Windshield wiper auto-delay control interface

• US 5,493,190 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mueller, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/315,421
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 318/440-490, 318/DIG. 2, 15/250 C, 15/250.12-250.17, 73/170 R, 307/9-11
• US Class Current: 318/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0818 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0825 Capacitive rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls

Abstract

A vehicle window wiper interfacing arrangement for interconnecting a window wiper function switch, a wiper motor controller, and an auto-delay controller to permit a water drop sensor to control a window wiper delay time when a window wiper system is operated in an AUTO-DELAY mode. The auto-delay controller outputs three wiper function signals, namely OFF, LOW speed and WASH to the wiper motor controller via a single bi-directional multiplexed line. The wiper motor controller outputs a wiper position signal to the auto-delay controller via the same bi-directional multiplexed line for use by a control program to determine a proper wiper delay time period.

Claims

1. An interface circuit for a windshield wiper auto-delay controller comprising:

(a) a node;

(b) means for applying a first reference voltage to said node;

(c) a first resistor in communication with said node;

(d) a second resistor in communication with said node;

(e) a transistor responsive to a driving signal for causing a current flow through said first resistor to produce a second reference voltage at said node;

(f) a switch responsive to a predetermined positioning of a wiper arm for causing a current flow through said second resistor to produce a third reference voltage at said node; and

(g) an analog to digital converter for producing digitized representations of voltage levels at said node and supplying said digitized representations to said auto-delay controller.

2. An interface circuit according to claim 1 further comprising a second transistor connected to said node and responsive to a second driving signal for producing a fourth reference voltage at said node.

3. An interface circuit according to claim 2 wherein said second transistor is connected between said node and a source of ground potential, said second transistor being normally nonconducting and being responsive to said second driving signal by becoming conductive and connecting said source of ground potential to said node.

4. Control apparatus for a windshield wiper comprising:

(a) a multi position wiper function switch for generating a selected one of a plurality of different wiper function signals;

(b) a wiper motor;

(c) a wiper motor controller responsive to said wiper function switch for variably operating said wiper motor;

(d) a moisture sensor;

(e) an auto-delay controller responsive to said moisture sensor and said wiper function switch for generating automatically timed wipe signals; and

(f) an interface circuit for applying said wipe signals to said wiper motor controller and monitoring the response of said wiper motor thereto, said interface circuit comprising a node, means for applying said wipe signals to said node, means connecting said motor controller to said node, means for setting said node at a predetermined one of a plurality of different voltage levels corresponding to different operating conditions of said apparatus, and an analog to digital converter connected for delivering digital signals to said auto-delay controller in correspondence with said voltage levels.

5. Control apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a wiper position switch connected for applying a predetermined voltage to said node in response to positioning of a wiper driven by said wiper motor.