CA2226741A1 - Intermittent windshield wiper system - Google Patents
Intermittent windshield wiper system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2226741A1 CA2226741A1 CA002226741A CA2226741A CA2226741A1 CA 2226741 A1 CA2226741 A1 CA 2226741A1 CA 002226741 A CA002226741 A CA 002226741A CA 2226741 A CA2226741 A CA 2226741A CA 2226741 A1 CA2226741 A1 CA 2226741A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wiper
- delay
- time delay
- time
- operator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
- B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
- B60S1/0803—Intermittent control circuits
- B60S1/0807—Intermittent control circuits using electronic control means, e.g. tubes, semiconductors
Abstract
An intermittent windshield wiper system includes a wiper control module (30) and a wiper switch (28) which allows an operator to set a time delay between consecutive wipes of a windshield wiper (24). The wiper switch (28) includes an input setting that allows an operator to set the time delay according to the operator's needs and weather conditions. The wiper control module (30) records the time delay and controls a wiper motor (22) to repeatedly actuate a windshield wiper (24) with the operator-set time delay between consecutive actuations of the windshield wiper. In one embodiment, the control module (30) includes a timer (46) for measuring the time delay, a memory (48) for recording the time delay and a motor control (50) for controlling the wiper motor (22). A method of controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle is also disclosed.
Description
~I'l-l'~T W~D.~H I I~I n w~ SYSTEM
T~A(~Kt~ROIJNn OF T~TF. TNVF.NTT()N
The present invention relates to an i.~ e~I win-1chiPld wiper system ;".'I.,,I;"g a wiper control module and a wiper switch which allows an U~ d~Oi to set 5 a time delay bcLwr~ l conse~;uliY~ wipes of a win~lchipl~l wiper.
T.~l.. ;ll.. l win-lchi.ol~l wiper systems are well-known in the duLo~lulive hllu~lly. ~ nl~ to typical "low" and "high" settings of a standard wiper system, an ;~ l wiper system provides preset wiper a.;ludlioll cycles ;"~I...l;"g preset time delays b~lwc:en col~e~;uliv~ wipes of a w;.~lcI~ d wiper. Most ;..t.-...;lIt~.l 10 wiper systems provide several settings, each having a dir~.e~ll time delay between co.~eculive wipes.
lr~.t~ r~ll wiper systems provide ~lio~lic rather than c~ n~ I wiping. They are less .l;~l,...-li,,g to t_e O~alOl than coll~l~ul~ wipe ac~tion. On the other hand, it is hll~o~ l to ensure that they operate fi~lue~llly enough to keep the w;
clean.
One problem with these ;~ I wiper systems is that they require a "trial and error" adjustment between the various preset actuation cycles and time delays.
As rain acc~ImllI~1~s on a vehicle's win~lchi~ld, an opeldLol must d~ le which delay setting is applo~liale for a given ~,alh~,~ contlitinxl~ However, the opeLaloL
knows little about Ihe individual wiper cycles other than the relative length of delay between the various pre-set settings. Thus, the opelalol usually has to adjust the ;Illr~lll;~lelll wiper system several times before the ap~lup~idl~ w;.~ wiper actuation and time delay is ect~hlichtod for a given ~alh~,~ condition. There are also "continuously" adjustable delay settings, but they also require trial and error.,~rl.l;l;o.ully, when weather cQndition~ change, the "trial and error" pr~Ctdult:
of ect~hI;~I.;..g a wiper setting with an a~plùl,lial~ time delay must be re-execI-t.--l to establish the a~r~,pliale setting for the new weather condition.
The ;...~ I wiper system of the present invention provides a system that allows an o~lalor to select a desired time delay and ~V;"~lel~ ld wiper actuation for 30 an ;"t~ .~llillr~ll wiper system. The system eIi...i~t~s the "trial and error" process of establishing an applul,.iate delay cycle based on current weather conditions.
~TJMMARY (~F TT-TF. TNVFNTTON
The intP~.~nittPnt win~hiPl~l wiper system of the present invention inrl~l(iP$ awiper control module and a wiper switch. The wiper control module controls a wiper motor which actuates one or more win~1chiPkl wipers. The wiper switch inr~ les an 5 input setting which allows an opcLator to set a time delay bclwccn actuations of the wiper by the w;~ lrl wiper motor. The control module records the time delay set by an .J~.dlOl and controls the w;..~ l.iPI(l wiper motor to ~ ly actuate the wipers with a time interval belwcen successivc actuations defined by the set time delay.
Preferably, the Op~ldlOl inputs a delay initi~ti~n signal, and the wiper is ~rtnat~Pd~ At the point when the OpCldtOl believes the w;.~lchiPl~l should again be wiped the delay button is artll~tP~ again. The wiper again wipes the w;.l~lcl~iPI~l The time bc~wcell the two wipes is stored and the wiper is aC~ based upon that stored delay.
In one embo-limPnt, the switch of the wintl~hiPI~l wiper system also inrl~ es an "off" setting, a plurality of continuous, variable wiper speed settings and one or more preset time delay settings. The preset delay settings allow an operator to choose from one or more preset time delays between actuations of a wiper by a wiper motor.
The time delays defined by these preset delay settings cannot be altered.
The h~clllivc method of controlling a w;.~ wiper for a vehicle, COlll~ cS setting a w~ kl~iplrl wiper switch to a delay position, then using an ~lJCIdLol input to set a time delay bclwccn c.,..~.~l;vc ~rtll~tinn~ of a wi..~
wiper by a wiper motor. The time delay is then recorded in a wiper control module and the wiper motor is controlled to actuate the wiper repeatedly with the opel~t( l-set 25 time interval belwec~ of the wipers.
These and other features of the present invention will be best llnrlerstood fromthe following specification and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
RRTFF l~F~ R~PTT()N (-)F l~F nRAWTN~T!~
Figure 1 is a perSpective view of a wiper system according to the present illvcll~ioll as seen from the interior of a vehicle.
~ Figure 2 is a view of a switch of a wiper system accordillg to the present 5 invention.
Figure 3 is a sCllp~ ;r dldwing of a wiper system acco~ g to the present invention.
nFTATT.F.n nF~('RTPT~t~N ()F A PRFFFRRFn F.MR(N~TMF.NT OF TRF. TNVFNTlON
Referring to Figure 1, the invention relates generally to an ill~
win~chiPld wiper system 20. A switch controls the movement of win~chilold wiper motor 22 which aclhlates w;..~ wipers 24. Wipers 24 sweep over wi.~ ld 26 to remove moisture and debris from w;.~flcl-iPl~ 26. Typical swil~;hcs in these win~chi~?kl wiper systems have an "off," "low," and "high" position which control the movement of wiper motor 22 and wipers 24. Wiper motor 22 and wiper 24 are of the type well known in the art and form no part of the present invention.
More recently, intrrrnittPnt wiper systems have been introduced into many vehicles. The ~wi~;l~s controlling these int~ wiper Sy~ llS include additional positions for controlling the lllOVClllCll~ of wiper motors 22 and wipers 24. Prese delay positions al~ selF~'~A on a switch. Motor 22 actuates wiper 24 to sweep repeatedly across win~ichi~ld 26 with the preset time delay between conse~;uliv-e sweeps. Most systems include a plurality of settings, each having a different delay time period ~clweell col~,e-;ulivc s-vcepulg cycles. The above is also well known in the art and forms I~O part of the present hlvclllioll.
The W;--~l~h;f l~i wiper system 20 of the present i~vclllion inrlnries a switch 28 and wiper control module 30 which controls the movement of wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24. Switch 28 is electrically coll.lccl~d to module 3() which is conn~octed to one or more wiper motors 22 and wipers 24. Switch 28 is typically adjacent a ~l~.,.h~g wheel 32 of a vehicle for ease of operation As shown in Figure 2, switch 28 inr~ es several settingc, in~!llfling the typical "off," "low," and "high" settings 34, 36 and 38, l~,spe~;livcly. In the low and high etti~c~ 36 and 38, wiper motor 24 is controlled by module 30 to actuate wipers 24 in a continuous manner, at l~la~i~,.,ly slow and fast speeds, lc~clivcly.
Switch 28 also inf~ es a "delay" setting 40. Setting 40 allows an Op~lalOl to set a desired time delay between c~ cP~ ivc ~ctv~tions of wipers 24 by wiper motor 22.A time delay is defined as a time period ~IWCCn conse~;ulivc wiping mvv~lllcll~ of wipers 24 ~ h ii by wiper motor ~. To use delay setting 40, an O~lalvl d~l~;~sc~a delay set button 42 to start the delay time period. Setting the delay set button 42 causes motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 through at least one oscillation cycle, thereby cleaning w;..-lcl)i~ 26 of moi~lulc and debris. When an V~L..tol peL~;eivcs that1 I110L~ C has accllm~ t~d on w~ cl~ 26, the Ope~alOl d~l~s~es button 42 a second time. Control module 30 records the time period 1~~ vccec~;vc depressions of button 42, and then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 Ic~ealcdly with the uluclaLol-set time delay bclwc~n sweeping cycles of the wipers 24 Delay set button 42 may actuate a mist function when wiper switch 28 is in the off setting 34.
Switch 28 may also include one or more pre~t delay set~ings 44. These preset delay settings 44 allow an OpclalOl to select from a fLlced, pre-prvgl~unmed time delay. Unlike delay setting 40, preset delay settings 44 cannot be altered to :~'r~------~late C~ ._dllk - C~Ylit;~ or the needs of an o~.dt~r. These preset delay settings are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention.
As shown in Figure 3, wiper control module 30 is electrically connlocte~1 to switch 28 and wiper motor 22. Wiper control module 30 may be made from known colnponcll~ capable of l~co~ing the time delay set by an O~alOl and controlling wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 acco~i~ to the set time delay. In one tomho1im~nt conlrol module 30 i"~ e~ a timer 46, memory 48 and a motor control 50. Timer 46 ll~ s the time period set by an O~l~ltUl, as described above. The time delay period is then recorded in 11~L1IV1~ 48. With the time delay period recorded in lllc;lllUl,~ 48, timer 46 signals motor control 50 acco~.l~ to the v~Ldlor-set time delay. Motor control 50 then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wiper 24 lc~-lAly with time delays bcLween cunse.:uliv~: actuations of wiper 24. Timer 46, memory 48 and rnotor control 50 may be ~da,-l COlll~Ollcllki which are known in the art. Other circuits may be utilized for module 30. Moreover, the filnrtionc may be colllls;ll~d into a single COIllpOl~clll.
S In a method acco,.lillg to the present invention, a w~ Pld wiper for a vehicle is controlled accor~illg to a time delay set by an op~Lalor of the vehicle. A
w;.~ wiper switch 28 is set to a delay setting 40 when, for c~ i)le, moisture ~ccllm~ a-t~P on w;~ .;Pl~ 26 of a vehicle. Pre~erably, control module 30 controls wiper motor ~ to ~actuate wipers 24 tbrough at least one oscillation cycle when wiper 10 switch 28 is set to delay position 40. ~I~ç. ;~tively, the o~)~;lalol inlil ;~ S the time delay period by dt~l~sillg delay set button 42 which ar~-~te~ wipers 24 through a cycle. When the ~ .r feels s~ r~ llu~lul~: has -acc lm~ tpd on wi".l~ d 26 and 1~ ;., wiping, the operator PCt~blichPc a time delay period by d~ g delay set button42. Wiper control module 30 records the time delay hcl~ ell co,-~ec~l;vc depressions of set button 42~ Control module 30 then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wiper 24 repe~a,t~-ily according to the time delay set by the opeldtor~ During each time delay period, wiper motor 22 and wiper 24 remain at rest~ Control module 30 controls wiper motor 22 to continually actuate wipers 24 until switch 28 is set to the off setting 34 or until the time delay is rese~. With this illvcll~iOn the delay is irlPntir~lly and easily tailored to the eyictinf~ ~ca~,l con~liti~n~.
If ~._.tL~,~ c~..~ g ~h~ u~ ly chan~ the u~- ~r may set a new time delay by ~e~.Ling the control module 30 by, for e~ lc, d~ shlg delay set button 42 twice. After ~..rr~ moisture a-rcnmlll~tf~s on w;~ iPI~ 26, the OpcldlOl de~ ~ delay set button 42 once more, thereby lesc~ the time delay and control 25 module 30 records the new time delay and controls motor 22 accol lillg to the new time delay.
A preferred description of this invention has been disclosed; huwc~,~r, a worker of oç.li~y skill in the art would recognize that certain m~ifiration~ would come within the scope of this illVCllLiol~. For that reason, the following claims should 30 be snldied to d~ F t_e true scope and content of this invention.
T~A(~Kt~ROIJNn OF T~TF. TNVF.NTT()N
The present invention relates to an i.~ e~I win-1chiPld wiper system ;".'I.,,I;"g a wiper control module and a wiper switch which allows an U~ d~Oi to set 5 a time delay bcLwr~ l conse~;uliY~ wipes of a win~lchipl~l wiper.
T.~l.. ;ll.. l win-lchi.ol~l wiper systems are well-known in the duLo~lulive hllu~lly. ~ nl~ to typical "low" and "high" settings of a standard wiper system, an ;~ l wiper system provides preset wiper a.;ludlioll cycles ;"~I...l;"g preset time delays b~lwc:en col~e~;uliv~ wipes of a w;.~lcI~ d wiper. Most ;..t.-...;lIt~.l 10 wiper systems provide several settings, each having a dir~.e~ll time delay between co.~eculive wipes.
lr~.t~ r~ll wiper systems provide ~lio~lic rather than c~ n~ I wiping. They are less .l;~l,...-li,,g to t_e O~alOl than coll~l~ul~ wipe ac~tion. On the other hand, it is hll~o~ l to ensure that they operate fi~lue~llly enough to keep the w;
clean.
One problem with these ;~ I wiper systems is that they require a "trial and error" adjustment between the various preset actuation cycles and time delays.
As rain acc~ImllI~1~s on a vehicle's win~lchi~ld, an opeldLol must d~ le which delay setting is applo~liale for a given ~,alh~,~ contlitinxl~ However, the opeLaloL
knows little about Ihe individual wiper cycles other than the relative length of delay between the various pre-set settings. Thus, the opelalol usually has to adjust the ;Illr~lll;~lelll wiper system several times before the ap~lup~idl~ w;.~ wiper actuation and time delay is ect~hlichtod for a given ~alh~,~ condition. There are also "continuously" adjustable delay settings, but they also require trial and error.,~rl.l;l;o.ully, when weather cQndition~ change, the "trial and error" pr~Ctdult:
of ect~hI;~I.;..g a wiper setting with an a~plùl,lial~ time delay must be re-execI-t.--l to establish the a~r~,pliale setting for the new weather condition.
The ;...~ I wiper system of the present invention provides a system that allows an o~lalor to select a desired time delay and ~V;"~lel~ ld wiper actuation for 30 an ;"t~ .~llillr~ll wiper system. The system eIi...i~t~s the "trial and error" process of establishing an applul,.iate delay cycle based on current weather conditions.
~TJMMARY (~F TT-TF. TNVFNTTON
The intP~.~nittPnt win~hiPl~l wiper system of the present invention inrl~l(iP$ awiper control module and a wiper switch. The wiper control module controls a wiper motor which actuates one or more win~1chiPkl wipers. The wiper switch inr~ les an 5 input setting which allows an opcLator to set a time delay bclwccn actuations of the wiper by the w;~ lrl wiper motor. The control module records the time delay set by an .J~.dlOl and controls the w;..~ l.iPI(l wiper motor to ~ ly actuate the wipers with a time interval belwcen successivc actuations defined by the set time delay.
Preferably, the Op~ldlOl inputs a delay initi~ti~n signal, and the wiper is ~rtnat~Pd~ At the point when the OpCldtOl believes the w;.~lchiPl~l should again be wiped the delay button is artll~tP~ again. The wiper again wipes the w;.l~lcl~iPI~l The time bc~wcell the two wipes is stored and the wiper is aC~ based upon that stored delay.
In one embo-limPnt, the switch of the wintl~hiPI~l wiper system also inrl~ es an "off" setting, a plurality of continuous, variable wiper speed settings and one or more preset time delay settings. The preset delay settings allow an operator to choose from one or more preset time delays between actuations of a wiper by a wiper motor.
The time delays defined by these preset delay settings cannot be altered.
The h~clllivc method of controlling a w;.~ wiper for a vehicle, COlll~ cS setting a w~ kl~iplrl wiper switch to a delay position, then using an ~lJCIdLol input to set a time delay bclwccn c.,..~.~l;vc ~rtll~tinn~ of a wi..~
wiper by a wiper motor. The time delay is then recorded in a wiper control module and the wiper motor is controlled to actuate the wiper repeatedly with the opel~t( l-set 25 time interval belwec~ of the wipers.
These and other features of the present invention will be best llnrlerstood fromthe following specification and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
RRTFF l~F~ R~PTT()N (-)F l~F nRAWTN~T!~
Figure 1 is a perSpective view of a wiper system according to the present illvcll~ioll as seen from the interior of a vehicle.
~ Figure 2 is a view of a switch of a wiper system accordillg to the present 5 invention.
Figure 3 is a sCllp~ ;r dldwing of a wiper system acco~ g to the present invention.
nFTATT.F.n nF~('RTPT~t~N ()F A PRFFFRRFn F.MR(N~TMF.NT OF TRF. TNVFNTlON
Referring to Figure 1, the invention relates generally to an ill~
win~chiPld wiper system 20. A switch controls the movement of win~chilold wiper motor 22 which aclhlates w;..~ wipers 24. Wipers 24 sweep over wi.~ ld 26 to remove moisture and debris from w;.~flcl-iPl~ 26. Typical swil~;hcs in these win~chi~?kl wiper systems have an "off," "low," and "high" position which control the movement of wiper motor 22 and wipers 24. Wiper motor 22 and wiper 24 are of the type well known in the art and form no part of the present invention.
More recently, intrrrnittPnt wiper systems have been introduced into many vehicles. The ~wi~;l~s controlling these int~ wiper Sy~ llS include additional positions for controlling the lllOVClllCll~ of wiper motors 22 and wipers 24. Prese delay positions al~ selF~'~A on a switch. Motor 22 actuates wiper 24 to sweep repeatedly across win~ichi~ld 26 with the preset time delay between conse~;uliv-e sweeps. Most systems include a plurality of settings, each having a different delay time period ~clweell col~,e-;ulivc s-vcepulg cycles. The above is also well known in the art and forms I~O part of the present hlvclllioll.
The W;--~l~h;f l~i wiper system 20 of the present i~vclllion inrlnries a switch 28 and wiper control module 30 which controls the movement of wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24. Switch 28 is electrically coll.lccl~d to module 3() which is conn~octed to one or more wiper motors 22 and wipers 24. Switch 28 is typically adjacent a ~l~.,.h~g wheel 32 of a vehicle for ease of operation As shown in Figure 2, switch 28 inr~ es several settingc, in~!llfling the typical "off," "low," and "high" settings 34, 36 and 38, l~,spe~;livcly. In the low and high etti~c~ 36 and 38, wiper motor 24 is controlled by module 30 to actuate wipers 24 in a continuous manner, at l~la~i~,.,ly slow and fast speeds, lc~clivcly.
Switch 28 also inf~ es a "delay" setting 40. Setting 40 allows an Op~lalOl to set a desired time delay between c~ cP~ ivc ~ctv~tions of wipers 24 by wiper motor 22.A time delay is defined as a time period ~IWCCn conse~;ulivc wiping mvv~lllcll~ of wipers 24 ~ h ii by wiper motor ~. To use delay setting 40, an O~lalvl d~l~;~sc~a delay set button 42 to start the delay time period. Setting the delay set button 42 causes motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 through at least one oscillation cycle, thereby cleaning w;..-lcl)i~ 26 of moi~lulc and debris. When an V~L..tol peL~;eivcs that1 I110L~ C has accllm~ t~d on w~ cl~ 26, the Ope~alOl d~l~s~es button 42 a second time. Control module 30 records the time period 1~~ vccec~;vc depressions of button 42, and then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 Ic~ealcdly with the uluclaLol-set time delay bclwc~n sweeping cycles of the wipers 24 Delay set button 42 may actuate a mist function when wiper switch 28 is in the off setting 34.
Switch 28 may also include one or more pre~t delay set~ings 44. These preset delay settings 44 allow an OpclalOl to select from a fLlced, pre-prvgl~unmed time delay. Unlike delay setting 40, preset delay settings 44 cannot be altered to :~'r~------~late C~ ._dllk - C~Ylit;~ or the needs of an o~.dt~r. These preset delay settings are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention.
As shown in Figure 3, wiper control module 30 is electrically connlocte~1 to switch 28 and wiper motor 22. Wiper control module 30 may be made from known colnponcll~ capable of l~co~ing the time delay set by an O~alOl and controlling wiper motor 22 to actuate wipers 24 acco~i~ to the set time delay. In one tomho1im~nt conlrol module 30 i"~ e~ a timer 46, memory 48 and a motor control 50. Timer 46 ll~ s the time period set by an O~l~ltUl, as described above. The time delay period is then recorded in 11~L1IV1~ 48. With the time delay period recorded in lllc;lllUl,~ 48, timer 46 signals motor control 50 acco~.l~ to the v~Ldlor-set time delay. Motor control 50 then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wiper 24 lc~-lAly with time delays bcLween cunse.:uliv~: actuations of wiper 24. Timer 46, memory 48 and rnotor control 50 may be ~da,-l COlll~Ollcllki which are known in the art. Other circuits may be utilized for module 30. Moreover, the filnrtionc may be colllls;ll~d into a single COIllpOl~clll.
S In a method acco,.lillg to the present invention, a w~ Pld wiper for a vehicle is controlled accor~illg to a time delay set by an op~Lalor of the vehicle. A
w;.~ wiper switch 28 is set to a delay setting 40 when, for c~ i)le, moisture ~ccllm~ a-t~P on w;~ .;Pl~ 26 of a vehicle. Pre~erably, control module 30 controls wiper motor ~ to ~actuate wipers 24 tbrough at least one oscillation cycle when wiper 10 switch 28 is set to delay position 40. ~I~ç. ;~tively, the o~)~;lalol inlil ;~ S the time delay period by dt~l~sillg delay set button 42 which ar~-~te~ wipers 24 through a cycle. When the ~ .r feels s~ r~ llu~lul~: has -acc lm~ tpd on wi".l~ d 26 and 1~ ;., wiping, the operator PCt~blichPc a time delay period by d~ g delay set button42. Wiper control module 30 records the time delay hcl~ ell co,-~ec~l;vc depressions of set button 42~ Control module 30 then controls wiper motor 22 to actuate wiper 24 repe~a,t~-ily according to the time delay set by the opeldtor~ During each time delay period, wiper motor 22 and wiper 24 remain at rest~ Control module 30 controls wiper motor 22 to continually actuate wipers 24 until switch 28 is set to the off setting 34 or until the time delay is rese~. With this illvcll~iOn the delay is irlPntir~lly and easily tailored to the eyictinf~ ~ca~,l con~liti~n~.
If ~._.tL~,~ c~..~ g ~h~ u~ ly chan~ the u~- ~r may set a new time delay by ~e~.Ling the control module 30 by, for e~ lc, d~ shlg delay set button 42 twice. After ~..rr~ moisture a-rcnmlll~tf~s on w;~ iPI~ 26, the OpcldlOl de~ ~ delay set button 42 once more, thereby lesc~ the time delay and control 25 module 30 records the new time delay and controls motor 22 accol lillg to the new time delay.
A preferred description of this invention has been disclosed; huwc~,~r, a worker of oç.li~y skill in the art would recognize that certain m~ifiration~ would come within the scope of this illVCllLiol~. For that reason, the following claims should 30 be snldied to d~ F t_e true scope and content of this invention.
Claims (8)
1. An intermittent windshield wiper system comprising:
at least one windshield wiper motor and wiper;
a wiper control module for controlling said wiper motor;
a wiper switch including an input setting for allowing an operator to set a time delay between actuations of said wiper by said windshield wiper motor, said input setting being first actuated to start a period of time and said input setting being then actuated a second time to end said period of time, said time delay being defined by said period of time between said first and second actuations, said control module including means for recording said time delay and controlling said wiper motor to repeatedly actuate said wiper with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay; and said input setting including a delay set button actuated for both said first and said second actuations, said button also activating another wiper function when not setting said time period, said wiper switch further comprising an off setting, a plurality of continuous, variable wiper speed settings, and one or more preset delay settings for allowing said operator to choose from one or more preset time delays of said wiper by said motor.
at least one windshield wiper motor and wiper;
a wiper control module for controlling said wiper motor;
a wiper switch including an input setting for allowing an operator to set a time delay between actuations of said wiper by said windshield wiper motor, said input setting being first actuated to start a period of time and said input setting being then actuated a second time to end said period of time, said time delay being defined by said period of time between said first and second actuations, said control module including means for recording said time delay and controlling said wiper motor to repeatedly actuate said wiper with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay; and said input setting including a delay set button actuated for both said first and said second actuations, said button also activating another wiper function when not setting said time period, said wiper switch further comprising an off setting, a plurality of continuous, variable wiper speed settings, and one or more preset delay settings for allowing said operator to choose from one or more preset time delays of said wiper by said motor.
2. A windshield wiper system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said input button controls a mist function when said off setting is activated.
3. A windshield wiper system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said control module comprises a motor control for controlling said wiper motor, a timer for measuring said time delay and a memory for recording said time delay.
4. A windshield wiper system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said wiper control module actuates said wiper upon receiving a signal that an operator wishes to set a time delay, and said wiper control module then records said time delay until an operator sets a signal that another wipe is desired, said recorded time delay being stored and used to control said wipers.
5. A method of controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
first actuating an operator input to begin a time period, then second actuating an operator input to define a time period between said first and second actuations, setting a time delay by said time period, said time delay controlling the time between consecutive actuations of a windshield wiper;
recording said time delay in a wiper control module;
controlling a wiper motor to actuate said wiper repeatedly with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay, and said operator input being actuated by the operator depressing a delay set button, allowing moisture to accumulate on a windshield of the vehicle, and then depressing said delay set button again, wherein said delay set button is also used to actuate a mist function, said switch including an off setting and said delay set button actuating said mist function when said switch is at said off setting and said delay set button setting said time period when said switch is not at said off setting.
first actuating an operator input to begin a time period, then second actuating an operator input to define a time period between said first and second actuations, setting a time delay by said time period, said time delay controlling the time between consecutive actuations of a windshield wiper;
recording said time delay in a wiper control module;
controlling a wiper motor to actuate said wiper repeatedly with a time interval between said actuations set by said operator-set time delay, and said operator input being actuated by the operator depressing a delay set button, allowing moisture to accumulate on a windshield of the vehicle, and then depressing said delay set button again, wherein said delay set button is also used to actuate a mist function, said switch including an off setting and said delay set button actuating said mist function when said switch is at said off setting and said delay set button setting said time period when said switch is not at said off setting.
6. A method as recited in Claim 7, wherein said switch initially actuates said wiper through at least one cycle when said operator input is initiated.
7. A method as recited in Claim 8, wherein said method includes said operator depressing a delay set button to set the time delay between consecutive wipes of said wiper.
8. A method as recited in Claim 7, wherein said control module includes a timer, a memory and a motor control wherein said timer measures said time delay, said memory records said time delay and said motor control controls said wiper motor.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/505,687 | 1995-07-21 | ||
| US08/505,687 US5648707A (en) | 1995-07-21 | 1995-07-21 | Intermittent windshield wiper system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2226741A1 true CA2226741A1 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
Family
ID=24011394
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002226741A Abandoned CA2226741A1 (en) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-07-08 | Intermittent windshield wiper system |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5648707A (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11509498A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2226741A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997003868A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19519485C2 (en) * | 1995-05-27 | 1998-01-29 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Device for operating a wiper |
| BR9504893A (en) * | 1995-10-27 | 1997-12-23 | Wapsa Auto Pecas Ltda | Process and system for driving windshield wiper |
| US5760557A (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 1998-06-02 | Odegaard; John I. | Variable interval control device |
| DE19756504B4 (en) * | 1997-12-19 | 2004-04-15 | Daimlerchrysler Ag | Control device for a windshield wiper device |
| JP4624851B2 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2011-02-02 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Wiper control device and correction method in wiper control device |
| DE102007015887A1 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2008-10-09 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Windscreen wiper system for motor vehicle, has setting device presetting time parameter in control device for setting parameter depending on temporal distance between two preset operating actions of user when programming action is executed |
| EP2773999A4 (en) * | 2011-11-02 | 2015-05-27 | Jeffrey Aldred | Method and apparatus for cleaning transparent enclosure for submersible camera |
| US8941344B2 (en) * | 2012-12-19 | 2015-01-27 | Chrysler Group Llc | Vehicle wiper control system and method |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4091317A (en) * | 1976-09-23 | 1978-05-23 | Sunbeam Corporation | Windshield wiper control apparatus |
| GB2072879B (en) * | 1980-03-22 | 1983-06-22 | Landmass Ltd | Windscreen wiper control |
| US4393341A (en) * | 1981-06-15 | 1983-07-12 | Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company | Windshield cleaning system |
| US4492904A (en) * | 1983-09-01 | 1985-01-08 | General Motors Corporation | Windshield wiper system with touch control |
| DE4136724C2 (en) * | 1991-11-08 | 1995-07-06 | Opel Adam Ag | Method for adjusting the wiping interval of windshield wipers in vehicles |
| US5166587A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1992-11-24 | Deere & Company | Windshield wiper control system responsive to vehicle speed |
| US5254916A (en) * | 1992-07-31 | 1993-10-19 | Sgs-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc. | Windshield wiper speed and delay control |
| US5444307A (en) * | 1993-07-09 | 1995-08-22 | Sheets Electronics, Inc. | Wiper-activated headlight circuit |
-
1995
- 1995-07-21 US US08/505,687 patent/US5648707A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-07-08 WO PCT/US1996/011379 patent/WO1997003868A1/en active Search and Examination
- 1996-07-08 JP JP9506712A patent/JPH11509498A/en active Pending
- 1996-07-08 CA CA002226741A patent/CA2226741A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5648707A (en) | 1997-07-15 |
| JPH11509498A (en) | 1999-08-24 |
| WO1997003868A1 (en) | 1997-02-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |