JPH06321058A - Automatic wiper control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To adapt the drive sensitivity of a wiper motor to individual sensibility by lowering detecting sensitivity than usual when a wiping action is not made within a given time after a wiping action, reducing the rate of the change of sensitivity in a high-sensitive region, and making the rate of change be sharply changeable in a low-sensitive region. CONSTITUTION:When, for example, two minutes passed from the stop of the wiping action of a wiper blade, the detection sensitivity of a waterdrop detecting means 8 is translated into a standby mode wherein sensitivity is lower by one step than in a main control mode. The change of the reference level of the drive sensitivity of a wiper motor 4 performed based on a detection signal is made by a sensitivity changing means 20. In this case, a nonlinear relation exists between the variable resistance range of the sensitivity changing means 20 and a relative comparison judgment value DELTAVs to be set, the rate of the change of drive sensitivity is small to perform fine adjustment in a high sensitive side, and the rate of change is large to perform rough adjustment in a low sensitive side. Consequently setting in conformity with wiper drive sensibility at the time of high sensitive setting due to drizzle, etc., and of low sensitive setting due to snow, etc., can be made possible.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention automatically wipes a wiper blade for wiping a windshield glass of a vehicle such as an automobile when a waterdrop (including raindrop, snow, etc.) attached to the windshield glass is detected. The present invention relates to an automatic wiper control device to be operated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the wiping operation of a wiper blade is generally turned on / off and the operating speed is selected by manually switching a wiper switch. However, the operation of the wiper switch is troublesome. In order to eliminate it, the wiper driving device is provided with a water droplet detecting means for detecting water droplets adhering to the windshield glass, and the wiper switch is constantly switched to the automatic drive control mode position and held, whereby the water droplet detecting means detects the water droplet. At this time, an automatic wiper control device that automatically controls the operation of the wiper blade (drive of the wiper motor) based on the detection signal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-178459 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-178459.
It is proposed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-37560.

As the water drop detecting means, an optical type or a capacitance type which obtains a change of a predetermined electrophysical quantity (voltage or frequency) according to the amount of water drops is adopted, which is usually embedded in a wind seal glass. A photoelectric change or a change in electrostatic capacitance when a water droplet adheres to the seal glass is detected. The one disclosed in the above publication detects the degree of wetting of the windshield glass by the water drop detecting means.
In the device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 78459, the wiper is configured to be driven when the amount of change in the detection signal of the water drop detection unit exceeds a predetermined specified value.

However, in the device as disclosed in this publication, the wiper does not operate unless a considerable amount of raindrops adhere to the windshield glass after wiping. Therefore, when the amount of raindrops adhering to the windshield glass after wiping with the wiper is small, For example, at the beginning of rain or after rain, the wiper operation interval becomes long, and a small amount of raindrops adhered to the windshield glass continues for a long time, and good visibility cannot be obtained during this period. There is.

In order to solve this problem, when the wiper operation interval becomes long as described above, the wiper is forcibly operated at a constant interval to secure a good visibility and at the present time, the automatic operation is automatically performed. A system has been already proposed that calls the driver's attention in the drive control mode and in the operation standby state.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional automatic wiper control device, the standard of drive sensitivity of the wiper motor for driving the wiper based on the detection signal of the water droplet detection means is set to a predetermined value in advance. . There are considerable individual differences in the perceptual acceptance of this drive sensitivity criterion. For this reason, when it corresponds to snowfall when the detection signal of the water drop detection means is large, and when it corresponds to splashing from the road surface when the detection signal is small, such as drizzle or after rain, the standard of the driving sensitivity that is felt optimal The individual difference of is quite large. Therefore, it is difficult to uniformly set a reference value that suits the senses of all drivers, and even in a vehicle equipped with an automatic wiper control device, if the driver does not meet the sense sensitivity standard of his / her sense. In most cases, the automatic control mode is not selected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to determine the drive sensitivity of a wiper motor for driving a wiper based on a detection signal of a water drop detecting means. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic wiper control device that can be arbitrarily changed to suit the sense.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wiper motor for driving a wiper blade for wiping a windshield glass of a vehicle, and a water drop detecting means for detecting a water drop adhering to the windshield glass. And a motor drive control means for automatically driving and controlling the wiper motor based on a detection signal from the water drop detection means, in the wiper automatic control device, the wiper blade is wiped within a predetermined time after the wiping operation of the wiper blade. When there is no blade wiping operation, the detection sensitivity is lowered from the normal state, and the sensitivity changing means reduces the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor to a low sensitivity in a high sensitivity region with a small change rate of the drive sensitivity. In the region, the change rate of the driving sensitivity is large and the change rate can be changed non-linearly.

[0009]

[Function] When the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor is changed to the high sensitivity side by the sensitivity changing means so as to sensitively respond to drizzle or water droplets splashing from the road surface at the time of rain, the driver can operate at a small change rate with respect to the changing operation. A high-precision drive sensitivity that matches the feeling of is set. Also, when dealing with snow etc.,
When the sensitivity changing means changes the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor to the low sensitivity side, the drive sensitivity of a relatively low sensitivity adapted to the driver's sense is set with a large change rate with respect to the changing operation. Then, when there is a wiping operation of the wiper blade based on the detection signal from the water droplet detection means within a predetermined time after the wiping operation of the wiper blade, the detection sensitivity of the water droplet detection means is maintained in a normal state, and the wiper When there is no blade wiping operation, the detection sensitivity is lower than in the normal state.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic wiper control device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic wiper control device, which has a signal processing means 2A and a control means 2B which are composed of a unit. ing. The signal processing unit 2A performs analog / digital conversion of the input signal and performs signal processing based on the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor set by the sensitivity changing unit 20 described later, and the control unit 2B controls the entire apparatus 1. The wiper motor drive circuit 3 is connected to the output side. A wiper motor 4 is connected to the output side of the wiper motor drive circuit 3, and a wiper mechanism 5 is connected to the output shaft of the wiper motor 4. In addition, the wiper motor 4
Is connected to the input terminal of the rotational position detecting means 30, and the output terminal of the rotational position detecting means 30 is connected to the control means 2B. Then, the drive of the wiper motor 4 is controlled by the control means 2B through the wiper motor drive circuit 3 based on the drive sensitivity set by the sensitivity changing means 20, and the wiper blade of the wiper mechanism 5 is wiped by the wiper motor 4. A water droplet attached to a windshield glass of a vehicle (not shown) is wiped off.

A wiper switch 6, an engine speed detecting means 7, a water drop detecting means 8, a vehicle speed detecting means 9, a temperature detecting means 10 and a sensitivity changing means 20 are respectively connected to the input side of the signal processing means 2A.

The wiper switch 6 indicates the operation mode of the wiper blade, for example, stop mode (stop position), automatic control mode (automatic operation position), manual control mode (low speed continuous operation position, high speed continuous operation position, intermittent operation position). And a mode in which the wiper blade is operated only once or twice at the time of operation to manually set the mist operating position), and a mode setting signal corresponding to the switching position is output. . This wiper switch 6
Is normally held in a switching position for setting the mode regardless of whether the ignition switch is on or off.

The engine speed detecting means 7 detects the engine speed and outputs a detection signal thereof. The water drop detecting means 8 detects a water drop adhering to the wiper blade wiping range on the outer surface of the windshield glass of the vehicle and outputs the detection signal. The detection sensitivity of the water drop detection means 8 can be changed according to the driver's preference. Further, when there is a wiping operation of the wiper blade based on a detection signal from the water droplet detecting means 8 within a predetermined time after the wiping operation of the wiper blade, the detection sensitivity of the water droplet detecting means 8 is maintained in a normal state, When there is no wiping operation of the wiper blade, the detection sensitivity is lower than that in the normal state.

The vehicle speed detecting means 9 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle and outputs a detection signal thereof. The temperature detecting means 10 detects the outside air temperature near the windshield glass,
The detection signal is output.

Further, the sensitivity changing means 20 is composed of a variable resistor, and the wiper motor 4 by the wiper motor drive circuit 3 is performed based on the detection signal of the water drop detecting means 8 by operating the knob to change its resistance value. The reference level of the driving sensitivity of is changed.

FIG. 4 shows the wiper switch 6 and the sensitivity changing means 2.
It is a perspective view of the 0 portion, and the wiper switch 6 is adapted to switch the stop mode, the automatic control mode, and the manual control mode by rotating the knob in the arrow direction in the figure. A knob of the sensitivity changing means 20 is coaxially attached to the wiper switch 6, and the resistance value of the sensitivity changing means 20 changes when the knob is rotated.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram of the relative comparison judgment value ΔVs which determines the reference level of the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor which is set by operating the sensitivity changing means. As shown in the figure, in the embodiment, when the knob of the sensitivity changing means 20 is operated to change the resistance value in the direction of increasing the driving sensitivity, the change rate of the relative comparison determination value ΔVs is small, When changing the resistance value so that the driving sensitivity becomes lower, the relative comparison judgment value △
Non-linear characteristics are adopted so that the rate of change of Vs becomes large. Due to such characteristics, when dealing with drizzle or splashing from the road surface in the event of rain, it is possible to operate the photographing of the sensitivity changing means 20 in the direction in which the driving sensitivity becomes higher, and drive with delicate and high precision. When the sensitivity is set to cope with snow or the like, the knob of the sensitivity changing means 20 is operated in the direction in which the driving sensitivity is reduced to set a relatively rough sensitivity, and the wiper drive condition suitable for the driver's feeling is set. It is possible to select.

An indicator 1 is provided on the output side of the control means 2B.
1 is connected. This indicator 11 lights up when the wiper switch 6 is in the automatic control mode position,
Notify the driver that it is in automatic control mode. Also,
The indicator 11 is dimmed when the detection sensitivity of the water drop detection means 8 is lower than the normal state, and notifies the driver that the detection sensitivity has been reduced.

The automatic wiper control device 1 of the present invention controls an ignition start mode, an auto start mode, a main control mode and two standby modes (I) and (II). The water drop detection sensitivity in these modes is set by the method described later. The ignition start mode is set to the water drop sensitivity (1), the auto start mode and the main control mode are set to the water drop sensitivity (2), and the standby mode (I) is set to the water drop sensitivity. The sensitivity (3) and the standby mode (II) are set to the water drop sensitivity (4), respectively. The priority of detection sensitivity is as follows: Main control mode> Standby mode (I)
> Standby mode (II) is entered.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of essential parts of the wiper automatic control system of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, in which reference numeral 11 is a vehicle,
The body is provided with wiper blades 5A, 5B for wiping the outer surface of the windshield glass 12. On the inner surface of the windshield glass 12, there is provided a raindrop sensor 8 which is a waterdrop detection means and is located within the wiping range of the wiper blades 5A and 5B.

The raindrop sensor 8 detects waterdrops adhering to the windshield glass 12 as described above, and is of an optical type or a static type which obtains a change in a predetermined electrophysical quantity (voltage or frequency) according to the waterdrop quantity. A capacitance type is adopted. The detection signal of the raindrop sensor 8 is signal processing means (A /
A / D conversion is performed by the D converter) 2A, signal processing is performed, and then the signal is input to the control means 2B.

The control means 2B controls the drive and stop of the wiper motor, which will be described later, based on the water drop detection signal input from the signal processing means 2A. Control means 2B
Includes a high speed side relay 13 for operating the wiper blades 5A, 5B at high speed (Hi), and the wiper blades 5A, 5B.
A low speed side relay 14 for operating B at a low speed (Lo) is connected. Both of these relays 13 and 14 are connected to the wiper motor 4 via a mist switch 15 that sets a mist operation mode (a mode in which the wiper blades 5A and 5B wipe only once).

A timing plate 4A is connected to the control means 2B. When the high speed side relay 13 or the low speed side relay 14 is energized by the control signal from the control means 2B, the wiper motor 41 is energized by the timing plate 4A for a predetermined angle to wipe the wiper blades 5A, 5B once. It is designed to let you.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 is an auto switch for setting the automatic control mode, which is integrated with the mist switch 15 as one wiper switch. A battery 17 is connected to the control means 2B, the relays 13 and 14, the wiper motor 4 and the timing plate 4A via an ignition switch 18, respectively. Further, a high speed side relay 13 is connected to a connection line between the control means 2B and the timing plate 4A. Further, both relays 13 and 14 are connected to each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the signal processing means 2A portion of the embodiment. The output terminal of the water drop detecting means 8 is connected to the AD converter 22 via the converter 29 and the buffer 21. Yes, at the output terminal of the AD converter 22,
One of the input terminals of the peak detecting means 23 and the comparator 24 is connected. On the other hand, the reference signal from the sensitivity changing means 20 is input to the AD converter 26 via the buffer 25, the output terminal of this AD converter 26 is connected to the input terminal of the map searching means 27, and the map The output terminal of the search means 27 is connected to one input terminal of the subtraction circuit 28. Further, the output terminal of the peak detecting means 23 is connected to the other input terminal of the subtraction circuit 28. The output terminal of the subtraction circuit 28 is connected to the other input terminal of the comparator 24.

FIG. 12 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the signal processing means. Here, the drive sensitivity changing operation in the wiper automatic control device of the present invention will be described.

When the sensitivity changing means 20 is operated to set a desired resistance value, an electric signal corresponding to the resistance value is input to the AD converter 26 via the buffer 25 and AD-converted. The AD-converted electrical signal is used by the map indexing means 27.
Is input to and converted into a relative comparison determination value ΔVs based on a map stored in advance.
s is input to one input terminal of the subtraction circuit 28.

On the other hand, the output of the water drop detecting means 8 is the converter 29.
The sensing signal Vs obtained by being converted into an electric signal by
Is input to the AD converter 22 via the buffer 21 and A
D converted. The sensing signal converted from AD is 2m
Peak detection means 2 in synchronization with the reset signal every sec.
The sensor processed signal Vs obtained by peak-holding at 3
max is input to the other input terminal of the subtraction circuit 28. Then, in the subtraction circuit 28, the sensor processing signal Vsm
Difference calculation between ax and relative comparison determination value ΔVs Vsmax-Δ
Vs is performed, and the sensing signal Vs is output from the comparison circuit 24.
However, when it exceeds Vsmax-ΔV, a comparison determination pulse is output and input to the control means 2B. Control means 2
In B, when the comparison determination pulse is generated five times in succession, the wiper motor drive circuit 3 is driven by the control unit 2B and the wiper wiping operation is performed.

In this way, the driver can change the sensitivity changing means 2
By operating 0, a desired drive sensitivity position can be selected and the wiper can be driven based on the drive sensitivity in a state adapted to one's own sense. In this case, as shown in FIG.
There is a non-linear relationship between the variable resistance range of the sensitivity changing means 20 and the relative comparison determination value ΔVs that is set, and the rate of change in drive sensitivity is small on the high sensitivity side, allowing fine adjustment, and the low sensitivity side. In this case, the rate of change in drive sensitivity is large and relatively rough adjustment is performed. For this reason, it is possible to set the drive sensitivity according to the feeling of driving the wiper of a general driver when the sensitivity is set high due to drizzle or the like and when the sensitivity is set low due to snow or the like.
The drive sensitivity set in this way allows the wiper blade to perform the wiping operation in each operation mode. Further, this drive sensitivity can be changed even during the wiping operation of the wiper blade.

Next, the control operation of the automatic wiper control device 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 and FIGS.

First, the control procedure in the ignition start mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the ignition switch 18 is turned on while the wiper switch 6 is in the automatic control mode position (auto start mode position), the ignition start mode of step 200 is entered. Then, first, in step 201, it is determined whether or not the outside air temperature near the windshield glass 12 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.
The routine proceeds to step 202, where it is determined whether or not it is within a first predetermined time (for example, 1 second) after the engine is started. If it is within the first predetermined time, the routine proceeds to step 204, where a water droplet detection means (raindrop sensor) It is determined whether or not there is water drop detection (1) based on 8. Further, when it is determined in step 201 that the outside air temperature near the windshield glass 12 is not equal to or higher than the predetermined value, or when it is determined in step 202 that it is not within the first predetermined time after the engine is started, either Also, the routine proceeds to step 203, where it is determined whether or not it is within a second predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) after the vehicle starts traveling, and if it is within the second predetermined time, the routine proceeds to step 204.

In step 204, if there is water drop detection (1), the routine proceeds to step 205, where it is determined whether or not the auto switch 16 is on. If it is on, the routine proceeds to step 206 and the wiper blade 5A. After the wiping operation of 5B is performed, the process proceeds to step 304 of FIG. 7 described later to enter the auto start mode.

It should be noted that when it is determined in step 203 that it is not within the second predetermined time after the vehicle starts running, it is determined in step 204 that there is no water drop detection (1) based on the detection signal of the water drop detection means 8. If it is determined that the auto switch is not turned on in step 205, the process returns to step 201.

Next, the control procedure of the auto start mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 301, the auto switch 6
Is ON, and if it is ON, the routine proceeds to step 302, where it is judged whether or not there is a mist operation in the manual control mode by the exerciser, and if there is, the routine proceeds to step 304 and the indicator is turned on. , The automatic start mode of step 305 is entered. When there is a mist operation in the manual control mode, the wiper blade is naturally operated once or twice according to the operation.

When it is determined in step 301 that the auto switch 6 is not turned on, and in step 3
If it is determined that there is no mist operation in 02, it proceeds to step 303 to determine whether or not the auto switch 6 has been switched from on to off, and if it is switched to on, the procedure proceeds to step 304 to turn on. If not switched to step 301, the process returns to step 301.

When the automatic start mode of the step 305 is entered, the process proceeds to the next step 306, and the timer for measuring the third and fourth predetermined times of the next step 307 is started. Next, the routine proceeds to step 307, where it is judged whether or not the third predetermined time (for example T + 30 seconds) + fourth predetermined time (for example 90 seconds) after the introduction of the auto start mode has elapsed, and if not, step 312 Then, it is determined whether or not there is water drop detection (2) based on the water drop detection means 8.

If there is no water drop detection (2), the above step 3
Returning to 07, if there is water drop detection (2), step 313
To wipe the wiper blades 5A and 5B,
Return to step 307.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 307 that the third predetermined time + the fourth predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 308, and within the fourth predetermined time after the third predetermined time has elapsed. It is determined whether or not the wiper blades 5A and 5B have been wiped, and if there is, a shift is made to a main control mode described later.

When it is determined in step 308 that the wiper blades 5A and 5B are not wiped, the process proceeds to step 309, the indicator is turned off, and the automatic control mode is canceled in step 310.

That is, in the auto start mode, immediately after the introduction of the mode, the auto start mode is divided into a predetermined short time (third predetermined time) and a predetermined middle time (fourth predetermined time). Regarding the detection (or wiping operation) for the third predetermined time, the water adhering to the windshield glass 12 when the vehicle is stopped is detected, and the water adhering to the windshield glass while the vehicle is stopped is wiped off by the wiper blade after the vehicle operation is started. After removing with, wiper blades 5A, 5
Since it is not necessary to continue wiping with B, the automatic control mode is canceled.

On the other hand, regarding the detection of the fourth predetermined time (or the wiping operation) in the latter half of the introduction of the auto start mode, the weather is required to continue wiping, that is, the rainy weather, and the main control mode is entered.

As described above, when it is not necessary to continue wiping, the automatic control mode is released, so that the malfunction of the wiper blades 5A, 5B due to the influence of objects other than water droplets can be prevented.

Next, the control procedure of the main control mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the main control mode of step 400 is entered,
First, in step 401, the fifth step in step 405 described later.
After setting the timer for measuring the predetermined time of, the process proceeds to the next step 402. Then, in this step 402, it is judged whether or not there is water drop detection (2) based on the detection signal of the water drop detection means 8, and if there is, the operation proceeds to step 403 to perform the wiping operation by the wiper blade, and the step 401
After resetting the timer set in step (step 40
4) Return to step 401. Also, the above step 4
If it is determined that there is no water drop detection (2) in 02, it proceeds to step 405 to determine whether or not there is a mist operation by the driver, and if there is a mist operation, the driver increases the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor. When it is judged that the request is made, the drive sensitivity is increased (step 407) and the step 40
Returning to 0, if there is no mist operation, proceed to step 406. In this step 406, it is judged whether or not a fifth predetermined time (for example, about 2 minutes) has elapsed since the wiping operation of the wiper blade has disappeared, and if not, the above-mentioned step 40
Returning to step 2, when the time elapses, the detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 described later shifts to the standby mode (I) which is one step lower than that in the main control mode.

Next, the control procedure of the standby mode (I) is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

In this standby mode (I), the detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 is one step lower than that in the main control mode.

When the standby mode (I) of step 500 is entered, first, in step 501, a timer for measuring a sixth predetermined time of step 506, which will be described later, is set, and then the process proceeds to the next step 502 and the water drop detecting means 8 is set. It is determined whether or not there is water drop detection (3) based on step 50, and if there is, step 50
Go to 3. After the wiper blade is wiped in this step 503, the process proceeds to step 504 and the step 50
The timer set in 1 is reset and the main control mode described above is entered.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 502 that there is no water drop detection based on the detection signal of the water drop detection means 8, the process proceeds to step 505, and it is determined whether or not there is a mist operation. If there is a mist operation, the main control mode described above is entered, and if there is no mist operation, the routine proceeds to step 506.

In this step 506, it is judged whether or not the sixth predetermined time (for example, about 5 minutes) has elapsed since the wiping operation of the wiper blade was stopped, and if so, the detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 will be described later. Shifts to the standby mode which is one step lower than that in the standby mode (I). If the sixth predetermined time has not elapsed in step 506, the process returns to step 502.

Thus, in the standby mode (I),
When the wiper blade is wiped and when the driver's mist operation is detected, it is necessary to continue wiping, and the main control mode with one step higher detection sensitivity is immediately entered. It is possible to quickly deal with the need to continue wiping due to changes in the weather, and it is possible to secure good visibility.

Further, if there is no next wiping operation even after the lapse of the sixth predetermined time after the wiping operation has disappeared, it is judged that there is no need to continue wiping, and the mode shifts to a standby mode with one step lower detection sensitivity. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the malfunction of the wiper blade due to the influence of objects other than water droplets.

Next, the control procedure of the standby mode (II) is shown in FIG.
This will be described based on the flowchart of No. 0.

The detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 in the standby mode (II) is one step lower than that in the standby mode (I).

When the standby mode (II) in step 600 is entered, it is first determined in step 601 whether or not there is water drop detection (4) based on the water drop detection means 8, and if there is, the flow proceeds to step 602. After the wiper blade is wiped in step 602, the standby mode (I) described above is entered.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 601 that there is no water drop detection based on the detection signal of the water drop detection means 8, the process proceeds to step 604, it is determined whether or not there is a mist operation, and if there is a mist operation, Shift to the standby mode (I).

If it is determined in step 604 that there is no mist operation, the process returns to step 601.

As described above, when the wiper blade is wiped in the standby mode (II), it immediately shifts to the standby mode (I) in which the detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 is one step higher. Can quickly respond to needs.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the timing of each part. In the figure, (a) is an ignition switch, (b) is a starter, (c) is vehicle speed, (d).
Is a first predetermined time, (e) is a second predetermined time, (f) is a wiper blade wiping operation based on a detection signal of the water droplet detection means 8, (g) is a third predetermined time, and (h) is a third predetermined time. 4 is a predetermined time, (i) is the vehicle speed, and (j) is the wiping operation of the wiper blade based on the detection signal of the water droplet detection means 8.

The portion of T in the third predetermined time in FIG. 11 (b) is shortened when the vehicle starts running, and there is no time limit.

Further, FIG. 12 is a graph when the detection signal of the water drop detecting means 8 is viewed as the magnitude of the level (detection amount). In the figure, the vertical axis indicates the detection amount of the water drop detecting means 8 and the horizontal axis. The axis indicates the detection sensitivity. Further, “standby” means a non-detection state. Absolute value 2 is the maximum amount of rainfall,
The absolute value 3 is the minimum rainfall amount, and the absolute value 1 is that the rainfall amount is between the absolute value 2 and the absolute value 3.

The weighting of the detection sensitivity of the water drop detecting means 8 in each of the above-mentioned modes is as follows.

(1) The setting of the water drop detection (2) in the main control mode is carried out when the relative comparison value (1 or 2) is lower than a predetermined electrophysical quantity or when the absolute value (1 or 2) is lower. When it turns, it outputs a detection signal.

(2) The setting of the water drop detection (4) in the standby mode (I) is performed when the relative comparison value (1) is dropped below a predetermined electrophysical quantity, and a detection delay and a hysteresis component are added. , Or below the absolute value (1 or 2) and when the vehicle is in a traveling state, a detection signal is output.

(3) The setting of the water drop detection (4) in the standby mode (II) is performed when the relative comparison value (1) is dropped below the predetermined electrophysical quantity, and the detection delay and the hysteresis component are added. , Or below the absolute value (1 or 2) and when the vehicle is in a traveling state, a detection signal is output.

As described above, according to the wiper automatic control device of the embodiment, the sensitivity changing means 20 is operated to determine the drive sensitivity of the wiping operation of the wiper blade with respect to the detection signal of the water drop detecting means 8 as perceived by the driver. Can be changed and set to a value suitable for the water drop detecting means 8 when the wiper blade wiping operation is performed based on the detection signal from the water drop detecting means 8 within a predetermined time after the wiper blade wiping operation. Detection sensitivity is maintained in a normal state, if there is no wiping operation of the wiper blade, the detection sensitivity shifts to a state lower than the normal state, in this state, if the mist operation mode is set, or water droplets When the wiping operation in the wiper mode is performed on the basis of the detection signal of the detection means 8, the state shifts to a state having a higher detection sensitivity than that state, so that the wiping is continued. The malfunction of the wiper blade due to the influence of the non-water droplet in the absence of essential properties can be prevented. Further, when it is necessary to continue the wiping operation of the wiper blade due to changes in the weather, this can be dealt with immediately, and for example, at the beginning of rain, a system for forcibly operating the wiper blade with a constant sensation described above is used. A good field of view can be secured even without it. In the above embodiment, the method of increasing the drive sensitivity of the wiper motor may be the sensitivity changing means 20 of FIG. 4 or the mist operation of step 407 of FIG.

[0069]

As described above, according to the automatic wiper control device of the present invention, the drive sensitivity of the wiping operation of the wiper blade with respect to the detection signal of the water drop detecting means is changed and set to a value suited to the driver's feeling, and the comfort is improved. The wiper blade can be driven, and the detection sensitivity of the water drop detection means is set to a different value depending on the presence or absence of a detection signal from the water drop detection means within a predetermined time after the wiping operation of the wiper blade. It is possible to prevent malfunction of the wiper blade due to influences other than water drops when there is no need.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a wiper automatic control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a signal processing means of the device.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a main part of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a wiper switch and sensitivity changing means of the device.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram of a sensitivity changing unit of the device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an ignition start mode in the device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an auto start mode in the same device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in a main control mode in the same device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a standby mode (I) in the same apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a standby mode (II) in the same device.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the timing of each unit in the same device.

FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the drive operation of the wiper based on the sensitivity setting by the sensitivity changing means in the same apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a graph when the detection signal of the water droplet detection means in the same apparatus is viewed as the level magnitude.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 wiper automatic control device 2A signal processing means 2B control means 5 wiper mechanism 8 water drop detection means 20 sensitivity changing means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A wiper motor for driving a wiper blade for wiping a windshield glass of a vehicle, a water drop detecting means for detecting water drops adhering to the windshield glass, and the wiper motor based on a detection signal from the water drop detecting means. In a wiper automatic control device having a motor drive control means for automatically driving and controlling the detection sensitivity when the wiper blade wiping operation is not performed within a predetermined time after the wiper blade wiping operation. The wiper motor drive sensitivity is further reduced by the sensitivity changing means in a state where the change rate of the drive sensitivity is small in a high sensitivity area, and in a state where the change rate of the drive sensitivity is large in a low sensitivity area, non-linear The automatic wiper control device is characterized in that it can be changed.