WO2017126526A1

WO2017126526A1 - Vehicle wiper device and method for controlling vehicle wiper device

Info

Publication number: WO2017126526A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/001478
Authority: WO
Inventors: 崇文根木; 岡田　真一; 圭吾疋田; 翔鷹野; 義久伴野
Original assignee: アスモ株式会社
Priority date: 2016-01-19
Filing date: 2017-01-18
Publication date: 2017-07-27

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle wiper device that comprises: (1) a first motor that has a first output shaft, that causes a wiper arm to rotate in a reciprocating manner around a support point of the wiper arm via rotation of the first output shaft, and that causes a wiper blade that is connected to a leading end of the wiper arm to perform a reciprocating wiping action between an upper reversal position and a lower reversal position on a windshield; (2) a second motor that changes a wiping range of the windshield that is wiped by the wiper blade; (3) a rotation angle detecting unit that detects a rotation angle of the first output shaft; and (4) a control unit that, when a wide field of view is to be secured on the passenger seat side, controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detecting unit.

Description

WIPER WIPER DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR VEHICLE WIPER DEVICE

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle wiper device capable of changing a wiping range and a method for controlling the vehicle wiper device.

As shown in FIG. 19A, a wiper device for wiping windshield glass or the like of an automobile has

wiper arms

150D and 150P having

wiper blades

154D and 154P connected to the front end portions thereof at lower inverted positions P4D and P4P and upper inverted positions. A reciprocating operation is performed between P3D and P3P. In many cases, the trajectories of the operations of the

wiper arms

150D and 150P are substantially arc-shaped around the

pivot shafts

152D and 152P of the

wiper arms

150D and 150P. Accordingly, the

wiping ranges

156D and 156P, which are areas where the

wiper blades

154D and 154P wipe the windshield glass 1 and the like, have a substantially fan shape centered on the

pivot shafts

152D and 152P.

In the wiper device, the windshield glass 1 on the driver's seat side needs to be wiped preferentially in order to secure the driver's visibility. Further, the windshield glass 1 of an automobile has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape. Therefore, in the parallel (tandem) type wiper device in which the two

wiper arms

150D and 150P simultaneously rotate in the same direction, when the

pivot shafts

152D and 152P are provided below the windshield glass 1, the wiper blade on the driver's seat side is provided. The upper reversal position P3D of 154D is provided in parallel to the leg at a position close to the leg (vertical side of the isosceles trapezoid) 1A on the driver's seat side of the windshield glass 1 exhibiting a substantially isosceles trapezoid.

The upper inversion position P3P of the wiper blade 154P on the passenger seat side of the tandem type wiper device is also parallel to the leg 1B on the driver seat side of the windshield glass 1 in order to wipe off the windshield glass 1 on the driver seat side preferentially. Provided. However, as described above, the wiping range of the wiper blade 154P is substantially fan-shaped, so when the upper inversion position P3P is provided at the above-described position, the upper corner 1C on the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1 is centered. A non-wiping range 158 that is not wiped by the wiper blade 154P is generated.

As shown in FIG. 19B, the influence of the non-wiping range 158 is serious, for example, when turning left at an intersection or the like, which may hinder the driver from knowing the presence of a pedestrian.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-25578 discloses a wiper device that operates a passenger-side wiper blade so that the non-wiping range 158 can be wiped.

However, according to the wiper device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-25578, the wiper blade in operation does not reach the upper part of the windshield glass on the passenger seat side, and does not reach the upper part of the windshield glass on the passenger seat side. Unwiping can occur.

The present disclosure provides a window in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured (a state where the vehicle posture is changed to the passenger seat side, in other words, a state where the driver's line of sight is changed to the passenger seat side). Provided are a vehicle wiper device for changing a wiping range of a shield glass on the passenger seat side, and a method for controlling the vehicle wiper device.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wiper blade having a first output shaft, reciprocatingly rotating a wiper arm about a fulcrum of the wiper arm by rotation of the first output shaft, and being connected to a distal end portion of the wiper arm. A first motor that performs a reciprocating wiping operation between an upper reversal position and a lower reversal position of the windshield, a second motor that changes a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade, and a rotation angle of the first output shaft. A rotation angle detection unit to detect, and a control unit that controls the second motor according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detection unit in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured A vehicle wiper device.

In the first aspect, the second motor is controlled in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detector in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. By such control, the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade is changed, and the wiping range on the passenger seat side of the windshield is changed. If the wide field of view on the passenger seat side is not to be ensured, the wiping range is not changed, so that the vehicle occupant is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the operation of the wiper device.

A second aspect of the present disclosure further includes a vehicle position measurement unit that calculates a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from a satellite in the first aspect, wherein the control unit is calculated by the vehicle position measurement unit. When the current position is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the second motor is controlled according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft. It is a wiper device for vehicles.

According to the second aspect, when the current position of the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the wiping range can be changed. .

A third aspect of the present disclosure further includes a vehicle position measurement unit that calculates a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from a satellite according to the first aspect, and the control unit includes the vehicle position measurement unit. A route is set in a car navigation system that sets a route to a predetermined point from the calculated current position and map information, and when there is an instruction to turn in the direction of the passenger seat from the car navigation system, a wide passenger seat side The vehicle wiper device determines that the field of view should be secured and controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft.

According to the third aspect, the wiping range is changed in conjunction with an instruction to turn in the direction of the passenger seat from the car navigation system (a left turn instruction for a right-hand drive car or a right turn instruction for a left-hand drive car). Can do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, when the signal input from the direction indicator switch of the vehicle indicates that the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side, the control unit It is a vehicle wiper device that determines that a wide field of view should be secured and controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft.

According to the fourth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured by detecting a case where the vehicle turns to the passenger seat side based on the operation of the direction indicator, and the wiping range Changes can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, when the steering angle to the passenger seat side of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit It is a vehicle wiper device that determines that a wide field of view should be secured and controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft.

According to the fifth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured by detecting when the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side based on the steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor, The change of the wiping range can be executed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present application, the first aspect further includes a photographing unit that obtains an image ahead of the vehicle, and the control unit extracts a contour of the road from the image obtained by the photographing unit, When the extracted contour indicates bending toward the passenger seat side, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and control of the second motor according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft is performed. This is a vehicle wiper device.

According to the sixth aspect, when the road in the traveling direction is curved toward the passenger seat, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat should be secured, and the wiping range can be changed.

A seventh aspect of the present application further includes a vehicle speed detection unit that detects the speed of the vehicle in the first to sixth aspects, and the control unit is in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, And when the vehicle speed detected by the said vehicle speed detection part is more than a threshold speed, it is a vehicle wiper apparatus which controls the said 2nd motor according to the rotation angle of a said 1st output shaft.

According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to execute a change in the wiping range when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and the vehicle speed is high.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first to sixth aspects, the control unit further includes a cleaning liquid ejecting unit that ejects a cleaning liquid from a nozzle provided in the wiper arm, and the control unit has a wide field of view on the passenger seat side. When the state is to be secured, the vehicle wiper device controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft and controls the cleaning liquid ejecting unit to eject the cleaning liquid from the nozzle. It is.

According to the eighth aspect, when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, along with the change of the wiping range, by spraying the cleaning liquid from the nozzle provided on the tip side of the wiper arm, Windshield can be cleaned extensively.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the photographing unit that acquires image data of the windshield, the window shield is irradiated with infrared rays, and the window is based on the amount of reflected or transmitted infrared rays. An optical detection unit that detects deposits on the surface of the shield, and the imaging unit and the optical detection unit are respectively provided on the passenger seat side upper portion of the windshield inside the passenger seat, and the control unit includes Based on the image data acquired by the photographing unit and the detection result of the optical detection unit, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the second motor according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft It is a wiper device for vehicles which performs control of.

According to the ninth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured based on the image data of the windshield acquired by the photographing unit and the detection result of the optical detection unit, and the wiping range is changed. Can be executed.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, a wiper blade having a first output shaft, rotating the wiper arm reciprocally about a fulcrum of the wiper arm by rotation of the first output shaft, and connecting a wiper blade connected to a distal end portion of the wiper arm. The reciprocating rotation of the first output shaft of the first motor that performs the reciprocating wiping operation between the upper reversing position and the lower reversing position of the windshield is started, and the rotation angle detecting unit detects the rotation angle of the first output shaft. And a second output shaft provided in the second motor in a predetermined direction according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detection unit in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. And starting the rotation of the second output shaft so as to change the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.

The tenth aspect rotates the second output shaft of the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detection unit in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. By rotating the second output shaft, the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade is changed, and the wiping range of the windshield on the passenger seat side is changed. If the wide field of view on the passenger seat side is not to be ensured, the wiping range is not changed, so that the vehicle occupant is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the operation of the wiper device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the tenth aspect, the vehicle further includes a vehicle position measurement that calculates a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from a satellite, and starts rotation of the second output shaft. If the current position calculated by measuring the vehicle position is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the window by the wiper blade is A control method for a vehicle wiper device, including changing a wiping range of a shield.

According to the eleventh aspect, when the current position of the vehicle is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the wiping range can be changed. .

A twelfth aspect of the present application further includes performing vehicle position measurement for calculating a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from a satellite in the tenth aspect, and starting rotation of the second output shaft. This is an instruction to set a route in a car navigation system that sets a route to a predetermined point from the current position and map information calculated by measuring the vehicle position, and to turn from the car navigation system toward the passenger seat side If there is, the vehicle wiper apparatus control method includes determining that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.

According to this control method for a vehicle wiper device, the wiping range is changed in conjunction with an instruction to turn in the direction of the passenger seat from the car navigation system (a left turn instruction for a right-hand drive car or a right turn instruction for a left-hand drive car). Can be executed.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present application, in the tenth aspect, starting the rotation of the second output shaft indicates that the signal input from the direction indicator switch of the vehicle is bent toward the passenger seat. In this case, the vehicle wiper apparatus control method includes determining that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side is to be ensured and changing the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.

According to the thirteenth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured by detecting when the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side based on the operation of the direction indicator, and the wiping range Changes can be performed.

In a fourteenth aspect of the present application, in the tenth aspect, starting the rotation of the second output shaft is that the steering angle toward the passenger seat of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor of the vehicle is greater than or equal to a threshold value. In this case, the vehicle wiper apparatus control method includes determining that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.

According to the fourteenth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured by detecting when the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side based on the steering angle of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor. The change of the wiping range can be executed.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, starting the rotation of the second output shaft includes extracting a contour of a road from an image ahead of the vehicle, and the extracted contour is directed to a passenger seat side. In the vehicle wiper apparatus control method, including determining that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and changing the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade is there.

According to the fifteenth aspect, when the road in the traveling direction is curved toward the passenger seat, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat should be secured, and the wiping range can be changed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present application, in the tenth to fifteenth aspects, the vehicle speed detection for detecting the vehicle speed is further performed, and the rotation of the second output shaft is started on the passenger seat side. Including changing the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade when it is determined that a wide field of view should be secured and the vehicle speed detected by performing the vehicle speed detection is equal to or higher than a threshold speed. This is a control method for a vehicle wiper device.

According to the sixteenth aspect, the wiping range can be changed when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and the vehicle speed is high.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present application, in the tenth to fifteenth aspects, the method further includes performing cleaning liquid injection for injecting cleaning liquid from a nozzle provided on the wiper arm, and starting rotation of the second output shaft. Includes changing the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade and executing the cleaning liquid injection when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. This is a control method.

According to the seventeenth aspect, when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, along with the change of the wiping range, by spraying the cleaning liquid from the nozzle provided on the front end side of the wiper arm, Windshield can be cleaned extensively.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, starting the rotation of the second output shaft is acquired by a photographing unit provided on an upper side of a passenger seat on the passenger compartment side of the windshield. Windshield image data, and provided on the passenger seat side upper part of the windshield, irradiates the windshield with infrared rays, and deposits on the surface of the windshield based on the amount of reflected or transmitted infrared rays A vehicle wiper comprising: determining a wide field of view on the passenger seat side based on a detection result of an optical detection unit that detects a vehicle seat; and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade This is a method for controlling the apparatus.

According to the eighteenth aspect, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured based on the image data of the windshield acquired by the photographing unit and the detection result of the optical detection unit, and the wiping range is changed. Can be executed.

It is the schematic which showed an example of the wiper system for vehicles containing the wiper apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this indication. It is a top view in the stop state of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second holder member along the line AA in FIG. 2. It is a top view in operation of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a top view in operation of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a top view in operation of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a top view in operation of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. It is a top view in operation of the wiper device for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of this indication. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a circuit of the wiper system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. An example of the 2nd output axis rotation angle map which specified the rotation angle of the 2nd output axis according to the rotation angle of the 1st output axis in a 1st embodiment of this indication is shown. It is an example of the bird's-eye view which showed the state in which the vehicle which invaded the intersection is turning left. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the wiping process at the time of the left turn which detects the left turn of the vehicle and changes the wiping range by the side of the passenger seat of a windshield glass in the wiper system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this indication. It is the schematic which showed an example of the change of the wiping range. It is the schematic which shows that the driver | operator's visual field was ensured in the wide range by the change of the wiping range. In the vehicle wiper device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it is an example of an image in front of the vehicle captured by an in-vehicle camera. It is the schematic which showed an example of the state which extracted the white line of the road from the image shown to FIG. 14A. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a left turn wiping process for detecting a left curve ahead of a vehicle and changing a wiping range on the passenger seat side of a windshield glass in a wiper system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. . It is the schematic which showed an example of the structure of the wiper system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this indication. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the washer pump which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this indication. It is the schematic which showed an example of adhesion | attachment of the washer liquid to the windshield glass of 1st Embodiment of this indication. It is the schematic which showed an example of washer liquid adhesion at the time of forward movement of the wiper system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this indication. It is the schematic which showed an example of the wiper apparatus which does not change the wiping range. It is the schematic which showed that a driver | operator's visual field was restrict | limited by not changing the wiping range. It is explanatory drawing which showed the non-wiping range which arises when not changing a wiping range.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wiper system 100 including a vehicle wiper device (hereinafter referred to as “wiper device”) 2 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. A wiper system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for wiping a windshield glass 1 as a “windshield” provided in a vehicle such as a passenger car, for example, and includes a pair of wiper arms (driver seat side wiper arms described later). 17 and the passenger seat side wiper arm 35), the first motor 11, the second motor 12, the control circuit 52, the drive circuit 56, and the washer device 70.

Since FIG. 1 shows the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, the right side of the vehicle (left side of FIG. 1) is the driver's seat side, and the left side of the vehicle (right side of FIG. 1) is the passenger seat side. When the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, the left side of the vehicle (right side in FIG. 1) is the driver's seat side, and the right side of the vehicle (left side in FIG. 1) is the passenger seat side. Further, when the vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, the configuration of the wiper device 2 is opposite to the left and right.

The first motor 11 reciprocates each of the driver seat side wiper arm 17 and the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 on the windshield glass 1 by rotating the output shaft forward and backward within a range of a predetermined rotation angle. It is a driving source. In the present embodiment, when the first motor 11 rotates forward, the driver's seat side wiper arm 17 operates so that the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 wipes the upper inversion position P1D from the lower inversion position P2D. The wiper arm 35 operates so that the passenger-side wiper blade 36 wipes the upper inversion position P1P from the lower inversion position P2P. When the first motor 11 rotates in the reverse direction, the driver's seat side wiper arm 17 operates so that the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 wipes the upper inverted position P1D to the lower inverted position P2D, and the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 The passenger-side wiper blade 36 operates so as to wipe from the upper inversion position P1P to the lower inversion position P2P.

The outer edge portion of the windshield glass 1 is a light shielding portion 1A coated with a ceramic black pigment in order to block visible light and ultraviolet rays. The black pigment is applied to the outer edge of the windshield glass 1 on the vehicle interior side, and then melted by being heated at a predetermined temperature, and is fixed on the vehicle interior side surface of the windshield glass 1. The windshield glass 1 is fixed to the vehicle body by an adhesive applied to the outer edge portion. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the light shielding portion 1A that does not transmit ultraviolet rays is provided at the outer edge portion, so that the adhesive by ultraviolet rays is provided. Suppresses deterioration.

When the second motor 12 described later does not operate, the output shaft of the first motor 11 (first output shaft 11A described later) is rotated from 0 ° to a predetermined rotation angle (hereinafter referred to as “first predetermined rotation angle”). By rotating in the forward and reverse directions up to the rotation angle, the driver seat side wiper blade 18 wipes the wiping range H1, and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 wipes the wiping range Z1.

The second motor 12 is positive at a rotation angle from 0 ° to a predetermined rotation angle (hereinafter referred to as “second predetermined rotation angle”) of an output shaft of the second motor 12 (second output shaft 12A described later). This is a drive source that apparently extends the wiper arm 35 on the passenger seat side by rotating and reversely rotating. By operating the second motor 12 while the first motor 11 is operating, the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is apparently extended upward on the passenger seat side, and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 wipes the wiping range Z2. Further, by changing the magnitude of the second predetermined rotation angle, it is possible to change the range in which the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 extends. For example, if the second predetermined rotation angle is increased, the range in which the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 extends is increased, and if the second predetermined rotation angle is decreased, the range in which the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is extended is decreased.

The first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are motors that can control the rotation direction of each output shaft to forward rotation and reverse rotation, and can also control the rotation speed of each output shaft. Either a DC motor or a brushless DC motor.

A control circuit 52 for controlling each rotation is connected to the first motor 11 and the second motor 12. The control circuit 52 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an absolute angle sensor (not shown) as a “rotation angle detector” provided near the output shaft ends of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12. The duty ratio of the voltage applied to each of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 based on the detected rotation direction, rotation position, rotation speed, and rotation angle of the output shaft of each of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12. Is calculated.

In the present embodiment, the voltage applied to each of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 is a pulse width that modulates the voltage (approximately 12V) of the on-vehicle battery as a power source by turning on and off the switching element by a switching element. Generated by modulation (PWM). In this embodiment, the duty ratio is a ratio of the time of one pulse generated when the switching element is turned on with respect to one period of a waveform of a voltage generated by PWM. One period of the waveform of the voltage generated by PWM is the sum of the time of the one pulse described above and the time during which the switching element is turned off and no pulse is generated. The drive circuit 56 turns on and off switching elements in the drive circuit 56 in accordance with the duty ratio calculated by the control circuit 52 to generate voltages to be applied to the first motor 11 and the second motor 12, and the generated voltages are supplied to the first circuit. The voltage is applied to each winding terminal of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12.

Since each of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 according to the present embodiment has a speed reduction mechanism composed of a worm gear, the rotation direction, the rotation speed, and the rotation angle of each output shaft are the first The rotation speed and rotation angle of the motor 11 main body and the second motor 12 main body are not the same. However, in the present embodiment, each motor and each speed reduction mechanism are inseparably configured. Therefore, hereinafter, the rotation speed and the rotation angle of each output shaft of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are expressed as follows. The rotation direction, rotation speed, and rotation angle of each of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are considered.

The absolute angle sensor is provided, for example, in each speed reduction mechanism of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12, and converts the magnetic field (magnetic force) of an excitation coil or a magnet that rotates in conjunction with each output shaft into a current. It is a sensor to detect, for example, a magnetic sensor such as an MR sensor.

The control circuit 52 determines the position of the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 on the windshield glass 1 from the rotation angle of the output shaft of the first motor 11 detected by an absolute angle sensor provided near the output shaft end of the first motor. A computable microcomputer 58 is provided. The microcomputer 58 controls the drive circuit 56 so that the rotational speed of the output shaft of the first motor 11 changes according to the calculated position.

Further, the microcomputer 58 detects the rotation angle of the output shaft of the first motor 11 detected by the absolute angle sensor provided near the output shaft end of the first motor on the windshield glass 1 of the passenger side wiper blade 36. The position is calculated, and the drive circuit 56 is controlled so that the rotational speed of the output shaft of the second motor 12 changes according to the calculated position. Further, the microcomputer 58 calculates the degree of extension of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 from the rotation angle of the output shaft of the second motor 12 detected by the absolute angle sensor provided near the output shaft end of the second motor 12.

The control circuit 52 is provided with a memory 60 that is a storage device that stores data and programs used to control the drive circuit 56. The memory 60 stores the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 according to the rotation angle of the output shaft of the first motor 11 indicating the positions of the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 on the windshield glass 1. Data and a program for calculating the rotation speed and the like (including the rotation angle) of each output shaft are stored.

The microcomputer 58 is connected to a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 90 that controls the vehicle engine and the like. Further, the vehicle ECU 90 includes a wiper switch 50, a direction indicator switch 54, a washer switch 62, a rain sensor 76, a vehicle speed sensor 92 for detecting the vehicle speed, an in-vehicle camera 94 for photographing the front of the vehicle, a GPS (Global Positioning System). ) A device 96 and a steering angle sensor 98 are connected.

The wiper switch 50 is a switch that turns on or off the power supplied from the vehicle battery to the first motor 11. The wiper switch 50 is a low-speed operation mode selection position for operating the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 at a low speed, a high-speed operation mode selection position for operating at a high speed, and an intermittent operation that operates intermittently at a constant cycle. The mode selection position can be switched to an AUTO (auto) operation mode selection position and a storage (stop) mode selection position that are operated when the rain sensor 76 detects raindrops. Further, a signal corresponding to the selected position of each mode is output to the microcomputer 58 via the vehicle ECU 90.

When a signal output from the wiper switch 50 according to the selected position of each mode is input to the microcomputer 58 via the vehicle ECU 90, the microcomputer 58 controls the memory 60 to control corresponding to the output signal from the wiper switch 50. This is done using stored data and programs.

In the present embodiment, the wiper switch 50 may be separately provided with a change mode switch for changing the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 to the wiping range Z2. When the change mode switch is turned on, a predetermined signal is input to the microcomputer 58 via the vehicle ECU 90. When a predetermined signal is input to the microcomputer 58, for example, when the passenger seat wiper blade 36 operates from the lower inversion position P2P to the upper inversion position P1P, the second motor 12 is configured to wipe the wiping range Z2. To control.

The direction indicator switch 54 is a switch for instructing the operation of a vehicle direction indicator (not shown). A signal for turning on the right or left direction indicator is operated to the vehicle ECU 90 by a driver's operation. Output. The vehicle ECU 90 causes the right or left direction indicator lamp to blink based on the signal output from the direction indicator switch 54. A signal output from the direction indicator switch 54 is also input to the microcomputer 58 via the vehicle ECU 90.

The washer switch 62 is a switch for turning on or off the power supplied from the battery of the vehicle to the washer motor 64, the first motor 11 and the second motor 12. For example, the washer switch 62 is provided integrally with an operating means such as a lever provided with the wiper switch 50 described above, and is turned on by an operation such as pulling the lever or the like by a passenger. When the washer switch 62 is turned on, the microcomputer 58 operates the washer motor 64 and the first motor 11. When the wiper blade 36 on the passenger side wipes from the lower reverse position P2P to the upper reverse position P1P, the microcomputer 58 wipes the wiper blade 36 from the upper reverse position P1P so as to wipe the wiping range Z2. When wiping up to the reverse position P2P, the second motor 12 is controlled so as to wipe the wiping range Z1. With this control, the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1 can be wiped widely.

While the washer switch 62 is on, the washer pump 66 is driven by the rotation of the washer motor 64 provided in the washer device 70. The washer pump 66 pumps the washer liquid in the washer liquid tank 68 to the driver side hose 72A or the passenger side hose 72B. The driver seat side hose 72A is connected to a driver seat side nozzle 74A provided below the driver seat side of the windshield glass 1. Further, the passenger seat side hose 72B is connected to a passenger seat side nozzle 74B provided below the windshield glass 1 on the passenger seat side. The pumped washer liquid is sprayed onto the windshield glass 1 from the driver seat side nozzle 74A and the passenger seat side nozzle 74B. The washer liquid adhering to the windshield glass 1 is wiped together with dirt on the windshield glass 1 by the operating driver side wiper blade 18 and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36.

The microcomputer 58 controls the washer motor 64 so that it operates only while the washer switch 62 is on. Further, the microcomputer 58 controls the first motor 11 so that the operation continues until the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 reach the lower inversion positions P2D and P2P even when the washer switch 62 is turned off. Control. Further, when the washer switch 62 is turned off when the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 are wiped toward the upper inversion positions P1D and P1P, the microcomputer 58 The second motor 12 is controlled to wipe the wiping range Z2 until the wiper blade 18 and the passenger side wiper blade 36 reach the upper inversion positions P1D and P1P by the rotation of the first motor 11.

The rain sensor 76 is, for example, a kind of optical sensor provided on the vehicle interior side of the windshield glass 1 and detects water droplets on the surface of the windshield glass 1. As an example, the rain sensor 76 includes an LED that is an infrared light emitting element, a photodiode that is a light receiving element, a lens that forms an infrared optical path, and a control circuit. The infrared rays emitted from the LED are totally reflected by the windshield glass 1, but if there are water droplets on the surface of the windshield glass 1, some of the infrared rays are transmitted through the water droplets and emitted to the outside. The amount of reflection decreases. As a result, the amount of light entering the photodiode that is the light receiving element is reduced. Based on the decrease in the amount of light, water droplets on the surface of the windshield glass 1 are detected.

The vehicle speed sensor 92 is a sensor that detects the rotational speed of the vehicle wheel and outputs a signal indicating the rotational speed. The vehicle ECU 90 calculates the vehicle speed from the signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 92 and the circumference of the wheel.

The in-vehicle camera 94 is a device that captures the front of the vehicle and acquires moving image data. The vehicle ECU 90 can determine whether the vehicle is approaching a curve or the like by performing image processing on moving image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera 94. Further, the vehicle ECU 90 can calculate the brightness in front of the vehicle from the luminance of the moving image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera 94.

As an example, the rain sensor 76 and the in-vehicle camera 94 are provided at a position corresponding to the center upper portion of the windshield glass 1 on the vehicle interior side, and more specifically, provided on the back side of the rearview mirror or the like (not shown). ) There are many cases. However, in the present embodiment, the position of the rain sensor 76 and the in-vehicle camera 94 is not limited to the upper center of the windshield glass 1 on the passenger compartment side, but is set on the passenger seat side upper portion of the windshield glass 1 on the passenger compartment side. Also good. By providing the rain sensor 76 and the in-vehicle camera 94 on the passenger seat side upper portion of the windshield glass 1 on the passenger seat side, information on at least a part of the non-wiping range X shown in FIG. You may comprise. Note that the non-wiping range X in FIG. 20 is an area that exists in the wiping range Z2 when the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is extended, but outside the wiping range Z1 when the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is not extended. .

The microcomputer 58 may control the second motor 12 to wipe the wiping range Z2 when the rain sensor 76 detects water droplets on the surface of the windshield glass 1, for example, the non-wiping range X.

Further, the microcomputer 58 may control the second motor 12 to wipe the wiping range Z2 based on the pixel feature amount of the image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera 94. For example, the microcomputer 58 wipes when the difference between the image feature amount of the wiping range Z1 of the windshield glass 1 and the image feature amount of the non-wiping range X in the image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera 94 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The second motor 12 is controlled to wipe the range Z2.

The image feature amount is, for example, a luminance value, and the microcomputer 58 adheres to the non-wiping range X when the difference between the luminance value of the wiping range Z1 and the luminance value of the non-wiping range X becomes a predetermined value or more. And the second motor 12 is controlled to wipe the wiping range Z2.

The image feature amount is an optical flow indicating a motion vector of the front end portion of the passenger-side wiper blade 36, and the microcomputer 58 has a predetermined amount of change in the motion vector of the passenger-side wiper blade 36 indicated by the optical flow. When the value is less than or equal to the value, the second motor 12 is controlled to wipe the wiping range Z2 on the assumption that snow is present on the windshield glass 1.

The GPS device is a device that calculates the current position of the vehicle based on a positioning signal received from a GPS satellite in the sky. In the present embodiment, the GPS device 96 dedicated to the wiper system 100 is used. However, when the vehicle includes another GPS device such as a car navigation system, the other GPS device may be used.

The steering angle sensor 98 is a sensor that is provided on a rotation shaft (not shown) of the steering as an example and detects the rotation angle of the steering.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the wiper apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 8, the wiper device 2 according to the present embodiment has a plate-like central frame 3 and one end fixed to the central frame 3, and both sides of the central frame 3 in the vehicle width direction. A pair of pipe frames 4 and 5 are provided. A first holder member 6 including a driver seat side pivot shaft 15 of the driver seat side wiper arm 17 and the like is formed at the other end portion of the pipe frame 4. Further, the second holder member 7 provided with the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 and the like is formed at the other end portion of the pipe frame 5. The wiper device 2 is supported on the vehicle by a support portion 3A provided on the central frame 3, and each of the fixing portion 6A of the first holder member 6 and the fixing portion 7A of the second holder member 7 is attached to the vehicle by a bolt or the like. By being fastened, it is fixed to the vehicle.

The wiper device 2 includes a first motor 11 and a second motor 12 for driving the wiper device 2 on the back surface (the surface facing the passenger compartment side) of the central frame 3. The first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 passes through the central frame 3 and protrudes from the surface of the central frame 3 (surface on the outside of the vehicle), and a first drive crank arm is provided at the tip of the first output shaft 11A. One end of 13 is fixed. The second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 passes through the central frame 3 and protrudes from the surface of the central frame 3, and one end of the second drive crank arm 14 is fixed to the tip of the second output shaft 12A. .

A driver seat side pivot shaft 15 is rotatably supported by the first holder member 6, and one end of the driver seat side swing lever 16 is provided at the base end portion (the back side in FIG. 2) of the driver seat side pivot shaft 15. The arm head of the driver's seat side wiper arm 17 is fixed to the tip of the driver's seat side pivot shaft 15 (front side in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, a driver seat side wiper blade 18 for wiping the driver seat side of the windshield glass 1 is connected to the tip of the driver seat side wiper arm 17.

The other end of the first drive crank arm 13 and the other end of the driver seat side swing lever 16 are connected via a first connecting rod 19. When the first motor 11 is driven, the first drive crank arm 13 rotates, and the rotational force is transmitted to the driver seat side swing lever 16 via the first connecting rod 19, and the driver seat side swing lever 16. Sway. When the driver seat side swing lever 16 is swung, the driver seat side wiper arm 17 is also swung, and the driver seat side wiper blade 18 wipes the wiping range H1 between the lower inversion position P2D and the upper inversion position P1D.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second holder member 7 taken along line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the first holder seat side pivot shaft 21 is supported on the second holder member 7 so as to be rotatable about the first axis L1, and the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 is secondly supported. It is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis L2. In the present embodiment, the first axis L1 and the second axis L2 are arranged on the same straight line L (concentric). FIG. 3 shows a state where the waterproof cover K shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4 to 8 is removed.

The cylindrical part 7B is formed in the second holder member 7, and the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 is rotatably supported via a bearing 23 on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical part 7B. The first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 is rotatably supported via a bearing 24 on the inner peripheral side of the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21. .

One end of the first passenger seat side swing lever 25 is fixed to the base end portion of the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21, and the first drive lever 26 has a first drive lever 26 attached to the distal end portion of the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21. One end is fixed. As shown in FIG. 2, the other end of the first passenger seat side swing lever 25 and the other end of the driver seat side swing lever 16 are connected by a second connecting rod 27. Accordingly, when the first motor 11 is driven and the driver's seat side swing lever 16 is pivoted, the second connecting rod 27 transmits the driving force to the first passenger's seat side swing lever 25 and the first passenger seat side swing lever. 25, the first drive lever 26 is swung (rotated) around the first axis L1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 is formed longer than the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21, and the base end portion and the distal end portion of the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 are the first. One end of a second passenger seat side swinging lever 28 is fixed to the base end portion of the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 so as to protrude in the axial direction from the passenger seat side pivot shaft 21. One end of the second drive lever 29 is fixed to the tip portion.

The other end of the second drive crank arm 14 and the other end of the second passenger seat side swing lever 28 are connected by a third connecting rod 31. Therefore, when the second motor 12 is driven, the second drive crank arm 14 rotates, and the third connecting rod 31 transmits the driving force of the second drive crank arm 14 to the second passenger seat side swing lever 28. The second drive lever 29 is swung (rotated) together with the second passenger seat-side rocking lever 28. As described above, the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 and the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 are provided coaxially, but the first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 and the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 are not mutually connected. The first passenger seat side pivot shaft 21 and the second passenger seat side pivot shaft 22 are not interlocked and rotate independently of each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 8, the wiper device 2 includes a first driven lever having a base end portion coupled to a third axis L3 on the other end side of the first drive lever 26 so as to be rotatable. 32.

The wiper device 2 has a base end portion coupled to be rotatable about a fourth axis L4 on the distal end side of the first driven lever 32 and a fifth axis L5 on the other end side of the second drive lever 29. An arm head 33 which is a second driven lever having a distal end connected to be rotatable about the center is provided. The arm head 33 constitutes a passenger-side wiper arm 35 together with a retainer 34 whose base end is fixed to the distal end of the arm head 33. A front passenger side wiper blade 36 for wiping the front passenger side of the windshield glass 1 is connected to the front end of the front passenger side wiper arm 35.

The first drive lever 26, the second drive lever 29, the first driven lever 32, and the arm head 33 have a length from the first axis L1 (second axis L2) to the third axis L3, and from the fourth axis L4 to the fifth. It connects so that the length to the axis line L5 may become the same. The first drive lever 26, the second drive lever 29, the first driven lever 32, and the arm head 33 have a length from the third axis L3 to the fourth axis L4, and the first axis L1 (second axis L2) to the fifth. It connects so that the length to the axis line L5 may become the same. Accordingly, the first drive lever 26 and the arm head 33 are kept parallel, and the second drive lever 29 and the first driven lever 32 are kept parallel. The first drive lever 26 and the second drive lever 29, the 1st driven lever 32, and the arm head 33 comprise the link mechanism of a substantially parallelogram shape.

The fifth axis L5 is a fulcrum when the passenger-side wiper arm 35 operates. The passenger-side wiper arm 35 is rotated about the fifth axis L5 by the driving force of the first motor 11 to windshield glass. Reciprocates on 1. Further, the second motor 12 passes the fifth axis L5 through a substantially parallelogram link mechanism including the first drive lever 26, the second drive lever 29, the first driven lever 32, and the arm head 33. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the windshield glass 1 is moved more than in the case of FIGS. By such movement of the fifth axis L5, the passenger side wiper arm 35 is apparently extended. Accordingly, when the second motor 12 is operated together with the first motor 11, the passenger side wiper blade 36 wipes the wiping range Z2.

When the second motor 12 does not operate and only the first motor 11 operates, the fifth axis L5 starts from the position shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 (hereinafter referred to as “first position”). It does n’t move. Accordingly, the passenger side wiper arm 35 operates between the lower inversion position P2P and the upper inversion position P1P while drawing a substantially arc-shaped locus around the fifth axis L5 whose position does not change, and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 The substantially fan-shaped wiping range Z1 is wiped.

In the present embodiment, when it is necessary to wipe the windshield glass 1 widely, the wiping range Z2 is wiped when the passenger seat wiper blade 36 moves from the lower inversion position P2P to the upper inversion position P1P. Thus, the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are each controlled. Then, the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are respectively controlled so as to wipe the wiping range Z1 when the passenger seat wiper blade 36 reversed at the upper reversing position P1P moves toward the lower reversing position P2P. . When the passenger-side wiper blade 36 reciprocates between the lower inversion position P2P and the upper inversion position P1P, the wiping range Z2 is wiped in the forward movement and the wiping range Z1 is wiped in the backward movement. 1 wide range can be wiped off. Alternatively, when the passenger-side wiper blade 36 reciprocates between the lower inversion position P2P and the upper inversion position P1P, the wiping range Z1 is wiped in the forward movement and the wiping range Z2 is wiped in the backward movement. A wide range of windshield glass 1 can be wiped off. Alternatively, the wiping range Z2 may be wiped at the time of forward movement and backward movement.

Hereinafter, the operation of the wiper device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the driver-seat-side wiper arm 17 and the driver-seat-side wiper blade 18 only operate around the driver-seat-side pivot shaft 15 according to the rotation of the first motor 11. The operation of the passenger side wiper blade 36 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the passenger-side wiper blade 36 is positioned at the lower inversion position P2P, and the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is in the stop position. In this state, when the washer switch 62 or the change mode switch is turned on, the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 rotates in the rotation direction CC1 shown in FIG. The first drive lever 26 starts rotating, and the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 starts rotating around the fifth axis L5. At the same time, the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 also starts to rotate in the rotational direction CC2 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the rotation in the rotation direction CC1 of the first output shaft 11A and the rotation in the rotation direction CC2 of the second output shaft 12A are defined as positive rotations in the respective output shafts.

FIG. 4 shows a state where the passenger-side wiper blade 36 wipes the windshield glass 1 halfway (approximately 1/4 of the forward travel). In the present embodiment, when the first motor 11 starts to rotate in the rotation direction CC 1, the driving force generated by the rotation of the second motor 12 in the rotation direction CC 2 is transmitted to the second drive lever 29. The second drive lever 29 to which the driving force of the second motor 12 is transmitted operates in the operation direction CW3, and the fifth axis L5, which is a fulcrum of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35, is located above the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1. Move towards.

FIG. 5 shows that when the first output shaft 11A is rotated to an intermediate rotation angle between 0 ° and the first predetermined angle, the first drive lever 26 is further rotated, and the front passenger side wiper blade 36 is in the lower inverted position. A case is shown in which a substantially intermediate point of the stroke (forward stroke) between P2P and the upper reversal position P1P is reached. In FIG. 5, the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 is also rotated to the second predetermined rotation angle in the rotation direction CC2 shown in FIG. Due to the maximum rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A in the forward rotation, the fifth axis L5, which is the fulcrum of the passenger-side wiper arm 35, is connected to the second drive crank arm 14, the third connecting rod 31, the second The passenger seat side swing lever 28 and the second drive lever 29 are lifted to the uppermost position (second position). As a result, the front end portion of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is moved to a position near the upper corner of the windshield glass 1 on the passenger seat side, as shown in FIG. The intermediate rotation angle described above is about half of the first predetermined rotation angle, but is set individually according to the shape of the windshield glass 1 and the like. The second position is a position at which the fifth axis L5 is arranged at the uppermost position at each change rate. Specifically, the second position is determined when the first output shaft 11A is between 0 ° and the first predetermined angle when the passenger-side wiper blade wipes a range wider than the wiping range Z1 (for example, the wiping range Z2). This is the position at which the fifth axis L5 is arranged when rotated to the intermediate rotation angle.

FIG. 6 shows that when the first drive lever 26 is further rotated, the passenger-side wiper blade 36 reaches approximately 3/4 of the stroke (forward stroke) between the lower inversion position P2P and the upper inversion position P1P. Shows the case. In FIG. 6, the rotation direction of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 is the same as that of FIGS. 4 and 5, but the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 is opposite to the case of FIGS. It rotates in the rotation direction CW2 (reverse rotation). When the second output shaft 12A rotates in the rotation direction CW2, the second drive lever 29 operates in the operation direction CC3, and the fifth axis L5, which is a fulcrum of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35, is moved downward from the second position. The As a result, the front passenger side wiper blade 36 moves on the windshield glass 1 while wiping the wiping range Z2 while drawing the locus indicated by the broken line above the wiping range Z2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 rotates forward to the first predetermined rotation angle and the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 rotates reversely at the second predetermined rotation angle. Yes. Since the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 in the forward rotation is maximized, the driver seat side wiper arm 17 and the driver seat side wiper blade 18 reach the upper inversion position P1D. Further, the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 is reversed at the second predetermined rotation angle from the state shown in FIG. 5 (the state where the second output shaft 12A has reached the second predetermined rotation angle by forward rotation). Due to the rotation, the fifth axis L5, which is the fulcrum of the passenger-side wiper arm 35, is at the first position, which is the position before the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 shown in FIG. I'm back. As a result, the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 reach the same upper inversion position P1P as the wiping range Z1 when the second motor 12 is not driven.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the driver's seat side wiper arm 17 and the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 and the passenger's seat side wiper arm 35 and the passenger's seat side wiper blade 36 move from the upper inverted positions P1D and P1P to the lower inverted positions P2D and P2P. The state (return stroke) is shown. At the time of backward movement, the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 rotates in the reverse direction, and rotates in the rotation direction CW1 in the reverse direction to the case of FIGS. However, the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 does not rotate, and therefore the fifth axis L5, which is a fulcrum of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35, does not move from the first position, so the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 does not move. Is reversely rotated, the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 draws a substantially arc-shaped locus. As a result, the passenger side wiper blade 36 connected to the front end of the passenger side wiper arm 35 wipes the wiping range Z1.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram schematically showing a circuit of the wiper system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the wiper system 100 includes a control circuit 52 and a drive circuit 56.

As described above, the control circuit 52 includes the microcomputer 58 and the memory 60. The microcomputer 58 includes a wiper switch 50, a direction indicator switch 54, a washer switch 62, a vehicle ECU 90 (not shown), A rain sensor 76, a vehicle speed sensor 92, an in-vehicle camera 94, a GPS device 96, and a steering angle sensor 98 are connected to each other.

The drive circuit 56 includes a first pre-driver 104 and a first motor drive circuit 108 for driving the first motor 11, and a second pre-driver 106 and a second motor drive circuit 110 for driving the second motor 12. ing. The drive circuit 56 includes a relay drive circuit 78, an FET drive circuit 80, and a washer motor drive circuit 57 for driving the washer motor 64.

The microcomputer 58 of the control circuit 52 rotates the first motor 11 via the second pre-driver 106 by turning on and off the switching elements constituting the first motor driving circuit 108 via the first pre-driver 104. The rotation of the second motor 12 is controlled by turning on and off the switching elements of the two-motor drive circuit 110. The microcomputer 58 controls the rotation of the washer motor 64 by controlling the relay drive circuit 78 and the FET drive circuit 80.

When the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are brushed DC motors, the first motor drive circuit 108 and the second motor drive circuit 110 each include four switching elements. The switching element is, for example, an N-type FET (field effect transistor).

As shown in FIG. 9, the first motor drive circuit 108 includes FETs 108A to 108D. The FET 108 A has a drain connected to the power supply (+ B), a gate connected to the first pre-driver 104, and a source connected to one end of the first motor 11. The FET 108 B has a drain connected to the power supply (+ B), a gate connected to the first pre-driver 104, and a source connected to the other end of the first motor 11. The FET 108C has a drain connected to one end of the first motor 11, a gate connected to the first pre-driver 104, and a source grounded. The FET 108D has a drain connected to the other end of the first motor 11, a gate connected to the first pre-driver 104, and a source grounded.

The first pre-driver 104 controls driving of the first motor 11 by switching a control signal supplied to the gates of the FETs 108A to 108D in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 58. That is, when the first pre-driver 104 rotates the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 in a predetermined direction (forward rotation), the first pre-driver 104 turns on the set of the FET 108A and the FET 108D and the first output of the first motor 11 When rotating the shaft 11A in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (reverse rotation), the set of the FET 108B and the FET 108C is turned on. Further, the first pre-driver 104 performs PWM for intermittently turning on and off the FET 108A and the FET 108D based on a control signal from the microcomputer 58.

The first pre-driver 104 controls the rotational speed of the first motor 11 in the forward rotation by changing the duty ratio related to the on / off of the FET 108A and the FET 108D by PWM. If the duty ratio is increased, the effective value of the voltage applied to the terminal of the first motor 11 during forward rotation is increased, and the rotation speed of the first motor 11 is increased.

Similarly, the first pre-driver 104 controls the rotational speed in the reverse rotation of the first motor 11 by changing the duty ratio related to on / off of the FET 108B and the FET 108C by PWM. If the duty ratio increases, the effective value of the voltage applied to the terminal of the first motor 11 during reverse rotation increases, and the rotation speed of the first motor 11 increases.

The second motor drive circuit 110 includes FETs 110A to 110D. The FET 110 A has a drain connected to the power supply (+ B), a gate connected to the second pre-driver 106, and a source connected to one end of the second motor 12. The FET 110 B has a drain connected to the power supply (+ B), a gate connected to the second pre-driver 106, and a source connected to the other end of the second motor 12. The FET 110C has a drain connected to one end of the second motor 12, a gate connected to the second pre-driver 106, and a source grounded. The FET 110D has a drain connected to the other end of the second motor 12, a gate connected to the second pre-driver 106, and a source grounded.

The second pre-driver 106 controls the driving of the second motor 12 by switching the control signal supplied to the gates of the FETs 110A to 110D in accordance with the control signal from the microcomputer 58. That is, when the second pre-driver 106 rotates the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 in a predetermined direction (forward rotation), the second pre-driver 106 turns on the set of the FET 110A and the FET 110D and outputs the second output of the second motor 12. When rotating the shaft 12A in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction (reverse rotation), the set of the FET 110B and the FET 110C is turned on. The second pre-driver 104 controls the rotational speed of the second motor 12 by performing PWM like the first pre-driver 104 described above based on the control signal from the microcomputer 58.

A two-pole sensor magnet 112A is fixed to the output shaft end portion 112 of the first output shaft 11A in the speed reduction mechanism of the first motor 11, and a first absolute angle sensor 114 is provided so as to face the sensor magnet 112A. ing.

A two-pole sensor magnet 116A is fixed to the output shaft end portion 116 of the second output shaft 12A in the speed reduction mechanism of the second motor 12, and a second absolute angle sensor 118 is provided so as to face the sensor magnet 116A. ing.

The first absolute angle sensor 114 detects the magnetic field of the sensor magnet 112A, and the second absolute angle sensor 118 detects the magnetic field of the sensor magnet 116A, and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected magnetic field strength. The microcomputer 58 determines the rotational angle and rotational position of each of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 based on the signals output from the first absolute angle sensor 114 and the second absolute angle sensor 118, respectively. The rotation direction and the rotation speed are calculated.

From the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11, the position between the lower inversion position P2D and the upper inversion position P1D of the driver seat side wiper blade 18 can be calculated. Further, from the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12, the degree of apparent extension (degree of change) of the passenger side wiper arm 35 can be calculated. The microcomputer 58 determines the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A based on the position between the lower inversion position P2D and the upper inversion position P1D of the driver seat wiper blade 18 calculated from the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A. By controlling the above, the operations of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are synchronized. As an example, in the memory 60, the position (or the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A) between the lower inversion position P2D and the upper inversion position P1D of the driver seat side wiper blade 18 and the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A (For example, a second output shaft rotation angle map described later) is stored in advance, and the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A is controlled according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A according to the map.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a second output shaft rotation angle map that defines the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A in the present embodiment. The horizontal axis in FIG. 10 is the first output shaft rotation angle θ _A that is the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A, and the vertical axis is the second output shaft rotation angle θ _B that is the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A. . The origin O in FIG. 10 shows a state in which the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is at the lower inversion position P2P. Theta ₁ of FIG. 10, the first output shaft 11A is in the first rotation predetermined rotation angle theta _1, passenger side wiper blade 36 indicates a state in which the upper reversal position P1P.

When the first absolute angle sensor 114 starts rotation of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11, the microcomputer 58 detects the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A detected by the first absolute angle sensor 114 and the second output shaft. Check the rotation angle map. With this collation, the second output shaft rotation angle θ _B corresponding to the first output shaft rotation angle θ _A detected by the first absolute angle sensor 114 is calculated from the angle indicated by the curve 190 in FIG. so that the second output shaft rotation angle theta _B controls the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12.

More specifically, the microcomputer 58 determines that the first absolute angle sensor 114 starts to change the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 from 0 ° in the positive rotation direction. It is determined that the blade 36 has started to move from the lower inversion position P2P, and the second output shaft 12A starts to rotate forward. As described above, the microcomputer 58 determines the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A corresponding to the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A using the second output shaft rotation angle map. 2 The rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A is monitored based on the signal from the absolute angle sensor 118, and the rotation of the second motor 12 is controlled so as to be the rotation angle determined using the second output shaft rotation angle map. . Depending on the setting of the second output shaft rotation angle map, as shown in FIG. 10, the first output shaft rotation angle θ _A becomes an intermediate rotation angle θ _m between 0 ° and the first predetermined rotation angle θ _1. when the rotation angle in the forward rotation of the second output shaft 12A is set to be a second predetermined rotational angle theta _2. When the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A in the forward rotation becomes the second predetermined rotation angle θ ₂ , the fifth axis L5, which is the fulcrum of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35, is positioned above the passenger seat side on the windshield glass 1 ( To the second position).

After the rotation angle in the forward rotation of the second output shaft 12A reaches a second predetermined rotational angle theta _2, in accordance with the second output shaft rotation angle map, reduces the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A. Specifically, the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A reaches the first predetermined rotational angle theta _1, the second output shaft 12A second predetermined rotation until the passenger's side wiper blade 36 reaches the upper reversal position P1P By rotating backward at an angle θ ₂ , the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A is reduced to 0 °. By the reverse rotation of the second output shaft 12A, the fifth axis L5 that is the fulcrum of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is returned to the original position (first position).

The above description is a case where the wiping range Z2 is wiped while the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is moved from the lower inversion position P2P to the upper inversion position P1P. When the wiping range Z2 is wiped while the passenger-side wiper blade 36 is moved from the upper inversion position P1P to the lower inversion position P2P, the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A is reversed from 0 ° by the first absolute angle sensor 114. When the change starts in the rotation direction, it is determined that the passenger-side wiper blade 36 has started to move from the upper reversal position P1P, and the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 starts to rotate forward. Note that the second output shaft rotation angle map shown in FIG. 10 is has a symmetrical curve 190 by an intermediate rotation angle theta _m to the shaft, but is not limited thereto. The curve of the map is set individually according to the shape of the windshield glass 1 and the like.

Further, the microcomputer 58 wipes the wiper blade based on the position of the driver seat side wiper blade 18 between the lower inversion position P2D and the upper inversion position P1D and the degree of change in the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35. It is also possible to perform control such as changing the speed. In the following, an example of wiping speed control when the second predetermined rotation angle, which is the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A, is set large to increase the degree of change of the wiping range of the passenger-side wiper arm 35 will be described. In such a case, the rotation speed of the first output shaft 11A is gradually reduced as the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 approaches the intermediate rotation angle. When the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A reaches the intermediate rotation angle, that is, when the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is extended to the maximum, control is performed so that the rotation speed of the first output shaft 11A is minimized. To do. For example, a map (not shown) of the rotation speed of the first output shaft 11A defined according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A is used for controlling the rotation speed of the first output shaft 11A. Further, the rotational speed of the second output shaft 12A is also controlled in accordance with the rotational speed of the first output shaft 11A. For example, if the second output shaft rotation angle map as shown in FIG. 10 is used, the rotation of the second output shaft 12A can be synchronized with the rotation of the first output shaft 11A. Corresponding to the increase / decrease in the rotation speed, the rotation speed of the second output shaft 12A can also be controlled. With this control, the speed at which the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is extended and the wiping speed of the passenger-side wiper blade 36 can be alleviated, and the possibility that the passenger feels a sense of incongruity that the passenger-side wiper arm 35 has expanded rapidly is reduced. it can.

The washer motor drive circuit 57 includes a relay unit 84 incorporating two relays RLY1 and RLY2, and two

FETs

86A and 86B. The relay coils of the relays RLY1 and RLY2 of the relay unit 84 are connected to the relay drive circuit 78, respectively. The relay drive circuit 78 switches the relays RLY1 and RLY2 on and off (excitation / excitation stop of the relay coil). When the relay coils are not excited, the relays RLY1 and RLY2 maintain the state in which the common terminals 84C1 and 84C2 are connected to the first terminals 84A1 and 84A2 (off state), respectively, and the relay coils are excited. The common terminals 84C1 and 84C2 are switched to the state of connecting to the second terminals 84B1 and 84B2, respectively. The common terminal 84C1 of the relay RLY1 is connected to one end of the washer motor 64, and the common terminal 84C2 of the relay RLY2 is connected to the other end of the washer motor 64. The first terminals 84A1 and 84A2 of the relays RLY1 and RLY2 are connected to the drain of the FET 86B, and the second terminals 84B1 and 84B2 of the relays RLY1 and RLY2 are connected to the power source (+ B).

The FET 86B has a gate connected to the FET drive circuit 80 and a source grounded. The duty ratio related to the on / off of the FET 86B is controlled by the FET drive circuit 80. An FET 86A is provided between the drain of the FET 86B and the power source (+ B). The FET 86A is provided for the purpose of using a parasitic diode for absorbing a surge without switching on and off because no control signal is input to the gate.

The relay driving circuit 78 and the FET driving circuit 80 control the driving of the washer motor 64 by switching on and off the two relays RLY1, RLY2 and the FET 86B. That is, when rotating the output shaft of the washer motor 64 in a predetermined direction (forward rotation), the relay drive circuit 78 turns on the relay RLY1 (relay RLY2 is off), and the FET drive circuit 80 turns on the FET 86B with a predetermined duty ratio. Let With the above control, the rotation speed of the output shaft of the washer motor 64 is controlled.

FIG. 11 is an example of a bird's-eye view showing a state where the vehicle 122 that has entered the intersection 120 is turning left. The driver's line of sight 126 of the vehicle 122 turning left is concentrated on the left front of the vehicle in order to prevent a pedestrian or the like from getting involved. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the vehicle 122 enters within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120 and the vehicle 122 turns left, a state in which a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured (vehicle posture) Is changed to the passenger seat side, in other words, the state in which the line of sight of the driving vehicle is changed to the passenger seat side). In such a situation, the operation range of the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is changed, and the wiping range Z2 is wiped by the passenger-side wiper blade 36. The predetermined distance D is 20 to 30 m as an example, but can take various values other than the numerical value.

Hereinafter, control of the wiper system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a left turn wiping process in which the wiper system 100 according to the present embodiment detects a left turn of the vehicle 122 and changes the wiping range of the windshield glass 1 on the passenger seat side. A series of procedures shown in FIG. 12 is processed by the microcomputer 58 in the control circuit 52.

In step 110 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the wiper switch 50 is turned on. If the determination is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to step 112. If the determination is negative, the process returns.

In step 112, it is determined whether or not the direction indicator switch 54 is turned on for a left turn. If the determination is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to step 114. If the determination is negative, the process returns.

In step 114, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 122 has entered within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120. Whether or not the vehicle 122 is approaching the intersection 120 and is entering within the predetermined distance D is determined based on the current position of the vehicle 122 calculated by the GPS device. The current position of the vehicle 122 is calculated by the GPS device 96 based on the signal acquired from the GPS satellite. The GPS device 96 collates the calculated current position of the vehicle 122 with map data provided in the GPS device 96, and determines whether the vehicle 122 exists within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120 on the map data. To do.

Alternatively, if the GPS device 96 can register the position of the center 124 of the intersection 120 as a course on which the vehicle 122 travels and a landmark on the course, the current position of the vehicle 122 and the position of the registered course and landmark May be determined whether or not the vehicle 122 exists within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120.

If the determination at step 114 is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to step 118. If the determination in step 114 is negative, it is determined in step 116 whether or not the steering angle of the vehicle 122 is greater than or equal to a threshold value in the left turn direction. The steering angle of the vehicle 122 is calculated by the vehicle ECU 90 or the microcomputer 58 based on the steering rotation angle detected by the steering angle sensor 98. Although the threshold value of the steering angle in step 116 can take various values, it is an angle sufficient to determine that the vehicle 122 is to turn left at the intersection 120, and is generally a larger value than in the case of a lane change or the like. Since the specific value of the threshold varies depending on the vehicle type and vehicle specification, it is determined individually according to the vehicle type and vehicle specification.

If the determination at step 116 is affirmative, the procedure proceeds to step 118. If the determination in step 116 is negative, the process returns.

In step 118, information on the speed of the vehicle 122 calculated from the signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 92 is acquired. If the speed of the vehicle 122 is calculated by the vehicle ECU 90, the microcomputer 58 acquires information on the speed of the vehicle 122 from the vehicle ECU 90.

In step 120, it is determined whether or not the speed of the vehicle 122 is equal to or higher than a threshold speed. The threshold speed is, for example, the speed of the vehicle 122 during slow driving. If the determination in step 120 is affirmative, in step 122, as shown in FIG. 13A, the operating range of the passenger-side wiper arm 35 is changed and the wiping range Z2 is wiped with the passenger-side wiper blade 36. When the speed of the vehicle 122 is equal to or higher than the threshold speed, the wiping range Z2 is wiped when the wiper device 2 for the vehicle occupant is always wiped by wiping the wiping range Z2 while waiting for a signal at the intersection 120. This is to prevent giving an uncomfortable feeling of operation. By changing the wiping range in step 122, the driver's field of view is secured in a wide range as shown in FIG. 13B.

The wiping of the wiping range Z2 in step 122 is performed at the time of forward movement in which the passenger seat wiper blade 36 is moved from the lower inversion position P2P to the upper inversion position P1P. After the wiping range Z2 is wiped, when the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is moved from the upper reverse position P1P to the lower reverse position P2P, the normal operation for wiping the wiping range Z1 shown in FIG. A wide area of the shield glass 1 can be wiped off. In addition, after wiping the wiping range Z1 during the forward movement, the wiping range Z2 may be wiped during the backward movement. Moreover, you may make it wipe the wiping range Z2 at the time of forward movement and backward movement.

The wiping of the changed wiping range at the time of the forward movement in step 122 is performed one or more predetermined times, and then the process returns. The predetermined number of times is a number enough to ensure the driver's left front field of view when making a left turn at the intersection 120. The specific value of the predetermined number of times varies depending on the vehicle type and vehicle specification, and is thus determined individually according to the vehicle type and vehicle specification.

Alternatively, when the left turn direction indicator is canceled, when the current position of the vehicle calculated by the GPS device is more than a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120, and when the steering angle of the vehicle 122 becomes less than the threshold value In at least one of the cases, the change of the wiping range in step 122 may be stopped and the process may be returned.

If the determination in step 120 is negative, a normal operation for wiping the wiping range Z1 shown in FIG. 1 is performed in step 124, and the process returns.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the wiping of the passenger-side wiper blade 36 at the time of a left turn that requires changing the wiping range of the passenger-side wiper blade 36 by the wiping process at the time of the left turn shown in FIG. The range can be changed. When the vehicle 122 is traveling straight, the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is not changed, so that an occupant of the vehicle 122 is less likely to feel discomfort in the operation of the wiper device 2.

In addition, when turning left, the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 is changed to secure the driver's field of view so that the driver can turn the vehicle 122 to the left at the intersection 120 without anxiety.

In the present embodiment, a right-hand drive vehicle has been described as an example, and therefore control is performed to change the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 when turning left. In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, it is necessary to secure the field of view of the passenger seat when turning right. In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, the processing shown in FIG. 12 is read as “turn left” to “right turn” and “turn on the direction indicator switch 54 for turning left” to “turn on the direction indicator switch 54 to turn right”. This is possible.

In both the right-hand drive vehicle and the left-hand drive vehicle, when the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side, the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is controlled to ensure a wide range of visibility for the driver. .

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the left turn direction indicator is on, the vehicle 122 is within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120, and the vehicle 122 is wiped when the speed is equal to or higher than the threshold speed. The range was changed. In the present embodiment, the wiping range is changed when the left turn direction indicator is on, the steering angle of the vehicle 122 is equal to or greater than the threshold, and the speed of the vehicle 122 is equal to or greater than the threshold speed. That is, in the present embodiment, AND control is executed to change the wiping range when a plurality of conditions are met.

However, the OR control may be executed if the change of the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 is started more quickly according to the situation. For example, when the left turn direction indicator is on, the vehicle 122 is within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120, and the steering angle of the vehicle 122 is at least one of the threshold value or more, a wide field of view on the passenger seat side is secured. The wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 is changed by determining that the vehicle should be in a state where the vehicle posture is changed to the passenger seat side (in other words, the driver's line of sight is changed to the passenger seat side). .

Alternatively, the left turn direction indicator is on, the vehicle 122 is within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120, and the steering angle of the vehicle 122 is at least one of a threshold value and the speed of the vehicle 122 is the threshold speed. In the above case, it may be determined that a situation requiring the front view of the front side of the passenger seat has occurred, and the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 may be changed.

A route is set by a car navigation system that sets a route to a predetermined point from the current position calculated by the GPS device and the map information, is within a predetermined distance D from the center 124 of the intersection 120, and the car navigation system. When a left turn instruction is issued, it may be determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. In this case, it is possible to prevent the wiping range from being changed when going straight through the intersection 120. As described above, the right-hand drive vehicle has been described as an example in the present embodiment. That is, the “left turn instruction” here refers to an instruction to turn to the passenger seat side in a right-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, in the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, a “right turn instruction” is substituted for a “left turn instruction”.

In addition, when there is a left turn instruction by the car navigation system, it may be determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured.

Note that the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 may be changed by detecting a pedestrian on the passenger seat side or an obstacle on the passenger seat side with the in-vehicle camera 94 or a radar (not shown). For example, when the left turn direction indicator is on and the presence of a pedestrian or obstacle on the passenger seat side is detected by the in-vehicle camera 94 or the radar, the wiping range of the passenger seat wiper blade 36 is changed. As a result, even when the vehicle turns left, the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 is not changed when there are no pedestrians or obstacles on the passenger side. Difficult to remember.

Further, by providing the rain sensor 76 and the in-vehicle camera 94 on the passenger seat side upper side of the windshield glass 1 so that at least part of the information of the non-wiping range X shown in FIG. When the wiping range X is dirty (the wiping range needs to be changed), the wiping range can be changed, and the uncomfortable feeling in the operation of the wiper device 2 can be reduced.

Note that a reception unit (not shown) that detects a position where a communication device such as a mobile phone possessed by a pedestrian or the like is provided, detects a pedestrian or the like existing on the passenger seat side, and detects a pedestrian on the passenger seat side. The wiping range may be changed. For example, the wiping range of the front passenger side wiper blade 36 is changed when the receiving unit detects that the left turn direction indicator is on and a pedestrian is present on the front passenger side. Thus, even when the vehicle 122 turns to the left, if there is no pedestrian on the passenger seat side, the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is not changed, so that the passenger of the vehicle 122 feels uncomfortable with the operation of the wiper device 2. It's hard to remember.

In the present embodiment, the driver may be able to appropriately change the control mode of the left turn wiping process, such as the above-described AND control or OR control. By changing the mode of control, the left turn wiping process according to the situation or the driver's orientation becomes possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Since the configuration of the wiper system according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the wiper system 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, image data of an image taken by an in-vehicle camera 94 provided on the vehicle interior side of the windshield glass 1, specifically the rear side of the rearview mirror or the upper part of the front passenger seat, is processed by image processing. When the left curve is detected, it is determined that a situation requiring the front view of the front side of the passenger seat has occurred when the vehicle enters the left curve, and the wiping range of the front passenger side wiper blade 36 is changed.

FIG. 14A is an example of an image in front of the vehicle taken by the in-vehicle camera 94. The road 130 in FIG. 14A has a so-called ninety-nine fold in which a left curve and a right curve are continuous. On the left side of the road 130, a left white line 132, which is the left outline of the road 130, is written. On the right side of the road 130, a right white line 134, which is the right outline of the road 130, is written.

In the present embodiment, the image data shown in FIG. 14A is processed using a known image processing method such as the Canny method, the differential edge detection method, or the Sobel method, and the left white line 132 and the right white line 134 are related to the image data. Extract edges. Further, the horizontal position of each pixel on the image data is defined as the X coordinate, and the vertical position on the image data is defined as the Y coordinate. By such image processing, the edges related to the left white line 132 and the right white line 134 are extracted as continuous points, for example, the left white line edge 132E and the right white line edge 134E as shown in FIG. 14B.

Next, in this embodiment, straight line approximation processing is performed. In the straight line approximation process, the extracted left white line edge 132E and right white line edge 134E are linearly approximated using a Hough transform to obtain approximate

straight lines

132L and 134L along lines estimated to be white lines.

Further, the obtained approximate straight line 132L, calculated X-coordinate value of the intersection point P _N of 134L to (X _N), obtained X-coordinate values of the intersection point P _N (X _N) And a horizontal displacement A (A = X _N -X ₀ ) between the X coordinate value (X ₀ ) at the center of the image data. 14B, since the value of X increases from left to right, in the case of FIG. 14B, X ₀ <X _N and A is a positive value. The threshold value is specifically determined through a running test using an actual vehicle, assuming that the curvature of the curve is large and it is important to ensure the visibility of the front side of the driver's seat.

When the calculated displacement amount A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle 122 is in a situation of entering the left curve, and the passenger seat wiper blade 36 is moved within the wiping range Z2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 13A. The rotations of the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are controlled so as to be wiped off.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a situation where it is necessary to change the wiping range such as passing through the left curve, the wiping range of the passenger-side wiper blade 36 is changed to further increase the driver's field of view. It becomes possible to secure a wide range.

The change of the wiping range may be executed when the speed of the vehicle 122 is equal to or higher than the threshold speed as in the first embodiment. This is because it is not always necessary to change the wiping range when the vehicle 122 is at a low speed.

FIG. 15 shows a wiper system 100 according to the present embodiment, which detects a left curve in front of the vehicle 122 (a curve on the passenger seat side) and changes the wiping range on the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1 when turning left. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process. A series of procedures shown in FIG. 15 is processed by the microcomputer 58 in the control circuit 52.

In step 140, image data captured by the in-vehicle camera 94 is acquired. In step 142, the image data is processed using a known image processing method such as a Canny method, a differential edge detection method, or a Sobel method, and the image data is processed. Edges related to the left white line 132 and the right white line 134 are extracted.

In step 144, the X and Y coordinates are set on the image data from which the edges have been extracted. In step 146, the extracted left white line edge 132E and right white line edge 134E are linearly approximated by Hough transform to be estimated as a white line. Approximate

straight lines

132L and 134L along the line are calculated.

In step 148, the approximate straight line 132L, calculated X-coordinate value of the intersection point P _N of 134L to (X _N), X-coordinate values of the intersection point P _N (X _N) And a horizontal displacement A (A = X _N −X ₀ ) between the X coordinate value (X ₀ ) at the center of the image data.

In step 150, it is determined whether or not the displacement amount A is greater than or equal to a threshold value. If the determination in step 150 is affirmative, in step 152, as shown in FIG. 13A, the operating range of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is changed and the wiping range Z2 is wiped by the passenger seat side wiper blade 36.

The wiping of the wiping range Z2 in step 152 is performed when the passenger seat wiper blade 36 moves forward from the lower inversion position P2P to the upper inversion position P1P. After the wiping range Z2 is wiped, when the passenger-side wiper blade 36 moves backward from the upper inversion position P1P to the lower inversion position P2P, a normal operation for wiping the wiping range Z1 shown in FIG. A wide area of the shield glass 1 can be wiped off. Note that the wiping range Z1 may be wiped during the forward movement, and the wiping range Z1 may be wiped during the backward movement. Moreover, you may wipe the wiping range Z2 at the time of reciprocation.

The wiping of the changed wiping range at the time of forward movement in step 152 is performed one or more predetermined times, and then the process returns. The predetermined number of times is sufficient to ensure a left front view of the driver when passing the left curve. The specific value of the predetermined number of times varies depending on the vehicle type and vehicle specification, and is thus determined individually according to the vehicle type and vehicle specification.

If the determination in step 150 is negative, a normal operation for wiping the wiping range Z1 shown in FIG. 1 is performed in step 154, and the process returns.

In addition to the control for detecting the left curve by the image processing of the image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera 94 described in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the vehicle 122 described in the first embodiment makes a left turn at the intersection 120. You may combine the control to do. By combining the present embodiment and the first embodiment, it is possible to control the change of the wiping range corresponding to each of the intersection 120 and the left curve of the road 130.

As a modification of the present embodiment, a vehicle interior camera (not shown) that captures the face of the driver in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 122 may be provided separately from the in-vehicle camera 94. By detecting the edge of the driver's face from the image data acquired by the in-vehicle camera using a known method as described above, at least one of the direction of the driver's face and the direction of the line of sight is detected. When the direction of the person's face and the direction of the line of sight are directed to the front left side (passenger seat side) of the vehicle 122, the wiping range of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 may be changed.

By determining whether or not it is necessary to change the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 based on at least one of the driver's face direction and line of sight direction, the wiping range is effectively changed according to the situation. It becomes possible to do.

In the present embodiment, a right-hand drive vehicle has been described as an example, and therefore control is performed to change the wiping range of the passenger side wiper blade 36 when passing the left curve. In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, it is necessary to ensure visibility on the passenger side when passing the right curve. In the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, the above processing is performed by changing the “left curve” to “right curve” and “when the calculated displacement amount A exceeds a predetermined threshold value” and “the calculated displacement amount A is a negative value. This can be dealt with by reading “when the absolute value exceeds a predetermined threshold”.

[Third Embodiment]
Subsequently, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the wiper system 200 according to the present embodiment. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the nozzle of the washer device 170, the hose to which the washer liquid is pumped, and the washer pump 166 that pumps the washer liquid. However, since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed descriptions of configurations other than the nozzle, hose, and washer pump 166 are omitted.

In the present embodiment, the driver-seat-side forward movement nozzle 174AD is provided on the side facing the upper reversal position P1D of the tip of the driver-seat-side wiper arm 17 (the forward-movement side of the driver-seat-side wiper arm 17). The driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD is provided on the side facing the lower reversal position P2D of the front end portion (return side of the driver seat wiper arm 17).

Further, in the present embodiment, the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP is disposed on the side facing the upper reversal position P1P of the front end portion of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 (the forward side of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35). On the side (the backward movement side of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35) facing the lower reverse position P2P of the tip end portion of the wiper arm 35, the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP is provided.

The driver-side forward nozzle 174AD and the passenger-side forward nozzle 174AP wipe the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 from the lower inversion positions P2D and P2P to the upper inversion positions P1D and P1P, respectively. During the forward movement, each washer fluid is ejected in the forward ejection direction 176A.

The driver-side reverse nozzle 174BD and the passenger-side reverse nozzle 174BP wipe the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 from the upper inversion positions P1D and P1P to the lower inversion positions P2D and P2P, respectively. When returning, the washer fluid is injected in the return injection direction 176B.

The washer liquid in the washer liquid tank 68 is pumped by the washer pump 166 to the forward injection hose 172A during forward movement and to the backward injection hose 172B during backward movement. The forward movement injection hose 172A branches at the branching portion 178 shown in FIG. 16 into the driver seat side forward movement injection hose 172AD and the passenger seat side forward movement injection hose 172AP. Further, the reverse injection hose 172B branches into a driver seat side reverse injection hose 172BD and a passenger seat side reverse injection hose 172BP at a branching portion 178 shown in FIG.

The driver-seat-side forward injection hose 172AD and the driver-seat-side backward injection hose 172BD are disposed inside the driver-seat-side wiper arm 17, as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the passenger seat-side forward injection hose 172AP and the passenger-side backward injection hose 172BP are disposed inside the passenger seat-side wiper arm 35.

Driver seat side forward injection hose 172AD for driver seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD, driver seat side backward injection hose 172BD for driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD, passenger seat side forward injection for forward movement The hose 172AP is connected to the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP, and the passenger seat side backward movement injection hose 172BP is connected to the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP.

The driver's seat side forward injection hose 172AD, the driver's seat side backward injection hose 172BD, the passenger seat side forward injection hose 172AP, and the passenger seat side backward injection hose 172BP include the driver seat side wiper arm 17. In order to avoid the bending and tensile stress from acting due to the operation of the wiper arm 35 on the passenger seat side, it is desirable that each be disposed with a sufficient and appropriate length. In particular, in the present embodiment, the passenger-side wiper arm 35 moves upward when the wiping range is changed. Therefore, the passenger-seat forward hose 172AP for forward movement is prevented so that unreasonable stress does not act even by the movement. And it is desirable to determine the length of the hose 172BP for jetting at the passenger seat side backward movement.

Further, a forward injection hose 172A, a reverse injection hose 172B, a driver seat side forward injection hose 172AD, a driver seat side backward injection hose 172BD, and a passenger seat side forward injection hose 172AP. Further, the material of the passenger seat side reverse injection hose 172BP is desirably a synthetic rubber or a synthetic resin which is tough against bending and tension and has flexibility.

The washer motor 64 reverses the direction of rotation between forward movement and reverse movement, from the driver side forward nozzle 174AD and the passenger side forward nozzle 174AP during forward movement, and from the driver seat during backward movement. The washer pump 166 is driven so as to inject the washer fluid from the side backward movement nozzle 174BD and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the washer pump 166 according to the present embodiment. The washer pump 166 according to the present embodiment is a type of turbo pump provided with a turbine 166A driven by a washer motor 64. The turbine 166A is driven in the direction of the arrow forward movement in the forward movement and in the direction of the arrow backward movement in the backward movement.

By driving the turbine 166A, the washer liquid in the washer liquid tank 68 is sucked into the pump housing 166B from the suction port 166C. When the turbine 166A is driven in the forward direction of the arrow, the pump housing is connected from the forward discharge port 166D to the forward discharge port 166E when the turbine 166A is driven in the backward direction of arrow. The washer liquid in 166B is discharged. The forward discharge outlet 166D is connected to the driver side forward movement nozzle 174AD and the passenger side forward movement nozzle 174AP via the forward movement injection hose 172A, and the backward discharge outlet 166E is used for backward injection. Via the hose 172B and the like, they are connected to the driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP, respectively. Accordingly, when the turbine 166A is driven in the direction of the arrow forward movement, the washer liquid is driven in the direction of the backward movement of the arrow from the nozzle 174AD in the driver seat side forward movement and the nozzle 174AP in the passenger seat side forward movement. And from the nozzle 174BD at the time of backward movement on the driver seat side and the nozzle 174BP at the time of backward movement of the passenger seat.

The washer pump 166 according to the present embodiment has a valve 166F made of an elastic body such as rubber or synthetic resin, as shown in FIG. The valve 166F bends with the pressure of the washer fluid pumped by the turbine 166A, and closes the forward washer fluid inlet 166G or the backward motion washer fluid inlet 166H.

For example, when the turbine 166A is driven in the direction of the forward movement of the arrow, the pressure on the washer liquid inlet 166G side at the time of forward movement increases, so that the valve 166F bends toward the washer liquid inlet 166H side at the time of backward movement and the backward movement. The hour washer fluid inlet 166H is closed. Further, when the turbine 166A is driven in the direction of the backward movement of the arrow, the pressure on the backward side of the washer liquid inlet 166H increases, so that the valve 166F bends to the forward side of the washer liquid inlet 166G side and the forward movement. The hour washer fluid inlet 166G is closed. As a result, the washer fluid is selectively injected from the forward injection nozzle 174A or the reverse injection nozzle 174B by rotating the turbine 166A in the forward or reverse direction.

The configuration of the drive circuit 56 of the washer motor 64 that drives the washer pump 166 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the drive circuit 56 is operated as follows to rotate the washer motor 64 forward and backward. In this embodiment, the washer motor 64 rotates forward during forward movement and reverse rotation during backward movement.

When the washer motor 64 is rotated forward, the relay drive circuit 78 turns on the relay RLY1 (relay RLY2 is off), and the FET drive circuit 80 turns on the FET 86B with a predetermined duty ratio. When the washer motor 64 is rotated in reverse, the relay drive circuit 78 turns on the relay RLY2 (relay RLY1 is off), and the FET drive circuit 80 turns on the FET 86B with a predetermined duty ratio.

As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment is configured with one washer motor and one washer pump. However, the washer motor and the washer pump are used for forward movement and reverse movement. Each may have a dedicated one.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the wiper system 100 of the first embodiment in which the nozzle of the washer liquid is provided below the windshield glass 1, as shown in FIG. 18A, the washer liquid injected from the driver side nozzle 74A is, for example, It adheres to the landing area 180A. Further, the washer liquid ejected from the passenger seat side nozzle 74B adheres to the landing area 180B, for example.

The landing areas 180 A and 180 B are both part of the windshield glass 1. Accordingly, it has not been possible to attach the washer liquid to the entire area of the wiping range H1 and the wiping range Z2.

FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of washer liquid injection during the forward movement of the wiper system 200 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 18B, the washer liquid is jetted from the driver seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD and the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP in the forward movement injection direction 176A. The sprayed washer liquid is spread on the

adhesion regions

182A and 182B by the driver seat side wiper blade 18 and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 respectively moving forward.

When the driver seat side wiper blade 18 reaches the upper reversal position P1D while spraying the washer liquid from the nozzle 174AD during the driver seat side forward movement, the adhesion region 182A extends over the entire wiping range H1. Further, when the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 reaches the upper inversion position P1P while spraying the washer liquid from the nozzle 174AP at the time of the passenger side forward movement, the adhesion region 182B extends over the entire wiping range Z2.

At the time of reverse operation, the driver seat side wiper blade 18 wipes the wiping range H1 while jetting washer liquid from the driver seat side reverse nozzle 174BD, and at the same time, the driver seat side reverse operation nozzle 174BP is jetted with washer liquid The wiping range Z1 is wiped with the seat-side wiper blade 36.

As a result, the washer liquid can be attached to the wiping ranges H1, Z1, and Z2 by the above-described forward movement operation and reverse movement operation, and a wide area corresponding to substantially the entire surface of the windshield glass 1 is washed. It becomes possible to wash with a liquid.

In order to more effectively clean the windshield glass 1, when the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 reaches the upper inversion position P1D and the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 reaches the upper inversion position P1P, the wiper blades 18 The wiping operation may be stopped for a predetermined time, and the washer liquid may be ejected from the driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP.

Further, when the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 is extended to the maximum angle toward the upper corner on the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1 during the forward movement, the wiping operation is stopped for a predetermined time, and the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP. The windshield glass 1 may be more effectively cleaned by spraying the washer liquid from the top.

The forward / reverse operation while injecting the washer liquid in the present embodiment is performed when the washer switch 62 is operated. However, the interior of the windshield glass 1, specifically, the rearview mirror is operated. It may be automatically executed when raindrops, dirt, snow, frost, or the like is detected on the windshield glass 1 by the rain sensor 76 provided on the back side or the upper part of the passenger seat. Alternatively, when it is determined in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above that a situation that requires the front view of the front passenger seat has occurred, the washer fluid may be injected.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the wiper device 2 capable of changing the wiping range, the forward and backward washer liquids are applied to the distal ends of the driver-side wiper arm 17 and the passenger-side wiper arm 35. Each spray nozzle is provided. At the time of forward movement, the washer liquid is sprayed from the forward washer liquid injection nozzle to change the wiping range of the wiper blade 36 on the passenger seat side to the upper side of the passenger seat side of the windshield glass 1, and at the time of reverse movement, The washer liquid is sprayed from the nozzle for spraying the washer so that the windshield glass 1 is wiped without changing the wiping range of the wiper blade 36 on the passenger seat side. It becomes possible to spread.

In the present embodiment, the driver seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD is disposed on the driver seat side wiper arm 17 on the side facing the upper reverse position P1D (the driver seat side wiper arm 17 forward side). The nozzle 174BD at the time of backward movement of the driver seat is provided on the side facing the lower reverse position P2D of the tip of the wiper arm 17 (returning side of the wiper arm 17 on the driver's seat), but is not limited thereto. . For example, the driver seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD and the driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD may be provided on the distal end side of the driver seat side wiper arm 17 (the distal end side from the longitudinal intermediate portion of the driver seat side wiper arm 17). Alternatively, the driver seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD may be provided at the distal end of the driver seat side wiper arm 17, and the driver seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD may be provided at the distal end side of the driver seat side wiper arm 17.

Further, in the present embodiment, the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP is disposed on the side facing the upper reversal position P1P of the front end portion of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 (the forward side of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35). Each of the wiper arms 35 is provided with the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP on the side facing the lower reverse position P2P of the front end portion of the wiper arm 35 (return side of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35), but is not limited thereto. . For example, the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP and the passenger seat backward movement nozzle 174BP may be provided on the distal end side of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 (front end side from the longitudinal intermediate portion of the passenger seat side wiper arm 35). Alternatively, the front passenger side wiper arm 174AP may be provided at the front end portion of the front passenger side wiper arm 35, and the front passenger seat side reverse nozzle 174BP may be provided at the front end side of the front passenger seat side wiper arm 35.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning liquid is ejected from a nozzle (one of the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP) on the wiping progress direction side of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36. However, the cleaning liquid may be ejected from the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP included in the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 during the forward movement. Further, the cleaning liquid may be ejected from the passenger seat side forward movement nozzle 174AP and the passenger seat side backward movement nozzle 174BP provided in the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 during the backward movement. In this case, the configuration of the washer pump can be simplified. Similarly, when the driver's seat side wiper blade 18 reciprocates, the cleaning liquid may be ejected from the driver's seat side forward movement nozzle 174AD and the driver's seat side backward movement nozzle 174BD.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 and the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 are controlled to be able to rotate forward and backward (reciprocating). There is no limit. For example, one of the first output shaft 11A and the second output shaft 12A may rotate in one direction.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotation of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 causes the driver side wiper blade 18 and the passenger side wiper blade 36 to move to the upper reverse positions P1D and P1P and the lower reverse position. Although it moved between P2D and P2P, it is not limited to this. For example, the first motor 11 includes a “driver's seat side first motor” and a “passenger's seat side first motor”, and the driver seat side wiper blade 18 is moved down to the upper inversion position P1D by the rotation of the driver seat side first motor. The structure may be such that the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is moved between the upper inversion position P1P and the lower inversion position P2P by moving between the inversion position P2D and rotation of the first passenger seat side motor.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the driver-side wiper blade 18 and the passenger-side wiper blade 36 have a structure that does not overlap in the vehicle width direction at the lower inversion positions P2D and P2P. There is no limit. For example, the driver seat side wiper blade 18 side of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 may be set longer. In other words, the length of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 is set so that the driver seat side wiper blade 18 side of the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 overlaps the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 side of the driver seat side wiper blade 18. Also good. Thereby, when wiping the wiping range Z2 during the reciprocating motion, it is possible to reduce the non-wiping area that remains on the lower center side of the windshield glass.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 (passenger seat side wiper blade 36) is extended to the vicinity of the intermediate angle at the predetermined rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A, and from the vicinity of the intermediate angle. Although the control for reducing the passenger-side wiper arm 35 (passenger-side wiper blade 36) is performed up to a predetermined rotation angle, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the passenger seat side wiper blade 36 wipes from the lower inversion position P2P toward the upper inversion position P1P (during forward wiping), the passenger seat side wiper arm 35 may be controlled to gradually extend.

In the present embodiment, the embodiment using the rotation angle of the first output shaft 11A of the first motor 11 and the rotation angle of the second output shaft 12A of the second motor 12 has been described. The rotational position of the first output shaft 11A and the rotational position of the second output shaft 12A may be used.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the wiping of the changed wiping range is performed one or more predetermined times and then the process is returned. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the wiping of the changed wiping range has been performed a predetermined number of times of 1 or more, if the dirt or the like of the non-wiping range X has not been removed, it is determined that the situation cannot be removed (freezing or fogging on the inner surface). Then, it may be controlled not to change the wiping range for a predetermined period. By such control, since the change of the wiping range is not executed in the situation where the removal cannot be performed even if the wiping range such as freezing or fogging of the inner surface is changed, it is possible to suppress a sense of incongruity in the operation of the wiper device 2.

In each of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first motor 11 and the second motor 12 are controlled to wipe the wiping range Z2 in a situation where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. An “automatic change changeover switch” that can cancel the execution may be separately provided. By providing the automatic change changeover switch, the wiping range Z1 can be wiped without changing the wiping range even in a situation where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. When the occupant of the vehicle 122 thinks that it is not necessary to change the wiping range, the wiping range is not changed (wiping of the wiping range Z2), so that the uncomfortable feeling in the operation of the wiper device 2 can be suppressed. Although there is no limitation in the position which provides an automatic change changeover switch, it is desirable to provide in the position near a driver | operator, such as a handle.

The disclosures of Japanese Patent Application 2016-008053 and Japanese Patent Application 2016-194923 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

All documents, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard were specifically and individually described to be incorporated by reference, Incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

The wiper arm having a first output shaft reciprocally rotates around the fulcrum of the wiper arm by rotation of the first output shaft, and the wiper blade connected to the tip of the wiper arm is reversed upside down and downside of the windshield. A first motor that performs a reciprocating wiping operation with respect to a position;
A second motor for changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade;
A rotation angle detector that detects a rotation angle of the first output shaft;
A control unit that controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detection unit in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured;
Wiper device for vehicles including
A vehicle position measuring unit that calculates a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from the satellite;
The control unit determines that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when the current position calculated by the vehicle position measurement unit is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection, and determines the rotation angle of the first output shaft. 2. The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the second motor is controlled accordingly.
A vehicle position measuring unit that calculates a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from the satellite;
The control unit sets a route in a car navigation system that sets a route to a predetermined point from the current position calculated by the vehicle position measurement unit and map information, and turns from the car navigation system toward the passenger seat side. 2. The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein, when instructed, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and the second motor is controlled in accordance with a rotation angle of the first output shaft.
The control unit determines that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when a signal input from the vehicle direction indicator switch indicates that the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side, and the first output shaft The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the second motor is controlled in accordance with a rotation angle of the vehicle.
The control unit determines that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when the rudder angle to the passenger seat side of the vehicle detected by the steering angle sensor of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and the first output shaft The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the second motor is controlled in accordance with a rotation angle of the vehicle.
It further includes a photographing unit that acquires an image in front of the vehicle,
The control unit extracts a contour of a road from the image acquired by the photographing unit, and when the extracted contour indicates bending toward the passenger seat side, a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured; The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle wiper device determines and controls the second motor in accordance with a rotation angle of the first output shaft.
A vehicle speed detector for detecting the speed of the vehicle;
The control unit is in a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and when the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection unit is equal to or higher than a threshold speed, the control unit responds to the rotation angle of the first output shaft. The vehicle wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second motor is controlled.
A cleaning liquid ejecting section for ejecting a cleaning liquid from a nozzle provided on the wiper arm;
The control unit controls the second motor in accordance with the rotation angle of the first output shaft and ejects the cleaning liquid from the nozzle when the wide field of view on the passenger seat side is to be ensured. The vehicle wiper device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cleaning liquid injection unit is controlled.
A photographing unit for obtaining image data of the windshield;
An optical detector that irradiates the windshield with infrared rays and detects deposits on the surface of the windshield based on the amount of reflected or transmitted infrared rays;
Further including
The photographing unit and the optical detection unit are respectively provided on the passenger seat side upper part of the windshield on the passenger compartment side,
The control unit determines that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit and the detection result of the optical detection unit, and determines the rotation angle of the first output shaft. 2. The vehicle wiper device according to claim 1, wherein the second motor is controlled accordingly.
A first output shaft, and the rotation of the first output shaft causes the wiper arm to reciprocate around the fulcrum of the wiper arm, so that the wiper blade connected to the tip of the wiper arm is turned upside down and down the windshield. Starting a reciprocating rotation of a first output shaft of a first motor that performs a reciprocating wiping operation with respect to a position;
Detecting a rotation angle of the first output shaft with a rotation angle detector;
In a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be ensured, the second output shaft included in the second motor is rotated in a predetermined direction according to the rotation angle of the first output shaft detected by the rotation angle detector. Starting the rotation of the second output shaft so as to change the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Further comprising performing vehicle position measurement to calculate a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from the satellite;
Starting the rotation of the second output shaft is a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when the current position calculated by measuring the vehicle position is within a predetermined distance from the center of the intersection. The method of controlling a vehicle wiper device according to claim 10, comprising determining and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Further comprising performing vehicle position measurement to calculate a current position of the vehicle based on a signal received from the satellite;
The rotation of the second output shaft is started by setting a route in a car navigation system that sets a route from a current position calculated by measuring the vehicle position and map information to a predetermined point, and When there is an instruction to turn in the direction of the passenger seat from the navigation system, it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured, and includes changing the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade, The method for controlling a vehicle wiper device according to claim 10.
Starting the rotation of the second output shaft is a state in which a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when the signal input from the vehicle direction indicator switch indicates that the vehicle bends to the passenger seat side. The method for controlling the wiper device for a vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising: determining that there is a change and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Starting the rotation of the second output shaft is a state where a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured when the steering angle of the vehicle toward the passenger seat detected by the vehicle steering angle sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The method for controlling the wiper device for a vehicle according to claim 10, further comprising: determining that there is a change and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Starting the rotation of the second output shaft is to extract a road contour from an image ahead of the vehicle, and when the extracted contour indicates bending toward the passenger seat side, a wide field of view on the passenger seat side is obtained. The method of controlling a vehicle wiper device according to claim 10, further comprising: determining that the state is to be secured and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Further comprising vehicle speed detection for detecting the speed of the vehicle,
Starting rotation of the second output shaft is determined when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and the vehicle speed detected by performing the vehicle speed detection is equal to or higher than a threshold speed. The vehicle wiper apparatus control method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.
Further comprising performing a cleaning liquid injection for injecting a cleaning liquid from a nozzle provided in the wiper arm,
Initiating the rotation of the second output shaft changes the wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade and determines the ejection of the cleaning liquid when it is determined that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured. The method for controlling a wiper device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising:
The rotation of the second output shaft is started by the image data of the windshield acquired by the photographing unit provided at the upper part of the passenger seat on the passenger compartment side of the windshield, and on the passenger compartment side of the windshield. Based on the detection result of the optical detection unit that is provided at the upper part on the passenger seat side, irradiates the windshield with infrared rays, and detects deposits on the surface of the windshield based on the amount of reflected or transmitted infrared rays, 11. The method of controlling a vehicle wiper device according to claim 10, further comprising: determining that a wide field of view on the passenger seat side should be secured and changing a wiping range of the windshield by the wiper blade.