Device for operating a windshield wiper
First Claim
1. An arrangement for operating a windshield wiper in either a direct mode wherein, in the event of a wetting event on the windshield, a wiping action is triggered directly, in an intermittent mode wherein, in the event of a corresponding wetting event, a sequence of wiping actions with a predeterminable interval time is triggered, or in a continuous mode wherein wiping actions follow one another without a break, the arrangement having:
- a sensor device for detecting the degree of moisture on the windshield and for emitting a sensor signal;
an evaluation device receiving the sensor signal, which evaluation device is provided with a moisture-detecting stage, an interval time control for operation in the intermittent mode and a control signal generating device; and
an actuation unit for the windshield wiper which can be actuated by the evaluation device to produce the wiping actions, and wherein;
the interval time control includes smoothing stage means for considering the interval time (tI, tI+1) and for determining during which time segment of predetermined time segments within a first interval time (tI) a wetting event occurs, starting from the beginning of the interval (IB), and for shortening a second following interval time (tI+1) the earlier the time segment appears during which the wetting event occurs during the first time interval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A arrangement for operating a windshield wiper in a direct mode, an intermittent mode or a continuous mode, having a sensor device for detecting a degree of moisture on the windshield, an evaluation device for the sensor signal and an actuation unit for the windshield wiper. A non-disturbing smoothing of the interval times is accomplished in a simple manner in that an interval time control has a smoothing stage for the interval time with which it can be determined during which time segment of predetermined time segments within the interval time a wetting event occurs, starting from the beginning of the interval, and with which the second interval time can be shortened all the more, the earlier the time segment appears during which the wetting event occurs.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An arrangement for operating a windshield wiper in either a direct mode wherein, in the event of a wetting event on the windshield, a wiping action is triggered directly, in an intermittent mode wherein, in the event of a corresponding wetting event, a sequence of wiping actions with a predeterminable interval time is triggered, or in a continuous mode wherein wiping actions follow one another without a break, the arrangement having:
- a sensor device for detecting the degree of moisture on the windshield and for emitting a sensor signal;
an evaluation device receiving the sensor signal, which evaluation device is provided with a moisture-detecting stage, an interval time control for operation in the intermittent mode and a control signal generating device; and
an actuation unit for the windshield wiper which can be actuated by the evaluation device to produce the wiping actions, and wherein;
the interval time control includes smoothing stage means for considering the interval time (tI, tI+1) and for determining during which time segment of predetermined time segments within a first interval time (tI) a wetting event occurs, starting from the beginning of the interval (IB), and for shortening a second following interval time (tI+1) the earlier the time segment appears during which the wetting event occurs during the first time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a sensor device for detecting the degree of moisture on the windshield and for emitting a sensor signal;
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9. A method for operating a windshield wiper either in a direct mode wherein a wiping action is triggered. directly in the event of a wetting event on the windshield, in an intermittent mode wherein a sequence of wiping actions with a predeterminable interval time is triggered in the event of a corresponding wetting event, or in a continuous mode wherein wiping actions follow one another without a break, said method comprising:
- detecting the degree of moisture on the windshield and emitting a sensor signal;
evaluating the sensor signal to determine the desired mode of wiping action, including controlling time intervals during the intermittent mode; and
activating the windshield wipers to produce the desired wiping actions; and
wherein the controlling of the time intervals includes;
determining during which time segment of predetermined time segments within a first interval time (tI) a wetting event occurs starting from the beginning of the interval (IB), and shortening a second interval time (tI+1) all the more, the earlier the time segment appears during which the wetting event occurs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- detecting the degree of moisture on the windshield and emitting a sensor signal;
Specification