Wiper circuit system for motor vehicles

• US 4,885,512 A
• Filed: 08/18/1988
• Issued: 12/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
• Original Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
• Inventors: Goertler, Horst, Gille, Gunther
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US07/249,923
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 318/434, 318/443, 318/444, 318/DIG. 2, 15/250 C, 15/250.13, 15/250.16, 15/250.17
• US Class Current: 318/444
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0807 using electronic control means, e.g. tubes, semiconductors B60S1/0818, B60S1/0896 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls

Abstract

A wiper system for motor vehicles. The wiper system has a switching circuit which derives from a timing signal, time-dependent switching and controlling signals provided by an oscillator that determines for example the duration of the intervals in an intermittent mode of operation or the reference time span for implementing anti-blocking protection of the wiper motor. The timing frequency of this oscillator is kept constant during the intervals in the intermittent mode of operation, otherwise it varies depending on the battery voltage when the wiper motor is operating. The intervals are thus maintained with precision, whereas the reference time span is adapted to the wiping time that changes as a function of the battery voltage when the motor is operating, thus ensuring optimal anti-blocking protection.

Claims

1. A wiper circuit system for driving a windshield wiper of an automotive vehicle having a vehicle battery, said system comprising, in combination

an electric motor adapted to be mechanically coupled to a windshield wiper and being controlled by an operating switch for different modes of operation;

an oscillator circuit having an input coupled to said operating switch and having an output for applying variable frequency operating potential control signals to said motor;

means responsive to the voltage of said vehicle battery for varying the frequency of said oscillator circuit as a function of the vehicle battery voltage when said operating switch selects a continuous operation mode of operation of said motor; and

means for maintaining the frequency of said oscillator circuit to a constant value when said operating switch selects an intermittent operation mode of operation of said motor.

2. The system according to claim 1, including an electrical relay for applying said operating potential control signals to said motor, said relay having an input coil coupled to said operating switch and having an output coupled to said oscillator circuit for controlling the frequency of said oscillator circuit.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said operating switch is switchable from a rest position into a first switching position for continuous operation, into a second switching position for intermittent operation and into a third switching position for wash-wipe operation.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein during said wash-wipe operation said frequency of said oscillator circuit is maintained to a constant value independent of said vehicle battery voltage.