JPH1044941A - Intermittent operation type window wiper device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically actuate a window wiper for wiping raindrops away so as to provide a sufficient visibility to a driver without respect to a wiping cycle when front view is required for checking the front side, switching the direction, or stopping the car during intermittent operation of the wiper. SOLUTION: A change of voltage/current generated in an operation of an electric circuit for a braking lamp 104 is detected as an electric signal so as to be lead to a wiper control or so as to actuate a relay and the like, so that the wiper is directly operated. When a brake pedal 102 is pressed, a brake master cylinder 102 and a brake lamp lighting circuit are actuated at the same time, and the brake lamp 104 is turned on. In a detector 110, current flowing in the brake lamp 104 when the brake pedal is pressed is detected by means of a pickup coil 105. This electric current is amplified in an amplifier 106 so as to be fed to a wiper timer unit 107. The wiper unit 107 disturbs a periodically working circuit temporarily so as to operate the wiper 108 only once, and then, the operation of the circuit is immediately returned to the original periodical one.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an intermittently operated window wiper device for an automobile, and more particularly, to an additional operation of a wiper operation performed at a different intermittent cycle when a necessary operation is performed according to a running condition during the wiper operation. And a window wiper device.

[0002]

Hitherto, various proposals have been made for a system for controlling the operation of a window wiper (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2-25824). For example, by changing the wiping speed of the wiper or by stepwise switching, or by intermittent operation, or by switching the wiper intermittent time interval stepwise, automatically switching according to rainfall, or according to rainfall What changes automatically is known. These wiper control techniques are almost established. 2. Description of the Related Art An intermittently operated window wiper apparatus that is currently widely used employs a method in which a time interval for wiping is changed or switched according to rainfall. In the case of light rain, the time interval for wiping is relatively long, so when the driver feels danger and tries to look ahead, the windshield is not always wiped and the visibility cannot always be secured. .

[0003] Generally, it is considered that when driving a car, the driver always keeps his / her eyes ahead with both eyes. However, a recent study shows that a skilled driver normally uses one of the two eyes. Resting and driving with only one eye nerve working, when the car approaches the front car, changes direction, or when stopping, it works with both eyes to work a sense of distance,
It has been reported as an experimental result that the visual acuity was doubled. When driving with one eye, the image of raindrops on the front window is the same as the real number of raindrops, but when staring at the vehicle ahead with both eyes, the eyes are focused on the vehicle ahead, so A raindrop on a windshield overlaps the image seen with the left eye and the image seen with the right eye and becomes double, and the area that obstructs the field of view is doubled. Gives a feeling that is hard to see.

[0004] For this reason, if it is possible to provide sufficient visibility by automatically wiping the raindrops when checking ahead, it is possible to ensure safety and reduce driver fatigue. . In other words, it is an object of the present invention to “activate the wiper automatically when it is desired to look ahead and secure the field of view”. That is, an object of the present invention is to automatically operate the window wiper regardless of the wiping cycle when the driver wants to look forward by checking the front, changing directions, stopping, etc. during operation with the wiper intermittently operated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an intermittently actuated window wiper device that wipes out raindrops and provides a driver with sufficient visibility.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an intermittent window wiper device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a wiper driving means for operating a wiper of an automobile at a predetermined cycle, and a wiper driving means for controlling an operation of the wiper. And a control means for additionally operating the wiper means based on the voltage or current detected by the detection means.

According to the inventions of claims 2 to 7, in the invention of claim 1, the detection means has the following configuration. (1) Lighting of a brake light is detected by a change in voltage or current of an electric circuit. (2) Lighting of the upward headlight is detected by a change in voltage or current of the electric circuit. (3) Lighting of the backward light is detected by a change in voltage or current of the electric circuit. (4) The operation of the horn is detected by a change in the voltage or current of the electric circuit. (5) The operation of the turn signal is detected by a change in voltage or current of the electric circuit. (6) The lighting of the brake light, the upward headlight, the backward light, and the operation of the horn and the direction indicator are detected by a change in the voltage or current of the electric circuit.

According to the present invention, with such a configuration, the driver can know that the driver needs the front view by turning on the brake light, the upward headlight, the backward light, and operating the horn and the turn signal. By detecting these operations and guiding them to the wiper controller, or by operating a relay, etc., the wipers are operated directly, that is, by operating the wipers independently of the wiping cycle, sufficient safety can be obtained. A view that can be confirmed can be secured.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a control system configuration of the wiper device of the present invention. The wiper control unit 1 is a wiper operation unit 2
Has a function of outputting a control signal necessary for various types of wiper driving to the wiper driving unit 3 based on the input of the wiper operation signal output in response to the selected wiper operation. The wiper operation unit 2 is configured by a plurality of switches, and a wiper operation signal corresponding to various wiper driving can be obtained by a combination of the switch states. As various types of wiper drive, for example, a continuous wiper drive capable of switching between a slow (SLOW), middle (MIDDLE), and fast (RAPID) wiping speed, and a cycle of driving and stopping the wiper can be changed. It is an intermittent wiper drive. Here, the operation of the wiper performed by the wiper operation selected by the wiper operation unit 2 is referred to as a normal wiper mode. This normal wiper mode is controlled by the first control unit 1A.

The wiper drive unit 3 operates an actuator, such as an electric motor or an air motor, for driving a blade for wiping a windshield or a rear windshield. The present invention has a function of forcibly executing a different wiper operation for the wiper operation selected by the wiper operation unit 2 on condition that the driver has performed a necessary operation according to a driving situation other than the wiper operation. (Hereinafter referred to as an interrupt wiper mode) in the wiper control unit 1. In order to realize this function, a sensor 4 for detecting a necessary operation according to a driving situation other than the wiper operation and a trigger signal for causing the wiper control unit 1 to execute the interrupt wiper mode based on a detection signal of the sensor 4 are provided. A wiper trigger signal generator 5 for generating the signal is provided. The wiper control unit 1 has a second control unit 1B for controlling the interrupt wiper mode.
A determining unit 1C for determining whether or not there is a trigger signal input from the wiper trigger signal generating unit 5;
A selection unit 1D for selecting the first control unit 1A or the second control unit 1B based on the determination result of C is provided. In the interrupt wiper mode, the wiper operation is controlled to temporarily shorten the period of the intermittent wiper operation normally performed in the wiper mode, but the number of reciprocating movements of the wiper is controlled according to the traveling condition. Can be determined in advance.

As means for realizing the function of the wiper control unit, for example, in the case of a microcomputer system, a memory for storing various wiper driving programs for controlling a normal wiper mode and an interrupt wiper driving program for controlling an interrupt wiper mode. With
The program is configured to execute the selected wiper driving program based on the wiper operation signal, interrupt the normal wiper mode program based on the trigger signal, and execute the interrupted wiper mode program.

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment, when a necessary operation is performed in accordance with a driving situation, the operation is detected by a change in current, and an interrupt wiper mode is executed based on the detected current. It was done. FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration applied to an electric circuit of a brake light. In this example, an electric circuit of a brake light is provided with a pickup coil type detection device. The brake lamp circuit is the brake pedal 10
1 to operate the brake master cylinder 102, and at the same time, activate the brake light lighting circuit to
04 is turned on. That is, when the brake pedal 101 is depressed, the brake light switch 103 is turned on, and a current flows from the power supply unit 100 to the brake light 104 to light up. Detection device 110
Is for detecting, with the pickup coil 105, the current flowing through the brake light when the brake pedal is depressed. That is,
When the brake light switch 103 is turned on in the pickup coil 105, a current is induced in the pickup coil 105 by an instantaneous wave-like current. The current generated in the pickup coil 105 is amplified by an amplifier 106 and sent to a wiper timer unit 107 including a multivibrator. Wiper timer unit 10
7 temporarily interrupts the periodically operating circuit and activates the wiper 108 only once. Immediately thereafter, the original periodic operation is restored.

For example, this timing is shown in FIG. Teikankaku is the wiper operation command is issued from T ₁ to T ₄ t
To wipe. When the brake light switch 103 is turned on and the detecting device 110 detects a change in the current, a short interval Ts
In timing T ₅ is operated once wiper. And, then continue with the wiper operates at a constant interval t, it stops the stop command in the T _7. As described above, the driver makes a reciprocation of the wiper by using the brake operation performed upon sensing the danger, thereby securing a sufficient field of view.

FIGS. 4 to 8 show a circuit configuration showing a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an electric circuit of an upward headlight,
FIG. 5 shows the electric circuit of the back light, FIG. 6 shows the electric circuit of the horn, FIG. 7 shows the electric circuit of the turn signal, and FIG. 8 shows the electric circuit of the whole equipped with a pickup coil type detecting device. It is. In each modification, the detection current is amplified by the detection device 110 and output to the wiper timer unit 107, and the wiper is operated only once in a cycle different from the normal wiper mode.

In FIG. 4, when a switch 112 is turned on, an upward headlight 111 is turned on. The current at this time is detected by the pickup coil 105 of the detection device 110, and the detected current is amplified to be used for the wiper timer unit 107.
Output to In FIG. 5, when the switch 122 is turned on, the backward light 121 is turned on. The current at this time is detected by the pickup coil 105 of the detection device 110, and the detected current is amplified and output to the wiper timer unit 107. Then, the wiper (front) is operated once at a cycle different from the normal.

In FIG. 6, when a switch 132 is turned on, a horn 131 operates and an audible alarm is issued. The current at this time is detected by the pickup coil 105 of the detection device 110, and the detected current is amplified and output to the wiper timer unit 107. In FIG. 7, a detection device 110 is arranged between a circuit portion 141 of the direction indicator and a direction indicator 142. When the direction indicator 142 is operated to change the course of the vehicle in the right or left turn direction, the right or left turn indicator lights up. The current at this time is detected by the detection device 1
The detected current is amplified by the ten pickup coils 105, and the detected current is amplified and output to the wiper timer unit 107. 8, a brake light 104, an upward headlight 12
1. Backlight 111, horn 131 and turn signal 14
2, a pickup coil 105 is arranged in each electric circuit,
The current detected by any one of the pickup coils 105 is amplified by the amplifier 106 and the wiper timer unit 1
07.

(Second Embodiment) In the present embodiment, when a necessary operation is performed according to the driving situation, the operation is detected by a change in voltage, and the interrupt wiper mode is executed based on the detected voltage. It was done. FIG. 9 shows a configuration applied to an electric circuit of a brake light. In this example, an electric circuit of a brake light is provided with a pickup coil type detection device. The voltage applied to the brake light 104 when the brake light switch 103 is turned on is directly amplified by the amplifier 106 and output to the wiper timer unit 107. The wiper timer unit 107 temporarily disturbs the periodically operating circuit, and operates the wiper only once. Return to periodic operation immediately thereafter. FIG. 10 shows a configuration applied to the entire electric circuit. A voltage change at the time of operation of each electric circuit of the brake light 104, the upward headlight 121, the backward light 111, the horn 131, and the direction indicator 142 is detected,
The detected voltage is amplified by the amplifier 106 and output to the wiper timer unit 107. In addition, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to any one of the electric circuits of the upward headlight, the backward light, the horn, and the direction indicator other than the brake light.

FIG. 11 shows a modification applied to the entire electric circuit. In this example, a minute and instantaneous voltage drop generated in the power supply unit 100 due to a current flowing through the brake light 104 and the like is detected, guided to the amplifier 106, amplified, and the wiper is operated. FIG. 12 shows another modification applied to the entire electric circuit. In this example, an inductance coil 151 is inserted into the power supply unit 100, a momentary voltage drop generated in the power supply unit 100 due to a current flowing through the brake light 104 or the like is detected, and the detected voltage is guided to the amplifier 106 to amplify and operate the wiper. Things. By adopting such a configuration, the detection accuracy of the voltage drop of the power supply unit can be improved, and the interrupt wiper mode can be reliably executed. In this embodiment, the current detection uses the inductance coil 151, but a resistor may be used.

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With the intermittently operated window wiper device, when the driver of the car wants to look ahead, the periodically working window wiper can be instantaneously activated once to secure the field of view, thus improving safety. As well as ensuring the driver's fatigue, it is possible to reduce the driver's fatigue.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an intermittently actuated window wiper device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram for operating a wiper device on condition that a brake light is turned on.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation timing of a wiper.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram for operating a wiper device on condition that an upward headlight is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram for operating the wiper device on condition that the backward light is turned on.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram for operating the wiper device on condition that the horn operates.

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram for operating the wiper device on condition that the direction indicator operates.

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram for operating the wiper device on condition that the respective electric circuits of a brake light, an upward headlight, a backward light, a warning light, and a direction indicator are operated.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram for operating a wiper device by detecting a voltage applied to a brake light.

FIG. 10 detects the voltage applied to each electric circuit of a brake light, an upward headlight, a backward light, a warning light, and a direction indicator,
FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram for operating the wiper device.

FIG. 11 is a wiring diagram for operating a wiper device by detecting a voltage drop caused by a current flowing through a brake light or the like.

FIG. 12 is a wiring diagram for operating a wiper device by detecting a voltage drop generated by a current flowing through a brake light or the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Power supply unit 101 Brake pedal 102 Brake master cylinder 103 Brake light switch 104 Brake light 105 Pickup coil 106 Amplifier 107 Wiper timer unit 108 Wiper 110 Detecting device 111 Upward headlight 121 Retreating light 131 Alarm horn 141 Circuit section of direction indicator 142 Direction Indicator Indicator

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A wiper driving means for operating a wiper of an automobile at a predetermined cycle; a detecting means for detecting a required operation according to a running condition by a change in an electrical physical quantity; a voltage detected by the detecting means; And a control means for additionally operating the wiper means based on an electric current. 2. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the lighting of the brake light by a change in voltage or current of the electric circuit. 3. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects lighting of the upward headlight by a change in voltage or current of an electric circuit. 4. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the turning-on of the backward light by a change in voltage or current of the electric circuit. 5. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the operation of the horn by a change in voltage or current of an electric circuit. 6. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the operation of the direction indicator by a change in voltage or current of an electric circuit. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means detects the lighting of the brake light, the upward headlight, the backward light, and the operation of the horn and the direction indicator based on a change in the voltage or current of the electric circuit. 1. The intermittently actuated window wiper device according to 1.