JP2003154924A - Wiper deicer device and method of operating wiper deicer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper deicer device capable of preventing a burning from occurring by a lock current by automatically preventing a wiper from being frozen and a method of operating a wiper deicer. SOLUTION: This wiper deicer device comprises a wiper motor 2 for driving the wiper according to operating signals from a wiper switch 1, the wiper deicer 5 formed of heating coils disposed on the glass surface of a vehicle window, an atmospheric temperature sensor 11 for detecting atmospheric temperature, a current detection means 10a for detecting a lock current flowing through the wiper motor 2, a freeze detection means 10b for detecting the state of freeze based on atmospheric temperature data from the atmospheric temperature sensor 11, and a control means 10c for controlling the wiper deicer 5 so as to operate for a specified time when the lock current is detected by the current detection means 10a and the state of freeze is detected by the freeze detection means 10b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper deicer device and a method for operating a wiper deicer, which prevent the wiper of a vehicle from freezing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional wiper deicer device. In FIG. 3, the wiper deicer device includes a wiper switch 1 connected to a + B power source such as a battery, a wiper motor 2 for driving a wiper (not shown), and a wiper deicer relay 3 including an exciting coil 3a and a relay switch 3b. ,
A wiper deicer switch 4 with a built-in timer including a switch 4a and a timer 4b for controlling the operation of the switch 4a, and a wiper deicer 5 made of a heat wire or the like arranged on the glass surface of the vehicle window.

In the above circuit, the wiper switch 1
When is turned on, the wiper motor 2 is activated to drive the wiper. On the other hand, when the switch 4a of the timer built-in wiper deicer switch 4 is turned on, the switch 4
When the timer 4b starts counting at the same time as a is turned on, and the exciting coil 3a is excited and the relay switch 3b is turned on until the timer 4b counts up after a predetermined time elapses, a current flows through the wiper de-icer 5. The glass surface of the vehicle window is heated to prevent freezing.

[0004]

As described above, in the above-mentioned wiper deicer device, the wiper deicer switch 4 has a timer function so that the wiper deicer 5 can be turned off by the timer after a certain period of time when the wiper deicer 5 is on. I am making it. Further, since the wiper circuit and the wiper deicer circuit are independent of each other, when the wiper is frozen, it is necessary for a human to visually judge and turn on the switch 4a of the wiper deicer switch 4. Furthermore, when trying to operate the wiper when the wiper blade freezes, the wiper does not move due to the freeze, and as a result,
If a lock current flows through the wiper motor 2 and this state continues for a predetermined time or longer, the wiper motor 2 may be burned.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a wiper de-icer device and a method for operating the wiper de-icer, which automatically prevents the wiper from freezing and prevents burnout due to a lock current. It is an issue.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a wiper motor for driving a wiper in response to an operation signal from a wiper switch and a glass surface of a vehicle window. A wiper de-icer consisting of a heat wire, etc., an outside air temperature sensor for detecting the outside air temperature, a current detecting means for detecting a lock current flowing in the wiper motor, and an outside air temperature data from the outside air temperature sensor When the lock current is detected by the current detecting means and the freeze state is detected by the freeze detecting means, the wiper deicer is controlled to operate for a predetermined time. Means, and a wiper deicer device characterized by including.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the wiper deicer device includes a wiper motor for driving the wiper in response to an operation signal from the wiper switch, and a wiper arranged on the glass surface of the vehicle window. Deicer, outside temperature sensor to detect outside temperature, current detection means to detect lock current flowing to wiper motor, freezing detection means to detect frozen state based on outside temperature data from outside temperature sensor, and current detection And a control means for controlling the wiper deicer to operate for a predetermined time when the lock current is detected by the means and the frozen state is detected by the freeze detecting means.

As a result, it is possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing and prevent the wiper motor from burning due to the lock current.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 is further provided with a wiper de-icer switch, and the control means controls the wiper de-icer switch for a predetermined time in accordance with an operation signal of the wiper de-icer switch. The wiper deicer device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper deicer device is controlled so as to be operated during the period.

According to another aspect of the invention, the wiper deicer device further includes a wiper deicer switch. The control means controls the wiper deicer to operate for a predetermined time in response to the operation signal of the wiper deicer switch.

Thus, the wiper deicer can be operated at any time to prevent the wiper from freezing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 3 detects a lock current flowing through a wiper motor, and a freeze detecting step to detect a frozen state in which the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature. And a de-icer operating step of operating the wiper de-icer for a predetermined time when a lock current is detected in the current detecting step and a frozen state is detected in the freezing detecting step. It depends on how the deicer works.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a method of operating the wiper deicer includes a current detecting step of detecting a lock current flowing through the wiper motor, and a freezing detecting step of detecting a frozen state in which the outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. A deicer operating step of operating the wiper deicer for a predetermined time when a lock current is detected in the current detecting step and a frozen state is detected in the freezing detecting step.

This makes it possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing and prevent the wiper motor from burning due to the lock current.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 is a current detecting step for detecting a lock current flowing through the wiper motor, and a freezing detecting step for detecting a frozen state in which the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature. And a lock current is detected in the current detection step, and a freeze step is detected in the freeze detection step when the frozen state is detected, and a lock current is detected in the current detection step, and When a frozen state is detected in the freezing detection step, a deicer operating step of operating the wiper deicer for a predetermined time, and an operating step of operating the wiper motor following the deicer operating step And the operating method of the wiper de-icer.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the method of operating the wiper deicer comprises a current detecting step of detecting a lock current flowing through the wiper motor, and a freezing detecting step of detecting a freezing state in which the outside air temperature is below a predetermined temperature. , If the lock current is detected in the current detection step and the frozen state is detected in the freeze detection step, the stop step that stops the wiper motor and the lock current is detected in the current detection step and freezes in the freeze detection step When a condition is detected, the wiper de-icer is operated for a predetermined time, and the de-icer operating step is followed by an operation step of operating the wiper motor.

As a result, it is possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing, prevent the wiper motor from burning due to the lock current, and continue the operation of the wiper.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wiper deicer device of the present invention.
The wiper deicer device is driven by a + B power source such as a battery, and is connected to an intelligent power switch (hereinafter, referred to as IPS) 10 that functions as a current detection unit 10a, a freeze detection unit 10b, and a control unit 10c, and an input port P1 of the IPS 10. Wiper switch 2 and IPS
A wiper de-icer switch 3 connected to the input port P2 of 10 and an outside air temperature sensor 11 connected to the input port P3 of the IPS 10 to detect the outside air temperature;
Of the wiper motor 2 connected to the output port P4 of
The wiper deicer 5 is connected to the output port P5 of PS10.

With the above-described structure, the wiper deicer device determines whether the wiper blade is frozen based on the outside air temperature data obtained from the outside air temperature sensor 11, and automatically controls the operation of the wiper deicer 5.

That is, when the wiper switch 1 is turned on and the wiper is operated, if a lock current flows in the wiper motor 2, the IPS 10 protects the circuit. That is, the IPS 10 detects that a lock current has flowed in the wiper motor 2 when the wiper motor 1 is actuated and the wiper is driven by turning on the wiper switch 1, and the IPS 10 detects the outside temperature sensor 11. When the frozen state is detected by the freezing detection means 10b from the outside air temperature data, the wiper motor 2 is stopped by the control means 10c and the wiper deicer 5 is operated for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) to freeze the frozen state. To eliminate. After the lock current is not generated in the wiper motor 2, the wiper motor 2 is operated again to smoothly operate the wiper.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a method of operating the wiper deicer device of FIG. First, when the wiper switch 1 is turned on (step S1), I
The PS 10 controls the wiper motor 2 so as to supply a drive voltage to the + B power source, and operates the wiper motor 2 (step S3). Next, the IPS 10 determines whether or not the wiper switch 1 has been turned off (step S
4) If the answer is yes, end the process.

On the other hand, if the answer to step S4 is no, then the IPS 10 detects the current flowing through the wiper motor 2 and determines whether this current has reached the threshold value corresponding to the lock current (step S4). Step S5). If the answer is no, the process returns to step S3, the operation of the wiper motor 2 is continued, and the wiper remains activated.

On the other hand, if the answer to step S5 is yes,
Next, the IPS 10 controls so as to cut off the supply of the drive voltage from the + B power source to the wiper motor 2 and stops the wiper motor 2 (step S6).

Next, the IPS 10 includes the outside air temperature sensor 11
It is determined whether or not the wiper is in a frozen state based on the outside temperature data supplied from (step S
7). Here, the IPS 10 determines that the outside air temperature is below the predetermined temperature and that the IPS 10 is in a frozen state.

If the answer to step S7 is no (that is, if it is determined that the wiper is not frozen), the process returns to step S3.

On the other hand, if the answer to step S7 is yes (that is, if it is determined that the wiper is in a frozen state), then the IPS 10 controls the wiper deicer 5 so that a current flows from the + power source, The wiper deicer 5 is operated (step S8). Then I
The PS 10 starts an internal timer (not shown) at the same time as the operation of the wiper deicer 5 is started (step S9). This timer counts a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) for continuing the operation of the wiper deicer 5.

Then, the IPS 10 determines whether or not the timer has counted up (step S10). If the answer is no, then the operation of the wiper deicer 5 is continued (step S11), and then step S10.
Return to. On the other hand, if the answer is yes, then IPS
10 controls to cut off the current supply from the + power source to the wiper deicer 5, and stops the operation of the wiper deicer 5 (step S12). Thereby, the glass surface of the vehicle window is heated for a predetermined time, and the freezing of the wiper is eliminated.

Next, the IPS 10 determines whether or not the wiper switch 1 has been turned off (step S1).
3) If the answer is no, return to step S3, and if the answer is yes, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the wiper de-icer switch 4 is turned on (step S2), the process proceeds to step S8, and in the same manner as described above, the operations of steps S8 to S12 are performed and the vehicle window is operated for a predetermined time. The glass surface of is wiped and the freezing of the wiper is eliminated.

As described above, when the wiper is to be operated, the wiper deicer 5 is automatically operated to thaw the freezing of the wiper based on the detection of the outside temperature and the wiper lock state, and the wiper motor 2 is operated. Can be protected from burning due to lock current. Also, after the wiper motor 2 is in a state where no lock current is generated,
The wiper motor 2 can be operated again, and the wiper can be operated smoothly.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0032]

According to the wiper deicer device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing and prevent the wiper motor from burning due to the lock current.

According to the wiper deicer device of the second aspect of the invention, the wiper deicer can be operated at any time to prevent the wiper from freezing.

According to the operating method of the wiper deicer according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing and prevent the wiper motor from burning due to the lock current.

According to the operating method of the wiper deicer according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically prevent the wiper from freezing and prevent the wiper motor from being burned due to the lock current, thus continuing the operation of the wiper. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wiper deicer device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of the wiper deicer device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional wiper deicer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Wiper switch 2 wiper motor 4 Wiper deicer switch 5 Wiper deicer 10 IPS (Intelligent Power Switch) 10a Current detection means 10b Freezing detection means 10c control means 11 Outside temperature sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A wiper motor for driving a wiper in response to an operation signal from a wiper switch, a wiper deicer including a heating wire or the like arranged on a glass surface of a vehicle window, and an outside air temperature sensor for detecting an outside air temperature. A current detecting means for detecting a lock current flowing through the wiper motor, a freezing detecting means for detecting a freezing state based on outside air temperature data from the outside air temperature sensor, and a lock current detected by the current detecting means, and A wiper deicer device comprising: a control unit for controlling the wiper deicer to operate for a predetermined time when the frozen state is detected by the freezing detection unit. 2. A wiper de-icer switch is further provided, and the control means controls the wiper de-icer to operate for a predetermined time in response to an operation signal of the wiper de-icer switch. 1
The described wiper deicer device. 3. A current detecting step of detecting a lock current flowing through a wiper motor, a freezing detecting step of detecting a freezing state in which an outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, a lock current is detected in the current detecting step, and A method of operating a wiper deicer, comprising: a deicer operating step of operating the wiper deicer for a predetermined time when a frozen state is detected in the freeze detection step. 4. A current detection step of detecting a lock current flowing through a wiper motor, a freezing detection step of detecting a freezing state in which an outside air temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, a lock current is detected in the current detection step, and When a frozen state is detected in the freeze detection step, the wiper motor is stopped, and when the lock current is detected in the current detection step and the frozen state is detected in the freeze detection step, the wiper deicer And a step of operating the wiper motor, following the step of operating the deicer for a predetermined time, and the step of operating the wiper motor, the step of operating the wiper deicer.