Windshield wiper control system responsive to vehicle speed
First Claim
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).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle windshield wiper control system has an electrically driven wiper motor, a wiper 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. The control operation of the motor, the control unit periodically executes a method or algorithm which causes the system to vary the dwell time between motor operations as a function of sensed vehicle speed, and optionally as a function of an operator adjustable dwell time control.
-
Citations
5 Claims
-
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). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
Specification
-
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeDeere & Company
-
Original AssigneeDeere & Company
-
InventorsSmart, David C.
-
Primary Examiner(s)Ro, Bentsu
-
Application NumberUS07/790,793Time in Patent Office378 DaysField of Search318/443, 318/444, 318/DIG. 2, 15/250.12, 15/250.13, 15/250.16, 15/250.17, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 364/424.05US Class Current318/444CPC Class CodesB60S 1/0896 including control systems r...Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls
