshield, a windshield wiper, a windshield cleaning device, and a lighting lamp, the control device comprising: (a) generating radiant energy and discharging the generated energy; (b) sensor means for detecting directed energy emitted from the energy emitting means; (c) first switch means coupled to the windshield wiper; (d) a second switch means coupled to the windshield cleaning device for operating the windshield wiper in accordance with a change in the state of the first switch means; (e) support means for supporting the energy emitting means and the sensor means, the support means for supporting the energy emitting means and the sensor means in accordance with a change in the state of the switch means of the windshield; attached to an inner surface and configured to cause a portion of the energy to be reflected off the windshield and returned to the sensor device when energy is directed outwardly from the energy emitting device; The sensor means is responsive to the magnitude of the portion of the energy reflected by the windshield and returned to the sensor means when moisture is present on an outer surface opposite the inner surface of the windshield. , the control is adapted to decrease the value of the electrical state of the sensor means and increase the value of the electrical state of the sensor means when dust is present on the outer surface of the windshield; (f) coupled to the sensor means and the first and second switch means for determining the state of the first switch means in accordance with the occurrence of a decrease in the value of the electrical state of the sensor means; switch control means responsive to a change in the value of the electrical state of the sensor means for effecting operation of the windshield wiper and responsive to a change in state of both the first and second switch means; A control device for a windshield wiper is provided, comprising: causing operation of both the windshield wiper and the windshield cleaning device according to the occurrence of an increase. Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. General Description FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control device 10. As shown in FIG. It is mounted on a vehicle and controls a motor 12 that operates the vehicle's windshield wiper system to clean the windshield when moisture or dust is detected on the exterior surface of the windshield. Additionally, the controller 10 is adapted to control the operation of a wash pump 14 adapted to apply water to the windshield as it removes dust from the windshield. In addition, the device 10 controls external lights 16 of the vehicle, such as headlights and taillights.
The lights are turned on when the level of ambient light outside the vehicle falls below a first predetermined level, and are turned off when the level of ambient light rises to a second predetermined level. The control device 10 is powered by a vehicle battery 18, the negative terminal of which is grounded.
Further, the positive terminal is connected to the voltage regulator 24 through the main control switch S1. This voltage regulator 24
is connected to the infrared emitter 26 and from there through a transistor switch 28 to ground. An oscillator 301 is also provided, which emits 30 microsecond wide pulses at approximately 3 millisecond intervals, which are applied to the transistor switch 28 to turn it on and provide a corresponding current pulse of approximately 1 A to the voltage. From the regulator it flows through an infrared emitter 26 and a transistor switch 28 to ground.
By this means the infrared emitting device can generate infrared radiation. As shown in FIG. 5, and as will be described in more detail later, the infrared emitting device 26 is connected to the vehicle windshield 3.
It is positioned in contact with the inner surface 30a of 0,
From the infrared radiation device 26 to the inner surface (back surface) 30a
Infrared radiation is emitted along a path 34 through the windshield and to the outer surface (front surface) 30b. The angle of the path 34 is perpendicular to the windshield 3 as shown in the figure.
It is set within the range of 20° to 40° with respect to 6. A portion of the infrared radiation striking the outer surface 30b of the windshield is then reflected back toward the inner surface 30a along the path 38 shown, while most of the infrared radiation passes directly through the windshield and exits the windshield. Route 4 shown
Proceed along 0. As best seen in FIG. 6, the presence of water droplets on outer surface 30b, such as the water droplets shown at 42, alters the proportion of infrared radiation that returns along the reflected path. The device 10 further includes an infrared sensor 43, which is positioned against the inner surface 30a of the windshield 30, as shown in FIG. receive. However, as shown in FIG. 6, if there are water droplets on the outer surface 30b, the amount of infrared rays reaching the sensor 43 will be reduced. Although not shown, the value of the infrared rays reaching the sensor 43 from the infrared radiation device 26 may change from the normal state. This is the outer surface 30 of the windshield.
This is the case when there is a layer of dust or the like on b. In this case, the amount of reflection along path 38 will be large, and the value of infrared rays escaping along path 40 will be small.
Then, the value of the infrared rays that the sensor 43 receives from the infrared radiation device 26 increases. The infrared emitting device 26 and the sensor 43 are mounted on a specific structure, such as the one shown in FIGS.
