JP2003002171A - Wiper controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To set a suitable intermittent time corresponding to a rainfall by eliminating the effect of temporary increase of a raindrop quantity attached to a wind shield of a vehicle with a raindrop and a wiper. SOLUTION: Whether or not the raindrop attached to the wind shield is judged as the rainfall based on the raindrop integrated quantity in the predetermined time and the vehicle outside illumination, and when judged as that the raindrop is attached, the reciprocating wiping action of a wiper blade is made even when the intermittent time does not elapse, as well as the renewal of the intermittent time is stopped. This makes the raindrop quantity suddenly increase with the rainfall from a tunnel entrance and a bridge, even when the emergent wiping action of the wiper is made, the intermittent time after the emergent wiping is prevented from being suddenly shortened corresponding to the sudden increase of the temporary rainfall, the feeling of wrongness is not given to a passenger. The wasteful intermittent time after the emergent wiping is prevented from being shortened so that the power of a vehicle-mounted battery can be saved.

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 for wiping a window of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A raindrop sensing automatic intermittent wiper control device is known which controls the intermittent time of a wiper based on the amount of raindrops hitting the detection surface of a raindrop sensor. In this type of wiper control device, since the area of the detection surface of the raindrop sensor is small, the intermittent time changes when the amount of raindrops that hit the detection surface changes even if the amount of rainfall does not change, which gives the occupant a feeling of strangeness.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-349053 proposes the following control method. That is, when the raindrop amount detected by the raindrop sensor for a predetermined period is integrated, and when the integrated value exceeds the threshold value,
The time until the accumulated value of raindrops exceeds the threshold value and the wiping operation starts at the earlier of the intermittent time set last time from the end of the last wiping operation, and the above predetermined time. This is a wiper control method for updating the next intermittent time based on the raindrop amount integrated value of.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional wiper control device, when raindrops from buildings such as trees, tunnels and bridges hit the raindrop sensor, the raindrop sensor detects the raindrop amount even if the rainfall amount is small. Rapidly increases, and the raindrop amount integrated value reaches the threshold immediately and the wiper wiping operation is started. In such a case, the time required for the raindrop amount integrated value to exceed the threshold value is short, and the raindrop amount integrated value for the predetermined time is also large, so the next intermittent time updated based on these parameters is Naturally it will be shorter. That is, when a raindrop or the like hits the raindrop sensor, there is a problem in that the intermittent time of the next time is shortened even though the amount of rainfall has not increased, and the occupant feels uncomfortable.

Further, in the above-described conventional wiper control device, when a window is cleaned with a wet cloth, if the water drop hits the raindrop sensor, the wiper automatically wipes off the wiper, which hinders the cleaning work.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the effect of a temporary increase in the amount of raindrops adhering to the windows of a vehicle due to raindrops or window wiping, and to set an appropriate intermittent time according to the amount of rainfall.

[0007]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing the configuration of an embodiment of the invention. (1) The invention of claim 1 drives a wiper blade in a reciprocating displacement to drive a vehicle. Driving means 8 for wiping the window of the vehicle, raindrop amount detecting means 1 for detecting the raindrop amount adhering to the window of the vehicle, raindrop amount integrating means 5 for integrating the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, and raindrop amount integrated value for the predetermined time. The intermittent time updating means 5 for updating the intermittent time during the intermittent wiping operation of the wiper based on the above, and the wiper blade 1 by the drive means 8 each time the intermittent time elapses.
The present invention is applied to a wiper control device having a control means 5 for performing a single reciprocating wiping operation. Then, the outside illuminance detecting means 2 for detecting the outside illuminance, and the rain deciding means for deciding whether or not the raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are raindrops based on the raindrop amount integrated value and the outside illuminance for a predetermined time. 5, and when the raindrop determining means 5 determines that the raindrop has dropped,
The control means 5 immediately performs one reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade even if the intermittent time has not elapsed, and the intermittent time updating means 5 stops updating the intermittent time for a predetermined time. (2) The wiper control device according to a second aspect includes an illuminance storage unit 52 that stores the exterior illuminance detected by the exterior illuminance detection unit 2 for each predetermined time, and the determination unit 5 determines the raindrop amount integrated value for the predetermined time. Based on the current illuminance outside the vehicle and the change in the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the illuminance storage means 52 from the past to the present, it is determined whether or not the raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are raindrops. It is a thing. (3) According to another aspect of the present invention, the wiper control device includes a vehicle speed detecting means 3 for detecting a vehicle speed, and the intermittent time updating means 5 shortens the predetermined time for stopping the updating of the intermittent time as the vehicle speed increases. Is. (4) According to the invention of claim 4, the wiper blade is reciprocally displaced to drive the vehicle window to wipe the window of the vehicle, the raindrop amount detecting means 1 for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle, and a predetermined time period. An integrating means 5 for integrating the amount of raindrops, an intermittent time updating means 5 for updating the intermittent time during the intermittent wiping operation of the wiper based on the integrated value of the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, and a wiper by the driving means 8 each time the intermittent time elapses. It is applied to a wiper control device provided with a control means 5 for performing one reciprocating wiping operation of the blade. Then, the vehicle exterior illuminance detecting means 2 for detecting the illuminance outside the vehicle, the vehicle speed detecting means 3 for detecting the vehicle speed, the raindrop amount integrated value or the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, the vehicle exterior illuminance, and the vehicle speed are displayed on the vehicle window. A window wiping determination unit 5 that determines whether or not the attached water droplets are due to window wiping. When the window wiping determination unit 5 determines that the water droplets are due to window wiping, the control unit 5 reciprocally wipes the wiper blade. Prohibit operation. (5) The wiper control device according to a fifth aspect includes an illuminance storage unit 52 that stores the exterior illuminance detected by the exterior illuminance detection unit 2 for each predetermined time, and the determination unit 5 causes the raindrop amount integrated value for the predetermined time or Based on the amount of raindrops, the current exterior illuminance, the change in the exterior illuminance stored in the illuminance storage unit 52 from the past to the present, and the vehicle speed, it is determined whether the water droplets adhering to the window of the vehicle are due to window wiping. It is to determine whether or not.

In the section of means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the drawings of one embodiment are used for the sake of easy understanding, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. .

[0009]

According to the invention of claim 1, it is determined whether or not the raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are the raindrops based on the integrated value of the raindrop amount and the illuminance outside the vehicle for a predetermined time. If it is determined that the intermittent time has not elapsed, the wiper blade immediately performs one reciprocating wiping operation and stops updating the intermittent time for a predetermined time. Even if the amount of raindrops suddenly increases suddenly due to rain from a bridge or bridge, and the wiper is urged to wipe off, the intermittent time after the urgent wiping action is prevented from suddenly shortening due to a temporary increase in the amount of raindrops. The passengers will not feel any discomfort. Further, since it is possible to avoid unnecessary reduction of the intermittent time after the emergency wiping operation, it is possible to save the electric power of the vehicle-mounted battery. (2) According to the invention of claim 2, raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are dripped based on the accumulated value of the amount of raindrops for a predetermined period of time, the current exterior illuminance, and the change in the exterior illuminance from the past to the present. Since it is determined whether or not there is a raindrop, it can be accurately determined that the raindrop has fallen from the tunnel entrance or the bridge to the window of the vehicle. (3) According to the invention of claim 3, the higher the vehicle speed, the shorter the time for stopping the updating of the intermittent time. When the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the amount of raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle changes drastically, so it is necessary to promptly update the intermittent time to respond to changes in rainfall. Therefore, by shortening the time for stopping the update of the intermittent time as the vehicle speed is higher, it is possible to set the optimum update stop time according to the vehicle speed. (4) According to the invention of claim 4, it is determined whether or not the water droplets adhering to the window of the vehicle are caused by the window wiping based on the raindrop amount integrated value or the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, the illuminance outside the vehicle, and the vehicle speed. However, when it is determined that the water drops are generated by wiping the window, the wiper blade's reciprocating wiping action is prohibited, so when the vehicle window is being cleaned with a rag etc. Can be detected as raindrops, and the wiper can be prevented from unnecessarily operating and hindering the cleaning work. (5) According to the invention of claim 5, the window of the vehicle is based on the accumulated value of raindrops or the amount of raindrops in a predetermined time, the current illuminance outside the vehicle, the change in illuminance outside the vehicle from the past to the present, and the vehicle speed. Since it is determined whether or not the water droplets attached to the window wipe are due to window wiping, it is possible to accurately determine the cleaning operation of the vehicle window.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION << First Embodiment of the Invention >> FIG.
The configuration of the first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The raindrop sensor 1 is installed on the inside of the windshield (front window) inside the vehicle and detects the amount of raindrops attached to the windshield. As shown in FIG. 2, the raindrop sensor 1 has an LED 1
a and a light-receiving element 1b, for example, 1ms from the LED 1a
Light is emitted in the windshield direction for each ec, and the light critically reflected by the windshield is received by the light receiving element 1b.
When raindrops adhere to the windshield, the light emitted from the LED 1a does not undergo critical reflection by the windshield and is transmitted from the windshield to the outside of the vehicle cabin. Therefore, the more raindrops adhere to the windshield, the more the light is incident on the light receiving element 1b. The amount of light decreases. That is, as the amount of raindrops hitting the windshield increases, the amount of light received by the light-receiving element 1b decreases, so that the amount of raindrops can be known from the amount of received light.

The light receiving sensor 2 is installed inside the windshield to detect the illuminance outside the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the light receiving sensor 2 receives the light that is transmitted through the windshield and enters, and outputs the illuminance outside the vehicle according to the light intensity. The vehicle speed sensor 3 detects a traveling speed (vehicle speed) V of the vehicle.

The wiper switch 4 is installed on the steering column, stops the operation of the wiper arm and turns it off, and the automatic AUT
It is an operation member that switches between O, low speed LO, and high speed HI. The controller 5 has a CPU 51, a memory 52, and a timer 53.
And the like, and executes the wiper automatic control program described later to control the wiper relay 6 and the wiper motor 8
To drive.

The wiper relay 6 is a wiper motor 8
Is a relay for intermittently driving the wiper to intermittently wipe the wiper. The coil 6a of the wiper relay 6 is intermittently driven by the controller 5, and the contact 6b is repeatedly turned on and off to intermittently supply the battery power 9 to the wiper motor 8.

The auto stop switch 7 is provided on a wiper link mechanism (not shown) and operates in conjunction with the wiper arm. When the wiper arm is at the stop position (predetermined stop position at the time of full control shield or semi control shield), the switch 7 is turned off and the contacts c and b are connected. On the other hand, when the wiper arm is in the operating position, the switch 7 is turned on and the contacts c and a are connected.

The wiper motor 8 drives the wiper arm to reciprocate and displace via a link mechanism, and wipes the windshield reciprocally by the wiper blade. The wiper motor 8 is provided with a low speed operation terminal 8a and a high speed operation terminal 8b. When the wiper motor 8 is energized via the low speed operation terminal 8a, the wiper motor 8 rotates at a low speed and the high speed operation terminal 8b is passed through. When electricity is applied to the wiper motor 8, the wiper motor 8 rotates at high speed. ACC power supply 9
Supplies power to the above-mentioned wiper control device from the battery (not shown) of the vehicle when the ignition key switch (not shown) is in the accessory position ACC or the ignition on position ON.

The operation of the wiper when the wiper switch 4 is operated will now be described. When the wiper switch 4 is set to the automatic AUTO position, the low speed operation terminal 8 a of the wiper motor 8 is connected to the wiper relay 6 via the wiper switch 4. At this time, controller 5
When the wiper relay 6 is turned on (connected between the contacts c and a) by the ACC power source 9, the wiper motor 8, the wiper switch 4, and the wiper relay contact 6b (contact c-a).
A current flows to the ground via the, and the wiper motor 8 rotates at a low speed.

When the wiper arm is driven by the wiper motor 8 and the wiper arm moves from the stop position to the operating position, the auto stop switch 7 is turned on (connection between contacts c and a), and the terminal G of the controller 5 becomes the ground potential. Then, the controller 5 recognizes that the wiper arm has been driven to the operating position. Here, the controller 5 turns off the wiper relay 6. Even if the wiper relay 6 is turned off, the ACC power supply 9, the wiper motor 8, the wiper switch 4, the wiper relay contact 6b
(Contact c-b), auto stop switch 7 (contact c-
The current continues to flow to the ground through the path of a), and the wiper motor 8 continues to rotate. When the wiper arm is driven to reciprocate by the wiper motor 8 and returns to the stop position again, the auto stop switch 7 is turned off (connection between contacts c and b), the current flowing to the wiper motor 8 is cut off, and the wiper motor 8 stops. , The wiper arm stops at the stop position.

When a preset "intermittent time" has elapsed, the controller 5 turns on the wiper relay 6 again, and repeats the above-described operation during automatic AUTO operation. Here, the intermittent time is an operation suspension time from the time when the last wiping operation of the wiper is ended to the time when the next wiping operation is started. The operating speed of the wiper during the intermittent wiping operation is constant, and is low in this embodiment. The controller 5 sets the intermittent time of the wiper, that is, the wiper operation stop time according to the integrated value of the raindrop amount, that is, the rainfall amount, and shortens the intermittent time as the rainfall amount increases to operate the wiper at short time intervals. .

When the wiper switch 4 is set to the low speed LO position, a current flows from the ACC power source 9 to the ground via the low speed operation terminal 8a of the wiper motor 8 and the wiper switch 4, and the wiper motor 8 moves at a low speed. To rotate. Further, when the wiper switch 4 is set to the high speed HI position, current flows from the ACC power source 9 to the ground via the high speed operation terminal 8b of the wiper motor 8 and the wiper switch 4, and the wiper motor 8 rotates at high speed. .

When the wiper switch 4 is switched from the low speed LO position or the high speed HI position to the stop OFF position but the wiper arm is not in the stop position, the auto stop switch 7 is in the ON state (connection between contacts c and a). , ACC
Terminal 8a for low speed operation of the wiper motor 8 from the power source 9,
Current flows to the ground via the wiper switch 4, the wiper relay contact 6b (which is in the off state and is connected between the contacts c and b), and the auto stop switch 7 (which is connected between the contacts c and a).
The wiper motor 8 continues to operate at low speed. When the wiper arm reaches the stop position, the auto stop relay 7 is turned off (connection between contacts c and b), the power to the wiper motor 8 is cut off, and the wiper motor 8 stops. That is,
The wiper arm is always stopped at a predetermined stop position by the auto stop switch 7.

When the wiper switch 4 is set to the automatic AUTO position, the terminal D of the controller 5 is connected to the ground via the wiper switch 4. As a result, the controller 5 recognizes that the automatic AUTO mode has been set, and based on the raindrop amount detected by the raindrop sensor 1, the illuminance outside the vehicle detected by the light receiving sensor 2, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 3, The wiper relay 6 is intermittently turned on and off to intermittently operate the wiper.

FIG. 3 shows the details of the controller 5. The raindrop amount integration circuit 54 reads the raindrop amount from the raindrop sensor 1 via the terminal A and integrates it, and the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c.
Stores the raindrop integrated value. As will be described later in detail, the integrated value of raindrop amount is cleared by the microcomputer 51 at an appropriate time, and the integration of raindrop amount is immediately started again. The exterior illuminance memory 52d reads the exterior illuminance from the light receiving sensor 2 via the terminal B and stores it. The illuminance outside the vehicle is repeatedly detected by the light-receiving sensor 2 every predetermined time, and the detected value A1 from the latest to the past 10 times is always
, A10 are stored in the memory 52d.

The voltage detection circuit 55 detects the voltage at the terminal G. When the wiper arm is in the stop position, the auto stop switch 7 is off (connection between contacts c and b), so the voltage of the ACC power supply 9 is detected, and when the wiper arm is in the operation position, the auto stop switch 7 is turned on. Since it is on (connected between contacts c and a), the ground potential is detected.

The mask time memory 52a stores the mask time Tm calculated by the microcomputer 51. Here, the mask time Tm means the intermittent time after the sudden wipe-up operation of the wiper is detected because a sudden increase in the amount of raindrops is temporarily detected due to raindrops falling from trees, tunnel entrances, bridges, etc. onto the windshield. It is the time when no update is performed. After the wiper urgent wiping operation is performed, by not updating the intermittent time of the wiper for the mask time Tm, it is possible to prevent the intermittent time from suddenly changing due to rain. The mask time timer 53a measures the elapsed time during the mask period.

The intermittent time memory 52b stores the intermittent time T set by the microcomputer 51.
In addition, the intermittent time timer 53b measures the elapsed time during the operation suspension period during the wiper intermittent wiping operation. The microcomputer 51 outputs an ON signal of the wiper relay 6 from the terminal E when the elapsed time during the operation rest period during the wiper intermittent wiping operation reaches the intermittent time T, and turns on the wiper relay 6 to drive the wiper motor 8. Then wipe the wiper.

4 to 5 are flow charts showing the wiper automatic control program of the first embodiment. When the wiper switch 4 is set to the automatic AUTO position and the terminal D of the controller 5 becomes the ground potential, the microcomputer 51 executes this wiper automatic control program every predetermined time, for example, every 1 msec.

In step 1, the voltage detection circuit 55 is connected to the terminal G.
Is read, and in the following step 2, it is confirmed based on the voltage of the terminal G whether the wiper arm is in the stop position. When the wiper arm is not in the stop position, the process proceeds to step 4 and the wiper relay 6 is turned off. When the wiper arm is not in the stop position but in the operating position, it means that the wiper is performing the wiping operation, and even if the wiper relay 6 is turned off, as described above, the ACC power source 9, the wiper motor 8, the wiper switch 4, Wiper relay contact 6b
(Contact c-b), auto stop switch 7 (contact c-
Current flows to the ground through the route of a), and the wiper motor 8
Will continue to drive. When the wiper arm returns to the stop position again, the auto stop switch 7 is turned off (contact c-b is connected), the current flowing to the wiper motor 8 is cut off, and one reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper is completed.

On the other hand, when the wiper arm is at the stop position, the routine proceeds to step 3, where the latest exterior illuminance A1 is read from the exterior illuminance memory 52d. In step 5, it is confirmed whether the latest illuminance A1 outside the vehicle is equal to or less than the determination reference value α2. Here, α2 is a reference value for determining whether the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge, and sets a standard exterior illuminance in the tunnel or under the bridge. When the latest exterior illuminance A1 is larger than the determination reference value α2, it is determined that the vehicle has not entered the tunnel or under the bridge, and the process proceeds to step 10 without calculating the mask time.

When the latest vehicle exterior illuminance A1 is less than the judgment reference value α2, the routine proceeds to step 6, where the oldest vehicle exterior illuminance A10 of the past 10 vehicle exterior illuminances is read from the vehicle exterior illuminance memory 52d, and the following step 7 exterior illuminance. Change (A10-
It is confirmed whether A1) is the judgment reference value α1 or more. Here, α1 is a reference value for determining whether the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge, and sets a standard variation amount of the exterior illuminance when entering the tunnel or under the bridge. When the change in the illuminance outside the vehicle (A10-A1) is smaller than the determination reference value α1, it is determined that the vehicle has not entered the tunnel or under the bridge, and the process proceeds to step 10 without calculating the mask time.

In this embodiment, the latest vehicle illuminance A1
Is less than or equal to the determination reference value α2, and the difference between the latest exterior illuminance A1 and the past exterior illuminance A10, that is, the exterior illuminance change (A
When 10-A1) is the reference value α1 or more, it is determined that the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge. This allows
It is possible to reliably detect the entry of a vehicle into a tunnel or under a bridge. The latest vehicle illuminance A1 is the reference value α
It may be determined that the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge when it is 2 or less or when the change in illuminance outside the vehicle (A10-A1) is equal to or greater than the determination reference value α1.

When the entry into the tunnel or under the bridge is detected, the mask time Tm is calculated in step 8 and stored in the mask time memory 52a. The mask time Tm is obtained by reading the current vehicle speed V from the vehicle speed sensor 3 and dividing the predetermined distance β by the vehicle speed V.

[Formula 1] Tm = β / V When the vehicle is traveling at high speed, the amount of raindrops that hit the windshield changes drastically, so it is necessary to update the intermittent time promptly to cope with changes in rainfall. Therefore, the higher the vehicle speed V, the shorter the mask time Tm. That is, the intermittent time is not updated until the vehicle travels the predetermined distance β regardless of the vehicle speed V. In step 9, the mask time timer 53a is started.

In this embodiment, the distance β is set to a constant value, but if raindrops adhere to the windshield during traveling in the tunnel, the light from the illumination in the tunnel is irregularly reflected by the raindrops and the visibility deteriorates. Therefore, the distance β may be set to a variable value such as shortening the distance β when the tunnel entry is detected based on the data of the navigation device.

In step 10, the raindrop amount integrated value is read from the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c, and then in step 11
Check whether the integrated value of raindrops exceeds the judgment reference value W1. Here, W1 is a reference value for determining whether or not a raindrop has fallen from the roadside object to the windshield and needs to be wiped urgently with a wiper. Set by obtaining through experiments.

If the integrated value of the amount of raindrops is larger than the judgment reference value W1, it is judged that the emergency wiping operation is necessary, and the routine proceeds to step 21 in FIG. In step 21, the time measured by the mask time timer 53a is read, and in the following step 22, it is confirmed whether the elapsed time during the mask period is the mask time Tm set in step 8 or more. When the elapsed time during the mask period is less than the mask time Tm, the mask period is still in effect and there is no need to update the intermittent time, so the routine proceeds to step 26.

On the other hand, when the elapsed time during the mask period exceeds the mask time Tm set in step 8, the process proceeds to step 23 to update the intermittent time. In step 23, the raindrop amount integrated value is read from the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c, and in the following step 24, the intermittent time T is set and stored in the intermittent time memory 52b.

Here, a method of setting the intermittent time T will be described. The next intermittent time T is selected from Table 1 based on the current intermittent time set at the time of the previous update and the raindrop amount integrated value read in step 23.

[Table 1] In this embodiment, the intermittent time T [sec] is 0 (continuous),
In four stages of 1, 2, and 5, the raindrop amount integrated value is compared with the short-time transition threshold value, the long-time transition threshold value, and the stop threshold value, and the next intermittent time T is selected. For example, when the current intermittent time is 2 seconds and the raindrop amount integrated value becomes equal to or more than the short-time transition threshold value 4.0, the next intermittent time T is set to 1 sec, and the raindrop integrated value transits for a long time. When the threshold value is 1.0 or less and the stop threshold value is 0.5 or more, the next intermittent time T is set to 5 sec. When the raindrop integrated value is smaller than the stop threshold value 0.5, the wiper is activated. To stop. Further, for example, when the current intermittent time is 1 sec and the raindrop amount integrated value becomes equal to or more than the short-time transition threshold value 2.5, the next intermittent time T is set to 0 sec, that is, continuous operation, and the raindrop amount integrated The value is 0.5 or less for the long-term transition threshold and the stop threshold is 0.
When it is 2 or more, the second intermittent time T is set to 2 sec. When the raindrop amount integrated value is smaller than the stop threshold value 0.2, the wiper operation is stopped.

After setting and storing the next intermittent time T, the intermittent time timer 53b is started in step 25, and the stored value of the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c is cleared in the following step 26. Therefore, in this embodiment, the raindrop amount integrated value is cleared each time the wiper automatic control program is executed. In step 27, the wiper relay 6 is turned on to operate the wiper motor 8 to operate the wiper.

In step 11, when the integrated value of raindrop amount is equal to or smaller than the judgment reference value W1, it is judged that it is not necessary to perform the wiper emergency wiping operation, and the process proceeds to step 12. In step 12, the elapsed time during the operation pause period is read from the intermittent time timer 53b, and in the following step 13, the elapsed time during the operation pause period is compared with the intermittent time T set at the previous update. When the elapsed time during the operation suspension period has not reached the intermittent time T, the execution of this control program is once terminated. On the other hand, when the elapsed time during the operation suspension period exceeds the intermittent time T, the process proceeds to step 21 in FIG. 5 and the next intermittent time T is set as described above.

If it is determined in step 5 or 7 that the vehicle has not entered under the tunnel or bridge, the mask time Tm in step 8 is calculated and the mask time timer 53a in step 9 is started. Since it is not performed, the elapsed time during the mask period read in step 21 is 0, and the determination in the subsequent step 22 is affirmative because both the elapsed time and the mask time Tm are 0, and the process proceeds to step 23 and thereafter. The intermittent time T is set and stored based on the integrated raindrop amount.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the latest illuminance A1 outside the vehicle drops below the judgment reference value α2, and the change in illuminance outside the vehicle from the past to the latest (A10-
When A1) is equal to or greater than the determination reference value α1, it is determined that the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge, and if the cumulative amount of raindrops at that time exceeds the determination reference value W1, activate the wiper. The windshield is urgently wiped off, and after the urgent wiping, the next intermittent time T is not updated during the mask time Tm determined based on the vehicle speed V, and the wiper is intermittently operated at the intermittent time set before the urgent wiping. I do.

In other words, in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the raindrop has fallen from the roadside object to the windshield based on the raindrop volume integrated value and the illuminance outside the vehicle for a predetermined time, and the raindrop has fallen. When the determination is made, the wiper performs one reciprocating wiping operation immediately even if the intermittent time T has not elapsed, and stops updating the intermittent time T for the mask time Tm. As a result, the amount of raindrops suddenly increases rapidly due to rain from the tunnel entrance or bridge, and even when the wiper is wiped urgently, the intermittent time after the wipe operation is suddenly shortened due to the temporary increase in the amount of raindrops. This prevents the passengers from feeling uncomfortable and does not give the occupant a feeling of strangeness. Further, since it is possible to avoid unnecessary reduction of the intermittent time after the emergency wiping operation, it is possible to save the electric power of the vehicle-mounted battery. further,
Even if the amount of raindrops on the windshield temporarily increases due to the water splashed by the oncoming vehicle while driving at night, it is possible to determine the bounceup from the external light illumination by the light from the headlights of the oncoming vehicle and the integrated raindrop amount. Similar effects can be obtained.

<Second Embodiment of the Invention> When the windshield is wiped with a rag or the like, the raindrop sensor 1 detects water droplets on the rag as raindrops, and prevents the wiper from operating unnecessarily. A second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the second embodiment is shown in FIG.
3 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

6 to 7 are flow charts showing the wiper automatic control program of the second embodiment. It should be noted that the steps for performing the same processes as those of the wiper automatic control program according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Also,
In the second embodiment, the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment is performed, and therefore illustration and description thereof are omitted.

In step 31 after reading the latest vehicle illuminance A1, the latest vehicle illuminance A1 is the reference value α.
Check if it is 3 or less. Here, α3 is a reference value for determining whether the windshield is being cleaned with a dust cloth or the like, and is a standard value when the windshield in front of the light receiving sensor 2 is covered with the dust cloth when cleaning the windshield. A specific illuminance. This judgment reference value α3
Is preferably a value smaller than a reference value α2 for determining that the vehicle has entered the tunnel or under the bridge. When the latest exterior illuminance A1 is larger than the determination reference value α3, it is determined that the windshield has not been cleaned, and the process proceeds to step 5, and thereafter, the same processing as that of the first embodiment described above is performed. To do.

On the other hand, the latest illuminance A1 outside the vehicle is the reference value α
When it is 3 or less, it is determined that the windshield is being cleaned and the front surface of the light receiving sensor 2 of the windshield is covered with a dust cloth or the like, and the process proceeds to step 32 of FIG. 7. In step 32, the past exterior illuminance A5 is read from the exterior illuminance memory 52d, and in the following step 33, it is confirmed whether or not the change in exterior illuminance (A5-A1) is equal to or greater than the determination reference value α4. Here, α4 is a reference value for determining whether the windshield is being cleaned with a dust cloth or the like, and is a standard value when the windshield in front of the light receiving sensor 2 is covered with the dust cloth when cleaning the windshield. Set the amount of change in illuminance. When the change in the illuminance outside the vehicle (A5-A1) is smaller than the determination reference value α4, it is determined that the windshield has not been cleaned, and the process returns to step 5 in FIG.
After that, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed.

In this embodiment, the latest vehicle exterior illuminance A1
Is the judgment reference value α3 or less, and the difference between the latest vehicle exterior illuminance A1 and the past vehicle exterior illuminance A5, that is, the vehicle exterior illuminance change (A5
When -A1) is equal to or greater than the determination reference value α4, it is determined that the windshield is being cleaned and the windshield in front of the light receiving sensor 2 is covered with a dust cloth or the like.
As a result, it is possible to reliably detect that the windshield is being cleaned. It may be determined that the windshield is being cleaned when the latest vehicle exterior illuminance A1 is α3 or less or the vehicle exterior illuminance change (A5-A1) is α4 or more.

Next, in step 34, the vehicle speed V is read from the vehicle speed sensor 3, and in the following step 35, it is determined whether the vehicle speed V is less than or equal to the determination reference value V1. Here, V1 is a reference value for determining that the vehicle is stopped, and is set to, for example, 3 km / h. When the vehicle speed V exceeds the determination reference value V1, it is determined that the vehicle is traveling, and the windshield is not cleaned during traveling, so the procedure returns to step 5 in FIG. 5, and thereafter the first implementation. The same process as the above form is performed. On the other hand, vehicle speed V
If it is determined that the vehicle is stopped at the determination reference value V1 or less, the process proceeds to step 36.

In step 36, the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c
The raindrop amount integrated value is read from, and it is checked in step S37 whether the raindrop amount integrated value is equal to or more than the determination reference value W2. Here, W2 is a reference value for determining whether the windshield is being cleaned with a rag or the like, and sets a standard "water drop" amount when the windshield is wiped with the rag or the like. If it is determined that the windshield is being cleaned because the accumulated amount of raindrops is equal to or greater than the determination reference value W2, step 38.
Then, the stored value of the raindrop amount integrated value memory 52c is cleared and the wiper automatic control is ended. On the other hand, when the integrated value of the amount of raindrops is smaller than the determination reference value W2 and it is determined that the windshield is not being cleaned, the process returns to step 5 of FIG. 6, and thereafter, the same processing as that of the first embodiment is performed. .

In the steps 36 to 37, the raindrop sensor 1 is compared with the judgment reference value W2 to detect that the windshield is being cleaned. However, instead of such processing, the raindrop sensor 1 is used. It may be determined that the windshield is being cleaned when the amount of "water droplets" is detected when the windshield is wiped with a cloth or the like.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the latest illuminance A1 outside the vehicle is reduced to the judgment reference value α3 or less and the illuminance outside the vehicle from the past to the latest (A5-A).
1) is equal to or greater than the determination reference value α4, the vehicle speed V is equal to or lower than the determination reference value V1 and the raindrop amount integrated value is equal to the determination reference value W.
When it exceeds 2, the raindrop integrated value is cleared and the automatic wiper control is terminated, that is, the intermittent wipe operation of the wiper is prohibited.

In other words, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether the water droplets adhering to the window of the vehicle are due to the window wiping based on the raindrop amount integrated value or the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, the illuminance outside the vehicle, and the vehicle speed. If it is determined that the water droplets are due to window wiping, the reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade is prohibited. Thus, when the windshield is being cleaned with a rag or the like, the light receiving sensor 2 can prevent water droplets on the rag from being detected as raindrops and prevent the wiper from unnecessarily operating and hindering the cleaning work. it can.

In the above-described embodiment, the wiper control device of the present invention is applied to the windshield (front window) of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to the windshield, but can be applied to any rear window. It can be applied to vehicle windows.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a raindrop sensor and a light receiving sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a wiper automatic control program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an automatic wiper control program following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a wiper automatic control program according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an automatic wiper control program following FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Raindrop sensor 1a LED 1b Light receiving element 2 Light receiving sensor 3 vehicle speed sensor 4 wiper switch 5 controller 6 Wiper relay 7 Auto stop switch 8 wiper motor 8a Terminal for low speed operation 8b High speed operation terminal 9 ACC power supply 51 Microcomputer 52 memory 52a Mask time memory 52b Intermittent time memory 52c Raindrop accumulated value memory 52d exterior illumination memory 53 timer 53a Mask time timer 53b Intermittent time timer 54 Raindrop amount integrating circuit 55 Voltage detection circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A driving means for driving a wiper blade in a reciprocating displacement to wipe a window of a vehicle, a raindrop amount detecting means for detecting an amount of raindrops adhering to a window of the vehicle, and a raindrop amount for accumulating raindrop amounts for a predetermined time. An integrating means, an intermittent time updating means for updating the intermittent time of the wiper intermittent wiping operation based on a cumulative value of the raindrop amount for a predetermined time, and one wiper blade wipe-back wiping by the driving means each time the intermittent time elapses. In a wiper control device having a control means for operating, raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are dripped based on the exterior illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance outside the vehicle and the integrated value of the raindrop amount for a predetermined time and the illuminance outside the vehicle. If the raindrop determining means determines that the raindrop has dropped, the control means immediately determines whether or not the intermittent time has elapsed. To wipe the wiper blade once,
The wiper control device, wherein the intermittent time updating means stops updating the intermittent time for a predetermined time. 2. The wiper control device according to claim 1, further comprising an illuminance storage unit that stores the exterior illuminance detected by the exterior illuminance detection unit every predetermined time, and the determination unit is the raindrop amount for a predetermined time. Based on the integrated value, the current exterior illuminance, and the change in the exterior illuminance stored in the illuminance storage means from the past to the present, it is determined whether or not raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle are raindrops. A wiper control device characterized by the above. 3. The wiper control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a vehicle speed detection means for detecting a vehicle speed, wherein the intermittent time updating means stops updating the intermittent time as the vehicle speed increases. A wiper control device characterized by shortening the time. 4. A driving means for driving a wiper blade to reciprocate and displace the window of a vehicle, a raindrop amount detecting means for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to the window of the vehicle, and an integrating means for integrating the raindrop amount for a predetermined time. And an intermittent time updating means for updating the intermittent time during the intermittent wiping operation of the wiper based on the cumulative value of raindrops for a predetermined time, and one reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade by the driving means each time the intermittent time elapses. In a wiper control device having a control means for performing, an exterior illuminance detecting means for detecting an illuminance outside the vehicle, a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed, a raindrop amount integrated value or a raindrop amount for a predetermined time, and an illuminance outside the vehicle,
A window wiping determination unit that determines whether or not the water droplets attached to the window of the vehicle based on the vehicle speed are due to the window wiping, and if the window wiping determination unit determines that the water droplets are due to the window wiping, The wiper control device is characterized in that the control means prohibits the reciprocating wiping operation of the wiper blade. 5. The wiper control device according to claim 4, further comprising an illuminance storage unit that stores the exterior illuminance detected by the exterior illuminance detection unit at predetermined time intervals, and the determination unit has a raindrop amount for a predetermined time period. Based on the integrated value or the amount of raindrops, the current exterior illuminance, the change in the exterior illuminance stored in the illuminance storage means from the past to the present, and the vehicle speed, the water droplets attached to the window of the vehicle are wiped by the window wipe. A wiper control device characterized by determining whether or not it is one.