Wiping device

Abstract

The invention provides a wiping device capable of suppressing the generation of a water accumulation line caused by the stop of a wiper blade. A wiper device in which a wiper blade reciprocates within a predetermined wiping range by means of a predetermined drive control device, the drive control device including, as control modes, a normal mode and a narrow wiping mode in which the wiping range is narrower than that of the normal mode, and in a case where narrow-angle wiping by means of the narrow wiping mode is stopped, the wiper blade is driven to reciprocate within the predetermined wiping range by means of the drive control device. The wiper blade is moved to an upper reversal position of the wiping range and then moved to a stop position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a wiping device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A wiper device mounted on an autonomous vehicle is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 below. This wiper device performs automatic operation using an imaging image obtained by an imaging device, and includes a wiper operation control section that controls a wiping operation by adjusting at least one of a wiping range, a wiping speed, and an intermittent time, which is a standby time from completion of a wiping operation to start of a next wiping operation, and performs a first wiping operation as a wiping operation in a case where the vehicle is performing manual driving, and performs a second wiping operation different from the first wiping operation as a wiping operation in a case where the vehicle is performing autonomous driving.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-014408 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] Incidentally, the wiper device of Patent Literature 1 separates the first wiper blade from the second wiper blade and temporarily stops at an upper end position of the wiping range in the second wiping operation, and performs the second wiping operation by the second wiper blade. Thus, the first wiper blade is stopped at the upper end position of the wiping range, and a water accumulation line is generated at the stop position, which can obstruct the driver's view.

[0008] The present application has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a wiping device capable of suppressing generation of a water accumulation line caused by stopping of a wiper blade.

[0009] TECHNICAL MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] To achieve the object, in the present application, as a first solution means of a wiping device, the following means is employed. A wiping device that makes a wiper blade reciprocate within a prescribed wiping range by a prescribed drive control device, wherein the drive control device includes a normal mode and a narrow-width wiping mode, which is narrower than the normal mode, as a control mode, and in a case where narrow-angle wiping based on the narrow-width wiping mode is stopped, moves the wiper blade to an upper reversal position of the wiping range, and then moves it to a stop position.

[0011] In the present application, as a second solution to the wiping device, the following means is employed in the first solution in which the drive control device stops the narrow-angle wiping when the wiper blade is moving toward the upper reversal position, the wiper blade is moved to the upper reversal position and then moved to the stop position.

[0012] In the present application, as a third solution to the wiping device, the following means is employed in the first solution in which the drive control device stops the narrow-angle wiping when the wiper blade is moving from the upper reversal position, the wiper blade is turned back at the narrow-angle wiping mode lower reversal position and moved to the upper reversal position and then moved to the stop position.

[0013] In the present application, as a fourth solution to the wiping device, the following means is employed in any one of the first to third solutions, in which the narrow-angle wiping mode is a heavy-rain mode or a super heavy-rain mode in which the wiping period is higher than that of the normal mode.

[0014] In the present application, as a fifth solution to the wiping device, the following means is employed in any one of the first to fourth solutions, in which the drive control device reciprocates a pair of the wiper blades by one power source.

[0015] In the present application, as a sixth solution to the wiping device, the following means is employed in any one of the first to fourth solutions, in which the drive control device includes one drive source for reciprocating one of the wiper blades and another drive source for reciprocating the other wiper blade.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a wiping device capable of suppressing the generation of a water accumulation line caused by the stop of a wiper blade. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

[0019] [ Figure 2 ] is a flowchart showing the operation of the wiping device of the first embodiment of the present application.

[0020] [ Figure 3 ] is a schematic view showing the operation of the wiping device of the first embodiment of the present application.

[0021] [ Figure 4[Illustration 1] is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the wiping device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] [First Implementation]

[0023] First, refer to Figures 1-4 The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The wiping device A of the first embodiment is mounted on various vehicles such as gasoline cars, hybrid cars or electric cars, and is a device for wiping rainwater adhering to the surface (wiping surface W) of the components to be wiped, such as the front window or rear window.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, this wiping device A includes: a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p, a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p, a linkage mechanism 3, a motor 4 (power source), an angle detection circuit 5, a control unit 6, and a drive circuit 7. Furthermore, as shown, the control unit 6 among these components includes: a read-only memory (ROM) 61, a random access memory (RAM) 62, and a central processing unit (CPU) 63.

[0025] Furthermore, the motor 4 (power source), angle detection circuit 5, control unit 6, and drive circuit 7 together constitute a drive control device. That is, the motor 4 (power source), angle detection circuit 5, control unit 6, and drive circuit 7 work together to cause a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p to reciprocate.

[0026] This wiping device A employs a single-motor drive system, meaning that a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p are mechanically connected via a linkage mechanism 3, and a single motor 4 (power source) drives a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p in reciprocating motion. In other words, the wiping device A of the first embodiment includes a basic structure that uses a single motor 4 (power source) to simultaneously drive a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0027] Furthermore, this wiping device A employs a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p that move side-by-side in the same direction. That is, when one wiper arm 2d on the driver's side rises from below, the other wiper arm 2p on the passenger side also rises from below in the same manner. Conversely, when the wiper arm 2d on the driver's side descends from above, the wiper arm 2p on the passenger side also descends from above.

[0028] In addition, Figure 1In the respective symbols shown, "d" indicates a member or portion associated with the driver's seat side of the vehicle, and "p" indicates a member or portion associated with the front passenger's seat side of the vehicle. Also, in the following description, the driver's seat side is referred to as the "driver's seat side" and the front passenger's seat side is referred to as the "front passenger's seat side." Figure 1 In the above, the symbol Rd is the wiping range of the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d (driver's seat wiping range), and the symbol Rp is the wiping range of the front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p (front passenger's seat wiping range).

[0029] The driver's seat wiping range Rd is the range from the lower reversal position PLd to the upper reversal position PUd as the movement locus of the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d. The lower reversal position PLd is the position at which the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d reverses from descending motion to ascending motion. Also, the lower reversal position PLd is the stop position of the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d at the time of stopping wiping. On the other hand, the upper reversal position PUd is the position at which the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d reverses from ascending motion to descending motion.

[0030] The front passenger's seat wiping range Rp is the range of the sector from the lower reversal position PLp to the upper reversal position PUp as the movement locus of the front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p. The lower reversal position PLp is the position at which the front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p reverses from descending motion to ascending motion. Also, the lower reversal position PLp is the stop position of the front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p at the time of stopping wiping. On the other hand, the upper reversal position PUp is the position at which the front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p reverses from ascending motion to descending motion.

[0031] As shown in the figure, the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are rod-shaped members disposed on the wiped surface W. The pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p abut against the wiped surface W and wipe rainwater on the wiped surface by performing reciprocating motion (pivoting motion) on the wiped surface W. This pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p is connected mechanically to the motor 4 via the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p and the link mechanism 3.

[0032] That is, the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2d provided on the driver's seat side. The front passenger's seat side wiper blade 1p is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2p provided on the front passenger's seat side and the link mechanism 3.

[0033] As shown in the figure, the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p are rod-shaped members, one end of which is connected to a midway position of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p and the other end of which is connected to the pair of wiper shafts Td, Tp. That is, one end of the driver's seat side wiper arm 2d is connected to a midway position of the driver's seat side wiper blade 1d and the other end of the driver's seat side wiper arm 2d is connected to the driver's seat side wiper shaft Td.

[0034] On the other hand, one end of the wiper arm 2p on the passenger seat side is connected to a 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. Further, such a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p are members included in the structure of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p.

[0035] Such a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p functions as a power transmission member that mechanically transmits the rotational power of the motor 4 to the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p. In addition, the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p functions as a force applying member that presses the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p against the wiping surface W with a prescribed pressing force.

[0036] The link mechanism 3 is a mechanical member that is mechanically linked to the other end of the pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p and the output shaft of the motor 4. This link mechanism 3 includes a support shaft that is 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. This motor 4 causes the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p to perform reciprocating motion by operating the rotational angle of the link mechanism 3. Further, this motor 4 is the power source in the first embodiment.

[0037] The angle detection circuit 5 outputs an angle signal that is proportional to the rotational angle of the motor 4 to the CPU 63.

[0038] The angle signal is a signal that indicates the working angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p that are mechanically linked by the link mechanism 3. In detail, such an angle signal includes a relative position signal that indicates the relative position of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p and an absolute position signal that indicates the absolute position of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p.

[0039] The relative position signal is a pulse signal (motor pulse) that is generated in conjunction with the rotation of the motor 4, and is a pulse signal (pulse train) in which the number of pulses is proportional to the rotational angle of the motor 4. In contrast, the absolute position signal is a single pulse signal that is generated when the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p reaches a control reference position. The control reference position is, for example, the lower reversal position PLd, the lower reversal position PLp.

[0040] The control section 6 generates a drive command based on a switch signal input from the upper control device, a power supply voltage Vcc input from the drive circuit 7, and an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5. The control section 6 controls the reciprocating motion of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p via the drive circuit 7 and the motor 4 (power source) by outputting the drive command to the drive circuit 7.

[0041] The switch signal is an upper control command instructing the wiping device A to set ON / OFF of a wiper switch provided in the vehicle, designation of a heavy rain mode, ON / OFF of a mist switch, intermittent operation (Lo, Hi, INT), and the like. In addition, the drive command is, for example, a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal, and is a control command to operate the drive circuit 7 based on a duty ratio, that is, a ratio of a Hi (high) period to a Lo (low) period in a step signal as attribute information.

[0042] In the control section 6, the ROM 61 is a nonvolatile memory. This ROM 61 stores a control program that the CPU 63 executes for feedback control of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip via the motor 4 (power source). In addition, this ROM 61 stores a working map that the CPU 63 needs to execute the control program.

[0043] The working map is control data that the CPU 63 refers to when executing control processing based on the control program. This working map is a control data group indicating a time-series pattern of target speeds of the driver seat side wiper blade Id in the driver seat wiping range Rd and the passenger seat side wiper blade Ip in the passenger seat wiping range Rp.

[0044] The RAM 62 is a volatile memory. This RAM 62 temporarily stores various operation data generated when the CPU 63 executes the control program. This RAM 62, for example, temporarily stores time-series data of a drive voltage (power supply voltage Vcc).

[0045] The CPU 63 generates and outputs a drive command to the drive circuit 7 by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM 61. This CPU 63, when executing the control program, refers to a switch signal input from an upper control device, an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5, and a working map stored in advance in the ROM 61. That is, the CPU 63 generates a drive command based on the control program, referring to the switch signal, the angle signal, and the working map.

[0046] Here, the CPU 63 generates a drive command in a wiping cycle corresponding to a control mode (operation mode). The control mode has a normal mode, a Hi mode, a heavy rain mode, and a super heavy rain mode, and the CPU 63 corresponds to the control mode and refers to the working map, thereby realizing reciprocating motion (swing motion) of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip corresponding to the control mode.

[0047] The normal mode corresponds to the driver's seat wiping area Rd and the passenger seat wiping area Rp as described above, and is a control mode corresponding to the normal wiping cycle. In contrast, the Hi mode corresponds to the driver's seat wiping area Rd and the passenger seat wiping area Rp, and is a control mode corresponding to a wiping cycle that is slightly earlier than the normal mode.

[0048] The heavy rain mode is controlled as follows: the upward reversing positions on the driver's side and the passenger side are the same as the upward reversing positions PUd and PUp, but the downward reversing positions on the driver's side and the passenger side are set at positions PMd and PMp that are slightly higher than the downward reversing positions PLd and PLp (the downward reversing position is used in the narrow wiping mode).

[0049] That is, the heavy rain mode is an operation mode in which the wiping range is set by the upper reverse position PUd, the upper reverse position PUp, and the narrow wiping mode using the lower reverse position PMd, the narrow wiping mode using the lower reverse position PMp. This heavy rain mode is equivalent to the narrow wiping mode of the present invention. In addition, this heavy rain mode is a control mode in which the wiping cycle is set to a high wiping cycle earlier than the normal mode.

[0050] Additionally, the Super Rainstorm mode is a control mode with the same wiping range as the Rainstorm mode, but a slightly earlier wiping cycle. This Super Rainstorm mode is equivalent to the High Wiping mode in this invention, which is a control mode with a longer wiping cycle and a narrower wiping range than the Normal mode and Hi mode.

[0051] The drive circuit 7 is a signal generation circuit that generates drive signals based on drive instructions input from the CPU 63. This drive circuit 7 outputs the drive signals to the motor 4, causing the motor 4 to rotate at the desired speed. Such a drive circuit 7 is, for example, a three-phase inverter circuit including multiple switching transistors.

[0052] Next, according to Figure 2 The flowchart shown illustrates the operation of the wiping device A according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, this flowchart illustrates the sequence of control processing within the CPU 63, which constitutes the drive control device.

[0053] When the CPU 63 starts operating, it receives the switch signal from the upper control device at a predetermined time, thereby sequentially obtaining upper control instructions. For example, when the CPU 63 instructs the rainstorm mode according to the switch signal (upper control instruction), it causes a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p to perform narrow-angle wiping corresponding to the rainstorm mode, that is, narrow-angle wiping between the upper reverse position PUd, upper reverse position PUp and the lower reverse position PMd, narrow-width wiping mode.

[0054] The CPU 63 determines whether or not the switch signal (upper control command) indicating "switch OFF" (wiping stop) is acquired in a state where the reciprocating movement of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip corresponding to the heavy rain mode is controlled (step S1). Then, in the case where the determination of the step S1 is "No", that is, in the case where the switch signal to set the heavy rain mode to "OFF" is not acquired, the CPU 63 continues the narrow angle wiping corresponding to the heavy rain mode (step S2).

[0055] On the other hand, in the case where the determination of the step S1 is "Yes", that is, when the switch signal (upper control command) indicating the switching from the heavy rain mode to the normal mode by setting the heavy rain mode to "OFF" is acquired, the CPU 63 determines whether or not the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moved to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp (step S3).

[0056] Then, in the case where the determination of the step S3 is "No", that is, in the case where the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is not moved to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, the CPU 63 determines whether or not the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is located at the stop position (step S4). Then, in the case where the determination of the step S4 is "No", that is, in the case where the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is not moved to the stop position, the CPU 63 continues the wiping operation based on the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip (step S5).

[0057] On the other hand, in the case where the determination of the step S4 is "Yes", that is, in the case where the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moved to the stop position, the CPU 63 stops the wiping operation based on the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip (step S6).

[0058] Further, in the case where the determination of the step S3 is "Yes", that is, in the case where the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moved to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, the CPU 63 sets the specified speed indicated by the switch signal as the moving speed of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip (step S7), and on the basis thereof, moves the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip to the stop position (lower reversal positions PLd, PLp) (step S8).

[0059] Here, when the narrow angle wiping based on the heavy rain mode (narrow width wiping mode) is stopped on the basis of the switch signal (upper control command) as described above, the CPU 63 controls in such a manner that the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is changed in accordance with the moving direction (downward movement / upward movement) of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip.

[0060] That is, asFigure 3 (a) In the case where the narrow-angle wiping based on the heavy-rain mode or the super-heavy-rain mode (narrow-wiping mode) is stopped while the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moving to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 63 moves the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, and then moves them to the stop positions (lower reversal positions PLd, PLp).

[0061] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case where the narrow-angle wiping based on the heavy-rain mode or the super-heavy-rain mode (narrow-wiping mode) is stopped while the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moving from the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, the CPU 63 reverses the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip at the narrow-wiping-mode lower reversal positions PMd, PMp and moves them to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp, and then moves them to the stop positions (lower reversal positions PLd, PLp). Figure 3

[0062] This wiping device A of the first embodiment drives the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip by the single-motor driving system, and moves the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip to and fro within the prescribed wiping ranges Rd, Rp by the prescribed driving control device (motor 4, angle detection circuit 5, control section 6, and driving circuit 7).

[0063] In this wiping device A, the driving control device (motor 4, angle detection circuit 5, control section 6, and driving circuit 7) includes the heavy-rain mode (narrow-wiping mode) as a control mode in which the wiping range is narrower than that of the normal mode, and in the case where the narrow-angle wiping based on the heavy-rain mode (narrow-wiping mode) is stopped, the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip is moved to the upper reversal positions PUd, PUp of the wiping ranges Rd, Rp, and then moved to the stop positions (lower reversal positions PLd, PLp).

[0064] According to this first embodiment, the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip passes through the narrow-wiping-mode lower reversal positions PMd, PMp and moves to the stop positions (lower reversal positions PLd, PLp). Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the generation of the water accumulation line due to the stop of the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip at the narrow-wiping-mode lower reversal positions PMd, PMp can be suppressed.

[0065] [Second Embodiment]

[0066] Referring to FIG. 12, the wiping device A of the second embodiment includes a pair of wiper blades 2d, 2p, a motor 4, an angle detection circuit 5, a control section 6, and a driving circuit 7. Figure 4 ​A second embodiment of the present application will be described. Also, in the Figure 4 same reference numerals are attached to the same constituent parts as those of the first embodiment.

[0067] The wiping device B of the second embodiment, like the wiping device A of the first embodiment, is mounted on various vehicles and wipes rainwater on the surface (wiped surface W) of a front window glass or a rear window glass. As shown in the figure, this wiping device B includes a drive control device 10 that drives a pair of motors 4d, 4p. As shown in the figure, this drive control device 10 includes the pair of motors 4d, 4p and a pair of wiper drive control sections 10d, 10p corresponding to the pair of motors 4d, 4p.

[0068] That is, this wiping device B is a wiping device of a dual-motor drive system having a basic structure including one motor 4d (power source) that reciprocates one wiper blade Id and another motor 4p (power source) that reciprocates another wiper blade Ip. Also, as shown in the figure, this wiping device B adopts a reciprocal wiping type in which the pair of wiper blades Id, Ip reciprocate in opposite directions.

[0069] The driver's seat side motor 4d (one power source) of the pair of motors 4d, 4p is a driver's seat side power source that reciprocates the driver's seat side wiper blade Id (one wiper blade) corresponding thereto. This motor 4d includes a motor main body 8d and a reduction mechanism 9d. Also, the passenger's seat side motor 4p (another power source) is a passenger's seat side power source that reciprocates the passenger's seat side wiper blade Ip (another wiper blade) corresponding thereto. This motor 4p includes a motor main body 8p and a reduction mechanism 9p.

[0070] Also, the first wiper drive control section 10d of the pair of wiper drive control sections 10d, 10p drives controls the driver's seat side motor 4d (one power source) corresponding to the driver's seat side wiper blade Id (one wiper blade). Also, the second wiper drive control section 10p drives controls the passenger's seat side motor 4p (another power source) corresponding to the passenger's seat side wiper blade Ip (another wiper blade).

[0071] The first wiper drive control section 10d is a drive control section for the motor 4d (one of the power sources) on the driver's seat side, and includes one angle detection circuit 11d, one ROM (Read Only Memory) 12d, one RAM (Random Access Memory) 13d, one communication circuit 14d, one CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15d, and one drive circuit 16d.

[0072] The second wiper drive control section 10p is a drive control section for the motor 4p (the other power source) on the front passenger's seat side, and includes the other angle detection circuit 11p, the other ROM (Read Only Memory) 12p, the other RAM (Random Access Memory) 13p, the other communication circuit 14p, the other CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15p, and the other drive circuit 16p.

[0073] The first wiper drive control section 10d reciprocates (pivots) the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side about the wiper shaft Td by driving control of the motor 4d on the driver's seat side. The second wiper drive control section 10p reciprocates (pivots) the wiper blade 1p on the front passenger's seat side about the wiper shaft Tp by driving control of the motor 4p on the front passenger's seat side.

[0074] In this first wiper drive control section 10d, the angle detection circuit 11d on the driver's seat side 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 main body 8d on the driver's seat side to the CPU 15d on the driver's seat side. The angle signal is a signal indicating the working 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.

[0075] The ROM 12d on the driver's seat side is a nonvolatile memory. This ROM 12d stores a control program for feedback control of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side by the CPU 15d. In addition, the ROM 12d stores a working map referred to by the CPU 15d on the driver's seat side when executing the control program.

[0076] The working map indicates the target speed of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side in the driver's seat wiping range Rd. The RAM 13d on the driver's seat side is a volatile memory. The RAM 13d temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15d executes the control program.

[0077] The communication circuit 14d on the driver's side transmits and receives control information with the second wiper drive control unit 10p. For example, the communication circuit 14d receives the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side from the communication circuit 14p of the second wiper drive control unit 10p as the control information. Additionally, the communication circuit 14d sends the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side as the control information to the communication circuit 14p of the second wiper drive control unit 10p.

[0078] The CPU 15d on the driver's seat side generates drive instructions by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 12d on the driver's seat side, and outputs the drive instructions to the drive circuit 16d. When executing the control program, the CPU 15d refers to the switch signal input from the upper control device, the angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 11d, the control information input from the communication circuit 14d on the driver's seat side, and the working mapping pre-stored in the ROM 12d.

[0079] That is, the CPU 15d generates drive instructions based on the control program, referring to switch signals, angle signals, control information, and working mapping. These drive instructions are control commands that instruct the drive circuit 16d to drive the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side, and take into account the drive control state of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side in the second wiper drive control unit 10p.

[0080] The drive command is a command to control the driver's side wiper blade 1d so that the moving speed of the driver's side wiper blade 1d, obtained according to the angle signal, is equal to the target speed of the working mapping, and synchronized with the movement of the passenger side wiper blade 1p. This drive command is, for example, a PWM signal, similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0081] The driver-side drive circuit 16d is the same as the drive circuit 7 in the first embodiment, and is a three-phase inverter circuit including multiple switching transistors. This drive circuit 16d generates three-phase drive signals based on multiple PWM signals input from the CPU 15d on the driver-side and outputs them to the motor 4 (power source).

[0082] On the other hand, in the second wiper drive control unit 10p, the angle detection circuit 11p on the passenger side has a function similar to that of the angle detection circuit 5 in the first embodiment, outputting an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor body 8p on the passenger side to the CPU 15p on the passenger side. The angle signal is a signal representing the working angle of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side, including the relative position signal and the absolute position signal described in the first embodiment.

[0083] The ROM 12p on the passenger side is a non-volatile memory. The ROM 12p stores a control program that enables the CPU 15p on the passenger side to perform feedback control on the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side. Furthermore, the ROM 12p stores the working mappings required for the CPU 15p on the passenger side to execute the control program.

[0084] The working mapping represents the target speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side within the passenger-side wiping range Rp. Furthermore, the control program stored in the ROM 12p is substantially the same as the control program stored in the ROM 12d of the first wiper drive control unit 10d. The RAM 13p on the passenger side is a volatile memory. The RAM 13p temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15p on the passenger side executes the control program.

[0085] The passenger-side communication circuit 14p transmits and receives control information with the first wiper drive control unit 10d. For example, the communication circuit 14p receives the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side from the driver-side communication circuit 14d as the control information. Furthermore, the communication circuit 14p, for example, transmits the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side as the control information to the driver-side communication circuit 14d.

[0086] The CPU 15p on the passenger side generates drive instructions by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 12p on the passenger side, and outputs the drive instructions to the drive circuit 16p on the passenger side. When executing the control program, the CPU 15p refers to the switch signal input from the upper control device, the angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 11p, the control information input from the communication circuit 14p, and the working mapping pre-stored in the ROM 12p.

[0087] That is, the CPU 15p generates drive commands based on the control program, referring to switch signals, angle signals, control information, and working mapping. The drive commands are control commands that instruct the drive circuit 16p on the passenger side to drive the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side, and take into account the drive control state of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side in the first wiper drive control unit 10d.

[0088] The drive command controls the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side to ensure that the moving speed of the passenger side wiper blade 1p, obtained based on the angle signal, is equal to the target speed mapped to the working position, and synchronized with the movement of the wiper blade 1p on the driver side. This drive command, like the drive command on the driver side, is a PWM signal.

[0089] The drive circuit 16p on the passenger side is the same as the drive circuit 16d on the driver side, and is a three-phase inverter circuit including multiple switching transistors. This drive circuit 16p generates three-phase drive signals based on multiple PWM signals input from the CPU 15p on the passenger side, and outputs them to the motor 4p on the passenger side.

[0090] Next, the operation of the wiping device B in the second embodiment will be explained.

[0091] In the wiping device B, the first wiper drive control unit 10d controls the rotation of the motor 4d on the driver's seat side based on a control program, thereby causing the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side to perform the wiping action on the surface W. Additionally, in the wiping device B, the second wiper drive control unit 10p controls the rotation of the motor 4p on the passenger seat side based on a control program, thereby causing the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side to perform the wiping action on the surface W.

[0092] Furthermore, in the wiping device B, control information from the first wiper drive control unit 10d and the second wiper drive control unit 10p are alternately provided via a pair of communication circuits 14d and 14p. As a result, the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side and the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side perform wiping actions synchronously.

[0093] The control of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's side by the first wiper drive control unit 10d is the same as the control of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger side by the second wiper drive control unit 10p. That is, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p in the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p are the same as the CPU 63 in the first embodiment, according to... Figure 2 The flowchart shown and Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the actions.

[0094] That is, when operation begins, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p receive the switch signals input from the upper control device at predetermined intervals, thereby sequentially obtaining upper control commands. For example, when a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p indicate the rainstorm mode according to the switch signal (upper control command), a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p perform narrow-angle wiping corresponding to the rainstorm mode, that is, narrow-angle wiping between the upper reverse position PUd and the upper reverse position PUp and the narrow-width wiping mode lower reverse position PMd and the narrow-width wiping mode lower reverse position PMp.

[0095] While controlling the reciprocating motion of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p corresponding to this rainstorm mode, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determines whether they have received a switch signal (upper-level control command) indicating "switch off (OFF)" (wiping stopped) (step S1). Then, if the determination in step S1 is "No" (i.e., no switch signal to set the rainstorm mode to "OFF" is received), the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p continue to perform narrow-angle wiping corresponding to the rainstorm mode (step S2).

[0096] On the other hand, when the judgment in step S1 is "Yes", that is, when a switch signal (upper-level control instruction) is obtained to set the rainstorm mode to "OFF" and indicate the switch from rainstorm mode to normal mode, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determine whether a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p have moved to the upper reverse position PUd and upper reverse position PUp (step S3).

[0097] Then, if the determination in step S3 is "No", that is, if the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p have not moved to the upper reverse position PUd and upper reverse position PUp, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determine whether the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are in the stop position (step S4). Then, if the determination in step S4 is "No", that is, if the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p have not moved to the stop position, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p continue to perform the wiping action based on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p (step S5).

[0098] On the other hand, if the judgment in step S4 is "Yes", that is, if a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move to the stop position, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p stop the wiping action based on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p (step S6).

[0099] Furthermore, if the judgment in step S3 is "Yes", that is, if the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move to the upper reverse position PUd and the upper reverse position PUp, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p set the specified speed indicated by the switch signal to the moving speed of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p (step S7). Based on this, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are moved to the stop position (lower reverse position PLd and lower reverse position PLp) (step S8).

[0100] Here, when the narrow-angle wiping based on the rainstorm mode (narrow wiping mode) is stopped based on the switch signal (upper-level control instruction) as described above, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p control the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p in a manner that changes the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p according to the movement direction (downward movement / upward movement) of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0101] That is, such as Figure 3 As shown in (a), when a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are moving to the upward reverse position PUd and the upward reverse position PUp, causing the narrow-angle wiping based on the rainstorm mode (narrow wiping mode) to stop, a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p move the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p to the upward reverse position PUd and the upward reverse position PUp, and then move them to the stop position (downward reverse position PLd and downward reverse position PLp).

[0102] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown in (b), when a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are moving from the upper reverse position PUd and the upper reverse position PUp to stop narrow-angle wiping based on the rainstorm mode (narrow wiping mode), a pair of CPUs 15d and 15p fold the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p back from the lower reverse position PMd and the lower reverse position PMp in the narrow wiping mode and move them to the upper reverse position PUd and the upper reverse position PUp, and then move them to the stop position (lower reverse position PLd and lower reverse position PLp).

[0103] The wiping device B of this second embodiment is a device that drives a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p using a dual-motor drive method, and uses a predetermined drive control device 10 to make the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reciprocate within a predetermined wiping range Rd and wiping range Rp.

[0104] In addition, in this wiping device B, the drive control device 10 includes a normal mode and a rainstorm mode (narrow wiping mode) with a wiping range narrower than the normal mode as control modes. When the narrow-angle wiping based on the rainstorm mode (narrow wiping mode) is stopped, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are moved to the upper reverse position PUd and upper reverse position PUp of the wiping range Rd and wiping range Rp, and then moved to the stop position (lower reverse position PLd and lower reverse position PLp).

[0105] According to this second embodiment, a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move to a stop position (downward reversal position PLd and downward reversal position PLp) after passing through the narrow wiping mode downward reversal position PMd and the narrow wiping mode downward reversal position PMp. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the generation of water lines caused by the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p stopping at the narrow wiping mode downward reversal position PMd and the narrow wiping mode downward reversal position PMp can be suppressed, just as in the first embodiment.

[0106] Explanation of icon numbers

[0107] A, B: Wiping devices

[0108] W: The surface being wiped

[0109] PUd, PUp: Upward inversion position

[0110] PLd, PLp: Downward inversion position (stop position)

[0111] PMd, PMp: Narrow-width wiping mode uses reverse position.

[0112] Rd, Rp: Wiping area

[0113] Td, Tp: Pivot

[0114] 1d, 1p: Wiper blades

[0115] 2d, 2p: Wiper arm

[0116] 3: Linkage Mechanism

[0117] 4, 4d, 4p: Motor (power source)

[0118] 5: Angle detection circuit

[0119] 6: Control Department

[0120] 61: ROM

[0121] 62: RAM

[0122] 63: CPU

[0123] 7: Drive circuit

[0124] 8d, 8p: Motor body

[0125] 9d, 9p: Reduction mechanism

[0126] 10: Drive control device

[0127] 10d, 10p: Wiper drive control unit

[0128] 11d, 11p: Angle detection circuit

[0129] 12d, 12p: ROM

[0130] 13d, 13p: RAM

[0131] 14d, 14p: Communication circuit

[0132] 15d, 15p: CPU

[0133] 16d, 16p: Drive circuit

Claims

1. A wiping device in which wiper blades are reciprocated within a prescribed wiping range by a prescribed drive control device, characterized in that, the drive control device includes a normal mode and a narrow wiping mode in which the wiping range is narrower than in the normal mode as control modes, and in the case where narrow angle wiping based on the narrow wiping mode is stopped, the wiper blade is moved to an upper reversal position of the wiping range and then to a stop position.

2. The wiping device of claim 1, wherein the drive control device, in the case where the narrow angle wiping is stopped while the wiper blade is being moved to the upper reversal position, moves the wiper blade to the upper reversal position and then to the stop position.

3. The wiping device of claim 1, wherein, the drive control device, in the case where the narrow angle wiping is stopped while the wiper blade is being moved from the upper reversal position, makes the wiper blade turn back at a lower reversal position for the narrow wiping mode and moves to the upper reversal position and then to the stop position.

4. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the narrow wiping mode is a heavy rain mode or an extra heavy rain mode in which the wiping period is higher than in the normal mode.

5. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive control device reciprocates a pair of the wiper blades by one power source.

6. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive control device includes one power source for reciprocating one of the wiper blades and another power source for reciprocating the other wiper blade. the drive control device reciprocates a pair of the wiper blades by one power source. the drive control device includes one power source for reciprocating one of the wiper blades and another power source for reciprocating the other wiper blade.

Images