Wiper-washer system for vehicles

• US 5,754,020 A
• Filed: 09/18/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Urhahne, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/716,488
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 318/443, 318/444, 318/DIG. 2, 388/828, 388/829, 388/830, 388/831
• US Class Current: 318/444
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/08 electrically driven conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and liquid supply of windscreen washer B60S1/482; conjoint control of windscreen wiper motor and means for cleaning parts o parts other than windscreens or front windows B60S1/56, B60S1/58, B60S1/606
• 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 1/482 combined with the operation of windscreen wipers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls

Abstract

A wiper-washer system for vehicles comprises at least one wiper drivable by a wiper motor and a washer device which includes a water reservoir and a water pump motor. The wiper and water pump motors are activated through a switching arrangement. The wiper motor is in the form of a direct current motor with a gearbox, designed for only a single rated speed. In addition a hybrid electronics unit provided with a control, a driver and a power output stage is fitted directly on or in the housing of the wiper motor. It is advantageous that the direct current motor for the wiper is of simpler construction and operates at more favourable working conditions than a two-speed direct current motor conventionally used. By means of the hybrid electronics unit the working current is supplied to the wiper motor in the absence of mechanical contact devices. Compared with conventional wiper-washer systems the outlay on cabling is reduced. Advantageous embodiments of the system are also described.

Claims

1. A wiper-washer system for vehicles, comprising at least one wiper drivable by a wiper motor and a water pump motor, and also comprising a switching arrangement effecting activation of said wiper motor and said water pump motor, characterized in that:

the at least one wiper motor (1,

     2) are each in the form of a direct current motor (15, 15'"'"'), each designed for only a single rated speed, and that a hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"') provided with a control, a driver and a power output stage (20, 20'"'"';

21, 21'"'"';

22, 22'"'"' respectively) is fitted directly on or in the housing of each said wiper motor;

on activation by the switching arrangement (4) the operating current of each wiper motor (15, 15'"'"') is switched via the power output stage (22, 22'"'"') of the hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"') fitted directly on or in the housing of the wiper motor, and that operating current is supplied directly to the water pump motor (3) via the switching arrangement (4);

when the switching arrangement (4) is in an "interval wipe" position (I) the form of the output signal from a hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"') fed to a said direct current motor (15, 15'"'"') is such that a voltage is applied to said direct current motor during a wiping cycle and that then no voltage is applied for a short time, so that the wiper remains in a rest position before a new wiping cycle starts;

when the switching arrangement (4) is in a "slow wipe" switch position (A) the output signal of a hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"') fed to a direct current motor (15, 15'"'"') is such that the wiping speed is reduced compared with the nominal speed of said direct current motor (15, 15'"'"'); and

the activating device of the switching arrangement (4) is in the form of a resistance coded switch for all wiping functions (27, 24,

     32).

2. A wiper-washer system according to claim 1, characterized in that an input signal originating from a cam switch (16, 16'"'"') fitted in the housing of the wiper motor (1, 2) and indicating the rest position of the wiper can be supplied to the hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"').

3. A wiper-washer system according to claim 1, characterized in that a Hall sensor is provided for the purpose of detecting the rest position of the wiper.

4. A wiper-washer system according to claim 3, characterized in that the control stage (20, 20'"'"') of the hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"') is designed for individually programmable intermittent wiping.

5. A wiper-washer system according to claim 4, characterized in that input signals from a rain sensor (12) can be supplied to the hybrid electronics unit (19, 19'"'"').

6. A wiper-washer system according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of wipers each with a separate direct current motor (15, 15'"'"') are provided with associated hybrid electronics units (19, 19'"'"').