Wiper control method and wiper control device

Abstract

To provide a wiper control technique which makes it possible to improve the recognizability of wrong operation in wiper storage movement and to prevent a vehicle from being damaged.SOLUTION: A wiper control method is configured so as to stop a wire arm in a prescribed temporary stop position P3 that the wiper arm is situated more highly than a lower inversion position and then to hold a stop state when oscillating the wiper arm in a downward direction by directing to a storage position during storage movement which stores a wiper held in a service position capable of locking-back the wiper arm in a storage position PC which positions between a rear end of an engine hood and a windshield.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper control method and a wiper control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a wiper device used in a vehicle such as an automobile, in order to prevent foreign substances such as snow and dust from accumulating between the wiper blade and the windshield (front glass) in a vehicle stop state, or for purposes such as replacing the wiper blade, there is a wiper device having a configuration that allows the wiper blade to be separated from the windshield, that is, a lock-back operation. The lock-back is performed by bending the wiper arm in the normal direction of the windshield (the direction rising from the windshield), thereby separating the wiper blade from the windshield.

[0003] However, in the case of a wiper full-concealment type wiper device in which the wiper is stored in a position hidden below the rear end of the engine hood when the wiper is not in use, when the wiper is in the storage position, the wiper interferes with the rear end of the engine hood and the wiper arm cannot be lock-backed.

[0004] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, in a full-concealment type wiper device, by performing a predetermined operation, a movement operation of the wiper from the storage position to an exchangeable position where the wiper arm can be lock-backed, and a storage operation of the wiper in the opposite direction (that is, a return operation to the storage position) are possible. A wiper control device has been proposed. In this wiper control device, it is possible to lock-back the wiper arm by moving the wiper to the exchangeable position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the wiper control device described in Patent Document 1 above, there is a possibility that an incorrect operation may be performed while the wiper arm is raised with respect to the windshield at the replaceable position and locked back. In this case, the wiper storage operation is performed with the wiper arm locked back, and various damages to the vehicle may occur. Specifically, there is a risk of damage to the windshield by the end of the wiper blade or damage to the wiper arm.

[0007] That is, in the case of a full-concealment type wiper device, when the locked-back wiper arm swings about the pivot axis toward the storage position where it is concealed behind the rear end of the engine hood from the upper inversion position, the wiper arm interferes with the rear end of the engine hood when it returns near the storage position, causing the wiper arm to fall toward the windshield side. At this time, if the wiper arm continues to swing further toward the storage position while falling toward the windshield side, the wiper blade provided at the tip of the wiper arm may contact the rear end of the engine hood (see FIG. 11), and there is a risk that the wiper blade may fall toward the windshield side in a twisted manner. In that case, there is a concern that a hard part such as a cap attached to the tip of the wiper blade, i.e., the end of the wiper blade, may contact the windshield, and the impact of the contact may damage the windshield.

[0008] Further, when the wiper storage operation is performed with the wiper arm raised and locked back as described above, there is also a concern that the raised wiper arm and the rear end of the engine hood may contact each other, damaging the wiper arm or the engine hood. Therefore, in order to avoid these damages to the vehicle, it is an issue to improve the awareness of the driver to recognize the incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm while it is raised.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wiper control method and a wiper control device capable of improving the awareness of incorrect operations in the wiper storage operation and preventing damage to the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The wiper control method of the present invention includes a wiper blade for wiping a windshield of a vehicle, and a wiper arm to which the wiper blade is attached and which can swing along the surface of the windshield with a predetermined pivot axis as a swing center, and a drive unit for reciprocally swinging the wiper between a predetermined upper inversion position and a lower inversion position along the surface of the windshield. The wiper control method in a wiper device having a configuration capable of locking back the wiper arm from a basic position where the wiper blade contacts the windshield to a retracted position where the wiper blade is separated from the windshield, and capable of storing the wiper in a predetermined storage position located below the lower inversion position and between the rear end of the engine hood and the windshield. When the wiper is moved to a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back and held at the service position, and a signal for starting the storage operation is input, during the storage operation of storing the wiper from the service position to the storage position, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, the wiper arm is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position above the lower inversion position and the stopped state is maintained. When the value of the load on the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is lower than a predetermined value, the wiper is stopped at the temporary stop position. On the other hand, when the value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the wiper is moved to the storage position without stopping at the temporary stop position. It is characterized by this.

[0011] According to such a feature, during the storage operation of storing the wiper held at a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back into the storage position, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, the wiper arm is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position above the lower inversion position and the stopped state is maintained. Thereby, even if an operation of erroneously returning the wiper to the storage position while standing the wiper arm and keeping the wiper blade in the retracted position is performed, by temporarily stopping before interfering with the rear end of the engine hood, it is possible to make the occupant recognize the misoperation by the wiper entering the field of view from the driver's seat, and the recognizability of the misoperation is improved. Further, when the wiper arm temporarily stops at the temporary stop position, if the occupant recognizes the misoperation, the occupant can lay down the wiper arm manually outside the vehicle to return the wiper blade from the retracted position to the basic position and then return the wiper to the storage position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the vehicle caused by misoperations such as the wiper blade contacting the windshield or the wiper arm contacting the rear end of the engine hood in advance. Also, according to the above characteristics, when the load on the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is possible to indirectly detect that the wiper blade is in contact with the windshield and move to the storage position without stopping at the temporary stop position. In this case, the return operation from the temporary stop of the wiper becomes unnecessary.

[0012] In the above wiper control method, it is preferable that the temporary stop position is a position where the wiper blade enters the field of view of the occupant in the driver's seat in a state where the wiper arm is stood up and the wiper blade is in the retracted position, and the wiper arm does not interfere with the rear end of the engine hood.

[0013] According to such a feature, the recognizability for a misoperation of storing with the wiper arm stood up is improved, and it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0014] In the above wiper control method, when a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm to the storage position is input, the storage operation is started, and when the signal for starting the storage operation is input again in a state where the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, it is preferable to release the stopped state at the temporary stop position.

[0015] According to such a feature, even when an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm with it raised is performed, since it is necessary to re-input a signal for starting the storage operation in order to release the stopped state of the wiper arm, the return operation becomes complicated, and thereby it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0016] In the above wiper control method, in a state where the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, it is preferable to release the stopped state at the temporary stop position after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0017] According to such a feature, it is possible to make the occupant notice an incorrect operation by the wiper entering the field of view from the driver's seat during a predetermined time, and to give the occupant time to rest the wiper and return the wiper blade from the retracted position to the basic position. Then, since the release of the stopped state at the temporary stop position is executed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the return operation becomes unnecessary.

[0018] In the above wiper control method, when the storage operation of the wiper is started, it is preferable to display a warning indication on the in-vehicle display.

[0019] According to such a feature, by displaying a warning indication on the in-vehicle display when the storage operation of the wiper is started, it is possible to make the occupant notice an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm with it raised at an early stage, and it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0022] The windshield wiper control device of the present invention includes a wiper blade for wiping the vehicle's windshield, and a wiper arm to which the wiper blade is attached and which can swing along the surface of the windshield with a predetermined pivot axis as the swing center. The wiper has a configuration that allows the wiper arm to be locked back from a basic position where the wiper blade contacts the windshield to a retracted position where the wiper blade is separated from the windshield, a drive unit that reciprocally swings the wiper along the surface of the windshield between a predetermined upward inversion position and a downward inversion position, and a control unit that controls the drive of the drive unit. a load detection unit that detects the load on the drive unit The control unit controls the drive unit to move and hold the wiper at a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back. Further, when a signal for starting the storage operation is input, the control unit controls the wiper to perform a storage operation of storing the wiper from the service position to a predetermined storage position that is below the downward inversion position and located between the rear end of the engine hood and the windshield. Further, during the storage operation, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, the control unit stops the wiper arm at a predetermined temporary stop position above the downward inversion position and holds the stopped state. Moreover, when the value of the load on the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit stops the wiper at the temporary stop position. On the other hand, when the value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the control unit controls the drive unit to move the wiper to the storage position without stopping at the temporary stop position. It is characterized by this.

[0023] According to such a feature, during the storage operation of storing the wiper held at a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back into the storage position, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, the wiper arm is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position above the downward inversion position and the stopped state is maintained. Thereby, even if an operation of erroneously returning the wiper to the storage position with the wiper arm raised and the wiper blade in the retracted position is performed, by temporarily stopping before interfering with the rear end of the engine hood, it is possible to make the occupant recognize the erroneous operation by the wiper entering the field of view from the driver's seat, and the recognizability of the erroneous operation is improved. Further, when the wiper arm temporarily stops at the temporary stop position, if the occupant recognizes an erroneous operation, the occupant can lay down the wiper arm manually outside the vehicle to return the wiper blade from the retracted position to the basic position and then return the wiper to the storage position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the vehicle caused by erroneous operations such as the wiper blade contacting the windshield or the wiper arm contacting the rear end of the engine hood in advance. Also, according to the above characteristics, when the load on the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is possible to indirectly detect that the wiper blade is in contact with the windshield and move to the storage position without stopping at the temporary stop position. In this case, the return operation from the temporary stop of the wiper becomes unnecessary.

[0024] In the above wiper control device, it is preferable that the temporary stop position is a position where the wiper blade enters the field of view of the occupant in the driver's seat with the wiper arm raised and the wiper blade in the retracted position, and the wiper arm does not interfere with the rear end of the engine hood.

[0025] According to such a feature, the recognizability for an erroneous operation of storing with the wiper arm raised is improved, and it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0026] In the above wiper control device, when a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm to the storage position is input, the control unit starts the storage operation, and when the signal for starting the storage operation is input again while the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, it is preferable to release the stopped state at the temporary stop position.

[0027] According to such a feature, even when an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm while it is raised is performed, since the input of the signal for starting the storage operation is required again to release the stopped state of the wiper arm, the return operation becomes complicated, and thereby, it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0028] In the above wiper control device, it is preferable that the control unit releases the stopped state at the temporary stop position after a predetermined time has elapsed while the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position.

[0029] According to such a feature, it is possible to make the occupant notice an incorrect operation by having the wiper enter the field of view from the driver's seat during a predetermined time, and to give the occupant time to rest the wiper and return the wiper blade from the retracted position to the basic position. Then, since the release of the stopped state at the temporary stop position is executed after the predetermined time has elapsed, the return operation becomes unnecessary.

[0030] In the above wiper control device, it is preferable to further include a display provided inside the vehicle, and the control unit controls to display a warning display on the display when the storage operation of the wiper is started.

[0031] According to such a feature, by displaying a warning display on the in-vehicle display when the storage operation of the wiper is started, it is possible to make the occupant notice an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm while it is raised at an early stage, and it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the wiper control method and the wiper control device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the recognizability of an incorrect operation in the wiper storage operation and prevent damage to the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 show a vehicle 1 to which a wiper control device 5 according to the present embodiment is applied. The wiper control device 5 is configured to be able to control the driving of two wipers that wipe the windshield 3 (front glass) on the front side of the vehicle 1, that is, the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8. The windshield 3 is attached between a pair of front pillars 2 (A-pillars) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Both the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8 are lock-backable, that is, they are configured to be able to rise from the windshield 3 and separate by manual operation outside the vehicle by the occupant. Further, this wiper control device 5 is of a full-concealment type, that is, when the wipers are not in use, the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8 can be stored at a position below the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the wiper control device 5 according to the present embodiment includes the basic configuration of a wiper device having a wiper and a drive unit. Specifically, as movable parts, the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8, a drive unit 9 composed of an electric motor that is a drive source for reciprocally swinging the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8 along the surface of the windshield 3, and a link mechanism 10 that converts the rotational driving force generated from the drive unit 9 into a driving force for reciprocating swing and transmits it to the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8 respectively. Further, the wiper control device 5 includes, as a control system, a control unit 21, an ignition switch 22, and a wiper switch 23 shown in FIG. 8.

[0038] The above-described first wiper 7, second wiper 8, drive unit 9, and link mechanism 10 are attached to a portion (for example, the left side portion in FIGS. 2 to 4 in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle such as a Japanese vehicle) close to the driver's seat in a vehicle body component 6 (for example, a cowl grille) located rearward and downward of the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4. The vehicle body component 6 extends in the vehicle width direction and connects between a pair of front pillars 2.

[0039] (Description of the first wiper 7) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first wiper 7 includes a wiper blade 7a for wiping the windshield 3 and a wiper arm 7b to which the wiper blade 7a is attached at the tip. The wiper arm 7b is swingable along the surface of the windshield 3 together with the wiper blade 7a about a predetermined first pivot axis 11 as a swing center. In this configuration, the first pivot axis 11 is rotatably attached near the left end portion close to the driver's seat in the vehicle body component 6 of FIGS. 2 to 4. The root end portion of the wiper arm 7b is fixed to the first pivot axis 11.

[0040] The first wiper 7 has a configuration in which the wiper arm 7b can be lock-backed from a basic position PA (see FIGS. 2 and 4) where the wiper blade 7a contacts the windshield 3 to a retracted position PB (see FIGS. 2 to 3) where the wiper blade 7a is separated from the windshield 3. Specifically, the wiper arm 7b is configured to bend in the normal direction (the direction toward the outside) of the windshield 3. More specifically, it has a tip-side portion 7b1, a root-side portion 7b2, and a hinge portion 7b3 that hinge-couples the tip-side portion 7b1 and the root-side portion 7b2. The tip-side portion 7b1 can swing in a direction rising from the windshield 3 about the hinge portion 7b3 as a rotation center.

[0041] The first wiper 7 can swing within a predetermined range along the surface of the windshield 3 about the first pivot axis 11 by receiving the rotational driving force generated by the driving unit 9 via the link mechanism 10. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first wiper 7 can swing at an angle of 90 degrees or more within a range from a predetermined service position PS closest to the left side end of the windshield 3 to a storage position PC located below the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4. Also, the first wiper 7 can swing back and forth continuously or intermittently between the upper inversion position P1 and the lower inversion position P2.

[0042] Here, the service position PS is a predetermined position where the wiper arm 7b can be lock-backed. In this embodiment, it is near the front pillar 2 at the left side end of the windshield 3 closer to the left side than the upward inversion position P1, and the first wiper 7 is in a position parallel to the front pillar 2 substantially. It is a position where an operator working outside the vehicle can easily lock-back while holding the first wiper 7 by hand from the side of the vehicle. Also, the storage position PC is below the downward inversion position P2, and it is a position where the first wiper 7 can be hidden behind the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 in a state where the first wiper 7 is laid substantially horizontally.

[0043] The temporary stop position P3 is located above the downward inversion position P2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the temporary stop position P3 of this embodiment is a position where the wiper blade 7a enters the field of view of the driver in the state where the wiper arm 7b is erected and the wiper blade 7a is in the retracted position PB, and the wiper arm 7b does not interfere with the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4. More specifically, the temporary stop position P3 is a position closer to the downward inversion position P2 than the upward inversion position P1, and preferably a position where the wiper blade 7a comes in front of the driver's seat.

[0044] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, a tension coil spring 13, which is a biasing means for biasing the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 from the retracted position PB to the basic position PA, is provided on the wiper arm 7b. One end portion 13a of the tension coil spring 13 is engaged with an engaged portion 7b4 provided on the distal end side portion 7b1 of the wiper arm 7b, and the other end portion 13b is engaged with an engaged portion 7b5 of the hinge portion 7b3. In this configuration, when the wiper arm 7b is in the raised retracted position PB, specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, when the wiper arm 7b is bent at the hinge portion 7b3 and the distal end side portion 7b1 is raised, the tension coil spring 13 is in a state of being pulled between the two engaged portions 7b4 and 7b5 (specifically, a state in which the tension coil spring 13 is stable without contracting beyond the neutral point to the retracted position PB side). On the other hand, when the distal end side portion 7b1 of the wiper arm 7b receives an operating force from an occupant working outside the vehicle, the tension coil spring 13 can contract beyond the neutral point to the basic position PA side, thereby biasing the wiper arm 7b from the retracted position PB to the basic position PA (that is, biasing the distal end side portion 7b1 to fall) and reliably returning to the basic position PA.

[0045] (Description of the second wiper 8) The second wiper 8 also basically has the same configuration as the first wiper 7. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second wiper 8 includes a wiper blade 8a for wiping the windshield 3, and a wiper arm 8b to which the wiper blade 8a is attached at the distal end portion and which can swing along the surface of the windshield 3 together with the wiper blade 8a with a predetermined second pivot axis 12 as the swing center. The second pivot axis 12 is rotatably attached to a portion of the vehicle body component 6 in FIGS. 2 to 4 that is closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the first pivot axis 11 while the wiper arm 8b is fixed.

[0046] Further, the second wiper 8 has a configuration that can be lock-backed in the same manner as the first wiper 7, that is, a configuration in which the wiper arm 8b can be lock-backed from the basic position where the wiper blade 8a contacts the windshield 3 to the retracted position where the wiper blade 8a is separated from the windshield 3. Specifically, the wiper arm 8b is configured to bend in the normal direction (the direction toward the outside) of the windshield 3. More specifically, it has a tip-side portion 8b1, a base-side portion 8b2, and a hinge portion 8b3 that hinge-connects the tip-side portion 8b1 and the base-side portion 8b2.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second wiper 8 can swing within a predetermined range along the surface of the windshield 3 with the second pivot shaft 12 as the center of rotation in conjunction with the swing of the first wiper 7.

[0048] Note that the second wiper 8 is also provided with a biasing means (not shown), such as a tension coil spring, that biases the wiper from the retracted position to the basic position in the same manner as the first wiper 7.

[0049] (Description of the link mechanism 10) The link mechanism 10 only needs to be configured to convert the rotational driving force generated from the drive unit 9 into a driving force for reciprocating swing and transmit it to the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8 respectively. In the present invention, the specific configuration is not particularly limited.

[0050] For example, the link mechanism 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 includes an output shaft 10a that decelerates and outputs the rotational driving force generated from a drive unit 9 composed of an electric motor, a first link bar 10b having one end fixed to the output shaft 10a, a second link bar 10c having one end link-coupled to the other end of the first link bar 10b, a third link bar 10d having a tip end link-coupled to the other end of the second link bar 10c and a base end fixed to the first pivot shaft 11, a fourth link bar 10e having one end link-coupled to the other end of the second link bar 10c (together with the tip end of the third link bar 10d), and a fifth link bar 10f having a tip end link-coupled to the other end of the fourth link bar 10e and a base end fixed to the second pivot shaft 12.

[0051] The base end side end of the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 and the base end of the third link bar 10d are fixed to a common first pivot shaft 11. Since the first pivot shaft 11 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body component 6, the wiper arm 7b and the third link bar 10d can swing about the first pivot shaft 11 at the same timing.

[0052] Also, the base end side end of the wiper arm 8b of the second wiper 8 and the base end of the fifth link bar 10f are fixed to a common second pivot shaft 12. Since the second pivot shaft 12 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body component 6, the wiper arm 8b and the fifth link bar 10f can swing about the second pivot shaft 12 at the same timing.

[0053] With the configuration of the link mechanism 10 described above, when the drive unit 9 rotates in a predetermined direction, the rotational driving force is transmitted from the output shaft 10a of the link mechanism 10 to the first to fifth link bars 10b to 10f that are each link-coupled, so that the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 reciprocally swings between the upper inversion position P1 and the lower inversion position P2 with the first pivot shaft 11 as the rotation center, and at the same time, the wiper arm 8b of the second wiper 8 can also reciprocally swing between a predetermined upper inversion position and a lower inversion position for the second wiper 8 with the second pivot shaft 12 as the rotation center.

[0054] (Description of Control Unit 21) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the wiper control device 5 includes a control unit 21 that controls the drive of the drive unit 9. Further, as input means for applying an input signal to the control unit 21 (specifically, a microcomputer 24 described later), an ignition switch (IG-SW) 22 that switches the start and stop of a vehicle power unit (such as an engine), a wiper switch (wiper SW) 23, a display 28, and a load detection unit 29 that detects the load (voltage or current) of the drive unit 9 (motor) are provided. The wiper switch 23 is a switch for switching the operations of the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8, and can switch modes such as continuous swing (low speed, high speed), intermittent swing, mist (swing only once), and stop, for example.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 21 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer 24 having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, etc., a timer 25 for measuring time, a drive circuit 26 that receives a command from the microcomputer 24 and applies a drive current or a drive voltage to the drive unit 9, and a position sensor 27 that detects the rotational position of the output shaft of the motor constituting the drive unit 9 and sends a detection signal to the microcomputer 24. By the position sensor 27 detecting the rotational position of the output shaft of the motor, it is possible to accurately detect the positions (i.e., turning angles) of the first wiper 7 and the second wiper 8.

[0056] When the control unit 21 receives a predetermined signal for lock-back from the ignition switch 22 and the wiper switch 23 (for example, a unique signal generated by pressing the wiper switch 23 twice in the mist position after the continuous operation of turning the ignition switch 22 on and off), the control unit 21 controls the drive unit 9 to move the first wiper 7 at the storage position PC to the service position PS and hold it at the service position PS. In the service position PS, the first wiper 7 can be locked back by raising the wiper arm 7b from the windshield 3 without interfering with the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4. At this time, since the second wiper 8 also moves to a predetermined service position PS, the second wiper 8 can also be locked back.

[0057] When a predetermined signal for storage operation is input from the ignition switch 22 and the wiper switch 23 while the first wiper 7 is in the service position PS during parking (for example, a unique signal generated by pressing the wiper switch 23 once in the mist position after turning the ignition switch 22 on), the control unit 21 of the present embodiment controls the drive unit 9 to perform a storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 at the storage position PC (see FIGS. 2 to 5). At this time, the second wiper 8 is also stored at a predetermined storage position hidden by the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 at the same timing as the first wiper 7.

[0058] When performing the storage operation of the first wiper 7, the control unit 21 of the present embodiment controls the drive unit 9 as follows.

[0059] When a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 held at the service position PS to the storage position PC is input, the control unit 21 starts the storage operation. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the control unit 21 first causes the drive unit 9 to swing the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 downward and controls the drive unit 9 to perform a storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 at a predetermined storage position PC that is below the lower inversion position P2 and located between the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 and the windshield 3.

[0060] During the storage operation, when the control unit 21 swings the wiper arm 7b downward from the service position PS toward the storage position PC, the control unit 21 controls the drive unit 9 to stop the wiper arm 7b at a predetermined temporary stop position P3 above the downward inversion position P2 and maintain the stopped state.

[0061] Furthermore, when a signal to start the storage operation for moving the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC is input again while the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3, the control unit 21 releases the stopped state at the temporary stop position P3.

[0062] (Explanation of Wiper Control Method) Next, the wiper control method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, taking the storage operation of the first wiper 7 as an example.

[0063] First, when the ignition switch 22 and the wiper switch 23 receive a predetermined signal for starting the above-described storage operation in a state where the first wiper 7 is in the service position PS during parking, the wiper storage operation is started. At this time, the control unit 21 controls the drive unit 9 to perform a storage operation for storing the first wiper 7 at the storage position PC (see FIGS. 2 to 5).

[0064] Note that the following wiper storage operation is performed according to a predetermined operation shown in FIG. 9 regardless of whether the wiper arm 7b is in the locked-back state.

[0065] As the first stage of the wiper storage operation, first, in step S1 of FIG. 9, the control unit 21 determines whether a signal indicating the start of the storage operation has been input. If the control unit 21 determines that the signal has been input, it proceeds to step S2. If it determines that the signal has not been input, it ends the storage operation. When shifting to step S2, that is, when the storage operation of the first wiper 7 is started, the control unit 21 causes a display for alerting (specifically, a display notifying the start of the storage operation) to be displayed on the in-vehicle display 28.

[0066] Next, in step S2, the control unit 21 determines, based on the detection signal from the position sensor 27, whether the wiper arm 7b is above the temporary stop position P3. If the control unit 21 determines that the wiper arm 7b is above the temporary stop position P3, it proceeds to step S3 and controls the drive unit 9 to move the wiper arm 7b of the first wiper 7 toward the temporary stop position P3, specifically, to swing downward. On the other hand, if it determines that the wiper arm 7b is not above the temporary stop position P3, it ends the storage operation.

[0067] During the storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 in the storage position PC, when the wiper arm 7b is being swung downward toward the temporary stop position P3, if the control unit 21 determines, based on the detection signal from the position sensor 27, that the wiper arm 7b has reached the temporary stop position P3 (step S4), it proceeds to step S5 and temporarily stops the storage operation.

[0068] In the state where the storage operation is temporarily stopped in this step S5, if the occupant sitting in the driver's seat accidentally returns the first wiper 7 to the storage position with the wiper blade 7a of the first wiper 7 in the retracted position with the wiper arm 7b raised, it is possible to recognize the misoperation because the wiper blade 7a enters the field of view from the driver's seat. Also, if the misoperation is recognized, the occupant can manually return the wiper blade 7a from the retracted position to the basic position by laying down the wiper arm 7b outside the vehicle and then perform an operation to return the first wiper 7 to the storage position.

[0069] Moreover, in the present embodiment, when an operating force is received from an occupant working outside the vehicle while the wiper arm 7b is in the retracted position PB, the wiper arm 7b is urged from the retracted position PB to the basic position PA by a tension coil spring 13 provided on the wiper arm 7b. Thereby, it is possible to surely tilt the wiper arm 7b toward the windshield 3 side.

[0070] Next, in step S6, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC is input again while the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3.

[0071] If the signal is input again, the control unit 21 releases the stop state at the temporary stop position P3, and in step S7, controls the drive unit 9 to resume the movement of the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC, and after the movement to the storage position PC is completed, all the wiper storage operations are terminated.

[0072] (Features of the present embodiment) (1) The wiper control method of the present embodiment includes a wiper blade 7a for wiping the windshield 3 of the vehicle 1, and a first wiper 7 including a wiper arm 7b to which the wiper blade 7a is attached and which is swingable along the surface of the windshield 3 about a predetermined first pivot axis 11 as a swing center, and a drive unit 9 for reciprocally swinging the first wiper 7 between a predetermined upper inversion position P1 and a lower inversion position P2 along the surface of the windshield 3. The wiper arm 7b can be locked back from the basic position PA where the wiper blade 7a contacts the windshield 3 to the retracted position PB where the wiper blade 7a is separated from the windshield 3, and the first wiper 7 can be stored in a predetermined storage position PC located below the lower inversion position P2 and between the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 and the windshield 3. It is a wiper control method in a wiper device having such a configuration.

[0073] In the above wiper control method, the first wiper 7 is moved to a predetermined service position PS where the wiper arm 7b can be locked back and held at the service position PS. When a signal for starting the storage operation is input, during the storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 from the service position PS to the storage position PC, when the wiper arm 7b is swung toward the storage position PC, the wiper arm 7b is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position P3 above the downward inversion position P2 and the stopped state is maintained.

[0074] Also, the wiper control device 5 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 21 that controls the drive of the drive unit 9 in order to execute the above wiper control method. The control unit 21 controls the drive unit 9 to move the first wiper 7 to a predetermined service position PS where the wiper arm 7b can be locked back and hold the first wiper 7 at the service position PS. Further, when a signal for starting the storage operation is input, the control unit 21 controls the drive unit 9 to perform a storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 from the service position PS to a predetermined storage position PC that is below the downward inversion position P2 and located between the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 and the windshield 3. Further, during the storage operation, when the wiper arm 7b is swung toward the storage position PC, the control unit 21 controls the wiper arm 7b to stop at a predetermined temporary stop position P3 above the downward inversion position P2 and maintain the stopped state.

[0075] According to the above-described wiper control method and wiper control device 5, during the storage operation of storing the first wiper 7 held at a predetermined service position PS where the wiper arm 7b can be locked back to the storage position PC, when the wiper arm 7b is swung toward the storage position PC, the wiper arm 7b is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position P3 above the downward inversion position P2 and the stopped state is maintained. Thereby, even if an operation is mistakenly performed to return the first wiper 7 to the storage position PC while the wiper blade 7a is in the retracted position PB with the wiper arm 7b raised, by temporarily stopping before interfering with the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4, it is possible to make the occupant recognize the misoperation when the wiper enters the field of view from the driver's seat, and the recognizability of the misoperation is improved.

[0076] Also, when the wiper arm 7b temporarily stops at the temporary stop position, if the occupant recognizes a misoperation, the occupant can lay down the wiper arm 7b manually outside the vehicle to return the wiper blade 7a from the retracted position PB to the basic position, and then return the first wiper 7 to the storage position PC. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the vehicle caused by misoperations such as the wiper blade 7a contacting the windshield 3 or the wiper arm 7b contacting the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4.

[0077] Specifically, when the wiper arm 7b falls onto the windshield 3 and returns from the retracted position PB to the basic position PA, the wiper arm 7b is not swinging toward the storage position PC, so it is possible to avoid the wiper blade 7a contacting the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 as in the prior art (see FIG. 11). Therefore, it is possible to avoid the wiper blade 7a falling toward the windshield 3 so as to be twisted by contact with the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4, and prevent the end portion of the wiper blade 7a (for example, the cap 7c at the tip of the wiper blade 7a shown in FIG. 11 (specifically, a hard cap such as ceramic)) from contacting the windshield 3 and damaging the windshield 3 due to the impact.

[0078] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to avoid the wiper arm 7b from contacting the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4 due to an incorrect operation, so that damage to the wiper arm 7b and the engine hood 4 can be prevented.

[0079] (2) In the wiper control method and the wiper control device 5 of the present embodiment, the temporary stop position P3 is a position where the wiper blade 7a enters the field of view of the driver in the vehicle with the wiper arm 7b raised and the wiper blade 7a in the retracted position PB, and the wiper arm 7b does not interfere with the rear end 4a of the engine hood 4.

[0080] According to such a feature, the awareness of an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm 7b while it is raised is improved, and damage to the vehicle can be reliably prevented.

[0081] (3) In the wiper control method and the wiper control device 5 of the present embodiment, when a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC is input, the storage operation is started, and when the signal for starting the storage operation is input again in a state where the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3, the stop state at the temporary stop position P3 is released.

[0082] According to such a feature, even when an incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm 7b while it is raised is performed, the return operation becomes complicated because it is necessary to input the signal for starting the storage operation again to release the stop state of the wiper arm 7b, and thereby, damage to the vehicle can be reliably prevented.

[0083] (4) In the wiper control method and the wiper control device 5 of the present embodiment, when the storage operation of the first wiper 7 is started, a warning display is displayed on the in-vehicle display.

[0084] According to such a feature, when the storage operation of the first wiper 7 is started, by displaying a warning on the in-vehicle display 28, it is possible to prompt the driver to quickly notice the incorrect operation of storing the wiper arm 7b upright, and it is possible to surely prevent damage to the vehicle.

[0085] (Modification example) (A) In addition, in the above embodiment, as shown in steps S5 to S7 of FIG. 9, after temporarily stopping the storage operation in step S5, in steps S6 to S7, when a signal to start the storage operation for moving the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC is input again while the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3, the stop state at the temporary stop position P3 is released. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the return operation after the temporary stop may be performed by other methods.

[0086] For example, as a modification of the present invention, in a state where the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3, the stop state at the temporary stop position P3 may be released after a predetermined time t has elapsed. Specifically, as in step S5A of the flowchart in FIG. 10, the drive unit 9 is controlled to temporarily stop the wiper arm 7b for a predetermined time t using the timer 25 in FIG. 8. After the above-mentioned predetermined time t has elapsed, the control unit 21 may resume the movement of the wiper arm 7b to the storage position PC in step S7.

[0087] In this way, in a state where the wiper arm 7b is stopped at the temporary stop position P3, by releasing the stop state at the temporary stop position P3 after a predetermined time t has elapsed, the wiper enters the field of view from the driver's seat during the predetermined time t, which can prompt the driver to notice the incorrect operation, and it is possible to give the driver time to manually place the first wiper 7 outside the vehicle and return the wiper blade 7a from the retracted position PB to the basic position PA. Then, since the stop state at the temporary stop position P3 is released after the predetermined time t has elapsed, the return operation becomes unnecessary.

[0088] The above-mentioned predetermined time t is set to a time (for example, about 30 to 100 seconds) sufficient for the occupant in the driver's seat to visually recognize that the wiper arm 7b is standing, notice the misoperation, and for the occupant to get out of the vehicle and manually lower the first wiper 7. It is preferable that this predetermined time t can be arbitrarily set by the occupant.

[0089] (B) Also, as another modification of the present invention, when the value of the load of the drive unit 9 (see FIG. 8) composed of a motor that reciprocates the wiper arm 7b during the retraction operation of the first wiper 7 is lower than a predetermined value, the first wiper 7 is stopped at the temporary stop position P3. On the other hand, when it is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the first wiper 7 may be moved to the retracted position PC without stopping at the temporary stop position P3. The value of the load of the drive unit 9 composed of a motor is detected by a load detection unit 29 (see FIG. 8) as a voltage or current value.

[0090] According to such a feature, when the load of the drive unit 9 composed of a motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value during the retraction operation of the first wiper 7, it is possible to indirectly detect that the wiper blade 7a is in contact with the windshield 3 and move to the retracted position PC without stopping at the temporary stop position P3. In this case, the return operation of the first wiper 7 from the temporary stop becomes unnecessary.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 1 Vehicle 3 Windshield 4 Engine Hood 4a Rear End 5 Wiper Control Device 7 First Wiper 8 Second Wiper 7a, 8a Wiper Blade 7b, 8b Wiper Arm 9 Drive Unit 11 First Pivot Axis 12 Second Pivot Axis 21 Control Unit 25 Timer 28 Display 29 Load detection unit P1 Upper inversion position P2 Lower inversion position P3 Temporary stop position PA Basic position PB Retracted position PC Storage position PS Service position

Claims

1. A wiper blade for wiping a vehicle windshield, a wiper comprising the wiper blade and a wiper arm to which the wiper blade is attached and which is swingable along the surface of the windshield about a predetermined pivot axis as a swing center, and a drive unit for reciprocally swinging the wiper along the surface of the windshield between a predetermined upward inversion position and a downward inversion position, wherein the wiper arm can be locked back from a basic position where the wiper blade contacts the windshield to a retracted position where the wiper blade is separated from the windshield, and the wiper can be stored in a predetermined storage position below the downward inversion position and located between the rear end of the engine hood and the windshield. A wiper control method in a wiper device having such a configuration, comprising: Moving the wiper to a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back and holding it at the service position; When a signal for starting the storage operation is input, during the storage operation of storing the wiper from the service position to the storage position, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, stopping the wiper arm at a predetermined temporary stop position above the downward inversion position and holding the stopped state; When the value of the load on the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is lower than a predetermined value, stopping the wiper at the temporary stop position, while when it is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, moving the wiper to the storage position without stopping the wiper at the temporary stop position. A wiper control method characterized by the above.

2. In the wiper control method according to Claim 1, The temporary stop position is a position where the wiper blade enters the field of view of the driver in the state where the wiper arm is raised and the wiper blade is in the retracted position, and the wiper arm does not interfere with the rear end of the engine hood. A wiper control method.

3. In the wiper control method according to Claim 1 or 2, Starting the storage operation by inputting a signal for starting the storage operation of moving the wiper arm to the storage position; When the signal for starting the storage operation is input again in the state where the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, releasing the stopped state at the temporary stop position. A wiper control method.

4. In the wiper control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in a state where the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the stop state at the temporary stop position is released. Wiper control method.

5. In the wiper control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when the storage operation of the wiper is started, a display for alerting is displayed on a display in the vehicle. Wiper control method.

6. A wiper blade for wiping a vehicle windshield, and a wiper arm to which the wiper blade is attached and which can swing along the surface of the windshield with a predetermined pivot axis as a swing center, and the wiper blade is separated from the windshield from a basic position where the wiper blade contacts the windshield. A wiper having a configuration capable of locking back the wiper arm to a retracted position, a drive unit that reciprocally swings the wiper along the surface of the windshield between a predetermined upper inversion position and a lower inversion position, a control unit that controls the drive of the drive unit, a load detection unit that detects the load of the drive unit, comprising: The control unit controls the drive unit to move and hold the wiper at a predetermined service position where the wiper arm can be locked back. Further, when a signal indicating the start of the storage operation is input, the control unit moves the wiper from the service position to a predetermined storage position that is below the lower inversion position and is located between the rear end of the engine hood and the windshield. The control unit further controls the wiper to perform a storage operation of storing the wiper at the storage position. Further, during the storage operation, when the wiper arm is swung toward the storage position, the wiper arm is stopped at a predetermined temporary stop position above the lower inversion position, and the control unit controls the wiper arm to hold the stopped state. Moreover, when the value of the load of the drive unit during the storage operation of the wiper is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit stops the wiper at the temporary stop position. On the other hand, when the value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the control unit controls the drive unit to move the wiper to the storage position without stopping the wiper at the temporary stop position. Wiper control device characterized by the above.

7. In the wiper control device according to claim 6, The temporary stop position is a position where the wiper blade enters the field of view of the driver in the state where the wiper arm is raised and the wiper blade is in the retracted position, and the wiper arm does not interfere with the rear end of the engine hood. Wiper control device.

8. In the wiper control device according to claim 6 or 7, When a signal for starting the storage operation for moving the wiper arm to the storage position is input, the control unit starts the storage operation, and when the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position and the signal for starting the storage operation is input again, the control unit releases the stop state at the temporary stop position. Wiper control device.

9. In the wiper control device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, When a predetermined time has elapsed while the wiper arm is stopped at the temporary stop position, the control unit releases the stop state at the temporary stop position. Wiper control device.

10. In the wiper control device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a display provided inside the vehicle, When the storage operation of the wiper is started, the control unit controls to display a warning display on the display. Wiper control device.

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