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Windshield wiper control system responsive to vehicle speed

  • US 5,166,587 A
  • Filed: 11/12/1991
  • Issued: 11/24/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. In a vehicle windshield wiper control system having an electrically driven wiper motor having a speed input, an operator control switch coupled to the motor and having a delay position wherein the motor operates intermittently, a vehicle speed sensor, and a control unit coupled to the control switch, the motor, and to the speed sensor, a method of controlling operation of the motor, comprising the following steps:

  • (1) checking the status of the operator control switch; and

    (a) if the operator control switch is not in its delay position, resetting a dwell timer/counter to an initial value and deactivating the wiper motor;

    else(b) if the operator control switch is in its delay position, incrementing the value of the dwell timer/counter;

    (2) checking the value of the dwell timer/counter; and

    (a) if the value of the dwell timer/counter is less than a minimum value, energizing the wiper motor;

    else(b) if the value of the dwell timer/counter is greater than said minimum value, computing, as a function of the vehicle velocity, a delay time value representing a desired delay time between operations of the motor;

    (3) comparing the value of the dwell timer/counter to the delay time value; and

    (a) if the value of the dwell timer/counter is greater than said delay time value, resetting the dwell timer/counter to its initial value and deenergizing the wiper motor;

    else(b) if the value of the dwell timer/counter is greater than said delay time value, deenergizng the wiper motor; and

    (4) periodically repeating steps (1)-(3).

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