Wiping device

Abstract

To provide a wiping device capable of restricting a wiping cycle during high-speed travel.SOLUTION: The wiping device according to the present invention is mounted on a travelling vehicle and causes a wiper blade to perform a reciprocating motion by means of a predetermined drive control device. When a vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device restricts a wiping cycle of the wiper blade.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiping device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wiper system that can ensure a minimum field of view for the driver even during heavy rainfall such as guerrilla heavy rain without causing complication of the system structure or cost increase. In such a wiper system, the minimum field of view for the driver is ensured by increasing the wiping cycle of the wiper blade.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the wiping cycle is increased during heavy rainfall, there is a risk that the driver may drive at a higher speed. Further, when the wiping cycle is increased while the driving speed is increased, due to heat generation caused by an increase in the drive current of the motor, the wiper system (wiping device) may shift to a thermal protection operation state and the wiping cycle may decrease compared to normal, or in some cases, the wiping operation may stop.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a wiping device capable of restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed driving.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, as a first solution means related to a wiping device, there is provided a wiping device mounted on a traveling vehicle and reciprocating a wiper blade by a predetermined drive control device, wherein when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control device restricts the wiping cycle of the wiper blade.

[0007] In the present invention, as a second solution means related to a wiping device, in the above first solution means, the control device includes a normal mode and a high wiping mode in which the wiping cycle is higher than that of the normal mode as control modes, and when the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold value in the high wiping mode, the control device restricts the wiping cycle.

[0008] In the present invention, as a third solution means related to a wiping device, in the above second solution means, when the vehicle speed gradually increases in the high wiping mode, the control device gradually decreases the wiping cycle.

[0009] In the present invention, as a fourth solution means related to a wiping device, in the above second or third solution means, when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed threshold value in the high wiping mode, the control device switches the control mode from the high wiping mode to the normal mode.

[0010] In the present invention, as a fifth solution means related to a wiping device, in any of the above second to fourth solution means, the high wiping mode has a wiping cycle higher than that of the normal mode and a wiping range narrower than that of the normal mode.

[0011] In the present invention, as a sixth solution means related to a wiping device, in any of the above first to fifth solution means, the drive control device reciprocates a pair of the wiper blades with one power source.

[0012] In the present invention, as a seventh solution means related to the wiping device, in any of the first to fifth solution means, the drive control device employs a means comprising one drive source for reciprocating one of the wiper blades and another drive source for reciprocating the other wiper blade.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wiping device capable of restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] 〔First Embodiment〕 First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The wiping device A according to the first embodiment is mounted on various vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, hybrid vehicles, or electric vehicles, and is a device for wiping rainwater adhering to the surface (wiped surface W) of a wiped member such as a front glass or a rear glass.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, this wiping device A includes a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p, a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p, a link mechanism 3, a motor 4 (power source), an angle detection circuit 5, a control unit 6, and a drive circuit 7. Among these components, the control unit 6 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 61, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 62, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 63, as shown in the figure.

[0017] Furthermore, the above-described 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 cooperate to reciprocate a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0018] Such a wiping device A employs a single-motor drive method in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are reciprocated by one motor 4 (power source) by mechanically connecting a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p using a link mechanism 3. That is, the wiping device A according to the first embodiment has a basic configuration in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are simultaneously driven by one motor 4 (power source).

[0019] In addition, this wiping device A employs a parallel wiping method in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p move in the same direction. That is, when one wiper arm 2d provided on the driver's seat side moves upward from bottom to top, the other wiper arm 2p provided on the passenger seat side also moves upward from bottom to top in the same manner as the wiper arm 2d on the driver's seat side. Also, when the wiper arm 2d on the driver's seat side moves downward from top to bottom, the wiper arm 2p on the passenger seat side also moves downward from top to bottom.

[0020] In addition, in each reference numeral shown in FIG. 1, "d" indicates members and parts related to the driver's seat side of the vehicle, and "p" indicates members and parts related to the passenger seat side of the vehicle. Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral Rd represents the wiping range (driver's seat wiping range) of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side, and reference numeral Rp represents the wiping range (passenger seat wiping range) of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side.

[0021] The driver's seat wiping range Rd is a range extending from the downward inversion position PLd to the upward inversion position PUd as the movement locus of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side. The above-mentioned downward inversion position PLd is the position where the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side reverses from the downward movement to the upward movement. Also, the above-mentioned upward inversion position PUd is the position where the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side reverses from the upward movement to the downward movement.

[0022] The passenger seat wiping range Rp is a fan-shaped range extending from the downward inversion position PLp to the upward inversion position PUp as the movement locus of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side. The above-mentioned downward inversion position PLp is the position where the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side reverses from the downward movement to the upward movement. Also, the above-mentioned upward inversion position PUp is the position where the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side reverses from the downward movement to the upward movement.

[0023] The pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are rod-shaped members arranged on the surface W to be wiped as shown in the figure. The pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are in contact with the surface W to be wiped, and wipe the rainwater on the surface W to be wiped by reciprocating (oscillating) on the surface W to be wiped. Such a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are mechanically connected to the motor 4 via a pair of wiper arms 2d, 2p and a link mechanism 3.

[0024] That is, the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2d provided on the driver's seat side. The wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side is connected to the motor 4 via the wiper arm 2p provided on the passenger seat side and the link mechanism 3.

[0025] The pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p are rod-shaped members as shown in the figure. One end is connected to the middle part of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p, and the other end is connected to the pair of wiper shafts Td and Tp. That is, the wiper arm 2d on the driver's seat side has one end connected to the middle part of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side, and the other end connected to the wiper shaft Td on the driver's seat side.

[0026] On the other hand, the wiper arm 2p on the passenger seat side has one end connected to the middle part of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side, and the other end connected to the wiper shaft Tp on the passenger seat side. Note that such a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p are members included in the components of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0027] Such a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p function as power transmission components that mechanically transmit the rotational power of the motor 4 to the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p. Also, the pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p function as biasing members that press the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p against the surface W to be wiped with a predetermined pressing force.

[0028] The link mechanism 3 is a mechanical component that is mechanically connected to the other ends of the pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p and the output shaft of the motor 4. This link mechanism 3 has a support shaft fixed to the vehicle and is rotatable around the support shaft. The motor 4 has its output shaft connected to the link mechanism 3. By operating the rotation angle of the link mechanism 3, the motor 4 reciprocates the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p. Note that this motor 4 is the power source in the first embodiment.

[0029] The angle detection circuit 5 outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor 4 to the CPU 63. This angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p mechanically connected by the link mechanism 3. Such an angle signal specifically consists of a relative position signal indicating the relative position of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p and an absolute position signal indicating the absolute position of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0030] The relative position signal is a pulse signal (motor pulse) generated as the motor 4 rotates, and is a pulse signal (pulse train) with a number of pulses proportional to the rotation angle of the motor 4. In contrast, the absolute position signal is a single-shot pulse signal generated when the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reach the control reference position. The control reference position is, for example, the lower inversion positions PLd and PLp.

[0031] The control unit 6 generates a drive command based on the switch signal input from the upper control device, the power supply voltage Vcc input from the drive circuit 7, and the angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5. The control unit 6 outputs the drive command to the drive circuit 7, thereby controlling the reciprocating motion of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p via the drive circuit 7 and the motor 4 (power source).

[0032] The switch signal is an upper control command that instructs the wiping device A to perform operations such as ON / OFF of the wiper switch provided in the vehicle, designation of the heavy rain mode, ON / OFF of the mist switch, and intermittent operation (Lo, Hi, INT). The drive command is, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, and is a control command for operating the drive circuit 7 based on the duty ratio, which is the attribute information, that is, the ratio of the Hi (high) period to the Lo (low) period in the step signal.

[0033] In the control unit 6, the ROM 61 is a non-volatile memory. This ROM 61 stores a control program that the CPU 63 executes to perform feedback control on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p via the motor 4 (power source). In addition, this ROM 61 stores an operation map necessary for the CPU 63 to execute the control program.

[0034] The operation map is control data that the CPU 63 refers to when executing control processing based on the control program. This operation map is a group of control data indicating the time-series target speeds of the driver's seat wiper blade 1d and the passenger seat wiper blade 1p in the driver's seat wiping range Rd and the passenger seat wiping range Rp.

[0035] The RAM 62 is a volatile memory. This RAM 62 temporarily stores various calculation data generated when the CPU 63 executes a control program. This RAM 62 temporarily stores, for example, time-series data of a drive voltage (power supply voltage Vcc).

[0036] The CPU 63 generates a drive command by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM 61 and outputs it to the drive circuit 7. When executing the control program, this CPU 63 refers to a switch signal and a vehicle speed signal input from a host control device, an angle signal input from the angle detection circuit 5, and an operation map stored in advance in the ROM 61. That is, the CPU 63 generates a drive command by referring to the switch signal, the vehicle speed signal, the angle signal, and the operation map based on the control program.

[0037] Here, the CPU 63 generates a drive command so as to be a wiping cycle corresponding to a control mode (operation mode). The above control modes include a normal mode, a Hi mode, a heavy rain mode, and an extremely heavy rain mode, etc. The CPU 63 realizes a reciprocating motion (oscillating motion) of a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p corresponding to the control mode by referring to an operation map corresponding to the control mode.

[0038] The normal mode corresponds to the driver's seat wiping range Rd and the passenger seat wiping range Rp described above, and is a control mode corresponding to a normal wiping cycle. In contrast, the Hi mode corresponds to the driver's seat wiping range Rd and the passenger seat wiping range Rp, and is a control mode corresponding to a wiping cycle slightly faster than the normal mode.

[0039] The heavy rain mode is a control mode in which each upper inversion position on the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side is equivalent to the upper inversion positions Pud, Pup, but each lower inversion position on the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side is set to positions PMd, PMp (lower inversion positions for the heavy rain mode) slightly higher than the lower inversion positions PLd, PLp.

[0040] That is, the heavy rain mode is an operation mode with a narrow wiping range set by the upward inversion positions PUd and PUp and the downward inversion positions PMd and PMp for the heavy rain mode. Also, this heavy rain mode is a control mode corresponding to a wiping cycle slightly faster than the Hi mode.

[0041] Further, the extremely heavy rain mode has a wiping range equivalent to that of the above-described heavy rain mode, but is a control mode with a wiping cycle slightly faster than the heavy rain mode. This extremely heavy rain mode corresponds to the high wiping mode in the present invention, and is a control mode with a wiping cycle faster than the normal mode, Hi mode, and heavy rain mode, and a wiping range narrower than the normal mode and Hi mode.

[0042] The drive circuit 7 is a signal generation circuit that generates a drive signal based on a drive command input from the CPU 63. By outputting the drive signal to the motor 4, this drive circuit 7 rotates the motor 4 at a desired rotational speed. Such a drive circuit 7 is, for example, a three-phase inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors.

[0043] Next, the operation of the wiping device A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. This flowchart shows the procedure of the control process in the CPU 63 that constitutes the drive control device.

[0044] When starting operation, the CPU 63 sequentially acquires the upper control command and the vehicle speed information of the vehicle by capturing the switch signal and the vehicle speed signal input from the upper control device at a predetermined timing (step S1). The upper control command indicates the control mode, and the vehicle speed information indicates the traveling speed of the vehicle (vehicle speed Ms).

[0045] Based on such upper control commands and the vehicle speed information of the vehicle, the CPU 63 generates control commands and outputs them to the drive circuit 7, thereby causing the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p to reciprocate within a wiping range and a wiping cycle corresponding to the control mode. That is, by generating a drive signal based on the control command and outputting it to the motor 4, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are caused to reciprocate within a predetermined wiping range and a wiping cycle.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are performing ultra-heavy rain wiping in a wiping cycle corresponding to the ultra-heavy rain mode, the CPU 63 determines whether the vehicle speed Ms is 20 km / h or more (step S2).

[0047] And when the determination in this step S2 by the CPU 63 is "No", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is less than 20 km / h, the ultra-heavy rain wiping is continued (step S3). That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the vehicle speed range of 0 to less than 20 km / h, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reciprocate in the wiping cycle of ultra-heavy rain.

[0048] On the other hand, when the determination in step S2 by the CPU 63 is "Yes", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is 20 km / h or more, the CPU 63 determines whether the vehicle speed Ms is 80 km / h or more (step S4).

[0049] And when the determination in this step S4 by the CPU 63 is "No", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is in the range of 20 to 80 km / h, the wiping cycle is reduced in response to the increase in the vehicle speed Ms (step S5). That is, in the wiping device A according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the vehicle speed range of 20 to less than 80 km / h, the wiping cycle linearly decreases in response to the increase in the vehicle speed Ms.

[0050] On the other hand, when the determination in step S4 by the CPU 63 is "Yes", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is 80 km / h or more, the control mode is switched from the ultra-heavy rain mode to the Hi mode, and the Hi wiping with the wiping cycle corresponding to the Hi mode is performed on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p (step S6).

[0051] Here, "20 km / h" in step S2 and "80 km / h" in step S4 are speed thresholds (predetermined thresholds) for restricting the wiping cycle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p according to the vehicle speed Ms. "20 km / h" is the first speed threshold, and "80 km / h" is the second speed threshold.

[0052] The wiping device A according to the first embodiment has a basic configuration in which a pair of wiper arms 2d and 2p are mechanically connected using a link mechanism 3 so that a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p are simultaneously driven by one motor 4 (power source). The drive control device (motor 4, angle detection circuit 5, control unit 6, and drive circuit 7) controls the wiping cycle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p by using the first speed threshold and the second speed threshold.

[0053] That is, this wiping device A is mounted on a traveling vehicle and is a wiping device that reciprocates a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p by a predetermined drive control device (motor 4, angle detection circuit 5, control unit 6, and drive circuit 7). When the vehicle speed Ms exceeds the first speed threshold and the second speed threshold (predetermined thresholds), the drive control device restricts the wiping cycle of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p.

[0054] According to such a first embodiment, it is possible to provide a wiping device A capable of restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed running of the mounted vehicle. That is, according to the first embodiment, by restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed running, it is possible to suppress the heat generation of the motor 4 (power source) during high-speed running.

[0055] Further, in the wiping device A according to the first embodiment, the drive control device has a normal mode and an extremely heavy rain mode (high wiping mode) in which the wiping cycle is faster than the normal mode as control modes. When the vehicle speed Ms exceeds the speed thresholds (20 km / h, 80 km / h) in the extremely heavy rain mode (high wiping mode), the wiping cycle is restricted.

[0056] According to such a first embodiment, in the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode), it is possible to limit the wiping cycle during high-speed running of the vehicle. That is, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the heat generation of the motor 4 (power source) during high-speed running in the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode).

[0057] Further, in the wiping device A according to the first embodiment, in the vehicle speed range of 20 to less than 80 km / h in the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode), when the vehicle speed Ms gradually increases, the driving control device gradually decreases the wiping cycle. According to such a first embodiment, it is possible to gently suppress the heat generation of the motor 4 (power source) in the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode).

[0058] Further, in the wiping device A according to the first embodiment, when the vehicle speed Ms exceeds 80 km / h (speed threshold) in the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode), the driving control device switches the control mode from the heavy rain mode (high wiping mode) to the Hi mode. According to such a first embodiment, since the wiping cycle is limited, it is possible to surely suppress the heat generation of the motor 4 (power source).

[0059] 〔Second Embodiment〕 The second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the first embodiment.

[0060] Similar to the wiping device A according to the first embodiment, the wiping device B according to the second embodiment is mounted on various vehicles and wipes rainwater on the surfaces (wiped surfaces W) of the front glass and the rear glass. As shown in the figure, this wiping device B includes a drive control device 10 that individually drives a pair of motors 4d and 4p. As shown in the figure, this drive control device 10 includes a pair of motors 4d and 4p and a pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p corresponding to the pair of motors 4d and 4p.

[0061] That is, this wiping device B is a wiping device of a dual-motor drive system having a basic configuration including one motor 4d (power source) for reciprocating one wiper blade 1d and the other motor 4p (power source) for reciprocating the other wiper blade 1p. Further, as shown in the figure, this wiping device B employs a counter wiping method in which a pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reciprocate facing each other.

[0062] Among the pair of motors 4d and 4p, the motor 4d (one power source) on the driver's seat side is the power source on the driver's seat side for reciprocating the wiper blade 4d (one wiper blade) corresponding to itself. This motor 4d includes a motor body 8d and a speed reduction mechanism 9d. Also, the motor 4p (the other power source) on the passenger seat side is the power source on the passenger seat side for reciprocating the wiper blade 4p (the other wiper blade) corresponding to itself. This motor 4p includes a motor body 8p and a speed reduction mechanism 9p.

[0063] Among the pair of wiper drive control units 10d and 10p, the first wiper drive control unit 10d drives and controls the motor 4d (one power source) on the driver's seat side corresponding to the wiper blade 1d (one wiper blade) on the driver's seat side. Also, the second wiper drive control unit 10p drives and controls the motor 4p (the other power source) on the passenger seat side corresponding to the wiper blade 1p (the other wiper blade) on the passenger seat side.

[0064] The first wiper drive control unit 10d is a drive control unit corresponding to the motor 4d (one power source) 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.

[0065] The second wiper drive control unit 10p is a drive control unit corresponding to the motor 4p (the other power source) on the passenger 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.

[0066] The first wiper drive control unit 10d drives the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side to reciprocate (oscillate) about the wiper shaft Td by driving and controlling the motor 4d on the driver's seat side. The second wiper drive control unit 10p drives the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side to reciprocate (oscillate) about the wiper shaft Tp by driving and controlling the motor 4p on the passenger seat side.

[0067] In such a first wiper drive control unit 10d, the angle detection circuit 11d on the driver's seat side has a function similar to that of the angle detection circuit 5 in the first embodiment, and outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor body 8d on the driver's seat side to the CPU 15d on the driver's seat side. This angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side, and is composed of the relative position signal and the absolute position signal described in the first embodiment.

[0068] The ROM 12d on the driver's seat side is a non-volatile memory. This ROM 12d stores a control program for the CPU 15d to perform feedback control on the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side. In addition, this ROM 12d stores an operation map that the CPU 15d on the driver's seat side refers to when executing the control program.

[0069] The above operation 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. This RAM 13d temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15d executes the control program.

[0070] The communication circuit 14d on the driver's seat side transmits and receives control information to and from the second wiper drive control unit 10p. This communication circuit 14d receives, as the control information, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side from the communication circuit 14p of the second wiper drive control unit 10p. Further, this communication circuit 14d transmits, as the control information, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side to the communication circuit 14p of the second wiper drive control unit 10p.

[0071] The CPU 15d on the driver's seat side generates a drive command by executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM 12d on the driver's seat side, and outputs this drive command to the drive circuit 16d. When executing the control program, this CPU 15d refers to the switch signal and vehicle speed 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 operation map stored in advance in the ROM 12d.

[0072] That is, this CPU 15d generates a drive command by referring to the switch signal, vehicle speed signal, angle signal, control information, and operation map based on the control program. This drive command instructs the drive circuit 16d to drive the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side and is a control command considering the drive control state of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side in the second wiper drive control unit 10p.

[0073] The drive command controls the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side so that the moving speed of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side obtained from the angle signal becomes equal to the target speed in the operation map and is synchronized with the movement of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side. Such a drive command is a PWM signal as in the first embodiment.

[0074] The drive circuit 16d on the driver's seat side is a three-phase inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors, similar to the drive circuit 7 of the first embodiment. This drive circuit 16d generates three-phase drive signals based on a plurality of PWM signals input from the CPU 15d on the driver's seat side and outputs them to the motor 4 (power source).

[0075] On the other hand, in the second wiper drive control unit 10p, the angle detection circuit 11p on the passenger seat side has a function similar to that of the angle detection circuit 5 in the first embodiment, and outputs an angle signal proportional to the rotation angle of the motor body 8p on the passenger seat side to the CPU 15p on the passenger seat side. This angle signal is a signal indicating the operating angle of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side, and is composed of the relative position signal and the absolute position signal described in the first embodiment.

[0076] The ROM 12p on the passenger seat side is a non-volatile memory. This ROM 12p stores a control program for the CPU 15p on the passenger seat side to perform feedback control on the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side. In addition, this ROM 12p stores an operation map necessary for the CPU 15p on the passenger seat side to execute the above control program.

[0077] The operation map indicates the target speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side in the passenger seat wiping range Rp. Note that the control program stored in this 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 seat side is a volatile memory. This RAM 13p temporarily stores various data generated when the CPU 15p on the passenger seat side executes the control program.

[0078] The communication circuit 14p on the passenger seat side transmits and receives control information to and from the first wiper drive control unit 10d. This communication circuit 14p receives, as the above control information, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side from the communication circuit 14d on the driver's seat side. In addition, this communication circuit 14p transmits, as the above control information, for example, the current position of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side to the communication circuit 14d on the driver's seat side.

[0079] The CPU 15p on the passenger seat side generates drive commands by executing a control program pre-stored in the ROM 12p on the passenger seat side, and outputs these drive commands to the drive circuit 16p on the passenger seat side. When executing the control program, this CPU 15p refers to the switch signal and vehicle speed 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 operation map pre-stored in the ROM 12p.

[0080] That is, this CPU 15p generates drive commands by referring to the switch signal, vehicle speed signal, angle signal, control information, and operation map based on the control program. This drive command instructs the drive circuit 16p on the passenger seat side to drive the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side and is a control command considering the drive control state of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side in the first wiper drive control unit 10d.

[0081] The above drive command controls the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side so that the moving speed of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side obtained from the angle signal is equal to the target speed in the operation map and is synchronized with the movement of the wiper blade 1p on the driver's seat side. This drive command is a PWM signal similar to the drive command on the driver's seat side.

[0082] The drive circuit 16p on the passenger seat side is a three-phase inverter circuit including a plurality of switching transistors, similar to the drive circuit 16 on the driver's seat side. This drive circuit 16p generates three-phase drive signals based on the plurality of PWM signals input from the CPU 15p on the passenger seat side and outputs them to the motor 4p on the passenger seat side.

[0083] Next, the operation of the wiping device B according to the second embodiment will be described. In this 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, so that the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side performs a wiping operation on the surface W to be wiped. Also, in this 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, so that the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side performs a wiping operation on the surface W to be wiped.

[0084] Further, in this wiping device B, the control information of the first wiper drive control unit 10d and the control information of the second wiper drive control unit 10p are mutually provided via a pair of communication circuits 14d, 14p. Thereby, the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side and the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side perform wiping operations synchronously.

[0085] The control of the wiper blade 1d on the driver's seat side by the first wiper drive control unit 10d and the control of the wiper blade 1p on the passenger seat side by the second wiper drive control unit 10p are the same. That is, the pair of CPUs 15d, 15p in the pair of wiper drive control units 10d, 10p operate according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the characteristic diagram in FIG. 3 in the same manner as the CPU 63 in the first embodiment.

[0086] That is, when starting operation, the pair of CPUs 15d, 15p sequentially acquire the upper control command and the vehicle speed information of the vehicle by capturing the switch signal and the vehicle speed signal input from the upper control device at a predetermined timing (step S1). Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of CPUs 15d, 15p determine whether the vehicle speed Ms is 20 km / h or more when the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p are performing super heavy rain wiping in a wiping cycle corresponding to the super heavy rain mode (step S2).

[0087] When the determination in this step S2 is "No", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is less than 20 km / h, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p continue the super heavy rain wiping (step S3). That is, in the wiping device B according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the vehicle speed range of 0 to less than 20 km / h, the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p reciprocate in the super heavy rain wiping cycle.

[0088] On the other hand, when the determination in step S2 is "Yes", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is 20 km / h or more, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p determine whether the vehicle speed Ms is 80 km / h or more (step S4). When the determination in this step S4 is "No", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is in the range of 20 to 80 km / h, the pair of CPUs 15d and 15p reduce the wiping cycle according to the increase in the vehicle speed Ms (step S5).

[0089] That is, in the wiping device B according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in the vehicle speed range of 20 to less than 80 km / h, the wiping cycle linearly decreases according to the increase in the vehicle speed Ms. On the other hand, when the determination in step S4 is "Yes", that is, when the vehicle speed Ms is 80 km / h or more, the control mode is switched from the super heavy rain mode to the Hi mode, and Hi wiping with the wiping cycle corresponding to the Hi mode is performed on the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p (step S6).

[0090] The wiping device B according to the second embodiment has a basic configuration including one motor 4d (power source) that reciprocates one wiper blade 1d and the other motor 4p (power source) that reciprocates the other wiper blade 1p. The drive control device 10 controls the wiping cycles of the pair of wiper blades 1d and 1p by using the first speed threshold and the second speed threshold.

[0091] That is, this wiping device B is a wiping device mounted on a traveling vehicle and reciprocating a pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p by a predetermined drive control device 10. When the vehicle speed Ms exceeds a first speed threshold value and a second speed threshold value (predetermined threshold value), the drive control device 10 restricts the wiping cycle of the pair of wiper blades 1d, 1p.

[0092] According to such a second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved. That is, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a wiping device B capable of restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed running of the mounted vehicle. That is, according to the second embodiment, by restricting the wiping cycle during high-speed running, it is possible to suppress heat generation of a pair of motors 4d, 4p (power sources) during high-speed running.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] A, B... wiping devices, W... wiped surface, PUd, PUp... upper inversion positions, PLd, PLp... lower inversion positions, Rd, Rp... wiping ranges, Td, Tp... fulcrums, 1d, 1p... wiper blades, 2d, 2p... wiper arms, 3... link mechanism, 4, 4d, 4p... motors (power sources), 5... angle detection circuit, 6... control unit, 61... ROM, 62... RAM, 63... CPU, 7... drive circuit, 8d, 8p... motor bodies, 9d, 9p... speed reduction mechanisms, 10... drive control device, 10d, 10p... wiper drive control units, 11d, 11p... angle detection circuits, 12d, 12p... ROM, 13d, 13p... RAM, 14d, 14p... communication circuits, 15d, 15p... CPUs, 16d, 16p... drive circuits

Claims

1. A wiping device mounted on a moving vehicle and reciprocating a wiper blade by a predetermined drive control device, wherein the drive control device restricts the wiping cycle of the wiper blade when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The wiping device is characterized by this.

2. The drive control device includes a normal mode and a high wiping mode in which the wiping cycle is higher than that in the normal mode as control modes. When the vehicle speed exceeds the threshold value in the high wiping mode, the drive control device restricts the wiping cycle. The wiping device according to claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The wiping device according to claim 2, wherein the drive control device gradually decreases the wiping cycle as the vehicle speed gradually increases in the high wiping mode.

4. The wiping device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the drive control device switches the control mode from the high wiping mode to the normal mode when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined speed threshold value in the high wiping mode.

5. The high wiping mode is characterized in that the wiping cycle is higher than that in the normal mode and the wiping range is narrower than that in the normal mode. The wiping device according to claim 2 or 3 is characterized by this.

6. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive control device reciprocates a pair of the wiper blades with one power source.

7. The wiping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive control device includes one power source for reciprocating one of the wiper blades and another power source for reciprocating the other of the wiper blades.

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