Windshield wiper device and method of controlling the same

Abstract

Title: Windscreen wiper device and method for controlling the same Windscreen wiper device (2) of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a wiper blade (8, 9) which, in the installed state, is guided over a window (3) and a drive (11, 12) for actuating the wiper blade (8, 9), windscreen wiper device characterized in that the drive (11, 12) is designed so that the wiper blade (8, 9) in at least one operating mode is actuated in accordance with at least one reference value with a maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode or with at least one wiping frequency reduced compared to this maximum frequency associated with this operating mode, and - the drive (11, 12) is designed to adapt the reference value in accordance with at least one manual actuation before operation and / or during operation in this operating mode. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper device and method for controlling the same FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper device comprising a windshield wiper applied to a motor vehicle and in particular to the field of passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] According to document DE 100 24 255 A1, a windscreen wiper device for a motor vehicle is known. This known windscreen wiper device has a windscreen wiper mounted to perform a pendulum movement between two predefined end positions on the windscreen. This windscreen wiper is driven by an electric motor. The reversing positions of the electric motor are controlled as a function of the vehicle speed so that at all speeds the windscreen wiper always reverses to the same end positions.

[0003] DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention relates to a motor vehicle windscreen wiper device comprising a windscreen wiper blade which, in the installed state, is guided over a window and a drive for actuating the windscreen wiper blade, a windscreen wiper device characterized in that the drive is designed so that the windscreen wiper blade in at least one operating mode is actuated as a function of at least one reference value with a maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode or with at least one wiping frequency reduced compared to this maximum frequency associated with this operating mode and, the drive is designed to adapt the reference value as a function of at least one manual actuation before operation and / or during operation in this operating mode.

[0005] The windshield wiper device according to the invention and the method for controlling this windshield wiper device have the advantage of a better design and a better operating mode. This allows better operation of the windshield wiper blade wiping a window, in particular when the wetting of the window with a windshield washer fluid applied to the window is relatively reduced.

[0006] Manual actuation can in particular be carried out by the driver of a vehicle. The driver can, in particular, operate the steering wheel switch or a multifunction lever or other device for actuating the windshield wiper device.

[0007] Advantageously, the drive is designed so that after manual actuation carried out before switching to this operating mode by actuation of the wiper blade, the average load value is determined, and

[0008] depending on this determined average load value, the reference value is increased, reduced or maintained. If, for example, the driver performs a manual action to wet the window, which is relatively small, then due to the increase in friction between the wiper blade, in particular the wiping lip, and the window, a greater load is applied to the drive, in particular to the drive motor, than the current reference value. The reference value can thus be adapted so that for a comparable future situation, there will be an optimized switching from the maximum wiping frequency to the reduced wiping frequency.

[0009] The maximum wiping frequency is preferably given in relation to a maximum operating mode. Several types of operation can also be provided. The change between the operating modes can be made with a parameter that defines at least automatically between the operating modes so that the maximum wiping frequency can be changed and parameterized. For example, a control button on the steering wheel switch allows the maximum wiping frequency to be continuously changed.

[0010] Advantageously, depending on the difference between the determined average load value and a load value corresponding to the reference value, the reference value is increased or reduced at least within a range of reference values ​​depending on the algebraic sign of the difference; depending on whether the difference is of a magnitude smaller than the predefined plausibility threshold. For example, in the case of a dried window, the user sets the increase in the wiping frequency after switching to a reduced wiping frequency and adapts the reference value to wipe even with a load greater than the previous load at the maximum wiping frequency.

[0011] It is advantageous to retain the reference frequency if the difference is not smaller in amplitude than the predefined plausibility threshold. This allows unwanted actuations to be ignored. Single actuations that are produced by other influences can also be ignored.

[0012] Advantageously, a reference value range is predefined which is limited to a minimum value independent of manual actuation for the reference value and by a maximum value of the reference value independent of manual actuation. The minimum value and the maximum value can be set, for example, during a workshop visit or in a vehicle control.

[0013] Advantageously, the reference value is the sum of at least two terms which include an adaptable term which is adapted according to the difference and an offset term which is independent of the manual actuation. It is thus possible to have a reliable load domain, in particular, with regard to driving safety.

[0014] Advantageously, after a manual actuation carried out during operation in this operating mode there is an increase in the reduction or the retention of the reference value if the manual actuation is at least within an adaptation time window, predetermined after the variation of the reference frequency coming from the maximum frequency to a reduced wiping frequency. This makes it possible to achieve the chronological association of the reduction of the wiping frequency.

[0015] Advantageously, the adaptation time is not greater than 60 s, in particular, it is not greater than 30 s and even more particularly, it is not greater than 15 s and in particular it is of the order of 10 s. This makes it possible to advantageously exclude other influencing quantities. Depending on the embodiment, one or more of the following characteristics can be combined.

[0016] A program strategy can be implemented in an electronic wiping system to learn the load thresholds for automatic adaptation of the wiping frequency as a function of the load detected in the drive.

[0017] Wiping a dry or dried window can result in the wiping system being subjected to high mechanical and thermal loads on the component system which result in high wear of these components or the actuation.

[0018] An additional disadvantage of this dry wiping for the driver and passenger is that it is annoying. In particular, this results in unpleasant noises from the windshield, which also makes it difficult for the driver to concentrate.

[0019] A program strategy can be envisaged which detects the dry state by comparing the supply voltage and / or the supply current with reference values ​​and adapting, accordingly, the wiping frequency. If such reference values ​​were applied as fixed values ​​from a previous test in the wiper SW and recorded, then the variation of loads which exist in the global domain in practical situations due to the multiplicity of windshields, wiper blades, mechanical tolerances and the like might not be covered. This could result in erroneous detections of the dry state of the windshield or, if necessary, in a delayed activation of the reduction of the wiping frequency.

[0020] The proposed and applied solution makes it possible to better detect the dry state of the window. In addition, and conversely, it prevents the reduction in the wiping frequency from being activated with a delay.

[0021] This prevents the "dry" state or the "dried" state of the window from not being detected or from being detected incorrectly due to the driving state and the environment by unsuitable reference values. It also prevents the wiping frequency of the system from being adapted for high loads or from being adapted to the wiping frequency even though there is no high load applied.

[0022] The reference values ​​can be adapted by the driver's reaction to the current driving situation.

[0023] There will be more accurate detection of dry wiping. There can be a reduction in application resources during development because the strategy with preset values ​​(default values) can start and then be adapted while driving.

[0024] The function may be performed by a program function. The function may calculate with existing signals such as wiper motor voltage, current in the motor, vehicle speed, and temperature to calculate a load value that is a measure of the load torque currently applied to the wiper output. This load value will be updated regularly, for example, at each wipe stroke or each half wipe stroke.

[0025] As soon as the load value is updated, this calculated load value is compared with a reference load value. The reference load value may be an isolated value or may, if necessary, be selected or calculated depending on the traffic situation. In addition, the reference load value is adapted depending on the proposed and, if necessary, developed solution.

[0026] If the calculated load value exceeds the reference load value, a high load situation is detected. A possible response of the system is the reduction of the wiping frequency. This reduction can be done in stages down to a minimum wiping frequency. Thus, even several reduced wiping frequencies are allowed compared to the maximum wiping frequency.

[0027] According to a development, correction can be made during the first wiping stroke or strokes by proceeding as follows:

[0028] The average load value is determined over one or more wiping strokes and then a wiping command is triggered. It is assumed that the windshield is wet or dirty, which causes the windshield wiper to start.

[0029] This average load value can be compared with the corresponding, recorded reference value. This reference value can then be increased or decreased accordingly. The reference value can be within a range around a fixed offset value. The reference value can then be recorded if, for example:

[0030] a) the load difference between the reference value and the determined load value has an amplitude less than a certain limit value. This makes it possible to neglect differences that are too large and thus implausible,

[0031] b) the reference value does not exceed a fixed minimum value or maximum value upwards or downwards.

[0032] Only one of the conditions (a) or (b) above can be fulfilled and it is verified. These conditions (a) and (b) can also both be fulfilled and in this case they are both verified.

[0033] In the case of a further or alternative development, it can be corrected with an opposite command from the user, in particular from the driver, by proceeding as follows:

[0034] The correction can be considered as a correction made in the case of a “false positive”.

[0035] If the user, in particular the driver, performs a counter-maneuver, for example, within a defined time of, for example, 10 seconds after the automatic start of the function, i.e. after a reduction in the wiping frequency, for example, by the switch of the stalk and thus requests a higher wiping frequency, the reference value corresponding to this type of operation or this driving situation is increased, for example, by a defined offset value.

[0036] Thus, in particular, a wiping device is produced as an electronically controlled wiping system and, if necessary, is developed advantageously.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0038] The present invention will be described below with the aid of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawing in which:

[0039] [Fig.l] motor vehicle equipped with a window and a wiping device according to a schematic representation to describe an embodiment.

[0040] DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0041] [Fig.l] shows a motor vehicle 1 equipped with a wiping device 2 according to a schematic representation to describe one embodiment. The vehicle 1 may be a passenger vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle. The windscreen wiper device 2 is particularly suitable for such motor vehicles 1.

[0042] The vehicle 1 has a window 3. Windshield wipers 4, 5 are provided for wiping the window 3. The window 3 is preferably the windshield 3 of the vehicle 1. The wiping device 2 may also, if necessary, according to a variant, be equipped, for example, with only one windshield wiper 4 or be applied to another window 3' such as, for example, the rear window 3'.

[0043] Furthermore, the wiping device 3 is equipped with one or more windshield wipers 4, 5. If the wiping device (or windshield wiper device) 2 comprises several windshield wipers 4, 5, then it is proposed, where appropriate, to use an appropriate development which does not necessarily concern all the windshield wipers 4, 5.

[0044] The windshield wipers 4, 5 each have a wiper arm 6, 7 on which a windshield wiper 8, 9 is mounted. In this exemplary embodiment, the windshield wiper 8 wipes towards the column A10 of the vehicle 1.

[0045] The wiping device 2 has drives 11, 12 for the wiper arms 6, 7. A control 15 is also provided, connected by control lines 16, 17 to the drives 11, 12. According to an alternative embodiment, there is only one drive 11, 12 for driving the two wiper arms 6, 7.

[0046] When the wiper arm 6 is actuated with the drive 11, the wiper blade 8 is guided in the actuation direction 20 towards the column A 10 over the window 3; thus, an area 21 is wiped. Correspondingly, the wiper blade 9 wipes an area 22 of the window 3 over the window 3 in the opposite direction to the actuation direction 23. A rain sensor 24 detects the wetting of the window 3 with an aqueous liquid. The control 15 can receive signals depending on the rain sensor 21 and activate or deactivate the wiping device 2.

[0047] The wiping device 2 of the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is designed so that the control 15 actuates the drives 11, 12 so that the wiper blades 8, 9 are actuated with a variable wiping frequency when passing over the window 3.

[0048] The concept of wiping frequency is to be understood here in its general sense. If, for example, there is no actuation with movement of the wiper blades 8, 9 only once in one direction and in the opposite direction of the respective actuation direction 2 and then deactivation of the wiper device 2 so that the areas 21, 22 are wiped once in an upward direction and once in a downward direction, then the wiping frequency can be determined for the time of the upward wiping and the downward wiping.

[0049] If the upward movement and the downward movement are continued by another maneuver, the wiping frequency can be determined by the time between the start of the upward movement and the start of the next upward movement. The reduction of the wiping frequency can also be achieved by reducing the speed of the wiper blade 8, 9 relative to the window 3 or by reducing the angular speed of the wiper arm 6, 7 or a comparable reduction in the mechanical movement speed of the wiper blade 8, 9 and / or by lengthening the possibly (short) pause between the end of the downward movement and the start of the next upward movement.

[0050] In a comparable manner, the wiping frequency can be determined for other, different vehicles 1, or for other wiping devices 2.

[0051] The drive 11, 12, in particular the control 15 of the drive 11, 12 are designed so that the wiper blades 8, 9, in at least one operating mode, are actuated according to at least one reference value with the maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode or with a reduced wiping frequency associated with the maximum wiping frequency of this operating mode. This also makes it possible to provide several such operating modes between which one can change.

[0052] Furthermore, the drives 11, 12 are designed to adapt the reference value depending on at least one manual actuation before further switching on and / or during operation in this type of operation. The manual actuation can be carried out by the driver with the switch of the stalk switch.

[0053] The control 15 of the drives 11, 12 is designed so that after a manual actuation made before the implementation of this operating mode by at least one actuation of the wiper blade, an average load value is determined and depending on the determined average load value, the reference value is increased, reduced or maintained. Thus, depending on the difference between the determined average load value and a load value corresponding to the reference value, at least in the range of the reference values, the reference value is increased or reduced according to the algebraic sign of the difference, if the difference has an amplitude below a predefined plausibility threshold.

[0054] Preferably, the reference value is also retained in the case of a difference other than zero if the magnitude of the difference is not less than the predefined plausibility threshold. In this way, unwanted and / or possibly significant corrections are avoided; to avoid erroneous adaptations, a reference value range is predefined. The reference value range can be limited by a minimum value independent of manual actuation for the reference value and by a maximum value independent of maximum actuation for the reference value.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, the reference value is the sum of two terms. One of the terms is an adaptive term that is adapted based on the difference. The other term is an offset value independent of manual actuation, i.e., an offset term.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, erroneous adaptations are avoided in that after a manual actuation made during operation in this operating mode, only an increase or a reduction of the reference value can subsequently occur if the manual actuation is made within an interval adaptation time determined after a change in the wiping frequency from the maximum wiping frequency to reduce the wiping frequency. Otherwise, there is no change in the reference value. The adaptation time can be predefined in a fixed manner or can be set, for example, in the control. The adaptation time can be specifically 60 s, 30 s, 15 s or approximately 10 s or can be set to one of these values. Other values, in particular values ​​equal to or less than 60 s, can also be considered.

[0057] Thus, a method for actuating the wiper blades 8, 9 of the wiper device 2 of the vehicle is realized with which the drives 11, 12 drive the wiper blades 8, 9 when they are actuated on the window 3. This makes it possible to actuate the wiper blades 8, 9 according to at least one of the described operating modes depending on a reference value with this operating mode associated with the maximum wiping frequency or with a reduced wiping frequency compared to the maximum wiping frequency associated with this driving mode. The method makes it possible to the reference value, depending on at least one of the manual actuations made before operation and / or during operation in this operating mode.

[0058] The control 15 of the vehicle 1 executes the method. The control 15 can be implemented in the control of the vehicle 1. The control 15 is a control 15 for the drives 11, 12. The implementation is done by a computer program designed to execute the method. The computer program then executes appropriate steps.

[0059] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0060] 1 Motor vehicle

[0061] 2 Wiper device / windshield wiper device

[0062] 3 Glass

[0063] 3' Rear window

[0064] 4 Windshield wiper

[0065] 5 Windshield wiper

[0066] 6 Windshield wiper arm

[0067] 7 Windshield wiper arm

[0068] 8 Windshield wiper blade

[0069] 9 Windshield wiper blade

[0070] 10 Column A

[0071] 11 Training

[0072] 12 Training

[0073] 15 Order

[0074] 16 Command line

[0075]

[0076]

[0077]

[0078]

[0079] 17 Control line 21 Window area 22 Window area 23 Direction of actuation 24 Rain sensor

Claims

Claims

1. Windscreen wiper device (2) for a motor vehicle (1) comprising a wiper blade (8, 9) which, in the installed state, is guided over a window (3) and a drive (11, 12) for actuating the wiper blade (8, 9), the wiper device being characterized in that the drive (11, 12) is designed so that the wiper blade (8, 9) in at least one operating mode is actuated in accordance with at least one reference value with a maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode or with at least one wiping frequency reduced in relation to this maximum frequency associated with this operating mode, and - the drive (11, 12) is designed to adapt the reference value in accordance with at least one manual actuation before operation and / or during operation in this operating mode.

2. Windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, characterized in that - the drive (11, 12) is designed so that after a manual actuation made in this operating mode before operation by at least one actuation of the wiper blade, an average load is determined, and depending on the determined average load, the reference value is increased, reduced or maintained.

3. Windscreen wiper device according to claim 2, characterized in that depending on the difference between the determined average load value and a load value corresponding to the reference value, at least within a range of reference values, the reference value is increased or reduced according to the algebraic sign of the difference if the difference is of a magnitude less than a predefined plausibility threshold.

4. Windscreen wiper device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reference value is retained if the difference in amplitude is not less than the predefined plausibility threshold.

5. A windshield wiper device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a range of reference values ​​is predefined which is limited by a minimum value independent of manual actuation for the reference value and by a maximum value of the reference value, independent of manual actuation.

6. Windscreen wiper device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reference value is defined as the sum of at least two sum terms which are adapted to a sum term adaptable as a function of the difference and an offset value term independent of manual actuation.

7. Windscreen wiper device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that after manual actuation during operation in this operating mode, there is an increase, a reduction or retention of the reference value if the manual actuation is carried out at least within a predefined time range after the estimation of the variation of the wiping frequency at the maximum wiping frequency to be reduced.

8. Windscreen wiper device according to claim 7, characterized in that the adaptation interval is not greater than 60 s, in particular it is not greater than 30 s and even more particularly, it is not greater than 15 s, and even more preferably, substantially 10 s.

9. Method for actuating a wiper blade (8, 9) of a wiper device (2), in particular of a wiper device (2) of a motor vehicle comprising a drive (11, 12), the wiper blade (8, 9) in the installed state being led in its actuation onto the window (3), method characterized in that - the wiper blade (8, 9) in at least one operating mode is actuated according to at least one reference value with a maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode or with a reduced wiping frequency compared to the maximum wiping frequency associated with this operating mode, and

10.

11. - the frequency value is adapted according to at least one manual actuation made before operation or during operation in this operating mode. Control (15), in particular for a motor vehicle (1) designed to apply the method of claim 9. Computer program for applying the method of claim 9.

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