It is also attached to the windshield with a structure that will be described in more detail later. However, it should be noted that in addition to the sensor 43 carried by such a structure, a sensor 45 is provided which is shielded so as not to receive any reflected infrared radiation, but to receive direct infrared radiation from device 26. This sensor 45 also serves as a reference sensor, as will be explained below. Still referring to FIG. 1, sensor 43 is connected to a detector 44 such that the output from the detector has a pulsed voltage, the amplitude of which is proportional to the radiation received by sensor 43. Under conditions where water droplets 42 are present, the amplitude of the pulse signal from detector 44 decreases, and under conditions where dust is present on the windshield, the amplitude of the pulse signal from detector 44 decreases. The amplitude increases. The pulse signal from the detector 44 is passed through a smoothing filter 48.
applied to the smoothing filter generates a DC voltage whose value is proportional to the value of the reflected radiation incident on the sensor 43. The circumstances in which the amplitude of the pulsed voltage is substantially proportional to the radiation value will be explained below. The sensor 45 is also connected to a detector 46, which emits a pulsed signal of constant amplitude at a given temperature. However, the radiation device 26
Since the optical output from the emitters 46 and 44 is inversely proportional to temperature, the amplitude of the pulses from both emitters 46 and 44 changes with temperature. The pulse from the detector 46 is passed through the filter 5
0 to produce a DC reference voltage that changes only with temperature. The outputs of filters 48 and 50 are applied to a first comparator 60. Windshield glass 3
If the outer surface 30b of the 0 is dry and clean, the output from the filter 48 will be positively higher than the reference voltage, which includes the output from the filter 50. If a small amount of rain falls on the windshield 30, the output from the filter 48 will drop, and when this lower portion reaches a first magnitude, the comparator 60 will operate and provide a signal that is transmitted to the transistor. - Since the switch 62 controls the energization of the relay RL1, the contact RL1/1 of the relay RL1 operates to operate the motor 12 at a low speed. Second comparator 52
is also provided, and this comparator also includes filters 48,
50 and when the fall in the output from filter 48 exceeds a second magnitude that exceeds the first magnitude necessary to operate comparator 60, another transistor switch 54 operates and activates another relay RL2, and the contact RL of that relay
2/1 is activated at this time and operates the motor 12 at high speed. A further comparator 64 is also provided, which receives the output from filters 48,50. Since this comparator receives outputs in a relatively inverse relationship compared to comparators 52 and 60, the output signal of this comparator is
When the output from filter 48 exceeds the output from filter 50, it is asserted to activate another transistor switch 66, which controls the operation of washer pump 14. Therefore, if there is dust on the outside surface of the windshield, the output from filter 48 will increase and comparator 64 will be activated to activate washer pump 14 and apply water to the outside surface of the windshield. Switch 54 is then actuated by a signal provided from comparator 64 through diode D15 and resistor R37 to operate the windshield wiper at high speed. A further detector 49 is also provided, the sensor 43
It is connected to the. This detector is made insensitive to the pulsating signal that the sensor 43 emits when it receives an infrared pulse from the infrared emitting device 26. However, as will be appreciated, sensor 43 is adapted to receive infrared pulses from infrared emitting device 26 as well as ambient infrared radiation, and detector 49 is adapted to receive infrared pulses from the infrared emitter 26, and detector 49 is adapted to receive such changes in ambient light. It is designed to detect a change in the state of the sensor 43 that occurs. Detector 49 is adapted to activate transistor switch 67 if the condition of sensor 43 indicates low ambient light levels. Further, the transistor switch 67 is adapted to control the current applied to the relay RL3 having the contact RL3/1 which controls the vehicle electric light 16. The physical arrangement of infrared emitting device 26 and sensors 43, 45 will be described below with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. First, as shown in the figure, the infrared radiation device 26 includes three infrared radiation devices D1 and D.
There is 2, D3. These devices D1, D2, D3 are a device assembly 8 connectable to the windshield 30 of the vehicle.
It is attached to 4. The assembly 84 consists of a plastic box 86 which has an opening 8 at the front.
6A, the opening of which is a plate 88 carrying the three infrared emitting devices D1, D2, D3.
When the box is placed against the windshield 30, it is placed directly behind the inner surface 30a of the windshield and directs the infrared rays from the three infrared emitting devices to the sensor 43. In this way, the three devices D1, D2, D3 are arranged around the central part at equal intervals, and the sensor 43 is placed in the central part, and the sensor 43 is thus placed on the front surface of the plate 88. The sensor is located within a cylindrical shield provided in the cylindrical shield to limit the incident light reaching the sensor, although the sensor may receive reflected infrared radiation from the three devices D1, D2, D3. These three devices D1, D
2 and D3 are arranged so as to emit infrared rays at a predetermined angle within the range of 20° to 40° with respect to the perpendicular to the windshield 30. This assumes that the thickness of the windshield is approximately 6 mm, and the above angle will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the glass. The plate 88 also mounts the sensor 45 which, in operation, connects the devices D1, D2,
It is placed behind the plate 88 so as to receive direct infrared radiation from D3. In this regard, plastic box 86, together with plate 88, forms a substantially light-tight enclosure around sensor 45 so that the sensor does not receive reflected infrared radiation. The electrical circuit of the control device 10 will be described below in particular in the fourth section.
This will be explained in detail according to the diagram. Voltage regulator 24 This voltage regulator 24 includes a transistor Q1 whose collector is connected to a resistor R1.
through the switch S1, and the emitter is connected to the resistor R
3 through 3 infrared radiation devices D1, D2, D
3, respectively, and these devices D1,
D2 and D3 constitute the infrared radiation device 26 as described above, and are connected in series as shown. A Zener diode D _Z is connected to the base of the transistor Q1, and a resistor R2 is connected between the collector and base of the transistor Q1, so when the switch S1 is closed, the base of the transistor becomes the Zener diode D Z. diode
It is held at the 10 volt voltage produced by D _Z. The 10 volt constant voltage power supply for the other parts of the electrical circuit is obtained from the base of transistor Q1, to which is connected a smoothing capacitor C2. Further, a constant voltage power supply of 9 volts for the other parts of the circuit is obtained from the emitter of transistor Q1, and two capacitors C4 and C5 are connected to that part for smoothing. The 12 volt power supply to the other parts of the circuit is through resistor R.
1 and the collector of transistor Q1, resistor R1 and capacitor C1 form a filter that removes noise on the current path from battery 18. The 12 volt power supply for operating relays RL1, RL2, RL3 is obtained directly from switch S1 at the junction of this switch and resistor R1. A light emitting diode 80 is connected to this junction through a resistor 82, indicating that the switch S1 is turned on. Transistor Switch 28 and Oscillator 301 A conventional pulse generator-like oscillator 301 includes an operational amplifier whose inverting input is connected to a resistor R1.
6 and grounded through a parallel capacitor C8, and the non-inverting input is grounded through a resistor R18. The inverting input is also connected to the output of the operational amplifier through a series resistor R15 and a diode D8. Further, the non-inverting input receives the aforementioned 10 volt constant voltage power supply through resistor R19. amplifier 90
The non-inverting input of is also connected to the output through resistor R17. The output of amplifier 90 is applied to switch 28 through resistor R7 to control the switch. The switch 28 consists of two transistors Q2 and Q3.
The transistors are connected to form a controllable current sink. That is, the collectors of both transistors are connected to the infrared radiation device 26, while the emitter of transistor Q2 is grounded through resistor R4. The emitter of transistor Q3 is connected to the base of transistor Q2, and the base of transistor Q3 is connected to the output of resistor R7. Oscillator 30
1 is activated, the transistor Q2 is turned on for the aforementioned 3 milliseconds, and this turning-on operation occurs approximately every 30 microseconds, and the device D forming the infrared emitting device 26 is turned on.
1, D2, and D3 emit infrared rays. Sensor 43 and Detector 44 Sensor 43 consists of a passive device with a resistance that changes depending on the amount of incident infrared radiation. This sensor 43 is connected to a 9 volt constant voltage power supply from voltage regulator 24 and is grounded through resistor R5. The junction between resistor R5 and sensor 43 is connected to the non-inverting input of operational amplifier 92, which forms part of detector 44, through capacitor C6. A diode D5 is connected to the resistor R5 through a resistor R10, while the non-inverting input of the amplifier 92 is grounded through a resistor R11. The inverting input of amplifier 92 is connected to ground through resistor R8 and to the output of amplifier 92 through resistor R9. In operation, amplifier 92 amplifies only the voltage pulses produced across resistor R5 in response to the reception of a light pulse by sensor 43, from a pulse of amplitude proportional to the intensity of the light pulse and independent of the ambient light level. produces an output. Series diode D connected on both sides of resistor R5
5 and resistor R10 is operative to shunt resistor R5 when the voltage across resistor R5 exceeds a certain level determined by the forward breakdown voltage of diode D5. This shunt slightly reduces the effective resistance between sensor 43 and ground potential, but reduces the pulse amplitude that would otherwise occur at the lowest ambient light levels sensed by sensor 43. Some non-linear growth is corrected. Note that the sensor 43 receives both ambient light passing through the windshield 30 and light pulses from the radiation device 26,
The resistance of sensor 43 exhibits relatively high frequency changes due to reception of light pulses from the emitting device and relatively low frequency changes due to changes in ambient light level. Thus, the junction of resistor R5 and sensor 43 exhibits a voltage with a nearly DC component determined by the ambient light level and a pulsating component with an amplitude indicative of the amount of light received from each infrared pulse from emitter 26. Of these components, a substantially direct current voltage component is prevented from being sent to amplifier 92 by capacitor C6. However, the value of capacitor C6 is chosen such that the ripple component is routed to amplifier 92 as described above. Filter 48 Filter 48 is connected to the output of operational amplifier 92 through diode D9. The components of this filter are as follows. Resistor R20 interconnecting diode D9 and filter output, ground potential section, diode D9 and resistor R2
0 junction connected between the capacitor C9 and the resistor R21 connected in parallel to the capacitor C9.
Another capacitor C11 connected between the output of 20 and ground potential filter 48 simply waves the amplified pulse from amplifier 92 and provides a DC output proportional to the pulse amplitude. Sensor 45 and Detector 46 Sensor 45 receives a 9 volt constant from a voltage regulator through a series circuit including a resistor R6 grounded at one end and a variable resistor VR1 connected between sensor 45 and the other end of resistor R6. Each is connected to a voltage source and also to ground potential. sensor 45
and variable resistor VR1 is connected to the non-inverting input of operational amplifier 96, which forms part of detector 46, through capacitor C7. This non-inverting input is further grounded through resistor R14. The inverting input of amplifier 96 is grounded through resistor R12;
It is also connected to the amplifier output through resistor R13. Since sensor 45 receives infrared radiation substantially only from emitter 26, its resistance changes pulsatingly as light pulses from the emitter are received.
Furthermore, since the amplitude of the optical pulse changes with temperature as described above, the magnitude of the pulsating change in resistance of sensor 45 is substantially dependent only on changes in ambient temperature. The operational amplifier 96 amplifies the pulsating voltage changes appearing on both sides of the variable resistor VR1 and the resistor R6 in accordance with the resistance change of the sensor 45. Capacitor C
7 blocks any DC signal component appearing at the junction of sensor 45 and the circuit consisting of variable resistor VR1 and resistor R6. The variable resistor VR1 effectively provides temperature compensation for the output of the sensor 43 when the output voltage of the amplifier 96, which is applied through the filter 50, is set to a predetermined level and is amplified and waved by the detector 44 and filter 48. has been adjusted to do so. Filter 50 Filter 50, like filter 48, is connected to the output of operational amplifier 96 through diode D10. The components of this filter are as follows. A resistor R22 connected in series with the diode D10 and whose output end serves as the output end of the filter, a ground potential section, the diode D10, and the resistor R22.
A series capacitor C10 and a resistor R23 are connected between the junction of the resistor R22 and another capacitor C12 connected between the output of the resistor R22 and ground potential.In operation, the filter 50 waves the pulse output from the operational amplifier 96. and outputs a smoothed DC reference signal from its output terminal. Comparator 60 Comparator 60 includes an operational amplifier 100 whose inverting input receives the output from filter 48 and its non-inverting output receives the output from filter 50. By adjusting variable resistor VR1, the reference signal applied to the non-inverting input of amplifier 100 is adjusted to be less than the signal voltage applied to the inverting input when windshield 30 is clean and free of moisture. has been done. When there is moisture on the windshield, the comparator output is turned on as the signal voltage at the inverting input falls and the output is sent to transistor switch 62 through resistor R35 and two series connected diodes D12, D13. Switch 62 Transistor switch 62 is transistor 3
4, the base of which is a diode D13,
The collector is connected to a 12 volt power source through the light emitting diode 102 and the series resistor R40, and the emitter is connected to ground potential. The output from the collector of this transistor is a relay
This relay is applied to one end of the coil of RL1.
The other end of the coil is connected to the positive power supply. When comparator 60 is turned on in response to detecting moisture on the windshield, a positive output is provided to the base of transistor Q4, turning it on. relay RL
1 is thus energized so that its contact RL1, from the state shown in which there is no current path to the motor 12, connects the "low speed" terminal 12a of the motor 12 and the relay contact RL2/1 in the inoperative state to the contact RL2/1. and one terminal of contact RL2/1, which is a contact terminal grounded through The "low speed" terminal of the motor and ground potential are connected through two relay contacts RL1/1, RL2/1. The common terminal of the motor 12 is connected to the positive power supply, and the grounding of the "low speed" terminal causes the motor to run at a low speed, causing the windshield wipers to operate at a corresponding low speed. Comparator 52 Comparator 52 includes an operational amplifier 104 whose inverting input is connected to the output from filter 48.
In addition, the non-inverting input is passed through the resistor 26 to the filter 50.
are connected to the outputs of each. The non-inverting input of the amplifier is also grounded through resistor R27, so that the reference voltage obtained from filter 50 is partially (determined by the ratio of resistors R26 and R27)
is applied to the non-inverting input of amplifier 104. This proportional voltage causes amplifier 104 to convert from a state in which its output is at ground potential (0 volts) to a state in which its output is a positive output signal of a value lower than that required to turn on amplifier 100. It's about the same level. Switch 54 Switch 54 includes a transistor Q5, the collector of which is connected to the positive power supply through a light emitting diode 106 and a series connected resistor R41. The emitter of this transistor is grounded,
And the base is connected to the output of amplifier 104 through resistor R36. The collector of transistor Q5 is connected to one end of the coil of relay RL2, and the other end of the relay coil is connected to the positive power supply, so when amplifier 104 is turned on, transistor Q5 is also turned on, grounding its collector and connecting relay RL2. connecting the coil to the power supply to energize its relay and relay contact RL2/1 from the state shown to the state where the connection to the contact of relay RL1/1 is disconnected and the "high speed" terminal of motor 12 is directly grounded. Switch. In this condition, motor 12 will therefore run at high speed to operate the wiper blades faster. Since a diode D14 is connected between the collector of transistor Q5 and the junction of resistor R35 and diode D12, when the collector of transistor Q5 is grounded, the output from amplifier 100 is blocked, thereby blocking the transistor Q
4 is turned off, and the contact RL1/1 is returned to the state shown in FIG. Comparator 64 Comparator 64 includes an operational amplifier 108;
The inverting input of this amplifier is connected to the output of filter 50, and the non-inverting input is connected to two series connected resistors R2.
8 and are connected to the output of the filter 48 through R29, respectively. The junction of resistors R28 and R29 is grounded through resistor R30 and connected to resistor R2.
9 and the non-inverting input of amplifier 108 is connected to ground through capacitor C13. Resistance R2
8 and R30 form a voltage divider circuit that determines the sensitivity of the comparator 108, and the resistor R2 and capacitor C13
constitutes a filter circuit, and when an instantaneous increase in the amount of retroreflected light to the sensor 43 occurs, for example, when a wiper blade of a vehicle wiper momentarily comes over the sensor 43, the comparator 108 Prevent switching. When the signal level on the non-rotating terminal of this amplifier 108 rises to a predetermined level exceeding the reference voltage applied from the filter 50, the output of the amplifier is turned on. This state occurs because the reflected light at a predetermined level is reflected by the diodes D1, D2, D3 and the sensor 4.
For example, when the light is received in the opposite direction from 3, it indicates that dust has been detected on the windshield of the vehicle. Switch 66 This includes two transistors Q6 and Q7, the collectors of which are connected to the positive power supply through a series connected light emitting diode 112 and a resistor R42. The base of transistor Q6 is connected to the output from amplifier 108 through resistor R38, while transistor Q6 is connected to the output from amplifier 108 through resistor R38.
connected to the base of. The emitter of transistor Q7 is grounded. The output of the collector of transistor Q7 is connected through diode D16 to one terminal of washer pump 14, and the other terminal of the washer pump is connected to the positive power supply. Therefore, when the amplifier 108 is turned on, the transistor Q7 is also turned on and the collector of this transistor is grounded, so that a current flows from the positive power supply via the pump 14 and the diode D16, through the transistor Q7, and to the ground potential.・You can turn on the pump and apply water to the windshield. Since simply applying water to the windshield is not sufficient to remove dust, when dust is detected, a wiper motor is turned on to operate the wiper to remove dust.
Therefore, the output from amplifier 108 is connected to diode D
15 and a resistor R37 to the base of transistor Q5. In this case, when amplifier 108 is turned on, the base of transistor Q5 is made positive, turning that transistor on, thus causing motor 12 to run at high speed.
Operation of the windshield wiper and washer motor thus continues until dust is no longer detected. Detector 49 This detector 49 includes a first operational amplifier 114 whose non-inverting input is connected to the resistor R5 and the sensor 4.
It is connected to the joint of 3. The inverting input of the amplifier is grounded through resistor R24 and also connected to resistor R25.
is connected to the output of the operational amplifier through. The output from the amplifier 114 is sent to the second operational amplifier 1 through a resistor R31 connected in parallel to the diode D11.
16 inverting inputs. amplifier 116
The inverting input of is also connected to ground through capacitor C14. The non-inverting input of amplifier 116 is connected to resistor R.
32 to the +10 volt reference power supply,
It is also grounded through a resistor R33. Additionally, the non-inverting input of amplifier 116 is connected to the output of amplifier 116 through resistor R34. Amplifier 114 is a DC amplifier that provides a signal voltage from sensor 43 that is indicative of the ambient light level sensed by sensor 43. In this respect, no measures have been taken to prevent the pulsating voltage components appearing on both sides of the resistor R5 due to the reception of the infrared pulses by the sensor 43, but as already known, in reality, the non-pulsating voltage components on both sides of the resistor R5 are prevented. Since the pulsating voltage component (which is directly proportional to the ambient light level sensed by the sensor 43) is more effective than the shorter duration pulsating voltage component for the signal level required to activate the detector 49, the detector 49 detects such a voltage. can operate with signal voltages on both sides of resistor R5 as if there were no pulsating component. The operation of the detector 49 is as follows. In addition,
It is noted that the amplified voltage from amplifier 114 increases when the ambient light level sensed by sensor 43 is low, and that this increase is delayed by the circuit consisting of capacitor C14 and resistor R31. When ambient light levels are high, the voltage applied to the non-inverting terminal of amplifier 114 causes it to saturate and capacitor C14 charges through resistor R31 to keep amplifier 116 off. When the light level suddenly drops, the voltage applied to the non-inverting input of amplifier 114 causes the output of amplifier 114 to fall to ground potential, causing capacitor C14 to drop to ground potential.
immediately discharges through diode D11, changing the voltage applied to the inverting terminal of amplifier 116 and turning on that amplifier and switch 67. In this manner, switch 67 is turned on substantially as soon as a decrease in ambient light level is detected. On the other hand, after such turning on of amplifier 116, it can only be turned off after a predetermined delay from the change in the input of amplifier 114. Therefore, if sensor 43 detects a high light level again, the output of amplifier 114 is raised substantially immediately so that capacitor C14 begins to charge through resistor R31. However, since it takes about 3 seconds to cause charging of capacitor C14 to occur, it takes about 3 seconds to switch amplifier 116, so in these conditions the output of amplifier 116 will detect high ambient light levels at sensor 43. remains on for about three seconds after detection, and the subsequent switching of switch 67 does not occur until after such time period. Additionally, circuits R32, R33, and R34 are capable of turning off the output from amplifier 116 when the ambient light level increases compared to the light level required to turn on amplifier 116 in the case of a falling ambient light level. In this case, a light level twice as high as the light level detected by the sensor 43 is required. Switch 67 Switch 67 includes a transistor 68 whose base is connected to amplifier 11 through resistor R39.
It is connected to the output of 6. The emitter of transistor Q8 is grounded and the collector is connected to the positive power supply through light emitting diode 118 and series resistor R43. When amplifier 116 is turned on,
Transistor Q8 is also turned on, grounding its collector. Its collector is connected to one end of the coil of relay RL3, and the other end of the relay coil is connected to the positive power supply. This energization of relay RL3, which occurs in response to such turning on of transistor Q8, closes contact RL3/1 of that relay, thereby lighting the vehicle's electric lights 16 since they are connected to the positive power source. According to the above, the electric lights of the vehicle are turned on when the ambient light level falls to a first predetermined level, and are turned off when the ambient light level rises to a second predetermined level, and the lights are turned off when the ambient light level is equal to or higher than the second predetermined level. This only occurs after a 3 second delay after the rise. Each component of the circuit of FIG. 4 may be as follows. Amplifiers 90, 92, 96, 114; NS
LM324N double operational amplifier Amplifiers 100, 104, 108, 116; N.
S.LM324N double operational amplifier R1−10Ω1/2W R18−100K1/4W R2−470Ω1/2W R19−100K〃 R3−47Ω1/2W R20−1K〃 R4−AOTNom.1Ω1/2W R21−10K〃 R5−2.7K1/ 4W R22−1K〃 R6−AOTNom.100Ω1/4W R23−10K〃 R7−10K1/4W R24−5.6K〃 R8−68K〃 R25−100K〃 R9−1M〃 R26−150K〃 R10−68K〃 R27−1M〃 R11−1M〃 R28−75K〃 R12−68K〃 R29−1M〃 R13−1M〃 R30−1M〃 R14−1M〃 R31−4.7M〃 R15−1K〃 R32−180K〃 R16−1M〃 R33−2.7K〃 R17−100K〃 R34−100K〃 R35−1K1/4W R36−1K〃 R37−1K〃 R38−1K〃 R39−1K〃 R40−1K〃 R41−1K〃 R42−1K〃 R43−1K〃 VR1−1K potentiometer Meter D _Z - 10V Zener Diode 1/2W C1 - 330μf 15V Electrolytic Capacitor C2 - 15μf Tantalum Bead Capacitor 15V C3 - 330μf 15V Electrolytic Capacitor C4 - 0.1μf Disk Ceramic Capacitor C5 - 15μF Tantalum Bead Capacitor 15V C6 - 100μfN750 Disk Ceramic Capacitor 25V C7−100μfN750 Disk Ceramic Capacitor 25V C8−0.0047μf Polyester Capacitor 25V C9−10μf Tantalum Bead Capacitor 15V C10−10μf Tantalum Bead Capacitor 15V C11−10μf Tantalum Bead Capacitor 15V C12-10μf tantalum bead capacitor 15V C13-1μf tantalum bead capacitor 15V D1+D2+D3-Siemens LD271I-R Emitter sensor 43,45-Siemens BP104I-R
Sensor D5-IN914 Silicon Diode D8-IN914 Silicon Diode D9-IN914 Silicon Diode D10-IN914 Silicon Diode D11-OA91 Germanium Diode D12-IN914 Silicon Diode D13-IN914 Silicon Diode D14-IN914 Silicon Diode D15 -IN914 Silicon diode D16 - BY127 Silicon diode Q1 - BC547NPN Q2 - 2N5191NPN Q3 - BC547NPN Q4 - BD235NPN Q5 - BD235NPN Q6 - BC547NPN Q7 - BD235NPN Q8 - BD235NPN The configuration of the above embodiment is shown for convenience of explanation of the present invention. It is. In particular, although infrared sensors and emitters have been described, other means may be used to detect the presence of moisture or dust on a vehicle windshield. In particular "ultrasonic" generators and detectors can be used for that purpose. However, in such an example, the headlamp cannot be turned on as described above, and it becomes impossible to distinguish between dust and water. However, in such an example, moisture can be detected and only the wiper activated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a broken cross-sectional view of a windshield mounting device forming a part of the device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a case where the outside surface of the windshield is clean and moisture is removed by the infrared radiation means forming a part of the device shown in FIG. 1 is a cutaway cross-sectional view of a vehicle windshield showing the path of infrared radiation emitted, respectively, when on the outer surface of the glass; FIG. 10; Control device, 12; Motor, 14; Washer pump, 16; External light, 18; Battery, 2
4; Voltage regulator, 26; Infrared radiation device, 28;
Transistor switch, 30; windshield, 4
2; Water droplet, 43; Infrared sensor, 44; Detector, 45; Infrared sensor, 46; Detector, 4
8; filter, 49; detector, 50; filter,
52; comparator; 54; transistor switch;
60; Comparator, 62; Transistor switch,
64; Comparator, 66; Transistor switch,
67; transistor switch; 84; device assembly; 86; plastic box; 88; carrier plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A control device for a windshield wiper in a vehicle having a windshield, a windshield wiper, a windshield cleaning device, and a lighting lamp, the control device comprising: (a) generating radiant energy and controlling the generated energy; (b) sensor means for detecting directed energy radiated from the energy radiating means; (c) first switch means coupled to the windshield wiper; (d) second switch means coupled to the windshield cleaning device for operating the windshield wiper in accordance with a change in the state of the first switch means; (e) support means for supporting the energy emitting means and the sensor means, the means for supporting the energy emitting means and the sensor means in response to a change in the state of the second switch means; attached to the inner surface of the glass and configured to cause when energy is directed outwardly from the energy emitting device, a portion of the energy is reflected off the windshield and returned to the sensor device. and the sensor means is responsive to the magnitude of the portion of the energy reflected by the windshield and returned to the sensor means, and is responsive to the presence of moisture on an outer surface of the windshield opposite an inner surface. when the sensor means is configured to decrease the value of the electrical state of the sensor means and increase the value of the electrical state of the sensor means when dust is present on the outer surface of the windshield; (f) coupled to the sensor means and the first and second switch means to control the first switch means upon occurrence of a decrease in the value of the electrical state of the sensor means; switch control means responsive to said change in condition for effecting operation of said windshield wiper and responsive to said change in condition of both said first and second switch means; 1. A control device for a windshield wiper, comprising: a control device for performing operations of both the windshield wiper and the windshield cleaning device in accordance with the occurrence of an increase in the value of a state. 2. The emitting means comprises an infrared emitting device operable to emit infrared radiation upon application of an electrical potential, and the sensing means detects infrared radiation incident on the control detector and detects the change in electrical conditions. A control device according to claim 1, which executes the control device. 3. The control device is a pulse generating means connected to the infrared emitting device and repeatedly applying the potential to the infrared emitting device and causing the infrared emitting device to output pulses with time intervals of infrared radiation in a corresponding manner. and the sensing means is operative to generate time-spaced first signal pulses in response to incidence of the time-spaced reflected infrared radiation on the infrared emitting device. and the first signal pulse has an amplitude related to the intensity of the reflected pulse of infrared radiation.
A control device according to claim 2. 4. The control device of claim 3, wherein the switch control means is responsive to effectuate the change in state of the first switch portion when the first signal pulse has a first amplitude. 5. The switch control means is responsive to effect the change in state of the first and second switch portions when the first signal pulse has a particular amplitude different from the first amplitude. A control device according to claim 4. 6. the control device includes a reference signal generation device;
the reference signal generating device has a reference detection device for detecting infrared radiation, the reference detection device being carried by the support means for directly receiving the infrared radiation pulses from the infrared emitting device; a generator is operative to generate a second signal pulse following a change in electrical conditions of the reference detection device that occurs due to incidence of the infrared radiation pulse from the infrared emitting device on the reference detection device; A first filter means is coupled to the reference signal generator and filters the second signal pulse generated by the reference signal generator to convert the reference signal into a DC signal. 6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the control device is configured to generate the reference signal by generating the reference signal. 7. The control device is connected to a second
7. The control of claim 6, further comprising filter means for receiving the first signal pulse and generating a DC voltage having an amplitude proportional to the amplitude of the first signal pulse. Device. 8. the switch control means includes first comparison means coupled to the first filter means for receiving the reference signal and to the second filter means for receiving the DC voltage; 7. Actuating the first switching means to effectuate the change in the electrical condition of the first switching means when the DC voltage and the reference signal exhibit a first predetermined relationship. Apparatus described in section. 9. the switch control means includes second comparison means coupled to the first filter means for receiving the reference signal and to the second filter means for receiving the DC voltage; when the DC voltage and the reference signal exhibit a second predetermined relationship different from the first predetermined relationship; activate the means;
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, whereby the first amplitude and the special amplitude are related to the DC signal with the reference signal. 10 coupling means for coupling said second comparing means to said first switching means, wherein said coupling means couples said second comparing means to said first switching means, said coupling means coupling said second comparing means to said first switching means; 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a switch means for changing the electrical conditions of one switch means. 11 the control device includes third switch means for controlling operation of the vehicle illumination, and detection means coupled to the detection means for generating a light level signal representative of the level of ambient light to the control detection device; further comprising: a third switch means coupled to the detection means, the detection means responsive to the light level signal to cause the third switch means to detect ambient light to the control detection device; switching from one state to another following a change in the light level signal representing a decrease in the light level signal to a predetermined relatively low level at which the vehicle light is activated. , An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. The control device includes additional switch means in communication with the first switch portion, the additional switch means controlling the wiper device depending on the state of the first switch portion and the additional switch means. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the device is controlled to have one of two speeds. 13 the switch control means includes a third comparison means coupled to the first filter means for receiving the reference signal and coupled to the second filter means; receiving the DC voltage;
The third comparing means controls the additional switching means so that the reference signal and the DC voltage are connected to the first and second switching means.
a third predetermined relationship different from the predetermined relationship and an indication of the presence of an amount of water on the windshield that is different from the amount of water on the windshield represented by the first predetermined relationship; 13. Device according to claim 12, for carrying out a change of state of additional switching means. 14. said detection means is operative to return said third switch portion to said one state when said level of ambient light to said control sensing device reaches a second predetermined relatively high level; 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising delay means for delaying the return to the one state by a predetermined period of time. 15 The control device radiates energy from inside the vehicle and causes the radiated energy to pass through the inside surface of the windshield, reflect off the outside surface of the windshield, and travel back through the inside surface of the windshield to the inside of the vehicle. detecting the presence of dust or water on the windshield by returning to the windshield; detecting a change in the intensity of the reflected energy due to the presence of dust or water on the windshield; and responding to the detection of the change. and operates the windshield wiper and windshield cleaning device when water is present on the windshield, and operates only the windshield wiper when water is present on the windshield, and operates the windshield wiper and the windshield when dust is present on the windshield. 2. The device according to claim 1, which operates to operate both the cleaning device and the cleaning device. 16. The control device detects the change in the intensity of the reflected energy by the same detection device as the one that detects the change in the intensity of the reflected energy.
Claim 16 operative to additionally detect changes in ambient energy radiation incident on the windshield and activate vehicle lighting in response to changes in ambient energy.
Apparatus described in section. 17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the radiated energy is infrared radiation. 18. The radiation is emitted through the inside surface of the windshield and into the windshield at an angle of from 20° to 40° relative to a normal to the inside surface of the windshield. The apparatus according to any one of items 15 to 17.