Control systems and methods for customizing windshield wiper speed settings
First Claim
1. A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system, comprising:
- activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate;
repeatedly moving the control stalk in a forward direction to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position define multiple tap intervals;
detecting the successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position using an analyzing and control system;
determining the multiple tap intervals using the analyzing and control system; and
changing speed of the wiper motor to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the multiple tap intervals;
wherein duration of the multiple tap intervals is used by the analyzing and control system to set the speed of the wiper motor by conducting an operation on multiple tap intervals between successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position;
wherein the operation includes averaging the multiple tap intervals and changing the speed of the wiper motor to set the second wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on an average tap interval; and
holding the control stalk in the second switching position for a preselected time interval, the analyzing and control system cancelling a customized wiper speed setting upon detecting the control stalk being held in the second switching position for the preselected time interval.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system is provided. The method includes activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate. The control stalk is moved repeatedly to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define one or more tap intervals. The one or more tap intervals are determined using an analyzing and control system. Speed of the wiper motor is changed to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the one or more tap intervals.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system, comprising:
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activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate;
repeatedly moving the control stalk in a forward direction to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position define multiple tap intervals;detecting the successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position using an analyzing and control system; determining the multiple tap intervals using the analyzing and control system; and changing speed of the wiper motor to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the multiple tap intervals; wherein duration of the multiple tap intervals is used by the analyzing and control system to set the speed of the wiper motor by conducting an operation on multiple tap intervals between successive movements of the control stalk in the forward direction to the second switching position; wherein the operation includes averaging the multiple tap intervals and changing the speed of the wiper motor to set the second wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on an average tap interval; and holding the control stalk in the second switching position for a preselected time interval, the analyzing and control system cancelling a customized wiper speed setting upon detecting the control stalk being held in the second switching position for the preselected time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system, comprising:
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activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate; repeatedly moving the control stalk to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define multiple tap intervals; averaging the multiple tap intervals and changing the speed of the wiper motor to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using an analyzing and control system based on an average tap interval; wherein duration of the average tap interval only is used by the analyzing and control system to set the speed of the wiper motor; and holding the control stalk in the second switching position for a preselected time interval, the analyzing and control system cancelling a customized wiper speed setting upon detecting the control stalk being held in the second switching position for the preselected time interval. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A windshield wiper control system, comprising:
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a control stalk assembly comprising a control stalk having a first switching position and a second switching position; an analyzing and control system that receives signals from the control stalk assembly when the control stalk is in the first switching position and the second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define multiple tap intervals determined by the analyzing and control system; a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper that receives input from the analyzing and control system, the analyzing and control system changing speed of the wiper motor to set a second wiping rate different from a first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the multiple tap intervals; wherein duration of the multiple tap intervals is used by the analyzing and control system to set the speed of the wiper motor by conducting an operation only on multiple tap intervals between successive movements of the control stalk; and wherein the operation includes averaging the multiple tap intervals and changing the speed of the wiper motor to set the second wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on an average tap interval; and holding the control stalk in the second switching position for a preselected time interval, the analyzing and control system cancelling a customized wiper speed setting upon detecting the control stalk being held in the second switching position for the preselected time interval. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification