FRONT/REAR WIPER ALGORITHM

• US 20090066285A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Farina, Stacie N., Donoughe, Michael F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,919,942 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/483
• 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 1/0896 including control systems responsive to a vehicle driving condition, e.g. speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/583 including wiping devices

Abstract

A wiper system for a vehicle includes a first wiper assembly, a second wiper assembly spaced apart from the first wiper assembly, and a controller in communication with at least one of the first wiper assembly and the second wiper assembly. The controller controls at least one of the first wiper assembly and the second wiper assembly based on at least one of an aerodynamic characteristic of the vehicle and a soiling characteristic of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A wiper system for a vehicle comprising:

a first wiper assembly;

a second wiper assembly spaced apart from said first wiper assembly; and

a controller in communication with at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly and controlling at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on at least one of an aerodynamic characteristic of the vehicle and a soiling characteristic of the vehicle.

2. The wiper system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on a velocity of said vehicle.

3. The wiper system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on a position of a user interface.

4. The wiper system according to claim 3, wherein said user interface includes a manual override function operable to control said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly independent of said controller.

5. The wiper system according to claim 3, wherein said user Interface is disposed on a stalk disposed on a steering column of the vehicle.

6. The wiper system according to claim 1, further comprising a precipitation sensor in communication with said controller, said controller controlling said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on information received from said precipitation sensor.

7. The wiper system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls both of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly.

8. The wiper system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on said aerodynamic characteristic of the vehicle and said soiling characteristic of the vehicle.

9. The wiper system according to claim 8, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on a velocity of the vehicle.

10. The wiper system according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on a frequency of the other of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly.

11. A vehicle comprising:

a front windshield;

a front wiper assembly selectively moving relative to said front windshield;

a rear windshield;

a rear wiper assembly selectively moving relative to said rear windshield; and

a controller in communication with at least one of said front wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly and controlling at least one of said first wiper assembly and said second wiper assembly based on at least one of an aerodynamic characteristic of the vehicle and a soiling characteristic of the vehicle.

12. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on a velocity of said vehicle.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls said at least one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on a position of a user interface.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said user interface includes a manual override function operable to control said front wiper assembly or said rear wiper assembly independent of said controller.

15. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said user interface is disposed on a stalk disposed on a steering column of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle according to claim 11, further comprising a precipitation sensor in communication with said controller, said controller controlling said at least one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on information received from said precipitation sensor.

17. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls both of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly.

18. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls at least one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on said aerodynamic characteristic of the vehicle and said soiling characteristic of the vehicle.

19. The vehicle according to claim 18, wherein said controller controls at least one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on a velocity of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said controller controls one of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly based on a frequency of the other of said front wiper assembly and said rear wiper assembly.