Method and apparatus for adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system for the detection of precipitations during the control of wiping intervals of a screenwiper
First Claim
1. A method of adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system for the detection of precipitations during the control of wiping intervals of a screenwiper drive of a motor vehicle as a function of the kinetic energy of striking precipitations, comprising:
- detecting striking precipitations with a pressure-sensitive sensor of a sensor system;
converting the detections of striking precipitations into electrical output signals;
transmitting the output signals via a transmission path to an amplifier with an amplification factor for activating a wiper-motor control circuit; and
varying the electrical properties of the transmission path as a function of ambient temperature such that the responsiveness of the sensor system is increased with decreasing temperatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device for adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system for the detection of precipitations during the control of wiping intervals of a screenwiper drive of a motor vehicle as a function of the kinetic energy of striking precipitations. A pressure-sensitive sensor of a sensor system detects striking precipitations, the detections of striking precipitations are converted into electrical output signals, and the output signals are transmitted via a transmission path to an amplifier with an amplification factor for activating a wiper-motor control circuit. The electrical properties of the transmission path are varied as a function of ambient temperature such that the responsiveness of the sensor system is increased with decreasing temperatures, so that a reliable response even to snowflakes of small mass are achieved.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of adapting the sensitivity of a sensor system for the detection of precipitations during the control of wiping intervals of a screenwiper drive of a motor vehicle as a function of the kinetic energy of striking precipitations, comprising:
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detecting striking precipitations with a pressure-sensitive sensor of a sensor system; converting the detections of striking precipitations into electrical output signals; transmitting the output signals via a transmission path to an amplifier with an amplification factor for activating a wiper-motor control circuit; and varying the electrical properties of the transmission path as a function of ambient temperature such that the responsiveness of the sensor system is increased with decreasing temperatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for controlling wiping intervals of a screenwiper drive of a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a sensor system, said sensor system detecting striking precipitations and converting detected kinetic energy of the striking precipitations into electrical output signals, said sensor system including;
a pressure-sensitive sensor, a transmission path coupled to the sensor and carrying said electrical output signals, and an amplifier coupled to the transmission path, said amplifier amplifying the electrical output signals;a wiping-interval control unit coupled to the sensor system, an interval time of the wiping-interval control unit being variable by the sensor system as a function of the kinetic energy of striking precipitations; and means for changing the total electrical resistance of the transmission path between the sensor and the amplifier as a function of ambient temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification