Device and method for electronic control of a windshield wiper in motor vehicles

Abstract

Device for electronic control of a windshield wiper (2.1, 2.2) in motor vehicles with a central electronic function control module (1) and with at least one electronic drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) for position control of at least one windshield wiper motor (3.1, 3.2) for setting a predetermined target position (P soll ), wherein the function control module (1) receives at least signals from driver-operated actuating elements and / or from certain sensors (7) as input signals (E) and is designed in such a way that function commands (“OFF”) can be output to the at least one drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) depending on these, wherein the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) is designed such that in the event of a switch-off command (“OFF”) from the function control module (1) to the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) a target position (P) associated with a switch-off state is determined by the latter. soll) is adjustable, wherein at least one actual position sensor (8.1, 8.2) is connected to the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2), by which the target position (P) is determined independently of function commands of the function control module (1) even in the off state (“OFF”). soll ) is adjustable as long as the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) can be electrically supplied via an electrical distribution device (U+, 5, 6), characterized by the fact that In the case of a switchable connection (5) for supplying the drive unit (4.1, 4.2), this connection can be switched on and off by the function module (1) depending on a defined threshold value (S) of a rain sensor (7) connected to the function module (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for the electronic control of a windscreen wiper in motor vehicles according to the respective preamble of the independent patent claims.

[0002] Typically, various operating elements, such as a control lever, are provided for operating the windshield wipers in motor vehicles. Using these controls, the driver can activate and deactivate different windshield cleaning functions. Common windshield cleaning functions include: "Interval switching", "Wiper speed normal", "Wiper speed fast", "Short break", “Automatic windshield cleaning system” and "Out of".

[0003] Typically, in devices for the electronic control of a windshield wiper with the option of rain sensor-dependent control, the switching element for the "interval" windshield cleaning function is assigned the rain sensor-dependent control. Such known functions are usually controlled by means of an electronic function control module.

[0004] Numerous devices for controlling windshield wipers are already known, which trigger the automatic activation of the wipers when a predetermined threshold of rain intensity or rain exposure on the windshield is exceeded. Various sensors for measuring rain intensity or rain exposure on the windshield of a motor vehicle are also widely known. For example, a rain sensor-dependent control of a windshield wiper is described in DE 195 36 621 C2.

[0005] DE 10 2005 050 774 A1 discloses a windshield wiper system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one wiper, a drive, a self-locking mechanism active in the drive's rest state to counteract any change in the wiper's position, and an electronic control unit that controls the drive and detects input position sensor signals from the wiper. The system incorporates an electronically implemented self-locking mechanism, whereby the control unit monitors the wiper for position changes during the drive's rest state by evaluating the position sensor signals and, upon detection of a change in position, activates the drive to return the wiper to a desired position.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2009 026 654 A1 discloses a method and a device for controlling a windscreen wiper system of a type that can operate in an automatic mode in which the windscreen wiper system is automatically deactivated and in a manual mode in which the windscreen wiper system is deactivated by a user.

[0007] When switched off, many vehicles have their windshield wipers set to a parking position to protect them from storms or car wash brushes. This is done, for example, by retracting the wipers under the top edge of the hood.

[0008] The object of the invention is to improve a windscreen wiper system with a view to providing even better protection of the windscreen wipers against damage.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, for the electronic control of a windshield wiper in motor vehicles, a central electronic function control module for position control of at least one windshield wiper motor is used to output function commands to at least one drive control unit, depending on at least one input signal, in order to set a predetermined target position of the windshield wiper(s). In the event of a switch-off command from the function control module, the drive control unit sets a target position corresponding to a switch-off state. In the switch-off state, the drive control unit and an associated actual position sensor regulate the target position independently of function commands from the function control module, as long as the drive control unit is electrically supplied via an electrical distribution device.

[0011] According to the invention, a switchable connection to the electrical supply of the at least one drive unit is controlled by means of the function control module, which is also switched on in the off state when a defined comparatively high threshold value of a rain sensor signal is exceeded, in order to switch on the at least one drive control unit for position control independently of a function command of the function module.

[0012] The invention is applicable to all electronically controlled windshield wiper assemblies. A first windshield wiper assembly can be a device with a single windshield wiper motor and a linkage that mechanically synchronizes the windshield wipers. In this case, only a single electronic drive control unit is available to control the windshield wiper motor for both windshield wipers simultaneously. A second windshield wiper assembly can be a device with one windshield wiper motor per windshield wiper, which can be controlled independently of each other by their own drive control unit, one for each windshield wiper motor and one for each windshield wiper. Such windshield wiper assemblies have, in particular for synchronizing the windshield wiper movements, a central functional control module connected to the drive control units.Such a second windshield wiper arrangement is already known, for example, from DE 10 2009 029 457 A1.

[0013] The invention is particularly advantageous for this second windshield wiper arrangement because, in the off state, especially in a car wash or during a storm (when the driver is not inside the vehicle to make corrections), the windshield wipers are more easily adjustable by external forces. The invention is even more advantageous if the windshield wipers are not concealed under a hood when off, but rest freely on the windshield.

[0014] The drawing illustrates a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the most important components for the invention and Fig. 2. An excerpt from a construction drawing for a possible mechanical design of the above-mentioned second windshield wiper arrangement.

[0015] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a windshield with two wiper blades 2.1 and 2.2. The wiper blades 2.1 and 2.2 are driven directly by wiper motors 3.1 and 3.2, respectively. The wiper motors 3.1 and 3.2 are each controlled by an electronic drive control unit 4.1 and 4.2, specifically by means of actual position sensors 8.1 and 8.2, to a predetermined target position P. sollThe drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 are connected to the vehicle via a communication interface (e.g. LIN bus) to a central, higher-level function control module 1, which transmits function commands such as "interval switching", "wiper speed normal", "wiper speed fast", "short interval", "windscreen cleaning automatic" including the switch-off command "OFF" to the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2.

[0016] The function control module 1 receives at least signals from driver-operated controls and / or from certain sensors, in particular the rain sensor 7, as input signals E and is designed such that, depending on these signals, the function commands, including the "OFF" switch-off command, are output to the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2. The drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 are designed such that, in the event of a "OFF" switch-off command from the function control module 1, the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 define a predefinable target position P associated with a switch-off state. soll The set position is adjusted. For this purpose, actual position sensors 8.1 and 8.2 are connected to the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2, which allow the target position P to be determined independently of function commands from the function control module 1, even in the "OFF" state. sollThe system is regulated as long as the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 are electrically supplied via an electrical distribution device.

[0017] The distribution device is, for example, a controllable connection 5 in the form of a switch, which can be controlled by a terminal control module 6 of the function control module 1 even in the off state and which supplies the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 with battery voltage U+ under certain conditions. Preferably, such a condition, in the presence of a rain sensor 7, is the exceeding of a defined, comparatively high threshold value S of the rain sensor signal, in order to switch on the drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 for position control independently of a function command from the function module 1. The threshold value S is designed, in particular, to detect the operation of a car wash.

[0018] The target position P assigned to a switch-off state "OFF" sollThis is a single rest position to which the position control returns if a windshield wiper 2.1 moves into an incorrect position P. f was displaced by external force. The target position P associated with a switch-off state soll This could also be, for example, an alternating parking position, which allows the wiper blades to be laid down alternately in the two possible wiping lip folding directions.

[0019] The drive control units 4.1 and 4.2 could also be permanently supplied by a fixed connection to the battery (U+; e.g. terminal 30).

[0020] The drive units 4.1 and 4.2 could also be supplied with power via a time-limited, switchable standard connection to the battery (e.g., the familiar terminal 30B) after the "OFF" command for a predetermined minimum time (approx. 5-15 minutes). However, this time might be too short. "Waking up" the standard connection via terminal control module 6 of function control module 1 would wake up all control units connected to that terminal. This could potentially generate an undesirably high quiescent current.

Claims

[1] Device for electronic control of a windscreen wiper (2.1, 2.2) in motor vehicles with a central electronic function control module (1) and with at least one electronic drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) for position control of at least one windscreen wiper motor (3.1, 3.2) for setting a predetermined target position (P soll ), wherein the function control module (1) receives at least signals from driver-operated actuating elements and / or from certain sensors (7) as input signals (E) and is designed in such a way that function commands (“OFF”) can be output to the at least one drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) depending on these, wherein the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) is designed such that in the event of a switch-off command (“OFF”) from the function control module (1) to the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) a target position (P) associated with a switch-off state is determined by the latter. soll) is adjustable, wherein at least one actual position sensor (8.1, 8.2) is connected to the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2), by which the target position (P) is determined independently of function commands of the function control module (1) even in the off state (“OFF”). soll ) is adjustable as long as the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) can be electrically supplied via an electrical distribution device (U+, 5, 6), characterized by , that In the case of a switchable connection (5) for supplying the drive unit (4.1, 4.2), this connection can be switched on and off by the function module (1) depending on a defined threshold value (S) of a rain sensor (7) connected to the function module (1). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that a target position (P) associated with a switch-off state soll ) a single resting position or an alternating parking position. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) is permanently supplied by a fixed connection to the battery (U+; e.g. terminal 30). [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive unit (4.1, 4.2) can be supplied with power for a specified minimum time after the switch-off command (“OFF”) by means of a time-limited switchable standard connection to the battery (e.g. terminal 30B). [5] Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the drive unit (4.1, 4.2) can be supplied with power as often as desired (as often and / or as long as desired) via a switchable separate connection (5) to the battery (separate battery terminal). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in the case of a switchable connection (5) for supplying the drive unit (4.1, 4.2) this connection (5) can be switched on and off by the function module (1) depending on at least one input signal of the function module (1). [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the threshold (S) is defined relatively high with regard to the detection of a sudden surge of water. [8] Method for electronic control of a windscreen wiper (2.1, 2.2) in motor vehicles by means of a central electronic function control module (1) and by means of at least one electronic drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) for position control of at least one windscreen wiper motor (3.1, 3.2) for setting a predetermined target position (P soll), wherein, depending on at least one input signal, function commands (“OFF”) are output to the at least one drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) by means of the function control module (1), wherein the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) in the event of a switch-off command (“OFF”) from the function control module (1) a target position (P) associated with a switch-off state soll ) sets, wherein, by means of the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) and by means of an actual position sensor system (8.1, 8.2) connected to it, the target position (P) is determined independently of function commands of the function control module (1) even in the off state (“OFF”). soll ) is regulated as long as the drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) is electrically supplied via an electrical distribution device (U+, 5, 6), characterized by , that by means of the function module (1) a switchable connection (5) is controlled to supply the at least one drive unit (4.1, 4.2), which is also switched on in the off state (“OFF”) when a defined comparatively high threshold value (S) of a rain sensor signal (7) is exceeded, in order to switch on the at least one drive control unit (4.1, 4.2) for position control independently of a function command of the function module (1).

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