Wiping device

Abstract

The present invention provides a wiping device capable of suppressing abnormal behavior of a wiper blade when switching a wiping range. The wiping device of the present invention wipes rainwater on a wiped surface by using a predetermined power source to make the wiper blade perform a reciprocating motion, and the wiping device comprises: a driving circuit driving the power source; and a control unit controlling the driving circuit, wherein the control unit switches the wiping range at the upper reverse position of the wiper blade.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wiping device. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a vehicle wiper control device for selectively and centrally wiping a stain portion or the like. The vehicle wiper control device includes: a DC motor device for sliding a wiper blade member back and forth along the surface of a vehicle window glass member; a motor rotation control component for controlling the rotation of the DC motor device; a power supply line for supplying power to the DC motor device, assembled in a bridge circuit; a current detection component for detecting a current flowing in the power supply line during the sliding of the wiper blade member; and a current displacement detection component for detecting that the displacement amount per unit time of the detection value of the current detection component exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the motor rotation control component switches the rotation direction of the DC motor device in such a way that the wiper blade member repeatedly slides on the detection portion of the current displacement detection component.

[0003] According to the vehicle wiper control device, since the rotation direction of the DC motor device is switched forward and reversely in such a way that the wiper blade component repeatedly slides on the detection part of the current displacement detection component, it is possible to selectively and centrally wipe only the stains attached to the vehicle window glass component.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-082104 Summary of the invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In addition, in the background art, the wiping range of the wiper blade when the wiper blade member (wiper blade) repeatedly slides on the detection portion of the current displacement detection component is different from the normal wiping range. That is, the wiping range when selectively and intensively wiping the stain portion is smaller than the normal wiping range. In this way, there is a case where the behavior of the wiper blade becomes abnormal when the wiping range is switched.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wiping device capable of suppressing abnormal behavior of a wiper blade when switching a wiping range.

[0010] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in the present invention, the following means are adopted as a first solution of the wiping device: a wiping device, which wipes rainwater on the wiped surface by using a specified power source to make a wiper blade move back and forth, and comprises: a driving circuit that drives the power source; and a control unit that controls the driving circuit, and the control unit performs the switching when the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching of the wiping range.

[0012] In the present invention, as a second solution of the wiping device, the following means is adopted: in the first solution, the wiping range is a normal wiping range of a normal mode and a small wiping range of a heavy rain mode that is smaller than the normal wiping range.

[0013] In the present invention, as a third solution of the wiping device, the following means is adopted: in the second solution, the control unit performs the switching from the normal mode to the heavy rain mode at the upper reverse position of the wiper blade.

[0014] In the present invention, as a fourth solution of the wiping device, the following solution is adopted: in any one of the first to third solutions, the power source causes the pair of wiper blades to reciprocate simultaneously.

[0015] In the present invention, as a fifth solution of the wiping device, the following means is adopted: in any one of the first to third solutions, a pair of the power sources is provided, and the corresponding wiper blade of the pair of wiper blades is caused to reciprocate.

[0016] [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wiping device capable of suppressing abnormal behavior of a wiper blade member when switching a wiping range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the wiping device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a first flowchart showing the operation of the wiping device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 : is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the wiping device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a reference diagram related to the operation of the wiping device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the wiping device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0024] A, B: Wiping device

[0025] W: Wiped face

[0026] PUd, PUp: Upward reverse position

[0027] PLd, PLp: Lower reverse position

[0028] Rd, Rp: Wiping range

[0029] Td, Tp: Wiper shaft

[0030] 1d, 1p: Wiper blade

[0031] 2d, 2p: Wiper arm

[0032] 3: Linkage mechanism

[0033] 4, 4d, 4p: Motor (power source)

[0034] 5: Angle detection circuit

[0035] 6: Control Department

[0036] 61: ROM

[0037] 62: RAM

[0038] 63: CPU

[0039] 7: Driving circuit

[0040] 8d, 8p: Motor body

[0041] 9d, 9p: speed reduction mechanism

[0042] 10: Drive control device

[0043] 10d, 10p: Wiper drive control unit

[0044] 11d, 11p: Angle detection circuit

[0045] 12d, 12p: ROM

[0046] 13d, 13p: RAM

[0047] 14d, 14p: Communication circuit

[0048] 15d, 15p: CPU

[0049] 16d, 16p: driving circuit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] [First embodiment]

[0051] First, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 4 The wiping device A of the first embodiment is mounted on various vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles, and is a device for wiping rainwater adhering to the surface (wiped surface W) of a member to be wiped such as a front window glass or a rear window glass.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the wiping device A of the first embodiment includes a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p, a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p, a link mechanism 3, a motor 4 (power source), an angle detection circuit 5, a control unit 6 and a drive circuit 7. Moreover, as shown in the figure, the control unit 6 includes a read-only memory (ROM) 61, a random access memory (RAM) 62 and a central processing unit (CPU) 63.

[0053] The wiping device A adopts a single motor drive mode, that is, a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p are mechanically connected by a link mechanism 3, and a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are driven by a single motor 4 (power source). That is, the wiping device A is provided with a power source, and a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are simultaneously reciprocated by the power source. Figure 1 As shown, the wiping device A adopts a side-by-side wiping type in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move in the same direction.

[0054] Here, in Figure 1 In the symbols, "d" indicates a component or part related to the driver's seat side of the vehicle. And, "p" indicates a component or part related to the passenger seat side of the vehicle. Figure 1 In the figure, symbol Rd represents the wiping range of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side (driver's seat normal wiping range) when the operation mode of the wiping device A is set to the normal mode. And symbol Rp represents the wiping range of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side (passenger seat normal wiping range) when the operation mode is set to the normal mode.

[0055] The normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat is a range from the lower reversal position PLd to the upper reversal position PUd as the movement trajectory of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side. The lower reversal position PLd is a position where the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side switches from a downward motion to an upward motion on the wiped surface W. Moreover, the upper reversal position PUd is a position where the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side switches from an upward motion to a downward motion on the wiped surface W.

[0056] The passenger seat normal wiping range Rp is a range from the lower reversal position PLp to the upper reversal position PUp as the movement trajectory of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side. The lower reversal position PLp is a position where the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side switches from a downward motion to an upward motion on the wiped surface W. Moreover, the upper reversal position PUp is a position where the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side switches from an upward motion to a downward motion on the wiped surface W.

[0057] As described in detail below, the wiping device A has a heavy rain mode as an action mode different from the normal mode. The heavy rain mode is an action mode in which a wiping range smaller than the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the front passenger seat in the normal mode is performed. That is, the heavy rain mode is a mode in which a wiping range smaller than the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the front passenger seat is performed, and the reciprocating speed is faster than that of the normal mode.

[0058] For example, although the upper reversal position of the wiping range in the heavy rain mode is the same as the upper reversal position PUd and upper reversal position PUp of the normal wiping range Rd for the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp for the front passenger seat, the lower reversal position is set to a position (lower reversal position QLd and lower reversal position QLp) higher than the lower reversal position PLd and lower reversal position PLp of the normal wiping range Rd for the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp for the front passenger seat. The wiping range in the heavy rain mode is, for example, the forward field of vision "A zone" set by regulations.

[0059] Here, "A zone" refers to a range equivalent to the "A zone" in the wiping area regulations of Japanese and European Economic Community (EEC) regulations, or the "C zone" in the wiping area regulations of U.S. regulations (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)) regulations.

[0060] As shown in the figure, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are rod-shaped members arranged on the surface to be wiped W. The pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p abut against the surface to be wiped W and wipe rainwater existing on the surface to be wiped W by reciprocating motion (swinging motion) on the surface to be wiped W. The pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are mechanically connected to the motor 4 via a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p.

[0061] That is, the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2d provided on the driver's seat side. The wiper blade 1p on the passenger's seat side is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2p provided on the passenger's seat side and the link mechanism 3.

[0062] As shown in the figure, a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p are rod-shaped members, one end of which is connected to the middle position of a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p, and the other end is connected to a pair of wiper shafts Td, Tp. That is, one end of the wiper arm 2d on the driver's seat side is connected to the middle position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side, and the other end is connected to the wiper shaft Td on the driver's seat side.

[0063] On the other hand, one end of the wiper arm 2p on the passenger seat side is connected to the middle position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side, and the other end is connected to the wiper shaft Tp on the passenger seat side. In addition, the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p is a member included in the structural elements of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p.

[0064] The pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p functions as a power transmission member for mechanically transmitting the rotational force of the motor 4 to the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p. Furthermore, the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p functions as an energizing member for pressing the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p against the wiped surface W with a predetermined pressing force.

[0065] The link mechanism 3 is a mechanical component that is mechanically connected to the other end of a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p and is also connected to the output shaft of the motor 4. In addition, the link mechanism 3 includes a support shaft fixed to the vehicle and freely rotates around the support shaft. The output shaft of the motor 4 is connected to the link mechanism 3, and by operating the rotation angle of the link mechanism 3, the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are shaken on the wiped surface W. In addition, the motor 4 is a predetermined power source in the first embodiment.

[0066] The angle detection circuit 5 outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor 4 to the CPU 63. The angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p mechanically connected via the link mechanism 3. Specifically, the angle signal includes a relative position signal indicating the relative position of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p and an absolute position signal indicating the absolute position of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0067] The relative position signal is a pulse signal (motor pulse) generated along with the rotation of the motor 4, and is a pulse signal (pulse train) with a pulse number proportional to the rotation angle of the motor 4. In contrast, the absolute position signal is a single pulse signal generated when a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches a control reference position. The control reference position is, for example, the lower reverse position PLd and the lower reverse position PLp.

[0068] The control unit 6 has a normal mode and a heavy rain mode as control modes, and generates a drive command corresponding to the operation mode by performing control processing according to the operation mode. The control unit 6 outputs the drive command to the drive circuit 7 to control the operation of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0069] The normal mode is a control mode for a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p for normal rainfall. After the control unit 6 indicates the normal mode through the switch signal input from the upper control device, it generates a drive instruction according to the normal mode and outputs it to the drive circuit 7. In addition, the switch signal is an upper control instruction that instructs the wiping device A to turn on / off the wiper switch provided on the vehicle, specify the heavy rain mode, turn on / off the atomization switch, intermittent operation (Lo, Hi, INT), etc.

[0070] On the other hand, the heavy rain mode is a control mode for the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p for guerrilla-style heavy rain. When the control unit 6 instructs the heavy rain mode through the switch signal, it generates a drive command according to the heavy rain mode and outputs it to the drive circuit 7.

[0071] In controlling the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p, the control unit 6 refers to the switch signal input from the host control device and the angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5. That is, the control unit 6 performs feedback control on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p based on the switch signal and the angle signal.

[0072] In the control unit 6, the ROM 61 is a nonvolatile memory and stores a control program executed by the CPU 63 to feedback control the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p. The ROM 61 also stores a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map required for the CPU 63 to execute the control program.

[0073] The normal mode operation map is a control map used when the CPU 63 executes the control process related to the normal mode (normal control process) in the control program. That is, the normal mode operation map is a control data group representing the time series target speed of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p in the normal mode.

[0074] On the other hand, the heavy rain mode operation map is a control map used when the CPU 63 executes the control processing related to the heavy rain mode (heavy rain control processing) in the control program. That is, the heavy rain mode operation map is a control data group representing the target speed of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p in the heavy rain mode in a time series manner.

[0075] The RAM 62 is a volatile memory. The RAM 62 temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 63 executes the control program. The RAM 62 temporarily stores, for example, a flag (control flag F) indicating whether the control mode being executed is the normal mode or the heavy rain mode and a counter value (wiping count value N) indicating the number of wiping times in the control mode being executed.

[0076] The CPU 63 generates a drive command by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 61, and outputs the drive command to the drive circuit 7. When executing the control program, the CPU 63 refers to a switch signal input from a higher-level control device, an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5, or a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map pre-stored in the ROM 61.

[0077] That is, the CPU 63 generates a drive command by referring to the switch signal, the angle signal, and the normal mode operation map and the heavy rain mode operation map based on the control program. The drive command is a control command that instructs the drive circuit 7 to drive the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p corresponding to the control mode (normal mode or heavy rain mode), or a control command that makes the moving speed of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p obtained from the angle signal equal to the target speed shown in the normal mode operation map or the heavy rain mode operation map.

[0078] The drive circuit 7 generates a drive signal based on a drive command input from the CPU 63 (control unit 6), and outputs the drive signal to the motor 4. The drive circuit 7 is, for example, an inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors. In the case described above, the drive command is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal whose duty ratio is variably set according to a deviation between the target speed and the moving speed of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0079] Next, follow Figure 2 The flowchart shown in the figure explains the characteristic operation of the wiping device A according to the first embodiment. In addition, the flowchart shows the procedure of the control process in the CPU 63 (control section 6).

[0080] First, the CPU 63 refers to the switch signal input from the host control device to identify the operation mode instructed by the host control device (step S1). Then, the CPU 63 performs the following processes of steps S2 to S10 based on the identification in step S1.

[0081] That is, the CPU 63 determines whether the heavy rain mode is indicated by the upper control device (step S2). Then, when the judgment of step S2 is "No", that is, when the normal mode is indicated by the upper control device, the CPU 63 determines whether the wiping in the normal mode is the first wiping (initial wiping) by referring to the wiping number value N (step S3).

[0082] Next, if the CPU 63 determines in step S3 as “No”, that is, if the wiping in the normal mode is not the initial wiping, the processing ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 63 determines in step S3 as “Yes”, that is, if the wiping in the normal mode is the initial wiping, the CPU 63 determines whether the operating angles of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p have reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp by referring to the angle signal (step S4).

[0083] Next, when the CPU 63 determines in step S4 that it is "No", that is, when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has not reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the processing ends. On the other hand, when the CPU 63 determines in step S4 that it is "Yes", that is, when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the control map used for generating the drive command is switched to the normal mode operation map (step S5).

[0084] For example, when the wiping device A is operating in the heavy rain mode, the control diagram is switched from the heavy rain mode operation diagram to the normal mode operation diagram in step S5. Then, by switching the control diagram from the heavy rain mode operation diagram to the normal mode operation diagram, the CPU 63 sets the control mode to the normal mode (step S6).

[0085] That is, after the processing of step S6 is completed, the CPU 63 performs the generation processing of the drive command based on the normal mode operation diagram. Therefore, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p perform normal wiping of rainwater by reciprocating in the driver's seat normal wiping range Rd and the passenger seat normal wiping range Rp from the lower reversing position PLd and the lower reversing position PLp to the upper reversing position PUd and the upper reversing position PUp.

[0086] If the determination in step S2 is YES, that is, if the heavy rain mode is instructed from the host control device, the CPU 63 determines whether the wiping in the heavy rain mode is the first wiping (initial wiping) by referring to the wiping count value N (step S7).

[0087] Next, if the CPU 63 determines in step S7 as “No”, that is, if the wiping in the heavy rain mode is not the initial wiping, the processing ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 63 determines in step S7 as “Yes”, that is, if the wiping in the heavy rain mode is the initial wiping, the CPU 63 determines whether the operating angles of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p have reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp by referring to the angle signal (step S8).

[0088] Next, when the CPU 63 determines in step S8 that it is "No", that is, when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p has not reached the upper reversal position PUd, the upper reversal position PUp, the processing ends. On the other hand, when the CPU 63 determines in step S8 that it is "Yes", that is, when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p has reached the upper reversal position PUd, the upper reversal position PUp, the control map used for generating the drive command is switched to the heavy rain mode operation map (step S9).

[0089] For example, when the wiping device A is operating in the normal mode, the control map is switched from the normal mode operation map to the heavy rain mode operation map in step S9. Then, by switching the control map from the normal mode operation map to the heavy rain mode operation map, the CPU 63 sets the control mode to the heavy rain mode (step S10).

[0090] That is, after the processing of step S10 is completed, the CPU 63 performs the generation processing of the driving command based on the heavy rain mode operation diagram. Therefore, although the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are the same as the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the passenger seat, the lower reversal position is set to the lower reversal position QLd and the lower reversal position QLp higher than the lower reversal position PLd and the lower reversal position PLp of the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the passenger seat, and the rain is wiped at a higher speed by reciprocating at a higher speed than the normal mode.

[0091] Figure 3 : is a waveform diagram showing the action of the wiping device A. Figure 3 In the figure, (a) represents the target speed and the operating angle when switching from the normal mode Hi operation to the heavy rain mode. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , (b) shows the target speed and the operating angle when switching from the heavy rain mode to the Hi operation of the normal mode.

[0092] like Figure 3As shown in (a) and (b), in the wiping device A of the first embodiment, the timing of switching from the Hi operation of the normal mode to the heavy rain mode is set to the timing when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp. Moreover, in the wiping device A, the timing of switching from the heavy rain mode to the Hi operation of the normal mode is set to the timing when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp.

[0093] and, Figure 4 This is a reference diagram related to the operation of the wiping device A of the first embodiment. Figure 4 In the figure, (a) represents the target speed and the operating angle when switching from the normal mode Hi operation to the heavy rain mode. Figure 4 In FIG. 1 , (b) shows the target speed and the operating angle when switching from the heavy rain mode to the Hi operation of the normal mode.

[0094] As stated Figure 4 As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , in the reference example, the timing of switching from the normal mode Hi operation to the heavy rain mode is not set to the timing when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp. Moreover, in the reference example, the timing of switching from the heavy rain mode to the normal mode Hi operation is not set to the timing when the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp.

[0095] Here, in the present embodiment, the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp in the wiping range of the heavy rain mode are the same as the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp in the Hi operation of the normal mode, and the lower reversal position QLd and the lower reversal position QLp are set to positions higher than the lower reversal position PLd and the lower reversal position PLp in the Hi operation of the normal mode. That is, although the upper reversal position is the same in the heavy rain mode and the normal mode, the lower reversal position is different.

[0096] In the relationship between the heavy rain mode and the normal mode, the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are the timings when the target speeds of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p before and after the switching are both zero. That is, the wiping device A of the first embodiment switches the wiping range at the timing when the target speeds of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p before and after the switching are both zero.

[0097] This wiping device A is a device that wipes rainwater on the wiped surface W by using a motor 4 (power source) to make a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move back and forth, and includes a drive circuit 7 that drives the motor 4 (power source) and a control unit 6 that controls the drive circuit 7. The control unit 6 performs the switching of the wiping range when the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching of the wiping range.

[0098] According to this first embodiment, the control diagram (action mode) is switched, that is, the wiping range is switched, when the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching. Therefore, a wiping device A can be provided that can suppress the abnormal behavior of a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p when the control diagram (action mode) is switched, that is, when the wiping range is switched.

[0099] Moreover, according to the first embodiment, the wiping range of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p is set to a normal wiping range of the normal mode and a wiping range of the heavy rain mode which is smaller than the normal wiping range, so that the abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p can be suppressed during the switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode.

[0100] Moreover, according to the first embodiment, the control unit 6 performs the switching at the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp where the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode, thereby effectively suppressing the abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p when switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode.

[0101] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the motor 4 (power source) causes the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p to reciprocate simultaneously. Therefore, in the wiping device A of the single motor drive type, abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p can be suppressed.

[0102] [Second embodiment]

[0103] Reference Figure 5 A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The wiping device B of the second embodiment is similar to the wiping device A of the first embodiment, and is mounted on various vehicles to wipe rainwater on the surface (wiped surface W) of the front window glass or the rear window glass. Figure 5 In the present invention, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the wiping device B includes a drive control device 10. As shown in the figure, the drive control device 10 includes a pair of motors 4d, 4p and a pair of wiper drive control units 10d, 10p. That is, the wiping device B is a wiping device driven by a dual motor. Figure 5 As shown, the wiping device B adopts an opposing wiping type in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move toward each other.

[0105] The motor 4d on the driver's seat side includes a motor body 8d and a speed reduction mechanism 9d. The motor 4p on the passenger seat side includes a motor body 8p and a speed reduction mechanism 9p. A pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p drive and control the pair of motors 4d and 4p as power sources.

[0106] Among a pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p, the wiper drive control unit 10d is a drive control unit corresponding to the motor 4d on the driver's seat side, including an angle detection circuit 11d, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12d, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13d, a communication circuit 14d, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15d and a drive circuit 16d.

[0107] Moreover, among the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p, the wiper drive control unit 10p is a drive control unit corresponding to the motor 4p on the passenger seat side, including an angle detection circuit 11p, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12p, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13p, a communication circuit 14p, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15p and a drive circuit 16p.

[0108] The motor 4d on the driver's seat side is driven and controlled by the wiper drive control unit 10d, so that the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side performs a reciprocating motion (rocking motion) with the wiper shaft Td as a fulcrum. The motor 4p on the passenger seat side is driven and controlled by the wiper drive control unit 10p, so that the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side performs a reciprocating motion (rocking motion) with the wiper shaft Tp as a fulcrum.

[0109] In the wiper drive control unit 10d, the angle detection circuit 11d has a function similar to that of the angle detection circuit 5 of the first embodiment, and outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor body 8d to the CPU 15d. The angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side, and includes the relative position signal and the absolute position signal described in the first embodiment.

[0110] The ROM 12d is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 12d stores a control program for causing the CPU 15d to perform feedback control on the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side. Furthermore, the ROM 12d stores a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map required for the CPU 15d to execute the control program. These normal mode operation maps and heavy rain mode operation maps indicate the target speed of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side.

[0111] The RAM 13d is a volatile memory. The RAM 13d temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15d executes the control program. The RAM 13d temporarily stores, for example, a flag (control flag F) indicating whether the control mode being executed is the normal mode or the heavy rain mode and a counter value (wiping count value N) indicating the number of wiping times in the control mode being executed.

[0112] The communication circuit 14d sends and receives control information to and from the wiper drive control unit 10p. The communication circuit 14d receives, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side from the communication circuit 14p of the wiper drive control unit 10p as the control information. Furthermore, the communication circuit 14d sends, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver seat side to the communication circuit 14p of the wiper drive control unit 10p as the control information.

[0113] The CPU 15d generates a drive command by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 12d, and outputs the drive command to the drive circuit 16d. When executing the control program, the CPU 15d refers to a switch signal input from a host control device, an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 11d, control information input from the communication circuit 14d, or a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map pre-stored in the ROM 12d.

[0114] That is, the CPU 15d generates a drive instruction by referring to the switch signal, the angle signal, the control information, and the normal mode operation map and the heavy rain mode operation map based on the control program. The drive instruction is a control command that instructs the drive circuit 16d to drive the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side corresponding to the control mode (normal mode or heavy rain mode) and takes into account the drive control state of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side in the wiper drive control unit 10p.

[0115] That is, the drive instruction makes the moving speed of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side obtained by the angle signal equal to the target speed shown in the normal mode working diagram or the heavy rain mode working diagram, and controls the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side in synchronization with the movement of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side.

[0116] The drive circuit 16d generates a drive signal based on the drive command input from the CPU 15d, and outputs the drive signal to the motor 4d. The drive circuit 16d is, for example, an inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors. In the case, the drive command is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal whose duty ratio is variably set according to the deviation between the target speed and the moving speed of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side.

[0117] On the other hand, in the wiper drive control unit 10p, the angle detection circuit 11p has a function similar to that of the angle detection circuit 5 of the first embodiment, and outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor body 8p to the CPU 15p. The angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side, and includes the relative position signal and the absolute position signal described in the first embodiment.

[0118] The ROM 12p is a nonvolatile memory and stores a control program for causing the CPU 15p to feedback control the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side and stores a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map required for the CPU 15p to execute the control program.

[0119] These normal mode operation map and heavy rain mode operation map indicate the target speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side. The control program stored in the ROM 12p is substantially the same as the control program stored in the ROM 12d of the wiper drive control unit 10d.

[0120] The RAM 13p is a volatile memory. The RAM 13p temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15p executes the control program. The RAM 13p temporarily stores, for example, a flag (control flag F) indicating whether the control mode being executed is the normal mode or the heavy rain mode and a counter value (wiping count value N) indicating the number of wiping times in the control mode being executed.

[0121] The communication circuit 14p sends and receives control information to and from the wiper drive control unit 10d. The communication circuit 14p receives, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side from the communication circuit 14d of the wiper drive control unit 10d as the control information. Furthermore, the communication circuit 14p sends, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side to the communication circuit 14d of the wiper drive control unit 10d as the control information.

[0122] The CPU 15p generates a drive command by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 12p, and outputs the drive command to the drive circuit 16p. When executing the control program, the CPU 15p refers to a switch signal input from a host control device, an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 11p, control information input from the communication circuit 14p, or a normal mode operation map and a heavy rain mode operation map pre-stored in the ROM 12p.

[0123] That is, the CPU 15p generates a drive instruction by referring to the switch signal, the angle signal, the control information, and the normal mode operation diagram and the heavy rain mode operation diagram based on the control program. The drive instruction is a control command that instructs the drive circuit 16p to drive the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side corresponding to the control mode (normal mode or heavy rain mode) and takes into account the drive control state of the wiper blade 1d on the driver seat side in the wiper drive control unit 10d.

[0124] That is, the drive instruction makes the moving speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side obtained by the angle signal equal to the target speed shown in the normal mode working diagram or the heavy rain mode working diagram, and controls the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side in synchronization with the movement of the wiper blade 1d on the driver seat side.

[0125] The drive circuit 16p generates a drive signal based on the drive command input from the CPU 15p, and outputs the drive signal to the motor 4p. The drive circuit 16p is, for example, an inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors. In the case, the drive command is a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal in which a duty ratio is variably set according to a deviation between the target speed and the moving speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side.

[0126] Next, characteristic operations of the wiping device B according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0127] In the wiping device B, the wiper drive control unit 10d controls the rotation of the motor 4d on the driver's seat side based on a control program to cause the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side to wipe the surface W. In addition, in the wiping device B, the wiper drive control unit 10p controls the rotation of the motor 4p on the passenger's seat side based on a control program to cause the wiper blade 1p on the passenger's seat side to wipe the surface W.

[0128] In the wiping device B, control information of the wiper drive control unit 10d and control information of the wiper drive control unit 10p are alternately supplied via a pair of communication circuits 14d and 14p, so that the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side and the wiper blade 1p on the passenger's seat side perform wiping operations synchronously.

[0129] The control of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side by the wiper drive control unit 10d is similar to the control of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger's seat side by the wiper drive control unit 10p. When the wiping range in the heavy rain mode and the wiping range in the normal mode are switched, the processing performed by the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p is the same as that in the first embodiment. Figure 2 The flowchart is the same as

[0130] That is, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p recognize the operation mode instructed by the host control device by referring to the switch signal input from the host control device (step S1). Then, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p implement the following steps S2 to S10 based on the recognition of step S1.

[0131] That is, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determine whether the heavy rain mode is instructed from the upper control device (step S2). Then, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S2 is "No", that is, when the normal mode is instructed from the upper control device, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determine whether the wiping in the normal mode is the first wiping (initial wiping) by referring to the wiping number value N (step S3).

[0132] Next, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S3 is “No”, that is, when the wiping in the normal mode is not the initial wiping, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S3 is “Yes”, that is, when the wiping in the normal mode is the initial wiping, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p judge whether the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp by referring to the angle signal (step S4).

[0133] Next, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S4 is "No", that is, when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has not reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S4 is "Yes", that is, when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the control map used for generating the drive command is switched to the normal mode operation map (step S5).

[0134] For example, when the wiping device B is operating in the heavy rain mode, the control diagram is switched from the heavy rain mode operation diagram to the normal mode operation diagram in step S5. Furthermore, by switching the control diagram from the heavy rain mode operation diagram to the normal mode operation diagram, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p sets the control mode to the normal mode (step S6).

[0135] That is, after the processing of step S6 is completed, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p perform the generation processing of the drive command based on the normal mode operation diagram. Therefore, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p perform normal wiping of rainwater by reciprocating in the driver's seat normal wiping range Rd and the passenger seat normal wiping range Rp from the lower reverse position PLd and the lower reverse position PLp to the upper reverse position PUd and the upper reverse position PUp.

[0136] If the judgment in step S2 is "yes", that is, if the heavy rain mode is instructed from the upper control device, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p judge whether the wiping in the heavy rain mode is the first wiping (initial wiping) by referring to the wiping number value N (step S7).

[0137] Next, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S7 is “No”, that is, when the wiping in the heavy rain mode is not the initial wiping, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the judgment of the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in step S7 is “Yes”, that is, when the wiping in the heavy rain mode is the initial wiping, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p judge whether the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reaches the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp by referring to the angle signal (step S8).

[0138] Next, when the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p judges "No" in step S8, that is, when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has not reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, when the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p judges "Yes" in step S8, that is, when the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p has reached the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp, the control map used for generating the drive command is switched to the heavy rain mode operation map (step S9).

[0139] For example, when the wiping device B is operating in the normal mode, the control diagram is switched from the normal mode operation diagram to the heavy rain mode operation diagram in step S9. And, by switching the control diagram from the normal mode operation diagram to the heavy rain mode operation diagram, the pair of CPUs 15d and 16p sets the control mode to the heavy rain mode (step S10).

[0140] That is, after the processing of step S10 is completed, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p perform the generation processing of the drive command based on the heavy rain mode operation diagram. Therefore, although the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are the same as the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the front passenger seat, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p wipe rain water at a higher speed by reciprocating at a higher speed than the normal mode in the small wiping range of the lower reversal position QLd and the lower reversal position QLp, which are set higher than the lower reversal position PLd and the lower reversal position PLp of the normal wiping range Rd of the driver's seat and the normal wiping range Rp of the front passenger seat.

[0141] This wiping device B is a device that wipes rainwater on a wiped surface W by using a pair of motors 4d, 4p (power sources) to make a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p move back and forth, including a pair of drive circuits 16d, 16p that drive the pair of motors 4d, 4p (power sources), and a pair of wiper drive control units 10d, 10p (control units) that respectively control the pair of drive circuits 16d, 16p. The pair of wiper drive control units 10d, 10p (control units) perform the switching of the wiping range when the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching of the wiping range.

[0142] According to this second embodiment, the control diagram (action mode) is switched, that is, the wiping range is switched, at a time when the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching. Therefore, a wiping device B can be provided that can suppress the abnormal behavior of a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p when the control diagram (action mode) is switched, that is, when the wiping range is switched.

[0143] Moreover, according to the second embodiment, the wiping range of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p is set to a normal wiping range of the normal mode and a wiping range of the heavy rain mode that is smaller than the normal wiping range, so that the abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p can be suppressed during the switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode.

[0144] Moreover, according to the second embodiment, a pair of wiper drive control units 10d, 10p perform the switching at the upper reversal position PUd and the upper reversal position PUp where the target speed becomes zero before and after the switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode, thereby effectively suppressing the abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p when switching between the normal mode and the heavy rain mode.

[0145] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, a pair of motors 4d, 4p (power sources) are provided. Among the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p provided, the motor 4d on the driver's seat side similarly causes the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side to move back and forth, and the motor 4p on the passenger seat side similarly causes the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side to move back and forth.

[0146] That is, in the second embodiment, in the dual-motor driven wiping device B in which the pair of motors 4d and 4p (power sources) reciprocate the corresponding wiper blades, abnormal behavior of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p can be suppressed.

[0147] In the second embodiment, during the period when the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side wipes the small wiping range on the driver's seat side in the heavy rain mode, the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p can be used to stop (standby) the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side at the lower reverse position PLp on the passenger seat side, for example, in a manner that does not interfere with the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side. In addition, in the second embodiment, in addition to this, the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side can also be stopped (standby) at the upper reverse position PUp on the passenger seat side, and the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side can also be wiped within the small wiping range on the passenger seat side.

[0148] Moreover, with respect to the upper reversal positions PUd and PUP in the wiping range Rd and the wiping range Rp of the normal mode and the small wiping range of the heavy rain mode in the first and second embodiments, even if the upper reversal positions are reversed at the same positions when switching to each mode, they can be switched from the upper reversal positions PUd and PUP of the normal mode to the upper reversal positions of the heavy rain mode whenever switching to each mode.

[0149] In this case, wiping can be performed within a small wiping range between each upper inversion position and each lower inversion position in the heavy rain mode. Figure 3 As shown, the control can be switched to wipe a small wiping range at each upper reversal position.

[0150] Furthermore, the wiping device A and the wiping device B of each embodiment are devices that wipe rainwater on the wiped surface W by using motors 4, 4d, 4p (power sources) to make a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p move back and forth, but as each motor 4, 4d, 4p (power source), it is considered to use a brushless motor.

[0151] As is well known, a brushless motor is a motor (power source) with excellent speed controllability. By using a brushless motor as the driving source of a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p, when each motor 4, 4d, 4p (brushless wiper motor) is repeatedly rotated forward and reverse at high speed in the operation in the heavy rain mode, the wear powder of the brush caused by the sliding between the brush and the commutator as in a brushed motor is not generated, so that the life of each motor 4, 4d, 4p can be extended.

[0152] Furthermore, by using a brushless wiper motor as each of the motors 4, 4d, and 4p, forward rotation and reverse rotation can be smoothly repeated, and therefore, reverse rotation can be performed with good accuracy at the upper reverse position and the lower reverse position set for the heavy rain mode.

Claims

1. A wiping device that wipes rainwater off a wiped surface by using a predetermined power source to cause a wiper blade to move back and forth. The wiping device is characterized by comprising: A driving circuit, driving the power source; and a control unit, controlling the driving circuit, The control unit performs the switching of the wiping range at a timing when the target speed becomes zero both before and after the switching of the wiping range.

2. The wiping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wiping range includes a normal wiping range of a normal mode and a small wiping range of a heavy rain mode that is smaller than the normal wiping range.

3. The wiping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control unit performs the switching from the normal mode to the heavy rain mode at the upper reverse position of the wiper blade.

4. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The power source causes the pair of wiper blades to reciprocate simultaneously.

5. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A pair of power sources are provided, so that the wiper blade corresponding to the pair of wiper blades can perform reciprocating motion.

Images