System for detecting windshield wiper noise and related methods

• US 10,040,425 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Green, Alfred, Bidner, David Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Soofi, Yazan A
• Application Number:
  US15/348,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20180126955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 701 36
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/08 electrically driven conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and liquid supply of windscreen washer B60S1/482; conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and means for cleaning parts o parts other than windscreens or front windows B60S1/56, B60S1/58, B60S1/606
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 2001/3844 equipped with means to indicate wear or usage of blade
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4463 Signal correction, e.g. distance amplitude correction [DAC], distance gain size [DGS], noise filtering

Abstract

A system for detecting noise generated by a windshield wiper on a vehicle including a cabin is provided. The system includes a detector for detecting noise generated by the windshield wiper. A processor is provided for generating a signal based on the noise detected by the detector. A controller may also receive the signal and regulate the operation of the windshield wiper, including by adaptive control based on a vehicle operator'"'"'s desired setting of a speed of the wiper in an intermittent mode of operation. The signal may also be used to notify a service provider of the need for servicing the windshield wiper. Related methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for detecting noise generated by a windshield wiper on a vehicle including a cabin, comprising:

a detector for detecting noise generated by the windshield wiper; and

a processor for generating a signal for controlling the windshield wiper based on the noise detected by the detector.

2. The system of claim 1, further including:

a motor for moving the windshield wiper; and

a controller for controlling the motor based on the signal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted for regulating a speed of the motor based on the signal.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor generates the signal by filtering a noise signal from the detector.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor generates the signal by removing an audio output signal corresponding to audio output from a speaker associated with the cabin.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a microphone associated with the cabin.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor generates the signal taking into account a position of the windshield wiper.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to generate a code indicative of a need for replacing the windshield wiper.

9. The system of claim 8, further including a memory for storing the code.

10. The system of claim 8, further including a transmitter for transmitting the code to a vehicle service provider.

11. A system for detecting noise generated by of a windshield wiper on a vehicle including a cabin, comprising:

a motor for moving the windshield wiper;

a microphone for detecting noise from the windshield wiper; and

a controller for controlling the motor based on the detected noise.

12. The system of claim 11, further including a processor adapted to generate a code indicative of a need for replacing the windshield wiper based on the detected noise.

13. The system of claim 12, further including a memory for storing the code.

14. The system of claim 12, further including a transmitter for transmitting the code to a vehicle service provider.

15. A method for detecting noise from a windshield wiper on a vehicle including a cabin, comprising:

detecting noise associated with the operation of the windshield wiper; and

generating a signal for controlling the windshield wiper based on the detected noise.

16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of filtering the signal.

17. The method of claim 15, further including the step of controlling movement of the windshield wiper based on the signal.

18. The method of claim 15, further including the step of indicating a need for replacing the windshield wiper.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the indicating step comprises storing a code in a memory associated with the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the indicating step comprises transmitting a code to a vehicle service provider.