JP2007161004A - Wiper control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiper control device capable of preventing any operation of a wiper while a washer liquid is not ejected, without using any ejection detection sensor for detecting the ejection of the washer liquid itself. <P>SOLUTION: A wiper is operated when it is determined that the remaining amount of a washer liquid is reduced based on the result of detection by a remaining washer liquid amount sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the operation of a wiper provided on a front window or the like of a vehicle.

  Usually, a wiper provided in an automobile or the like operates in conjunction with an ON operation on a washer switch.

  However, even if the washer switch is turned on, the washer fluid is not actually ejected when the motor for ejecting the washer fluid is broken or when the washer nozzle is clogged. If the wiper operates in a state where the washer liquid is not ejected, the windshield, the wiper rubber, or the like may be damaged.

  Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which a spray detection sensor for detecting the spray of the washer liquid is provided in the spray nozzle of the washer liquid, and the wiper operation is prohibited when the spray detection sensor detects that the washer liquid is not sprayed. .

  However, in order to detect the ejection of the washer liquid, for example, it is necessary to incorporate an ejection detection sensor using a valve or the like that moves by the inflow of the washer liquid in the middle of the flow path of the washer liquid, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the wiper from operating in a state in which the washer liquid is not ejected without using an ejection detection sensor that detects ejection of the washer liquid.

  A wiper control device according to the present invention is a wiper control device that controls the operation of a wiper that wipes a surface to be wiped, and a washer liquid remaining amount detecting means that detects a remaining amount of a washer tank that stores washer liquid, Wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means, and the wiper control means is configured to detect the washer liquid remaining amount detection means based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means. Determining whether or not the washer liquid in the tank has been ejected, and controlling the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the washer liquid in the washer tank has been ejected It is.

  The wiper control device according to the present invention is a wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper for wiping the surface to be wiped, and is a washer liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a washer tank in which washer liquid is stored. And wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means, wherein the wiper control means is based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means. To determine whether or not the remaining amount of washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased, and when it is determined that the remaining amount of washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased, the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped. It controls the operation of the wiper.

  The wiper control device according to the present invention is a wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper for wiping the surface to be wiped, and is a washer liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of a washer tank in which washer liquid is stored. And wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means, wherein the wiper control means is based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means. Determining whether or not the remaining amount of washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased more than a predetermined amount necessary for smooth operation of the wiper, and the remaining amount of washer liquid in the washer tank is less than the predetermined amount. The operation of the wiper is controlled so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the number has decreased.

  Further, the wiper control means may perform the determination based on a detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means at a timing instructed to eject the washer liquid in the washer tank.

  Further, the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means may be a sensor having a resolution sufficient to detect a change amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank.

  According to the wiper control device of the present invention, the wiper control means determines whether or not the washer liquid in the washer tank has been ejected based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means, and the inside of the washer tank In order to control the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the washer liquid has been ejected, the washer liquid is removed without using an ejection detection sensor that detects ejection of the washer liquid. It is possible to prevent the wiper from operating without being ejected.

  Further, according to the wiper control device according to the present invention, the wiper control means determines whether or not the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased based on the detection result from the remaining amount of washer liquid detection means. In order to control the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank is reduced, an ejection detection sensor that detects ejection of the washer liquid is used. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wiper from operating in a state where the washer liquid is not ejected, and it is possible to more reliably determine the actual ejection of the washer liquid.

  Further, according to the wiper control device according to the present invention, the wiper control means is necessary for the smooth operation of the wiper by the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank based on the detection result from the remaining washer liquid detection means. So that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased more than the predetermined amount. Since the operation of the wiper is controlled, it is possible to prevent the wiper from operating in a state where the washer liquid is not ejected without using an ejection detection sensor that detects ejection of the washer liquid. Further, the wiper can be operated smoothly after ejection.

  Further, when the determination based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means is performed at a timing instructed to eject the washer liquid in the washer tank, the wiper is wiped in accordance with the washer liquid ejection instruction timing. When trying to operate, it can be determined whether or not the washer liquid has actually been ejected.

  Further, if the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means is a sensor having a resolution sufficient to detect the amount of change of the washer liquid in the washer tank, the actual ejection of the washer liquid can be determined with higher accuracy.

  Hereinafter, a wiper control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example in which the wiper control device is incorporated in a washer wiper control device that performs wiper operation control and washer fluid ejection operation control will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a washer wiper control device. This washer wiper control device controls the operation of the wiper 12 that wipes the outer surface (surface to be wiped) of the front window 10 of the vehicle, and also controls the operation of ejecting the washer liquid to the front window 10.

  The washer wiper control device receives a washer liquid ejection switch 32, a washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20, and inputs from the washer liquid ejection switch 32 and the washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20, and the washer liquid supply pump 26 and the wiper operation. And a washer wiper control unit 30 that controls the operation of the mechanism 36.

  A configuration for ejecting the washer liquid toward the front window 10 will be described. That is, a washer tank 22 for storing a washer fluid is mounted on the vehicle. Further, in the vicinity of the front window 10, a washer nozzle 24 capable of ejecting a washer liquid toward the outer surface of the front window 10 is provided. A pipe 23 including a washer hose and the like is disposed between the washer tank 22 and the washer nozzle 24, and a washer liquid supply pump 26 is provided in the middle of the pipe 23. The washer liquid supply pump 26 is means for ejecting the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 from the washer nozzle 24. More specifically, the washer liquid supply pump is configured to pump the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 toward the washer nozzle 24 through the pipe 23 when the motor 26 a is rotated by driving the washer motor drive circuit 27. It has become. As a result, the washer liquid is ejected from the washer nozzle 24 toward the front window 10.

  The washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20 is means for detecting the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank 22, and a liquid remaining amount detection signal from the washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20 is input to the washer wiper control unit 30.

  As such a washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20, various sensors capable of continuously detecting the liquid amount can be used. For example, a float type sensor that floats on the washer liquid and detects the liquid level (ie, the amount of liquid) according to the movement of the float, a probe provided on the ceiling portion of the washer tank 22 and the wall surface of the washer tank 22 A so-called capacitance type sensor that detects the position of the liquid level by measuring the capacitance between the pressure sensor and the pressure type that measures the amount of liquid with a pressure gauge provided at the bottom of the washer tank 22, Various sensors including a known liquid amount sensor such as an ultrasonic type and a microwave type can be used. In order to make it possible to determine the actual ejection of the washer fluid with higher accuracy, the washer fluid remaining amount sensor 20 is a sensor having sufficient resolution to accurately detect the amount of change of the washer fluid in the washer tank. Preferably, the washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20 includes an electrode type water level sensor, a weight sensor, and the like.

  A configuration for operating the wiper 12 will be described. That is, a wiper 12 having a wiper arm, a wiper blade, a wiper rubber, and the like is provided in the vicinity of the front window 10 so as to be rotatable so as to reciprocate within a predetermined rotation angle range. Further, a wiper operation mechanism 36 including a wiper motor 36 a and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the wiper motor 36 a to the wiper 12 is provided on the base end side of the wiper 12. When the wiper motor 36a is rotated by driving the wiper drive circuit 37, the wiper 12 reciprocates on the outer surface of the front window 10 within the predetermined rotation angle range to wipe the outer surface of the front window 10.

  The washer liquid ejection switch 32 is provided around the driver's seat and the like, and is means for receiving a washer liquid ejection command from the driver. When the driver operates the washer liquid ejection switch 32, a washer liquid ejection instruction is given from the washer liquid ejection switch 32 to the washer wiper control unit 30.

  The washer wiper control unit 30 is configured by a general microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The washer wiper control unit 30 controls the washer liquid ejection operation and the wiper 12 operation in accordance with a software program stored in advance, as will be described in detail later.

  The washer wiper control unit 30 is connected to the washer fluid remaining amount sensor 20 and the washer fluid ejection switch 32, and is connected to a washer motor drive circuit 27 and a wiper drive circuit 37.

  The washer wiper control unit 30 receives inputs from the washer fluid remaining amount sensor 20 and the washer fluid ejection switch 32, and outputs a washer motor drive signal to the washer motor drive circuit 27 according to the processing procedure described later. Operation control such as operating the wiper 12 at the timing when the washer liquid is actually ejected is performed.

  The operation of this washer wiper control device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  After the processing is started, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a washer liquid ejection instruction has been input. Here, when there is no input of the washer liquid ejection instruction, the process of step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, when the washer liquid ejection switch 32 receives the washer liquid ejection operation by the driver and the washer liquid ejection instruction from the washer liquid ejection switch 32 is input to the washer wiper control unit 30, it is determined that the washer liquid ejection instruction has been input. Then, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 is acquired based on the detection signal of the remaining amount sensor 20 of the washer liquid, and this is set to W1, and the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S3, it is set whether or not the remaining liquid amount W1 ≧ the first specified amount R1. The first specified amount R1 is the amount of washer fluid ejected per operation of the washer fluid ejection switch 32, and is stored in the washer wiper control unit 30 as a predetermined value in advance. Here, when it is determined that the condition that the remaining liquid amount W1 ≧ the first specified amount R1 is not satisfied (that is, when there is not enough washer liquid in the washer tank 22), the process is terminated without ejecting the washer liquid. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the condition that the remaining amount of liquid W1 ≧ the first specified amount R1 is satisfied (that is, when there is sufficient washer liquid in the washer tank 22), the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the washer wiper control unit 30 outputs a washer liquid ejection drive signal to the washer motor drive circuit 27. As a result, the washer motor drive circuit 27 drives the motor 26 a to cause the washer liquid supply pump 26 to perform the pumping operation of the washer liquid, and ejects the washer liquid toward the front window 10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed after the washer liquid ejection drive signal is output (that is, after the washer liquid ejection). This fixed time T1 is a time sufficient to stabilize the washer liquid state in the washer tank 22 after the washer liquid is ejected, and is stored in the washer wiper control unit 30 in advance as a predetermined value. Then, the process of step S5 is repeated until the predetermined time T1 elapses, and when the predetermined time T1 elapses, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S6, the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 is acquired based on the detection signal from the remaining amount sensor 20 of the washer liquid, and this is set to W2, and the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not a condition of W1-W2 ≧ second specified amount R2 is satisfied. The second specified amount R2 is the amount of washer liquid necessary for smoothly operating the wiper 12. That is, since the wiper 12 does not operate smoothly when the amount of the washer liquid actually ejected is small, the amount of the washer liquid that can cause the wiper 12 to operate smoothly is obtained experimentally and empirically to determine the second specified amount R2. It is set as. The second specified amount R2 is also stored in advance in the washer wiper control unit 30 as a predetermined value. If the condition of W1-W2 ≧ second specified amount R2 is not satisfied, the process is terminated without operating the wiper 12. On the other hand, when the condition of W1-W2 ≧ second specified amount R2 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S <b> 8, the washer wiper control unit 30 outputs a wiper drive signal to the wiper drive circuit 37. As a result, the wiper drive circuit 37 operates the wiper operation mechanism 36 to cause the wiper 12 to perform the wiping operation. Thus, the process ends.

  In the above-described condition determination steps, if (right side) and (left side) are equal, the process may proceed to either the case where the condition is satisfied or the case where the condition is not satisfied.

  According to the washer wiper control device configured as described above, more specifically, when it is determined that the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 has been ejected based on the detection result of the washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20, more specifically, When it is determined that the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the tank 22 has decreased, the wiper 12 is operated in a state in which the washer liquid is not ejected without using the ejection detection sensor for detecting the ejection of the washer liquid in order to operate the wiper 12. Can be prevented.

  In particular, the remaining amount of the washer liquid (W1-W2) in the washer tank 22 based on the detection result by the remaining washer liquid sensor 20 is larger than a predetermined second specified amount R2 required for the wiper 12 to operate smoothly. When it is determined that the washer liquid has been decreased, it is determined that the washer liquid has been ejected, and the wiper 12 is operated. Therefore, the wiper 12 can be operated smoothly.

  Further, since it is determined whether or not the washer liquid has been ejected at the timing when the washer liquid in the washer tank 22 is ejected, the wiper 12 is operated in accordance with the washer fluid ejection instruction timing. When trying to do so, it can be determined whether or not the washer liquid has actually been ejected.

  In addition, as the washer liquid remaining amount sensor 20, a washer liquid remaining amount sensor provided for issuing a warning when the amount of washer liquid in the washer tank 22 is monitored and insufficient can be used. Assuming this case, there is an advantage that the structure when the vehicle is easily assembled can be simplified and the cost can be further reduced as compared with the configuration using the ejection detection sensor. .

  In addition to the example in which the operation of the wiper 12 for the front window 10 of the vehicle is controlled, the present invention wipes the washer liquid to the wiping surface such as the outer surface of the rear window of the vehicle or the outer surface of the head cover of the headlamp. The present invention can be applied to various configurations that are controlled so as to operate.

It is a block diagram which shows the washer wiper control apparatus with which the wiper control apparatus which concerns on this invention was integrated. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a washer wiper control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Front window 12 Wiper 20 Washer liquid residual amount sensor 22 Washer tank 24 Washer nozzle 26 Washer liquid supply pump 30 Washer wiper control part 32 Washer liquid ejection switch 36 Wiper operation | movement mechanism

Claims (5)

A wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper for wiping the surface to be wiped,
Washer liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the washer tank storing the washer liquid;
Wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means;
With
The wiper control means determines whether or not the washer liquid in the washer tank has been ejected based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means, and has determined that the washer liquid in the washer tank has been ejected. A wiper control device that controls the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped sometimes. A wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper for wiping the surface to be wiped,
Washer liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the washer tank storing the washer liquid;
Wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means;
With
The wiper control means determines whether or not the washer liquid remaining amount in the washer tank has decreased based on a detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means, and the washer liquid remaining amount in the washer tank has decreased. A wiper control device that controls the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the wiped surface when it is determined that the wiper is wiped. A wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper for wiping the surface to be wiped,
Washer liquid remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the washer tank storing the washer liquid;
Wiper control means for controlling the operation of the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means;
With
The wiper control means determines whether or not the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased more than a predetermined amount necessary for smoothly operating the wiper based on the detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means. And a wiper control device for controlling the operation of the wiper so that the wiper wipes the surface to be wiped when it is determined that the remaining amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank has decreased more than the predetermined amount. . The wiper control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The wiper control device, wherein the wiper control means performs the determination based on a detection result from the washer liquid remaining amount detection means at a timing instructed to eject the washer liquid in the washer tank. The wiper control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The wiper control device, wherein the washer liquid remaining amount detecting means is a sensor having a resolution sufficient to detect a change amount of the washer liquid in the washer tank.

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