Apparatus and method for controlling a windshield wiping system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a sensor signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the apparatus further comprising;
- detecting means for recognizing at least two rain patterns based on the change in an amplitude of the sensor signal over a predetermined period of time the detecting means including a first counting means an d a second counting means, the first counting means having a value which is incremented based on variations in the sensor signal due to a first rain pattern, the second counting means having a value which is increased based on variations in the sensor signal due to a second rain pattern; and
means for activating the windshield wiping system for a wipe cycle according to the recognized rain pattern.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for use with a vehicular windshield wiping system, the apparatus recognizing various rain patterns and accordingly controlling the wiping system. The wiping system includes at least one windshield wiper, and the apparatus includes a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle. The sensor generates a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion.
25 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a sensor signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the apparatus further comprising;
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detecting means for recognizing at least two rain patterns based on the change in an amplitude of the sensor signal over a predetermined period of time the detecting means including a first counting means an d a second counting means, the first counting means having a value which is incremented based on variations in the sensor signal due to a first rain pattern, the second counting means having a value which is increased based on variations in the sensor signal due to a second rain pattern; and means for activating the windshield wiping system for a wipe cycle according to the recognized rain pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor, a first counting means and a second counting means, and at least one windshield wiper, the method comprising:
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monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during a wipe cycle; generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion of the windshield; detecting at least two rain patterns based on a change in an amplitude of the sensor signal over a predetermined period of time by incrementing the first counting means based on variations in the signal due to a first rain pattern and incrementing the second counting means based on variations in the signal due to a second rain pattern; and activating the windshield wiping system for a wipe cycle according to the recognized rain pattern, so that the wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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Specification