Automatic window wiper control

• US 4,705,998 A
• Filed: 02/09/1987
• Issued: 11/10/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Alpert
• Original Assignee: Steven Alpert
• Inventors: Millerd, Donald L., Bell, Marl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US07/012,617
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• Field of Search: 318/443, 318/444, 318/445, 318/480, 318/483, 318/490, 318/643, 318/DIG. 2, 15/250 C, 15/250.17
• US Class Current: 318/444
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0818 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls

Abstract

The invention is directed to an automatic wiper control circuit for operating window wipers automatically when moisture is sensed. The control circuit additionally provides for increasing the speed of a dual speed wiper motor when a high level of moisture is detected. The system comprises a moisture sensor which senses moisture thereon. A circuit associated with the moisture sensor converts the moisture level to DC voltage. At a preselected level of this DC voltage the wiper motor operates in one of its two different speeds. A lack of a predetermined amount of moisture terminates the wiper motor operation. If the control circuit terminates the wiper motor action during wiper sweep, the normal homing circuit of the wiper motor continues to operate the motor until the wiper blade or blades reach the wiper blade home position. Sequential illumination of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDS) occur during a wiping cycle when the circuit is operating normally. A switch is provided to remove the automatic wiper control circuit from the conventional automotive wiper motor circuit. A separate LED provides a visual indication of automatic wiper control circuit disconnection from the conventional automotive wiper motor circuit.

Claims

1. An automatic wiper motor control system for operating a window wiper motor which operates at least one wiper blade to and fro across window for removing moisture from the area which it sweeps, said motor having a park circuit means for returning said wiper blade to a home location when said wiper motor action is terminated at other than the wiper blade home location comprising:

a voltage source;

a moisture sensor, said moisture sensor comprising a plurality of spaced apart exposed conductive strips positioned within an area of the sweep of said at least one wiper blade;

a voltage storage means;

a scanning circuit for sequentially connecting adjacent pairs of said conductive strips, one of said pair to said voltage source and the other of said pair to said voltage storage means;

a wiper motor operating circuit;

a voltage sensing means connected between said voltage storage means and said wiper motor operating circuit, said voltage sensing means activates said wiper motor operating circuit when the voltage level of said voltage storage means exceeds a preselected voltage level; and

a wiper position sensor means positioned along the sweep of said wiper blade and influenced by the blade passing thereacross for activating the operation of said voltage sensing means, whereby a determination is made by said automotive wiper motor control system to operate said wiper motor or terminate said operation.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said wiper motor is multi-speed.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage source is a storage battery.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said scanning circuit comprises a pair of multiplexer circuits each of which is operated at a common frequency.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage sensing means comprises a means to constantly remove a portion of the voltage stored therein.

6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said voltage sensing means comprises means for operating said multi-speed wiper motor at one speed when the voltage in said voltage storage means is above a first preset level and at an increased speed when the voltage in said voltage storage means exceeds a second preset level.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the first preset level of voltage which operates said multi-speed wiper motor at said one speed is adjustable.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein the second preset level of voltage which operates said multi-speed wiper motor at said increased speed is adjustable.

9. The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising visual means for providing indication of operation of said scanning circuit.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said visual means includes a plurality of LEDS.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said LEDS all illuminate in the same color.

12. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein some of said LEDS illuminate in different colors than others thereof.

13. The invention as defined in claim 2 additionally comprises a switch for removing said automatic wiper motor control system from control of said multi speed wiper motor and an LED connected in conjunction therewith for a visual indication of the removal of said automatic wiper motor control system from control of said multi-speed wiper motor.

14. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said park circuit means continues to operate said wiper motor when said wiper blade across said position sensor causes said automatic wiper motor control to terminate operation of said wiper motor.