JP2016022900A - Wiper device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to operate a wiper blade prior to discharge of a cleaning liquid in a mist mode.SOLUTION: A microcomputer 58 operates a wiper motor 18 which reciprocates wiper blades 28, 30 on a windshield glass 12 when a mist switch included in a wiper switch 50 is ON, and after the mist switch is OFF, stops operation of the wiper motor 18. In the case that the ON state of the mist switch is continued during a predetermined period, the microcomputer 58 operates a washer motor 64 thereby discharging a cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiper device.

  A wiper device is a mist switch for executing a mist mode in which a wiper blade can be temporarily reciprocated once or twice in order to wipe off a small amount of water droplets adhering to the windshield glass due to fog or light rain. May be built into the wiper switch. In many cases, the mist switch is turned on by pushing the lever of the wiper switch upward, and the wiper blade wipes the windshield glass while pushing the lever.

  When the mist switch is operated, depending on the vehicle model, the washer motor is activated in accordance with the operation of the wiper blade to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass. The relationship between the operation of the wiper blade during the mist switch operation and the discharge of the cleaning liquid differs depending on the vehicle type. As an example, when the state where the mist switch is turned on continues for a certain time or longer, that is, when the wiper switch is continuously pushed up for a certain time or longer, the wiper blade is operated after discharging the cleaning liquid. When the mist switch is on for less than a certain time, only the wiper blade is operated.

  However, in the above-described wiper device, when the mist switch is continuously operated for a predetermined time or more, the cleaning liquid is discharged prior to the operation of the wiper blade. Such an operation is similar to the operation at the time of operation of a washer switch incorporated in the lever of the wiper switch separately from the mist switch, and the meaning that the mist switch and the washer switch are separately provided becomes sparse. Further, the operation in which the cleaning liquid is discharged prior to the operation of the wiper blade is not suitable when only the wiper blade is operated to wipe off water droplets on the windshield glass.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle in which the mist switch is turned on when the wiper switch lever is pulled one step forward, the cleaning liquid is discharged when the lever is pulled one more step, and the wiper blade is operated following the discharge of the cleaning solution. A washer-linked wiper drive device is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-93744

  However, in general, the action of pulling something is more difficult to adjust the force than the action of pushing something. As a result, the vehicle washer-linked wiper drive device described in Patent Document 1 often pulls the lever toward the user inadvertently by a user unaccustomed to the operation, contrary to the intention of the user. In some cases, the cleaning liquid was discharged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wiper device that operates a wiper blade prior to discharge of a cleaning liquid in a mist mode.

  In order to solve the above problem, the wiper device according to claim 1 is turned on when an operating force is applied, and is turned off when the operating force is released, and the mist switch is turned on. When the wiper motor that causes the wiper blade to reciprocate on the windshield glass is operated, and after the mist switch is turned off, the operation of the wiper motor is stopped and the mist switch remains on for a predetermined period. And a controller for operating the washer motor to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass.

  According to this wiper device, when the mist switch for executing the mist mode is turned on, first, the wiper blade is operated, and the washer motor is operated when the mist switch remains on for a predetermined period or longer. As a result, the wiper blade can be operated prior to the discharge of the cleaning liquid in the mist mode.

  The wiper device according to claim 2 is the wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period of time, or the wiper blade is reciprocated a predetermined number of times. This is the case.

  According to this wiper device, the cleaning liquid can be discharged at an appropriate timing by discharging the cleaning liquid when the mist switch is continuously turned on for a predetermined period or when the reciprocating operation of the wiper blade is continued a predetermined number of times.

  The wiper device according to claim 3 is the wiper device according to claim 2, further comprising a timekeeping unit that counts an elapsed time from the time when the mist switch is turned on, and the control unit timed by the timekeeping unit When the time reaches a time corresponding to the predetermined period, the washer motor is operated.

  According to this wiper apparatus, the timing at which the cleaning liquid is discharged can be accurately determined by measuring the elapsed time from when the mist switch is turned on.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wiper device according to the second or third aspect, the wiper device further includes a counting unit that counts the number of reciprocating operations of the wiper blade from the time when the mist switch is turned on. The washer motor is operated when the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade counted by the counting unit reaches the predetermined number.

  According to this wiper apparatus, the counting unit counts the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade from the time when the mist switch is turned on, whereby the timing for discharging the cleaning liquid can be accurately determined.

  The wiper device according to claim 5 is the wiper device according to claim 4, further comprising a rotation angle detection unit that detects a rotation angle of the output shaft of the wiper motor, and the counting unit is detected by the rotation angle detection unit. Based on the rotation angle of the output shaft, the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade between the upper reversing position and the lower reversing position on the windshield glass is counted.

  According to this wiper device, the counting unit counts the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade between the upper reversal position and the lower reversal position on the windshield glass based on the rotation angle of the output shaft of the wiper motor. The number of reciprocating operations can be accurately counted.

  The wiper device according to claim 6 is the wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit operates the washer motor to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass. When the mist switch is turned off, after the operation of the washer motor is stopped, the wiper motor is controlled such that the wiper blade reciprocates on the windshield glass a predetermined number of times.

  According to this wiper device, the cleaning liquid remaining on the windscreen glass can be wiped off by reciprocating the wiper blade a predetermined number of times after the discharge of the cleaning liquid is completed.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the wiper apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which showed an example of the lever of the wiper switch in the wiper apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is the schematic of an example of the contact of the wiper switch of the wiper apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (B) is an example of the contact of the washer switch of the wiper apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows an example of a structure of the motor control circuit of the wiper apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. An example of the PWM signal input to the drive circuit at the time of an open operation when the wiper blade of the wiper device according to the embodiment of the present invention moves from the lower inversion position to the upper inversion position and an operation state of each switching element is shown. (A) shows an example of the first PWM signal, the second PWM signal, and the third PWM signal input to the drive circuit during the open operation, and (B) shows the first P-type FET during the open operation, An example of the operation of the 2P-type FET, the third P-type FET, the first N-type FET, the second N-type FET, and the third N-type FET is shown. An example of the PWM signal input to the drive circuit during the closing operation when the wiper blade of the wiper device according to the embodiment of the present invention moves from the upper inversion position to the lower inversion position, and an operation state of each switching element is shown. (A) shows an example of the first PWM signal, the second PWM signal, and the third PWM signal input to the drive circuit during the closing operation, and (B) shows the first P-type FET during the closing operation, An example of the operation of the 2P-type FET, the third P-type FET, the first N-type FET, the second N-type FET, and the third N-type FET is shown. Schematic comparing the on / off states of each of the mist switch, wiper, and washer. (A) is a reciprocating operation when the mist switch is on for less than a predetermined period of T seconds or when the wiper blade is less than a predetermined number of times N. In this case, (B) is an example when the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or longer, or when the wiper blade reciprocates a predetermined number of times N or more. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the wiper washer control process of the wiper apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment. The wiper device 10 is for wiping the windshield glass 12 provided in a vehicle such as a passenger car, for example, and includes a pair of wipers 14, 16, a wiper motor 18, a link mechanism 20, and a motor control circuit 22. And.

  The wipers 14 and 16 are constituted by wiper arms 24 and 26 and wiper blades 28 and 30, respectively. The base ends of the wiper arms 24 and 26 are fixed to pivot shafts 42 and 44, which will be described later, and the wiper blades 28 and 30 are fixed to the distal ends of the wiper arms 24 and 26, respectively.

  In the wipers 14 and 16, the wiper blades 28 and 30 reciprocate on the windshield glass 12 in accordance with the operation of the wiper arms 24 and 26, and the wiper blades 28 and 30 wipe the windshield glass 12.

  The wiper motor 18 has an output shaft 32 that can rotate forward and reverse via a speed reduction mechanism 52 mainly composed of a worm gear. The link mechanism 20 includes a crank arm 34, a first link rod 36, and a pair of pivots. The levers 38 and 40, a pair of pivot shafts 42 and 44, and a second link rod 46 are provided.

  One end side of the crank arm 34 is fixed to the output shaft 32, and the other end side of the crank arm 34 is operably connected to one end side of the first link rod 36. The other end side of the first link rod 36 is operatively connected to a position near the end different from the end having the pivot shaft 42 of the pivot lever 38, and the end of the pivot lever 38 having the pivot shaft 42 is connected to the end of the first link rod 36. Both ends of the second link rod 46 are operably connected to different ends and the end of the pivot lever 40 corresponding to the end of the pivot lever 38.

  The pivot shafts 42 and 44 are operatively supported by a pivot holder (not shown) provided on the vehicle body, and ends of the pivot levers 38 and 40 having the pivot shafts 42 and 44 are interposed via the pivot shafts 42 and 44. The wiper arms 24 and 26 are fixed respectively.

  In the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the output shaft 32 rotates forward and backward at a rotation angle θ1 within a predetermined range, the rotational force of the output shaft 32 is transmitted to the wiper arms 24 and 26 via the link mechanism 20. As the wiper arms 24 and 26 reciprocate, the wiper blades 28 and 30 reciprocate between the lower inversion position P2 and the upper inversion position P1 on the windshield glass 12. Although the value of θ1 can take various values depending on the configuration of the link mechanism of the wiper device, etc., in this embodiment, it is set to 140 ° as an example.

  In the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when the wiper blades 28 and 30 are positioned at the storage position P3, the crank arm 34 and the first link rod 36 are linear. It is configured to be made.

  The storage position P3 is provided below the lower inversion position P2. The wiper blades 28 and 30 are moved to the storage position P3 by rotating the output shaft 32 by θ2 from the state where the wiper blades 28 and 30 are in the lower inversion position P2. The value of θ2 can take various values depending on the configuration of the link mechanism of the wiper device, etc., but in this embodiment, it is 10 ° as an example.

  When θ2 is “0”, the lower inversion position P2 coincides with the storage position P3, and the wiper blades 28 and 30 are stopped and stored at the lower inversion position P2.

  A motor control circuit 22 for controlling the rotation of the wiper motor 18 is connected to the wiper motor 18. The motor control circuit 22 according to the present embodiment generates, for example, a rotation angle sensor 54 that detects a rotation speed and a rotation angle of the output shaft 32 of the wiper motor 18 and a current for operating the wiper motor 18 by PWM control to generate a wiper motor. 18 has a drive circuit 56 to be supplied.

  The rotation angle sensor 54 is provided in the speed reduction mechanism 52 of the wiper motor 18 and detects a magnetic field (magnetic force) of an excitation coil or a magnet that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft 32 by converting it into a current.

  Since the wiper motor 18 according to the present embodiment has the speed reduction mechanism 52 as described above, the rotation speed and rotation angle of the output shaft 32 are not the same as the rotation speed and rotation angle of the wiper motor main body. However, in the present embodiment, since the wiper motor main body and the speed reduction mechanism 52 are inseparably configured, hereinafter, the rotation speed and rotation angle of the output shaft 32 are regarded as the rotation speed and rotation angle of the wiper motor 18. .

  The motor control circuit 22 can calculate the position of the wiper blade on the windshield glass 12 from the rotation angle of the output shaft 32 detected by the rotation angle sensor 54, and the rotation speed of the output shaft 32 changes according to the position. A microcomputer 58 that controls the drive circuit 56 is provided. The motor control circuit 22 has a memory 60 that stores data and programs used for controlling the drive circuit 56, and the wiper switch 50 and the washer switch 62 are connected to the microcomputer 58.

  The memory 60 stores data defining the rotational speed of the output shaft 32 according to the position of the wiper blades 28 and 30 on the windshield glass 12 and a program for controlling the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor 64.

  The wiper switch 50 is a switch that turns on or off the power supplied from the vehicle battery to the wiper motor 18. The wiper switch 50 includes a low-speed operation mode selection position for operating the wiper blades 28 and 30 at a low speed, a high-speed operation mode selection position for operating at a high speed, an intermittent operation mode selection position for intermittent operation at a constant period, and storage (stop). The mode selection position can be switched. In this embodiment, in addition to the selected position of each mode described above, the wiper blade is temporarily reciprocated to wipe off a small amount of water droplets adhering to the windshield glass due to fog or light rain. A mist switch is installed for this purpose. The mist switch is an automatic return type switch that is turned on when an operating force is applied and is turned off when the operating force is released.

  The wiper switch 50 outputs a signal corresponding to the selected position of each mode and a signal in which the mist switch is turned on to the microcomputer 58. When the signal output from the wiper switch 50 is input to the microcomputer 58, the microcomputer 58 performs control corresponding to the output signal from the wiper switch 50 using the data and program stored in the memory 60.

  The washer switch 62 is a switch that turns on or off the power supplied from the vehicle battery to the washer motor 64 and the wiper motor 18. The washer switch 62 is provided integrally with an operating means such as a lever provided with the above-described wiper switch 50, for example, and the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor are operated while an operation such as pulling the lever etc. to the hand is continued. 64 is activated.

  The washer pump 66 is driven by the rotation of the washer motor 64, and the washer pump 66 pumps the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 68 to the cleaning liquid hose 72. The cleaning liquid hose 72 is connected to the discharge nozzles 74 and 76, and the pumped cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge nozzles 74 and 76.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a lever 50A of the wiper switch 50 in the wiper apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The lever 50A protrudes from the side surface of the steering column 104. When the lever 50A is lowered in the direction of arrow A, the contact of the wiper switch 50 is switched stepwise in the order of, for example, an intermittent operation mode, a low speed operation mode, and a high speed operation mode.

  When the lever 50A is pulled in the direction of arrow B, that is, toward the steering wheel 102, after the washer motor 64 is activated, the wiper motor 18 is activated and the wiper blades 28 and 30 wipe the windshield glass 12. Alternatively, a washer switch 62 is provided on the top of the lever 50A, and the washer motor 64 is operated after the washer motor 64 is operated by pressing the washer switch 62 in the direction of arrow C instead of pulling the lever 50A in the direction of arrow B. The wiper blades 28 and 30 may wipe the windshield glass 12.

  When the lever 50A is pushed up in the direction of arrow D, the mist switch is turned on, and while the lever 50A is pushed up in the direction of arrow D, the wiper blades 28, 30 reciprocate and the wiper blades 28, 30 reciprocate. Subsequently, the cleaning liquid is discharged.

  3A is a schematic view showing an example of a contact of the wiper switch 50 of the wiper apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an outline showing an example of a contact of the washer switch 62 of the wiper apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. The contact (1) shown in FIG. 3A is connected to the B terminal (positive electrode) of the battery as the power source. When the wiper switch 50 is in the “MIST” position, the mist switch is turned on, and the contact (1 ) And contact (2).

  When the wiper switch 50 is in the “INT” position (intermittent operation mode selection position), “LO” (low speed operation mode selection position), and “HI” (high speed operation mode selection position), the contact (1) (3), contact (4) and contact (5) are each connected.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the contact a and the contact b are connected when the washer switch 62 is in the ON state. A battery B terminal (positive electrode) is connected to the contact a, and when the washer switch 62 is turned on, the battery power is supplied from the contact a to the contact b.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the motor control circuit 22 of the wiper apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The motor control circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 is a circuit that controls the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor 64, respectively. As an example, each of the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor 64 shown in FIG. 4 is a DC motor with a brush.

  The motor control circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 includes a microcomputer 58 that controls the drive circuit 56 based on signals input from the wiper switch 50 and the washer switch 62. The motor control circuit 22 shown in FIG. 4 includes a drive circuit 56 that applies voltages generated by switching the power of the battery 80 based on the control of the microcomputer 58 to the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor 64, respectively. .

