Automatic window wiper control
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification