JPH03136958A - Rain drop sensing type wiper device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the appearance of a front hood desirable as well as to eliminate a need for a washer interlocking circuit while making a device simple in configuration at low cost by providing a washer nozzle for the case of a rain drop sensor which converts the kinetic energy of rain drops into voltage. CONSTITUTION:A drain drop sensing sensor 18 is so constituted that a washer hose 19 which is introduced in while being penetrated through a lower case 21, is pulled up to be closely adhered onto a vibration plate 1 by means of an U-shaped hook 20 or adhesives, and is connected with a window washer nozzle 17 thereafter, which is provided for an upper case 13 while its injection port is directed to a front window at the right. The rain drop sensing sensor 18 is disposed at the rear end section on the upper surface of a front hood, and the washer hose 19 is then connected with a washer tank which is not shown. And when 1 each of the sensor 18 is provided for the center rear end of the hood, the nozzle 17 is made into a fork so that 2 each of the injector ports may be directed to the front window, when 2 sensors 18 are provided from right to left, the sensor is provided with 1 injector port.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a wiper device for cleaning the windshield of a car, for example, and a raindrop-sensing wiper that detects raindrops and automatically operates. Regarding equipment.

(Prior art) An example of a conventional raindrop sensing wiper device is the one shown in Fig. 3 (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., 1932).
Published in June 2008 Service Weekly Box No. 483 P, 411-4
15).

This device includes a raindrop sensor 4 that includes a diaphragm 1, a piezoelectric element 2, and a signal amplification circuit 3, an auto wiper amplifier 9 that includes a charging circuit 5, a comparison circuit 6, and a wiper motor drive circuit 7, and a blade 10 that are connected to each other. wiper motor 11
It consists of

FIG. 4 shows a basic system diagram of this device. This device is
Vibrations corresponding to the intensity and frequency of raindrops that collide with the sensor surface, that is, the diaphragm 1, are converted into voltage by the piezoelectric element 2 and amplified by the signal amplification circuit 3, and then the auto wiper amplifier 9
is stored in the charging circuit, 5. When the voltage stored in the charging circuit 5 reaches a certain value (Vo), current flows from the comparator circuit 6 to the wiper motor drive circuit 7, and the wiper motor 11 and the blades 10 connected thereto operate.
The wiper operation ends. Note that the charging circuit 5 is discharged by the reset circuit 8 every time the wiper motor 11 moves once to prepare for the next charging. The time it takes for the voltage stored in this charging circuit 5 to reach a certain value (vO)
The time is proportional to the amount of raindrops hitting the diaphragm 1 on the sensor surface, so it will be shorter if it is raining heavily or the car is moving fast, and longer if the opposite is the case. Therefore, the wiper motor drive circuit 7 also operates in proportion to this intermittent time.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of a conventional raindrop sensor 4. As shown in FIG.

The raindrop sensor 4 includes a diaphragm 1 that converts raindrop kinetic energy, a piezoelectric element 2 that converts the vibration into a voltage signal, and a signal amplification circuit 3 that amplifies this signal. The raindrop sensor 4 configured in this manner is attached to the top surface of the front hood of the car, and is exposed to a rapidly changing environment. A piezoelectric element 2 is elastically held on the top surface of the case 13, and a piezoelectric element 2 is adhesively fixed on the other surface, and a signal sensor composed of components such as a transistor, an IC, a resistor, and a capacitor, all integrated into one hybrid IC. It is connected to the amplifier circuit 3 by an electric wire 14, housed in the upper case 13, and connected to the power supply Φ31. ■Auto wiper amplifier 9. ■They are each connected to ground 30.

FIG. 6 shows an electrical circuit of a conventional raindrop sensing wiper device. The auto wiper amplifier 9 shown in FIG. 3 is shown within the dotted line frame in the circuit diagram shown in FIG. Yes, wiper motor drive circuit 7
As for relay A27, relay 822 and input/output terminal■
-■, and the auto wiper amplifier 9 is mainly composed of these. Furthermore, this auto wiper amplifier 9 includes a wiper motor 11 . Washer motor 15. The wiper switch 16 and the raindrop sensor 4 are electrically connected, and together constitute a raindrop sensing type wiper device.

Next, the circuit operation of the wiper operation "one cycle" of this raindrop sensing type wiper device will be explained. The wiper switch 16 is in the 'AUTO' position.

a, Power supply ■ 31 → Auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → Relay B22 coil → Diode 23 → Auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal - Wiper switch 16 [stock] terminal → Wiper switch 16 ■ terminal → Earth 30 circuit is established. , relay B22 is always on.

b. The output voltage from the raindrop sensor 4■ terminal is input to the ICB 24■ terminal via the auto wiper amplifier 9■ terminal, and at the same time, the capacitor 25 output from the JCB 24■ starts charging.

When the potential of the capacitor 25 reaches a certain value (Vo), the ICA26 terminal falls to the ground 30, so the relay A27 is turned on.

d. When relay A27 is turned on, power supply Φ31 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → relay B22 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal - wiper motor 11 → wiper switch 16
A circuit of 0 terminal → wiper switch 16 ■ terminal - auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal - relay A 27 - auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal - earth 3O is established, and the wiper motor 16 starts rotating.

The time that the e, l0A26■ terminal is down to the ground 30 is short, but while the wiper motor 11 is rotating, the automatic stop mechanism 28 of the wiper motor 11 is connected to the θ side, so the relay A27 is in the OFF state. Even if the power supply ■31 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → relay B22 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → wiper motor 11 → wiper switch 160 terminal → wiper switch 16 ■ terminal → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → relay A27 → auto wiper Amplifier 9
■By the terminal-automatic stop mechanism 28-earth 3o circuit,
The wiper motor 11 continues to rotate.

f, the capacitor 25 is connected to I while the wiper motor 1 is rotating.
It is discharged by the circuit of CA26 ■ terminal → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal - automatic stop mechanism 28 - ground 309.

g. When the wiper motor 11 operates in "1 cycle" and reaches the stop position, the automatic stop mechanism 28 is connected to the ■ side, zero power is applied to both ends of the wiper motor 11, and the wiper motor 1
1 stops rotating.

On the other hand, in this raindrop-sensing wiper device, it is desirable that the raindrops collide with the windshield and the surface of the raindrop sensor 4 in a general direction. Therefore, the raindrop sensor 4 is
It is provided at the rear end of the upper surface of the front hood close to the windshield.

Furthermore, when a driver uses a wiper device to clean the windshield according to the driving situation, so-called washer operation, the purpose of the wiper device is to spray the windshield with washer liquid, which is pumped by a washer motor 15 from a separately provided washer tank. There are one or two wiping holes, so-called washer nozzles, on the top of the front hood. Note that when the washer nozzle is located at one location, a nozzle branched in two directions is often used.

As shown in the circuit diagram of the raindrop sensing type wiper device in FIG.
The washer fluid sprayed onto the windshield is blown out by driving the washer motor 15 (H position).The washer fluid sprayed onto the windshield is connected to the ICA 26 of the amplifier 9 by a circuit that works with the washer motor 15 so that the windshield can be cleaned.
This is configured inside the ICB 24, so that when the switch 16 is set to the WASH position, the wiper device is automatically operated and the windshield is cleaned by this operation.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a conventional raindrop-sensing wiper device, the raindrop sensor 4 is installed on the front hood because it is necessary to ensure that raindrops hit the windshield in the general direction. There is a problem with the installation location, as it must be installed at the rear end of the top surface.

Further, in order to clean the windshield, it is necessary to provide one or two washer nozzles 17 as projections on the rear end of the upper surface of the front hood, with the blowing portions directed toward the windshield. As a result, in the conventional type, the raindrop sensor and the washer nozzle were separately provided on the upper surface of the front hood, which caused a problem that the appearance was not very desirable.

Furthermore, there was a desire to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining more reliable operation and functionality of the device as a whole. Further, there is a problem in that a circuit must be configured in the auto-lighter 2-panel amplifier so that the wiper motor automatically operates in conjunction with the washer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a raindrop-sensing wiper device that is simple and inexpensive, making the appearance of a front hood preferable, and making it possible to eliminate a washer interlocking circuit with a built-in auto wiper amplifier.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention detects the amount of rainfall using a piezoelectric element that converts the kinetic energy of colliding raindrops into voltage, and then detects the amount of rainfall and applies it to the wiper. In a raindrop sensing type wiper device that automatically controls intermittent time, a washer nozzle is provided in the case of the raindrop sensor, and a second
According to the invention, a washer hose is brought into close contact with the diaphragm of the raindrop sensor.

(Function) According to the first invention, since the raindrop sensor is provided with the washer nozzle, the appearance on the hood is improved.

Further, according to the second invention, when the washer is operated, the vibration of the hose is transmitted to the piezoelectric element and the wiper drive circuit is operated, so there is no need to provide an interlocking circuit with the washer in the wiper amplifier.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a raindrop sensing type sensor 18 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit diagram of a raindrop sensing type wiper device according to the present invention.

The raindrop detection type sensor 18 is installed in the upper case 13 after the washer hose 19 introduced into the diaphragm 1 through the lower case 21 is tightly attached with a U-shaped hook 20 or glued with an adhesive. Washer nozzle 1 with its injection port directed toward the right front window (not shown)
7. This raindrop detection sensor 1
8 is installed at the rear end of the upper surface of the front hood, and the washer hose 19 is connected to a washer tank (not shown). When one sensor 18 is provided at the rear end of the center of the hood, the nozzle 17 is bifurcated so that two of its injection ports are directed toward the front window.

Further, if one sensor 18 is provided on each side, only one injection port is required. The electric circuit connects the input/output line 32 to the power supply ■31. ■ is connected to the ■ terminal of the auto wiper amplifier 9 (Fig. 2), and ■ is connected to the ground 30, respectively.

On the other hand, the electric circuit of the raindrop sensing type wiper device according to the present invention is constructed by inserting the coil of relay C29 between the washer motor 15 and the terminal of the wiper switch 16 in the conventional raindrop sensing type wiper device shown in FIG. One circuit a of the two contact circuits of C29 has an auto wiper amplifier ■ and ■
The terminal and other circuits are constructed so as to be branched and connected from the (1) terminal and the light-pass switch 160 terminal, respectively, and no washer interlocking circuit is provided in the amplifier 9.

Next, the effect will be explained. Since the nozzle 17 is integrally provided with the sensor 18, the external appearance is improved. Also, the second
As shown in the figure, the “WASH” of the wiper switch 16
” is turned on, the power supply ■31 → washer motor 15
→ Coil of relay C29 → Wiper switch 16 ■ terminal →
Since the circuit of the wiper switch 160 terminal ground 30 is established, the relay C29 turns on at the same time.
2 contact circuits a and b are also turned on. Therefore, the wiper switch 16 is in the "AUTO" state with the [stock] terminal and the ■ terminal connected, and the ■ terminal and the 0 terminal connected, so that the relay B22 is always ON. On the other hand, the washer motor 15 operates and the washer fluid is forcedly fed to the washer nozzle 17. At this time, the washer fluid flows to the raindrop detection sensor 18 due to pressure.
After vibrating the washer hose 19 that is in close contact with the diaphragm 1, the washer nozzle 17 sprays the windshield. The vibrations of the washer hose 19 are transmitted to the piezoelectric element 2 as vibrations similar to those generated when raindrops collide with the diaphragm 1, and are converted by the piezoelectric element 2 into a voltage signal, that is, an output voltage. The output voltage from the raindrop detection sensor 18■ terminal is simultaneously inputted to the ICB24■ terminal via the auto wiper amplifier 9■, as explained in the wiper operation "one cycle" of the conventional raindrop detection type wiper device. It is output from the terminal and the capacitor 25 starts charging. The potential of the capacitor 25 reaches a certain value (Vo) in a short time because the vibration of the washer hose 19 is strong. As a result, I
Relay A27 because CA26■ terminal falls to ground 30
turns on. When relay A27 is turned on, relay B22 is already turned on, so power supply ■ 31 - auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → relay B22 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → wiper motor 11 → contact circuit b of relay C → auto wiper The circuit of amplifier 9 ■ terminal → relay A27 → auto wiper amplifier 9 ■ terminal → earth 30 is established,
The wiper motor 11 begins to rotate and a wiper operation occurs in which the blade 10 wipes off the washer fluid sprayed onto the windshield. This type of operation is performed using the washer switch 16.
This is automatically done by turning on "WASH".

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the diaphragm of the raindrop sensor, the piezoelectric element, the signal amplification circuit, the washer hose, and the nozzle are arranged side by side inside the same case and integrated into a single unit. By using a raindrop detection sensor, the appearance of the front hood is improved, and the washer interlocking circuit with a built-in auto wiper amplifier can be omitted, resulting in a simple and inexpensive raindrop detection type wiper device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a raindrop sensing type sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an electric circuit diagram of a raindrop sensing type wiper device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a conventional raindrop sensing type wiper device. 4 is a basic system diagram of a conventional raindrop sensing wiper device, and FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a conventional raindrop sensor.
FIG. 6 is an electrical circuit diagram of a conventional raindrop sensing wiper device. 1... Vibration plate 2... Piezoelectric element 31.・Signal amplification circuit 4...Raindrop sensor 5...Charging circuit
6... Comparison circuit 7... Wiper motor drive circuit 8... Reset circuit 9... Auto wiper amplifier 10... Blade 11... Wiper motor 12
...Damp rubber 13...Upper case 14...
Electric wire 15...Washer motor 16...
Wiper switch 17...Washer nozzle 18...Raindrop sensor 19...Washer hose 20...U-shaped hook 21...Lower case 22.
...Relay B 23...Diode 24...
ICB 25...Capacitor 26...IC
A 27...Relay 28...Automatic stop mechanism 29...Relay C30...Earth 31
...Power supply Φ32...Input/output line

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a raindrop-sensing wiper device that automatically controls wiper intermittent time by sensing the amount of rainfall using a raindrop sensor that converts the kinetic energy of colliding raindrops into voltage using a piezoelectric element, the case of the raindrop sensor is , a raindrop sensing wiper device characterized by being equipped with a washer nozzle. (2) The raindrop sensing type wiper device according to claim (1), characterized in that a washer hose is brought into close contact with the diaphragm of the raindrop sensor.