Method and device for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle.
The method and device allow users to manually set and adjust windshield wiper frequencies, addressing inefficiencies in existing systems by automating frequency changes based on user-defined periods, improving wiper performance and adaptability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AMPERE SAS
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle.
[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle. The invention also relates to a device for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising such a device. The invention also relates to a computer program implementing such a method. Finally, the invention relates to a recording medium on which such a program is recorded.
[0002] Motor vehicles are generally equipped with one or more windshield wiper blades, in particular rear windshield wiper blades, which can be operated in an intermittent mode, in which the blade is controlled to operate at regular time intervals.
[0003] However, existing rear wiper control devices have drawbacks, particularly because the ideal frequency at which the wiper blade should be activated varies depending on the vehicle's driving environment. For example, when the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the wiper frequency should ideally be adjusted to the amount of rain, while when the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds, the wiper frequency should ideally be adjusted to the amount of water on the road. However, the rear window wiper frequency is generally fixed and cannot be adjusted by the user. Only an automatic adjustment of the wiper frequency based on driving speed is sometimes implemented by the vehicle.
[0004] Technical solutions consisting of using a rain sensor on the rear window and / or a control allowing the user to choose a wiping frequency from several frequencies have disadvantages, in particular they are costly and can lead to complexity in the control of the rear wiper.
[0005] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle, overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks and improving upon devices and methods known in the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to create a device and a method that are simple, reliable, inexpensive, and that allow a user to set a rear window wiping frequency adapted to their needs.
[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising a means for activating and a means for deactivating the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade, the method comprising an iteration over the following steps: - initially, a first step of activating, via the activation means, a movement of at least one windshield wiper blade according to a first period, then - between the first instant and a second instant, a second step of automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the first period, then - at the second instant, a third step of deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade, by means of the deactivation means, then - at a third instant, a fourth step of activating, by means of the activation means, a movement of at least one wiper blade, the fourth step comprising a determination of a second period as being equal to a duration separating the third instant and an instant of the start of a last movement of at least one wiper blade which took place no later than the second instant, then - from the third moment, a fifth step implementing an automatic movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (i) according to the second period, or (ii) according to a standard intermittent duration applied by default between the respective start times of two consecutive movements of at least one wiper blade, or (iii) according to a so-called maximum duration strictly greater than the standard duration of intermittency.
[0007] In one embodiment, the duration of the first period is equal to the standard duration of intermittency.
[0008] In one embodiment, the fifth step includes a substep of comparing the second period to the standard intermittent duration and then, - if the second period is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the second period, - otherwise, the implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade for a period equal to the standard intermittent duration.
[0009] In one embodiment, the fifth step includes a substep comparing the second period to the maximum duration and then, - if the second period is less than or equal to the maximum duration, implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the second period, - otherwise, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade for a period equal to the maximum duration.
[0010] In one embodiment, if a measured time between the second instant and the third instant is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time, the fifth step includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the standard intermittent duration.
[0011] In one embodiment, the at least one wiper blade comprises at least one front wiper blade and / or at least one rear wiper blade.
[0012] In one embodiment, the means for activating and deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade are implemented by a control lever for at least one wiper blade, in particular by a rotary switch that can take at least two positions, including an activation position for at least one wiper blade and a deactivation position for at least one wiper blade.
[0013] In one embodiment, the second period is greater than or equal to a minimum value, for example the minimum value being 500 milliseconds.
[0014] The invention further relates to a control device for at least one windshield wiper of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a means for activating and a means for deactivating a movement of at least one windshield wiper, the device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method according to the invention.
[0015] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a control device according to the invention.
[0016] The accompanying drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a windshield wiper control device according to the invention and an execution of a windshield wiper control method according to the invention.
[0017] Fig. 1 represents a motor vehicle equipped with a windshield wiper control device according to the invention.
[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates the operation of a wiper control device without changing the sweeping frequency.
[0019] Fig. 3 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
[0020] Fig. 4 is a second illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0021] Fig. 5 is a third illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Fig. 6 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0023] Fig. 7 is a second illustration of the operation of a wiper control device according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Fig. 8 is a third illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0025] Fig. 9 is a fourth illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
[0026] Fig. 10 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.
[0027] Fig. 11 is a second illustration of the operation of a wiper blade control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Fig. 12 is a third illustration of the operation of a wiper control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.
[0029] An example of a motor vehicle 100 equipped with an embodiment of a device 10 for controlling a windshield wiper 1 is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12.
[0030] The motor vehicle 100 can be an electric or hybrid vehicle, or a thermal vehicle.
[0031] The motor vehicle 100 includes at least one front wiper blade 1 or at least one rear wiper blade 1.
[0032] The device 10 includes a motor 4 intended to drive at least one wiper blade 1, in a movement enabling the wiping of a portion of a window of the motor vehicle 100.
[0033] The device 10 further includes a means for activating 2 the wiper blade 1 and a means for deactivating 3 the wiper blade 1. In one embodiment, the activation means 2 and the deactivation means 3 are advantageously implemented by a wiper switch comprising, for example, a rotary switch that can take at least two positions, including an activation position for at least one wiper blade and a deactivation position for at least one wiper blade. Other embodiments of a means for activating 2 the wiper blade 1 and a means for deactivating 3 the wiper blade 1 are conceivable.
[0034] Alternatively, the activation means 2 and the deactivation means 3 can be implemented by a pulse control that causes a switch between an ON state and an OFF state and vice versa with each action of the user. In other words, the pulse control allows, with a single movement, switching alternately from the ON state to the OFF state, or from the OFF state to the ON state.
[0035] The activation means 2 and the deactivation means 3 allow a user to increase or decrease a measured intermittent duration between two movements of the windshield wiper blade.
[0036] The activation means 2 and the deactivation means 3 allow alternating between phases of wiper activation and phases of wiper deactivation.
[0037] In the remainder of the document the term "activation means" is used to designate a means of transition between a deactivation phase and an activation phase of the windshield wiper, and the term "deactivation means" is used to designate a means of transition between an activation phase and a deactivation phase of the windshield wiper.
[0038] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a wiper control device 1 without changing the sweeping frequency. Figure 2 comprises two graphs: a first graph, G21, which represents a wiper deactivation phase between time 0 and time T1, represented by a y-axis of 0, and then a wiper activation phase from time T1 onwards, represented by a y-axis of 1. - a second graph G22 which represents three periods of a movement carried out by the broom, each period being of duration DI.
[0039] As illustrated by graph G22 in [Fig.2], an activation phase can be broken down into a succession of periodic movements of the broom, each period of the movement performed by the broom comprising: - a PH_1 phase, known as the broom movement phase, represented by an ordinate equal to 1, then - a PH_2 phase called the broom stop during which the broom is stationary, materialized by an ordinate equal to 0.
[0040] In the remainder of this document, the term "automatic wiper blade movement" refers to the coordinated implementation of a combination of mechanisms, electric motors, and electronic controls, coordinated to automatically implement an alternation between the movement and stopping phases of the wiper blade. The concept of "automatic movement" refers to the movement of the wiper blade without driver intervention between a moment of activation and a moment of deactivation of the wiper.
[0041] In the remainder of this document, reference is made to a standard duration DI, also called the "standard intermittent duration." The standard duration corresponds to a default period for implementing the periodic movements of the brush. The standard duration DI can be, for example, equal to 10 seconds.
[0042] The control device 10 according to the invention allows a user to modify the period of the periodic movement performed by the brush during a phase of use of the brush. To do this, the user successively uses the deactivation means 3, then the activation means 2.
[0043] Different variants of the invention are presented, - According to a first variant illustrated by figures 3 to 5, the device 10 allows the user to define a period less than or equal to the standard duration Dl, - According to a second variant illustrated by figures 6 to 9, the device 10 allows the user to increase or decrease the period of the periodic movement performed by the broom, independently of the standard duration Dl, - According to a third variant illustrated by Figures 10 to 12, the device 10 allows the user to increase or decrease the period of the periodic movement performed by the brush, within a maximum limit set by a duration D2 greater than the standard duration DL
[0044] In the description of the second variant, reference is also made to a so-called reset time D3, which is in particular strictly greater than the standard time DL
[0045] The device 10 advantageously comprises a computing unit 5 including a microprocessor 51, an electronic memory 52 and communication interfaces 53 enabling the microprocessor 51 to communicate with the activation means 2 and deactivation means 3.
[0046] The electronic memory 52 allows recording, during the execution of the process, the times T1, T2, T3 of activation or deactivation of a brush movement. Furthermore, the electronic memory 52 advantageously contains the value of the standard intermittent duration D1, the value of the maximum duration D2, and the value of the duration D3.
[0047] The motor vehicle 100, in particular the device 10, preferably includes all the hardware and / or software elements configured to implement the method defined in the object of the invention or the method described below.
[0048] Three embodiments of the method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade 1 of the motor vehicle 10 are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. In each of these embodiments, the method comprises an iteration over steps E1 to E5 which are executed successively.
[0049] Figures 3 to 12 each include respectively a first graph G31, G41, G51, G61, G71, G81, G91, G101, GUI, G121 illustrating the time evolution of the wiper blade 1 command, the first graph alternately taking two values: - either the value 0, which represents a disabled state, - or the value 1, which represents an activated state.
[0050] Figures 3 to 12 further each include respectively a second graph G32, G42, G52, G62, G72, G82, G92, G102, G112, G122 which describes the evolution of the movement period of at least one wiper blade 1 as a function of the first graph G31, G41, G51, G61, G71, G81, G91, G101, GUI, G121, i.e. as a function of the time evolution of the wiper blade 1 command.
[0051] The first embodiment is described below, with reference to Figures 3 to 5. It implements the first variant of the control method according to the invention.
[0052] In this embodiment, the device 10 allows the user to define a period less than or equal to the standard duration DI. If the user orders a period strictly greater than the standard duration Dl, the applied period will be equal to the standard duration DL
[0053] In the activation step El, at a first instant Tl, a user commands, via the activation means 2, a movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a first period P31. The first period P31 may be equal to the standard intermittent duration DL. In this case, according to the first embodiment of the method according to the invention, during step El the intermittent period is set to the maximum value.
[0054] Alternatively, the duration of the first period P31 may be different from the standard intermittent duration DL. The time T1 and the duration of the first period P31 are recorded in memory 52. Then the process proceeds to step E2.
[0055] In step E2, at least one wiper blade 1 is automatically moved according to the first period P31. Step E2 continues until a second instant T2 corresponding to the user deactivating the wiper movement. Step E3 then proceeds.
[0056] In step E3, at time T2, the user deactivates the movement of the broom by means of the deactivation means 3. Time T2 is recorded in memory 52.
[0057] Furthermore, in step E3, a fourth instant T4 is thus determined as the start of a final movement of at least one wiper blade 1 which took place no later than the second instant T2. In other words, the fourth instant T4 corresponds to an instant when the wiper blade begins a final movement before the deactivation commanded at instant T2 by the user.
[0058] In one embodiment, in step E3, the instant T2 is decomposed so as to determine an integer factor K31 and a duration R31 such that - the second instant T2 is equal to the sum of the first instant T1, a product of the first period P31 by the factor K31, and the duration R31, - the factor K31 being an integer greater than or equal to 0, - the duration R31 being greater than or equal to 0 and strictly less than the first period P31.
[0059] A fourth instant T4 can thus be determined as the sum of the first instant T1 and the product of the first period P31 by the integer factor K31. Instant T4 then defines the beginning of the last phase PH_1 of the brush movement before deactivation. Instant T4 is recorded in memory 52. The process then proceeds to step E4.
[0060] In step E4, at a third instant T3, the user activates, via the activation means 2, a movement of at least one wiper blade 1.
[0061] Furthermore, the fourth step includes determining a second period P32 as being equal to the calculated duration between the fourth instant T4 and the third instant T3. The period P32 is recorded in memory 52. Then the process proceeds to the fifth step E5.
[0062] In one embodiment, the second period P32 is greater than or equal to a minimum duration Dmin, so that two successive activations of the windshield wiper are separated by a sufficiently significant pause. For example, in one embodiment, the minimum duration Dmin may be equal to 500 milliseconds.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment of steps E3 and E4, instead of calculating the integer factor K31 and the duration R31, the time elapsed since the last sweep movement is continuously measured. Then, in step E4, the elapsed time is compared to the duration D1 to determine whether to apply the duration DI or the elapsed time as the new intermittent duration.
[0064] Other embodiments of steps E3 and E4 are conceivable.
[0065] In step E5, from the third instant T3, an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 is implemented.
[0066] In the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.3], the fifth step E5 includes a substep of comparing the second period P32 to the standard intermittent duration DI and then, - if the second period P32 is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration Dl, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to the second period P32, - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a period equal to the standard intermittent duration Dl.
[0067] Figure 3 illustrates an IT31 iteration of the process according to the first execution mode, when the period P32 commanded by the user is less than or equal to the standard intermittency duration D1. From time T3 the period P32 is automatically implemented.
[0068] Fig. 4 illustrates an IT41 iteration of the process according to the first execution mode, when the period P42 ordered by the user is strictly greater than the standard intermittency duration DL. From time T3, the standard intermittency duration DL is automatically implemented.
[0069] Figure 5 illustrates a sequence comprising successive iterations IT51, IT52 of the process according to the invention, - iteration IT51 commanding the implementation of a period P52 less than or equal to the standard duration Δl, then - iteration IT52 commanding the implementation of a period equal to the standard duration Δl, because the period P53 commanded by the user is strictly greater than the standard duration Δl
[0070] The second embodiment of the method according to the invention is described below, with reference to Figures 6 to 9. It implements the second variant of the control method according to the invention.
[0071] In the second variant illustrated by figures 6 to 9, the device 10 allows the user to define the period he wants, independently of the standard duration DL
[0072] The steps El to E4 of the second execution mode are similar to the steps El to E4 of the first execution mode.
[0073] Then in step E5, from the third instant T3, an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 is implemented.
[0074] If the time measured between the second instant T2 and the third instant T3 is less than the reset time D3, the fifth step E5 includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 for a period equal to the time measured between the fourth instant T4 and the third instant T3.
[0075] Figures 6 and 7 each illustrate an iteration IT62, IT72 of the process according to the second embodiment, when the period P62, P72 commanded by the user is less than or equal to the reset time D3, [Fig.6] illustrating an increase in the travel period of wiper blade 1, and [Fig.7] illustrating a decrease in the travel period of wiper blade 1.
[0076] Figure 8 illustrates a sequence comprising successively - a first iteration IT82 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P82, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the first iteration and the third instant T3 of the first iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3, then - a second iteration IT83 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P83, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the second iteration and the third instant T3 of the second iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3.
[0077] If a measured time between the second instant T2 and the third instant T3 is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time D3, the fifth step E5 includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 for a period equal to the standard intermittent time DI.
[0078] This scenario is illustrated by [Fig.9] comprising successively - a first iteration IT92 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P92, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the first iteration and the third instant T3 of the first iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3, then - a second iteration IT93 of the process in a time measured between the second instant T2 of the second iteration and the third instant T3 of the second iteration is greater than or equal to the reset time D3. The travel period of the wiper blade 1 is then automatically set to the standard time Dl, and not to the time P93.
[0079] The implementation of a reset time D3 allows the control process to be reset when the measured time between the previous deactivation and the current activation is beyond a representative time for the intermittent function.
[0080] The third embodiment is described below, with reference to Figures 10 to 12. It implements the third variant of the control method according to the invention.
[0081] In the third variant illustrated by Figures 10 to 12, the device 10 allows the user to define a period shorter than a maximum duration D2, the maximum duration being advantageously greater than the standard duration DL
[0082] Steps El to E4 of the third execution mode are similar to steps El to E4 of the first execution mode.
[0083] Then in step E5, from the third instant T3, an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 is implemented.
[0084] The fifth step E5 includes a substep comparing the second period P2 to the maximum duration D2 and then, - if the second period P2 is less than or equal to the maximum duration D2, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to the second period P2, - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a period equal to the maximum duration D2.
[0085] Figures 10 and 12 each illustrate an iteration IT102, IT122 of the process according to the third execution mode, where the user-commanded period P102, P122 is less than or equal to the maximum duration D2. Figure 10 illustrates the implementation of a period P102 strictly greater than the standard duration D1, and Figure 12 illustrates the implementation of a period P122 strictly less than the standard duration D1.
[0086] Figure 11 illustrates an iteration IT112 of the process according to the third embodiment, where the period PI 12 commanded by the user is strictly greater than the maximum duration D2. The travel period of the wiper blade 1 is then automatically set to the maximum duration D2, and not to the duration PI 12.
[0087] Finally, the method and device according to the invention allow a user of the motor vehicle to adjust the travel period of at least one wiper blade, in particular the travel frequency of a rear wiper blade.
[0088] For this purpose, a means for activating the windshield wiper and a means for deactivating the windshield wiper are already present in the vehicle. Thus, the implementation of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention does not require the addition of an extra physical control.
[0089] Furthermore, the implementation of the invention is carried out solely by software, which facilitates its installation in the motor vehicle.
Claims
Demands
1. A method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade (1) of a motor vehicle (100), the vehicle comprising an activation means (2) and a deactivation means (3) for the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1), the method comprising an iteration of the following steps: - at a first instant (T1), a first step (E1) of activation, via the activation means (2), of a movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1) according to a first period (P1), then - between the first instant (T1) and a second instant (T2), a second step (E2) of automatic movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1) according to the first period (P1), then - at the second instant (T2), a third step (E3) of deactivation of the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1), via the deactivation means (3), then - at a third instant (T3), a fourth activation stage (E4),by means of the activation means (2), of a movement of at least one wiper blade (1), the fourth step (E4) comprising a determination of a second period (P2) as being equal to a duration separating the third instant (T3) and an instant (T4) of the start of a last movement of at least one wiper blade (1) which took place no later than the second instant (T2), then - from the third instant (T3), a fifth step (E5) of implementing an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) (i) according to the second period (P2), or (ii) according to a standard intermittent duration (D1) applied by default between respective start instants of two consecutive movements of at least one wiper blade (1), or (iii) according to a so-called maximum duration (D2) strictly greater than the standard intermittent duration (D1).
2. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the duration of the first period (PI) is equal to the standard duration of intermittency (Dl).
3. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fifth step (E5) comprises a substep of comparing the second period (P2) to the standard intermittent duration (Dl) and then, - if the second period (P2) is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration (Dl), an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the second period (P2), - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to a period equal to the standard intermittent duration (Dl).
4. A control method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fifth step (E5) comprises a substep of comparing the second period (P2) to the maximum duration (D2) and then, - if the second period (P2) is less than or equal to the maximum duration (D2), an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the second period (P2), - otherwise, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to a period equal to the maximum duration (D2).
5. A control method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, if a measured time between the second instant (T2) and the third instant (T3) is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time (D3), the fifth step (E5) includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the standard intermittent time (D1).
6. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wiper blade (1) comprises at least one front wiper blade and / or at least one rear wiper blade.
7. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation means (2) and the deactivation means (3) of a movement of at least one wiper blade (1) are operated by a control lever for at least one wiper blade (1), in particular by a rotary switch capable of taking at least two positions, comprising a activation position of at least one wiper blade (1) and a deactivation position of at least one wiper blade (1).
8. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second period (P2) is greater than or equal to a minimum value (Dmin), for example the minimum value (Dmin) being 500 milliseconds.
9. Device (10) for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade (1) of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle (100) comprising means for activating (2) and a means for deactivating (3) a movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1), the device comprising hardware and / or software elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55) implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims.
10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising a control device (10) according to the preceding claim.