  The drive circuit 56 includes a first P-type FET 94P, a second P-type FET 96P, and a third P-type FET 98P, each of which is a P-type MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) connected to a power source. The drive circuit 56 includes a first N-type FET 94N, a second N-type FET 96N, and a third N-type FET 98N, which are N-type MOSFETs each having a source grounded.

  The first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N constitute a first CMOS (complementary MOS) 94 in which gates and drains are connected to each other. Similarly, in the driving circuit 56, the second CMOS 96 is constituted by the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N, and the third CMOS 98 is constituted by the third P-type FET 98P and the third N-type FET 98N.

  A first PWM signal for switching the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N is input from the microcomputer 58 to the gates of the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N constituting the first CMOS 94. Similarly, the second PWM signal is provided to the gates of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N constituting the second CMOS 96, and the third PWM signal is provided to the gates of the third P-type FET 98P and the third N-type FET 98N constituting the third CMOS 98, respectively. Entered.

  One end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is connected to the drains of the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N constituting the first CMOS 94. One end of the winding of the washer motor 64 is connected to the drains of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N constituting the second CMOS 96. The other end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is connected to the drains of the third P-type FET 98P and the third N-type FET 98N constituting the third CMOS 98. The other end of the winding of the washer motor 64 is grounded.

  The microcomputer 58 is an integrated circuit, and the power supplied from the battery 80 is controlled by the standby circuit 58A. A signal for instructing the rotational speed of the wiper motor 18 and a signal for operating the washer motor 64 are input from the wiper switch 50 to the command value calculation unit 58B of the microcomputer 58. The command value calculation unit 58B extracts a command related to the rotation speed of the wiper motor 18 from the signal input to the wiper switch 50 and inputs the command to the energization control unit 58C. When the washer switch 62 is operated, the washer motor 64 and the wiper motor 18 are operated.

  The energization controller 58C detects a magnetic field of the sensor magnet 70 provided at the end of the output shaft 32 of the wiper motor 18, and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the output shaft 32. Is also entered. The energization control unit 58C calculates the position of the wiper blades 28 and 30 on the windshield glass 12 from the signal of the rotation angle sensor 54.

  In the present embodiment, an INT volume 90 is provided for changing the cycle in which the wiper blades 28 and 30 operate in the intermittent operation mode. The INT volume 90 is a kind of variable resistor, and the resistance value is changed by a user operation. One end of the INT volume 90 on the battery 80 side is connected to one end of the resistor 92, the other end of the INT volume 90 is grounded, and the other end of the resistor 92 is connected to the B terminal (positive electrode) of the battery 80. Yes. Further, one end of the INT volume 90 and one end of the resistor 92 are connected to the command value calculation unit 58B, thereby forming a kind of voltage dividing circuit.

  In the voltage dividing circuit including the INT volume 90 and the resistor 92, the value of the voltage output to the command value calculation unit 58B changes according to the change in the resistance value of the INT volume 90. The command value calculation unit 58B changes the cycle of the intermittent operation mode according to the voltage value output from the voltage dividing circuit.

  The energization control unit 58C determines a drive duty value corresponding to the position of the wiper blades 28 and 30 calculated based on the command related to the rotation speed of the wiper motor 18 input from the command value calculation unit 58B and the signal of the rotation angle sensor 54. To do. The energization control unit 58 </ b> C performs PWM control that generates a PWM signal that is a pulse signal corresponding to the drive duty value and outputs the PWM signal to the drive circuit 56.

  For example, when the wiper switch 50 is operated, the energization control unit 58 </ b> C instructs the position of the wiper blades 28 and 30 based on the position of the wiper switch 50 of “MIST”, “INT”, “LO”, or “HI”. The first PWM signal and the third PWM signal are generated based on the above. The generated first PWM signal and third PWM signal are output to the drive circuit 56.

  Further, the energization control unit 58 </ b> C generates a second PWM signal and a third PWM signal for operating the washer motor 64 when the washer switch 62 is turned on, and outputs the second PWM signal and the third PWM signal to the drive circuit 56. Furthermore, the energization control unit 58C generates the first PWM signal and the third PWM signal after outputting the second PWM signal and the third PWM signal, and outputs the first PWM signal and the third PWM signal to the drive circuit 56, so that the wiper blade 28, 30 is operated.

  The motor control circuit 22 of the present embodiment is mounted with a noise prevention coil 82 and smoothing capacitors 84A and 84B. The noise prevention coil 82 and the smoothing capacitors 84A and 84B together with the battery 80 constitute a substantially DC power source.

  FIG. 5 shows a PWM signal input to the drive circuit 56 during each open operation when the wiper blades 28 and 30 of the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment move from the lower inversion position P2 to the upper inversion position P1, and each switching. It is the schematic which showed an example of the condition of operation | movement of an element. FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the first PWM signal, the second PWM signal, and the third PWM signal that are input to the drive circuit 56 during the open operation. FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operations of the first P-type FET 94P, the second P-type FET 96P, the third P-type FET 98P, the first N-type FET 94N, the second N-type FET 96N, and the third N-type FET 98N during the open operation. is there.

  When the first PWM signal shown in FIG. 5A is input to the gates of the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N constituting the first CMOS 94, each of the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N It operates as shown in (B). When a high level signal is input to the gate, the P-type MOSFET is turned off, but the N-type MOSFET is turned on. Therefore, the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N are repeatedly turned on and off in a complementary manner by the first PWM signal.

  Further, when a third PWM signal with a continuous high level signal is input to the gates of the third P-type FET 98P and the third N-type FET 98N constituting the third CMOS 98, the third P-type FET 98P is turned off and the third N-type FET is turned on. It becomes a state. As a result, one end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is intermittently connected to the battery 80, and the other end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is grounded. A voltage adjusted by intermittently connecting to the battery 80 is applied to the wiper motor 18 to move the wiper blades 28 and 30 from the lower inversion position P2 to the upper inversion position P1.

  When the second PWM signal shown in FIG. 5A is input to the gates of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N constituting the second CMOS 96, each of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N As shown in (B), ON / OFF is repeated complementarily. As a result, when the second PWM signal is input to the gates of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N constituting the second CMOS 96, one end of the winding of the washer motor 64 is intermittently connected to the battery 80.

  In the present embodiment, since the other end of the winding of the washer motor 64 is grounded, a voltage adjusted by intermittently connecting one end of the winding of the washer motor 64 to the battery 80 is applied. . The washer motor 64 is rotated by the applied voltage, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge nozzles 74 and 76.

  FIG. 6 shows the PWM signal input to the drive circuit 56 during the closing operation when the wiper blades 28 and 30 of the wiper device 10 according to the present embodiment move from the upper inversion position P1 to the lower inversion position P2, and each switching. It is the schematic which showed an example of the condition of operation | movement of an element. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the first PWM signal, the second PWM signal, and the third PWM signal that are input to the drive circuit 56 during the closing operation. FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of operations of the first P-type FET 94P, the second P-type FET 96P, the third P-type FET 98P, the first N-type FET 94N, the second N-type FET 96N, and the third N-type FET 98N during the closing operation. is there.

  When the first PWM signal shown in FIG. 6A is input to the gates of the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N constituting the first CMOS 94, the first P-type FET 94P and the first N-type FET 94N are complementary to each other. Repeat on and off.

  Further, when the third PWM signal in which the low level signal continues is input to the gates of the third P-type FET 98P and the third N-type FET 98N constituting the third CMOS 98, the third P-type FET 98P is turned on and the third N-type FET is turned off. It becomes a state. As a result, the other end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is connected to the battery 80, and one end of the winding of the wiper motor 18 is intermittently grounded. A voltage having a reverse polarity to that in the case of FIG. 5B is applied to the wiper motor 18 to move the wiper blades 28 and 30 from the upper reverse position P1 to the lower reverse position P2.

  The same signal as the second PWM signal shown in FIG. 5A is input to the gates of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N constituting the second CMOS 96, and each of the second P-type FET 96P and the second N-type FET 96N In the same manner as in the case of FIG. As a result, one end of the winding of the washer motor 64 is intermittently connected to the battery 80 and the washer motor 64 rotates, and the cleaning liquid is discharged from the discharge nozzles 74 and 76.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram comparing the on / off states of the mist switch, wiper, and washer. (A) is an example in which the mist switch is on for less than a predetermined period of T seconds or the reciprocating operation of the wiper blades 28 and 30 is less than a predetermined number N, and (B) is an example of when the mist switch is on. This is an example of a case in which a predetermined time period T seconds or more or the reciprocating operation of the wiper blades 28 and 30 is N times or more.

  In FIG. 7A, the wiper blades 28 and 30 reciprocate less than the predetermined number N because the mist switch is turned on for less than a predetermined period T seconds, but the washer motor 64 does not operate and the cleaning liquid is not discharged. .

  In FIG. 7B, when the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or longer, the wiper blades 28 and 30 reciprocate a predetermined number N or more, and the washer motor 64 is operated to discharge the cleaning liquid. . In FIG. 7B, either the case where the mist switch remains on for a predetermined period T seconds or longer, or the case where the number of reciprocating operations of the wiper blades 28 and 30 after the switch is turned on is equal to or larger than the predetermined number N. However, the washer motor 64 is operated to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass 12.

  In the present embodiment, in consideration of the effect of friction on the windshield glass 12, etc., as described above, the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or more or the reciprocating operation of the wiper blades 28, 30 is performed a predetermined number N or more. In the case, the cleaning liquid is discharged. For example, when the friction on the windshield glass 12 is large, the wiper blades 28 and 30 may reciprocate less than a predetermined number N even if the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or longer. Alternatively, when the friction on the windshield glass 12 is small, the wiper blades 28 and 30 may reciprocate a predetermined number of times N or more even when the mist switch is turned on for less than a predetermined period T seconds. In the former case, the discharge of the cleaning liquid may be delayed, and in the latter case, the discharge of the cleaning liquid may be excessive. In the present embodiment, as described above, when the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or more or the reciprocating operation of the wiper blades 28 and 30 is performed a predetermined number N or more, the control is performed to discharge the cleaning liquid. Each delay or excessive discharge of the cleaning liquid is prevented.

  The number of reciprocating operations of the wiper blades 28 and 30 is counted based on the rotation angle of the output shaft 32 detected by the rotation angle sensor 54. In the present embodiment, the positions of the wiper blades 28 and 30 on the windshield glass 12 are calculated based on a signal output from the rotation angle sensor 54 in the energization control unit 58C of the microcomputer 58. The energization control unit 58C counts the number of times when the wiper blades 28 and 30 return to the lower inversion position P2 after reaching the upper inversion position P1 from the lower inversion position P2. Calculate the number of reciprocating motions.

  The elapsed time from when the mist switch is turned on is counted by the command value calculation unit 58B of the microcomputer 58. The energization control unit 58C controls the drive circuit 56 so as to operate the washer motor when the time counted by the command value calculation unit 58B reaches the predetermined period.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the wiper washer control process of the wiper apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. In step 800, it is determined whether or not the mist switch is turned on. If the determination is affirmative, the wiper motor 18 is operated in step 802 to reciprocate the wiper blades 28 and 30.

  In step 804, it is determined whether or not the mist switch is turned on for a predetermined period T seconds or more, or the wiper blades 28 and 30 reciprocate a predetermined number of times N or more.

  If the determination in step 804 is affirmative, the washer motor 64 is operated in step 806 to discharge the cleaning liquid. In step 808, after detecting that the mist switch is turned off, the process is returned.

  If the determination in step 800 is negative, in step 810, the state where the wiper motor 18 and the washer motor 64 are not operated is continued, and the process returns. If a negative determination is made in step 804, the processing in steps 806 and 808 is skipped and the processing is returned.

  In the present embodiment, when the mist switch is turned off in step 808, after the operation of the washer motor 64 is stopped, the wiper blades 28 and 30 are moved on the windshield glass 12 within a predetermined number of times. The wiper motor 18 may be controlled to reciprocate. With this control, the cleaning liquid remaining on the windshield glass 12 can be wiped off. The predetermined number of times is, for example, the number of times sufficient to wipe the cleaning liquid remaining on the windshield glass 12, such as once or twice.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the mist switch is turned on, the wiper blades 28 and 30 are first reciprocated, and thereafter, the time when the mist switch is turned on or the wiper blade 28. , 30 is determined according to the number of reciprocating operations. As a result, the wiper blade can be operated prior to the discharge of the cleaning liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Wiper apparatus, 12 ... Windshield glass, 14, 16 ... Wiper, 18 ... Wiper motor, 20 ... Link mechanism, 22 ... Motor control circuit, 24, 26 ... Wiper arm, 28, 30 ... Wiper blade, 32 ... Output shaft, 34 ... Crank arm, 36 ... Link rod, 38, 40 ... Pivot lever, 42, 44 ... Pivot shaft, 46 ... Link rod, 50 ... Wiper switch, 50A ... Lever, 52 ... Deceleration mechanism, 54 ... Rotation angle sensor, 56 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Drive circuit, 58 ... Microcomputer, 58A ... Standby circuit, 58B ... Command value calculation part, 58C ... Current supply control part, 60 ... Memory, 62 ... Washer switch, 64 ... Washer motor, 66 ... Washer pump, 68 ... Cleaning liquid tank , 70 ... Sensor magnet, 72 ... Cleaning liquid hose, 74, 76 ... Discharge nozzle 80 ... battery 82 ... noise prevention coil 84A, 84B ... smoothing capacitor 90 ... INT volume 92 ... resistance 94 ... first CMOS 94N ... first N-type FET 94P ... first P-type FET 96 ... first 2CMOS, 96N ... 2nd N-type FET, 96P ... 2nd P-type FET, 98 ... 3rd CMOS, 98N ... 3rd N-type FET, 98P ... 3rd P-type FET, 102 ... steering wheel, 104 ... steering column, P1 ... upper inverted position , P2 ... lower inversion position, P3 ... storage position, θ1 ... rotation angle

Claims (6)

A mist switch that is turned on when the operating force is applied and turned off when the operating force is released;
When the mist switch is on, a wiper motor that reciprocates the wiper blade on the windshield glass is operated, and after the mist switch is turned off, the operation of the wiper motor is stopped and the mist switch is turned on. A controller that operates a washer motor to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass when the state continues for a predetermined period;
Including wiper device.   2. The wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined period lasts when the mist switch remains on for a predetermined period of time, or when the number of reciprocating operations of the wiper blade continues a predetermined number of times. A time measuring unit for measuring the elapsed time from the time when the mist switch is turned on,
3. The wiper device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit operates the washer motor when a time measured by the time measuring unit reaches a time corresponding to the predetermined period. A counting unit that counts the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade from the time when the mist switch is turned on;
The wiper device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit operates the washer motor when the number of reciprocating operations of the wiper blade counted by the counting unit reaches the predetermined number. A rotation angle detector for detecting the rotation angle of the output shaft of the wiper motor;
The counting unit counts the number of reciprocating motions of the wiper blade between an upper reversal position and a lower reversal position on the windshield glass based on the rotation angle of the output shaft detected by the rotation angle detection unit. The wiper device according to claim 4.   When the mist switch is turned off after operating the washer motor to discharge the cleaning liquid onto the windshield glass, the control unit stops the operation of the washer motor, and then the wiper blade The wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wiper motor is controlled so as to reciprocate a predetermined number of times on the windshield glass.

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