Smart windshield wiper wash system

• US 6,236,180 B1
• Filed: 10/14/1999
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Meskouri, Mohamed S., Roach, Jerald P., Contos, Joseph G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US09/418,057
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 318/41, 318/51, 318/85, 318/283, 318/443, 318/444, 318/480, 318/482, 318/483, 318/DIG.2, 152/500.1, 152/500.2
• US Class Current: 318/444
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/485 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 318/02 Windshield wiper controls

Abstract

A windshield washer control system for use on a vehicle is herein disclosed. The windshield washer control system for use on a vehicle having an occupant compartment with a windshield and a windshield wiper device. The wiper device is movable across a predetermined area of the windshield and the windshield washer device includes a sprayer and a sprayer nozzle. The windshield washer device is comprised of a windshield transparency detection system and a controller unit. The controller unit includes three operating modes. The first operating mode is defined by the windshield washer device being manually operable. The second operating mode is defined by the windshield washer device operating by cycle, wherein the windshield washer device is controlled to spray after a predetermined number of wiper cycles. The third operating mode is defined by the windshield washer device being automatically operable by using the windshield transparency detection system.

Claims

1. A windshield washer control system for use on a vehicle having an occupant compartment with a windshield and a windshield wiper device having a wiper device movable across a predetermined area of the windshield and a windshield washer device having a pump and sprayer nozzle, comprising:

a windshield transparency detection system; and

a controller unit including a first operating mode wherein the windshield washer device is manually operable, a second operating mode wherein the windshield washer device is operated by cycle, wherein the windshield washer device is controlled to spray after a predetermined number of wiper cycles and a third operating mode wherein the windshield washer device, utilizing said windshield transparency detection system, is automatically operable.

2. The windshield washer control system of claim 1, wherein said windshield transparency detection system includes an infrared transmitter and a sensor.

3. The windshield washer control system of claim 2, wherein said sensor is disposed on the wiper device.

4. The windshield washer control system of claim 2, wherein said infrared transmitter is disposed in the occupant compartment.

5. The windshield washer control system of claim 1, further comprising a switch device for selecting said first, second, and third operating modes.

6. The windshield washer control system of claim 5, wherein said switch device includes a push button and a rotary switch, whereby pushing said button activates said automatic operating mode, rotation of said rotary switch in a first direction activates said manual operating mode, and rotation of said rotary switch in a second direction activates said cycle mode.

7. A windshield washer control system for use on a vehicle having an occupant compartment with a windshield and a windshield wiper device having a wiper device movable across a predetermined area of the windshield and a windshield washer device having a pump and a sprayer nozzle comprising:

a controller unit including a cycle operating mode, wherein the windshield washer device is controlled to spray after a predetermined number of wiper cycles; and

a switch device for selecting said cycle operating mode.

8. The windshield washer control system of claim 7, wherein said switch device for selecting said cycle operating mode includes a plurality of different predetermined numbers of wipe cycles to be selected by an operator.

9. The windshield washer control system of claim 7, wherein said cycle operating mode includes a sensor located on a fluid reservoir, whereby a fluid reservoir level is detected.

10. The windshield washer control system of claim 9, wherein said controller unit includes a default setting which returns to a manual operating mode upon detection by said sensor of a fluid reservoir level below a predetermined level.

11. A windshield washer control system for use on a vehicle having an occupant compartment with a windshield and a windshield wiper device having a wiper device movable across a predetermined area of the windshield and a windshield washer device having a pump and a sprayer nozzle, comprising:

a transparency detection system, including an infrared transmitter and a sensor, wherein said sensor is disposed on the wiper device;

a controller unit including an automatic operating mode, wherein the windshield washer device, utilizing said windshield transparency detection system, is automatically operable; and

a switch device for selecting said automatic operating mode.

12. The windshield washer control system of claim 11, wherein said infrared transmitter is disposed in the occupant compartment.

13. The windshield washer control system of claim 11, wherein said switch device includes a pushbutton, whereby pushing said pushbutton activates said automatic operating mode.

14. The windshield washer control system of claim 11, wherein said automatic operating mode includes a sensor located on a fluid reservoir, whereby a fluid reservoir level is detected.

15. The windshield washer control system of claim 14, wherein said controller unit includes a default setting which returns to a manual operating mode upon detection by said sensor of a fluid reservoir level below a predetermined level.