Intermittent windshield wiper system

• US 5,648,707 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 07/15/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Incorporated (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Salliotte, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Masih, Karen
• Application Number:
  US08/505,687
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 318/443, 318/444, 318/483, 318/DIG. 2, 150/250.17, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 318/443
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0807 using electronic control means, e.g. tubes, semiconductors B60S1/0818, B60S1/0896 take precedence

Abstract

An intermittent windshield wiper system includes a wiper control module and a wiper switch which allows an operator to set a time delay between consecutive wipes of a windshield wiper. The wiper switch includes an input setting that allows an operator to set the time delay according to the operator'"'"'s needs and weather conditions. The wiper control module records the time delay and controls a wiper motor to repeatedly actuate a windshield wiper with the operator-set time delay between consecutive actuations of the windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the control module includes a timer for measuring the time delay, a memory for recording the time delay and a motor control for controlling the wiper motor. A method of controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An intermittent windshield wiper system comprising:

at least one windshield wiper motor and wiper;

a wiper control module for controlling said wiper motor;

a wiper switch including an input setting for allowing an operator to set a time delay between actuations of said wiper by said windshield wiper motor, said input setting being first actuated to start a period of time and said input setting being then actuated a second time to end said period of time, said time delay being defined by said period of time between said first and second actuations, said control module including means for recording said time delay and controlling said wiper motor to repeatedly actuate said wiper with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay; and

said input setting including a delay set button actuated for both said first and said second actuations, said button also activating another wiper function when not setting said time period, said wiper switch further comprising an off setting, a plurality of continuous, variable wiper speed settings, and one or more preset delay settings for allowing said operator to choose from one or more preset time delays of said wiper by said motor.

2. A windshield wiper system as recited in claim 1, wherein said input button controls a mist function when said off setting is activated.

3. A windshield wiper system as recited in claim 1, wherein said control module comprises a motor control for controlling said wiper motor, a timer for measuring said time delay and a memory for recording said time delay.

4. A windshield wiper system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wiper control module actuates said wiper upon receiving a signal that an operator wishes to set a time delay, and said wiper control module then records said time delay until an operator sets a signal that another wipe is desired, said recorded time delay being stored and used to control said wipers.

5. A method of controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

first actuating an operator input to begin a time period, then second actuating an operator input to define a time period between said first and second actuations, setting a time delay by said time period, said time delay controlling the time between consecutive actuations of a windshield wiper;

recording said time delay in a wiper control module;

controlling a wiper motor to actuate said wiper repeatedly with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay; and

said operator input being actuated by the operator depressing a delay set button, allowing moisture to accumulate on a windshield of the vehicle, and then depressing said delay set button again, wherein said delay set button is also used to actuate a mist function, said switch including an off setting and said delay set button actuating said mist function when said switch is at said off setting and said delay set button setting said time period when said switch is not at said off setting.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said switch initially actuates said wiper through at least one cycle when said operator input is initiated.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said method includes said operator depressing a delay set button to set the time delay between consecutive wipes of said wiper.

8. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said control module includes a timer, a memory and a motor control, wherein said timer measures said time delay, said memory records said time delay and said motor control controls said wiper motor.