Wiper control device

Abstract

To provide a wiper control device that can change an intermittent stop position during intermittent driving and in turn enables an intermittent operating function operate continuously.SOLUTION: When a continuous driving determining part 63 determines that a wiper motor 31 is continuously driven, an intermittent stop position changing part 65 changes an intermittent stop position of a wiper blade to a correction position (an upper adjustment position) which is different from a reference intermittent stop position. This can suppress a position holding control part 62 from repeatedly performing control of returning the wiper blade to the reference intermittent stop position, which can reduce loads on the wiper motor 31. Further this enables an intermittent operating function to operate continuously in a state where the intermittent stop position is changed (the reference intermittent stop position → the upper adjustment position), and in turn can improve comfortableness and convenience.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper control device including a wiper motor and a controller that controls the wiper motor. [Background technology]

[0002] A wiper device is installed in the front of a vehicle such as an automobile. The wiper device includes a driver's side wiper member, a passenger's side wiper member, and a wiper motor that drives these wiper members. Operating a wiper switch or the like inside the vehicle activates the wiper motor, causing the wiper members to wipe the windshield, thereby wiping away rainwater and other debris from the windshield.

[0003] A wiper control device that controls such a wiper device is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. The wiper control device described in Patent Document 1 has a stop position holding function, which operates to position the wiper blade (wiper member) at a lower reversal position (target position).

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the wiper blades do not smoothly reach the target position or a "chattering phenomenon" occurs while the stop position maintaining function is active, the controller stops the stop position maintaining function, thereby preventing the wiper motor from being continuously energized due to an overload condition or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-052826 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the controller stops the movement of the wiper member to the target position when the wiper member does not reach the target position. Therefore, for example, when the wiper motor is intermittently driven, if the wiper member does not reach the target position due to an external force such as wind generated by traveling, the wiper control device stops, and then it becomes necessary to restart the wiper control device.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper control device that is capable of changing the intermittent stop position during intermittent driving, and that is capable of continuously operating the intermittent function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a wiper control device includes a wiper motor that drives a wiper member to perform a wiping operation, and a controller that drives the wiper motor intermittently.The controller has a position holding control unit that drives the wiper motor to return the wiper member to the reference intermittent stop position when the wiper member is moved from the reference intermittent stop position by an external force while the wiper motor is intermittently stopped, a continuous drive determination unit that determines whether the wiper motor has been continuously driven by the position holding control unit, and an intermittent stop position change unit that changes the intermittent stop position of the wiper member to a corrected position different from the reference intermittent stop position when the continuous drive determination unit determines that the wiper motor has been continuously driven. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when the continuous drive determination unit determines that the wiper motor is continuously driven, the intermittent stop position change unit changes the intermittent stop position of the wiper member to a corrected position different from the reference intermittent stop position. This prevents the position maintenance control unit from repeatedly returning the wiper member to the reference intermittent stop position, thereby reducing the load on the wiper motor. Furthermore, the intermittent function can be continuously operated with the intermittent stop position changed, thereby improving comfort and convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wiper control device mounted on a vehicle; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wiper motor. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a view of the wiper motor as seen from the gear cover side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wiper control device. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the positions of the AS-side wiper blade and the hood. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intermittent function. [Figure 7] 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the intermittent function. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 6 of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 8 is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 7 of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a part of a flowchart showing a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 8 is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 7 of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 shows an overview of the wiper control device installed in a vehicle, Figure 2 shows a side view of the wiper motor, Figure 3 shows a view of the wiper motor from the gear cover side, Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the wiper control device, Figure 5 shows a diagram explaining the position of the AS side wiper blade and hood, Figure 6 shows a flowchart showing the operation of the intermittent function, and Figure 7 shows a timing chart showing the operation of the intermittent function.

[0013] [Wiper control device] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 10 such as an automobile is provided at the front with a windshield 11. A wiper control device 20 is provided at the front of the windshield 11 (at the bottom of Fig. 1) to wipe away rainwater, dust, and the like adhering to the windshield 11 and ensure visibility for the driver and the like.

[0014] The wiper control device 20 includes a wiper drive mechanism 30, which is mounted inside a bulkhead (not shown) that forms an engine compartment of the vehicle 10. When the wiper control device 20 is in a stopped state, the wiper control device 20 is covered by the hood 12 of the vehicle 10 and is hidden behind the hood 12.

[0015] The wiper drive mechanism 30 includes a wiper motor 31 that is driven by turning on a wiper switch 21 provided inside the vehicle cabin, DR side (driver's seat side) and AS side (passenger's seat side) pivot shafts 32, 33 that are rotatably mounted on the vehicle 10, DR side and AS side wiper members (wiper members) 34, 35 whose base ends are fixed to the respective pivot shafts 32, 33 and whose tip ends perform a wiping operation on the windshield 11, and a link mechanism 36 that transmits the output of the wiper motor 31 to the respective pivot shafts 32, 33.

[0016] The DR-side wiper member 34 includes a DR-side wiper arm 34a and a DR-side wiper blade 34b. The base end of the DR-side wiper arm 34a is fixed to the DR-side pivot shaft 32. The DR-side wiper blade 34b is attached to the tip end of the DR-side wiper arm 34a. The AS-side wiper member 35 includes an AS-side wiper arm 35a and an AS-side wiper blade 35b. The base end of the AS-side wiper arm 35a is fixed to the AS-side pivot shaft 33. The AS-side wiper blade 35b is attached to the tip end of the AS-side wiper arm 35a.

[0017] When the wiper motor 31 is driven, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b swing in synchronization via the link mechanism 36, and each wipes the windshield 11. This wipes away rainwater, dust, and the like that have adhered to the DR-side and AS-side wiping areas 11a, 11b, which are enclosed by dashed lines in the figure. Note that the symbol LRP in the figure indicates the "lower reversal position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, the symbol URP in the figure indicates the "upper reversal position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, and the symbol HP in the figure indicates the "storage position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b.

[0018] That is, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b reciprocate between the lower reversal position LRP and the upper reversal position URP while the wiper motor 31 is being driven. On the other hand, when the wiper motor 31 is stopped (the wiper switch 21 is turned off), the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are stopped at the storage position HP.

[0019] Here, the lower reversing position LRP and the storage position HP on the DR side and the AS side are respectively located on the underside of the hood 12 and near the edge portion 12a on the windshield 11 side of the hood 12. Specifically, the lower reversing position LRP is located closer to the edge portion 12a than the storage position HP. As a result, when the wiper motor 31 is stopped (stored), the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are hidden relatively deep inside the underside of the hood 12, improving the appearance of the vehicle 10 and the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 10.

[0020] [Wiper motor] 2 to 4, the wiper motor 31 employs a brushless motor. The wiper motor 31 includes a motor unit 40 and a speed reduction mechanism unit 50. The motor unit 40 has a motor case 41 that forms the outer shell thereof, and the motor case 41 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom by pressing a steel plate or the like.

[0021] A stator (stationary element) 42 is fixed to the radially inner side of the motor case 41. The stator 42 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape by laminating thin steel plates (magnetic material). A plurality of teeth (not shown) are formed on the radially inner side of the stator 42, and three-phase coils (not shown) of U, V, and W phases are wound around the teeth in a delta connection via insulating members. Note that the coils are not limited to being delta-connected, and can also be wound in a star connection.

[0022] The motor unit 40 also includes a rotor 43. The rotor 43 is rotatably disposed radially inside the stator 42 via a predetermined gap (air gap). The rotor 43 is formed into a generally cylindrical shape by laminating a plurality of steel plates (magnetic materials). A plurality of permanent magnets (not shown) are integrally disposed on the rotor 43. The rotor 43 may have an interior permanent magnet (IPM) structure in which permanent magnets are embedded inside, or a surface permanent magnet (SPM) structure in which permanent magnets are attached to the outer circumferential surface.

[0023] The motor unit 40 includes a rotating shaft 44. The rotating shaft 44 is fixed to the center of rotation of the rotor 43, and the base end side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the rotating shaft 44 is rotatably housed inside the motor case 41. On the other hand, the tip end side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the rotating shaft 44 is rotatably housed inside the gear case 51 that forms the reduction mechanism unit 50.

[0024] The rotating shaft 44 is rotatably supported by bearings (not shown) provided inside the motor case 41 and the gear case 51. In addition, in Fig. 3, the gear cover 52 (see Fig. 2) that forms the speed reduction mechanism 50 is not shown.

[0025] A worm 44a that forms the reduction gear mechanism SD is integrally provided on the tip side of the rotating shaft 44. Furthermore, a rotating shaft sensor magnet MG1 is fixed between the worm 44a of the rotating shaft 44 and the rotor 43. This rotating shaft sensor magnet MG1 is used to detect the rotation direction and rotation speed of the rotating shaft 44, and the rotation position of the rotor 43 relative to the stator 42. This makes it possible to control the rotation state of the rotating shaft 44 with high precision.

[0026] 2 and 3, the speed reduction mechanism 50 includes an aluminum die-cast gear case 51. The opening of the gear case 51 (the lower side in FIG. 2 and the front side in FIG. 3) is closed by a plastic gear cover 52.

[0027] A worm wheel 53 that forms the speed reduction mechanism SD is rotatably housed inside the gear case 51. The worm wheel 53 is formed in a substantially disk shape from a resin material such as polyacetal plastic, and has gear teeth 53a formed on its outer periphery. The gear teeth 53a of the worm wheel 53 are meshed with the worm 44a.

[0028] The base end of output shaft 53b is fixed to the rotation center of worm wheel 53, and the tip end of output shaft 53b extends outside gear case 51. A link mechanism 36 (see FIG. 1) is fixed to the tip end of output shaft 53b. As a result, the rotation speed of rotating shaft 44 is reduced by worm 44a and worm wheel 53 (reduction mechanism SD), and this reduced, high-torque output is output from output shaft 53b to link mechanism 36.

[0029] 3, an output shaft sensor magnet MG2 formed in a substantially disk shape is provided at the rotation center of the worm wheel 53 and on the surface of the worm wheel 53 opposite the output shaft 53b side. The output shaft sensor magnet MG2 is used to detect the rotational position of the output shaft 53b relative to the gear case 51. This makes it possible to accurately detect the positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b relative to the wiping ranges 11a, 11b, respectively.

[0030] [Control board] As shown in Fig. 2, a control board 60 is mounted inside the gear cover 52. An external connector (not shown) on the vehicle 10 side is electrically connected to the control board 60 via a connector connection section (not shown) provided on the gear cover 52. This allows a drive current to be supplied to both the control board 60 and the motor section 40. The control board 60 is also electrically connected to a wiper switch 21 that outputs a HI (high speed) signal, a LO (low speed) signal, and an INT (intermittent) signal. The control board 60 corresponds to the controller in the present invention.

[0031] [Inverter circuit] As shown in Fig. 4, an inverter circuit 61 is provided on the control board 60. The inverter circuit 61 is electrically connected to an on-board battery and three-phase coils (not shown) of U, V, and W phases. The inverter circuit 61 has a plurality of switching elements such as FETs (Field Effect Transistors), and these switching elements are switched at high speed using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control to supply drive currents to the three-phase coils individually. As a result, the rotor 43 (see Fig. 3) rotates with a predetermined drive torque and rotational speed.

[0032] [Rotational axis sensor] Rotating shaft sensors Su, Sv, and Sw are also provided on the control board 60. These rotating shaft sensors Su, Sv, and Sw are used to detect the rotational state of the rotating shaft 44, and three of them are provided corresponding to the three-phase coils of U, V, and W. The rotating shaft sensors Su, Sv, and Sw are made up of magnetic sensors such as Hall ICs. As shown in FIG. 3, these rotating shaft sensors Su, Sv, and Sw are arranged on the control board 60 at portions facing the rotating shaft sensor magnet MG1 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 53b.

[0033] [Output shaft sensor] Furthermore, the control board 60 is provided with a single output shaft sensor So. This output shaft sensor So is used to detect the rotational state of the output shaft 53b (see FIGS. 2 and 3), i.e., the position of each of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b relative to the wiping areas 11a, 11b. The output shaft sensor So is made up of a magnetic sensor such as an MR sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, the output shaft sensor So is disposed on the control board 60 at a position facing the output shaft sensor magnet MG2 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 53b.

[0034] [Vehicle speed information acquisition section] The control board 60 is also provided with a vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs that acquires vehicle speed information of the vehicle 10. A vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle 10 is input to this vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs. Specifically, an in-vehicle controller (not shown) is electrically connected to the control board 60 via CAN communication, LIN communication, or the like, and these exchange various information with each other. Therefore, the control board 60 can easily acquire the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor.

[0035] [Position holding control section] Furthermore, the control board 60 is provided with a position holding control unit 62. This position holding control unit 62 is activated when the wiper switch 21 is intermittently operated (turned on) and receives an INT (intermittent) signal from the wiper switch 21. In this way, by operating the wiper switch 21 intermittently, the control board 60 intermittently drives the wiper motor 31, and the position holding control unit 62 starts operating.

[0036] When the wiper motor 31 is intermittently driven, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are stopped for a predetermined time (e.g., a standby time of 30 seconds) at a predetermined reference intermittent stop position INTP (see FIG. 5). In other words, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are stopped for the predetermined time before the next wiping operation is started. This prevents the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from frequently moving back and forth during light rain, thereby reducing stress on the driver. The predetermined time (standby time for intermittent stop) can be determined as desired. In some wiper motors, the driver can adjust the standby time by operating a standby time adjustment dial (not shown) provided on the wiper switch 21.

[0037] The position holding control unit 62 has a function of stopping the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b at the reference intermittent stop position INTP while the wiper motor 31 is intermittently stopped (during standby time). Specifically, for example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling at high speed (e.g., 100 km / h), the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b may be subjected to traveling wind (external force) and moved (shifted) from the reference intermittent stop position INTP. In such a case, the position holding control unit 62 drives the wiper motor 31 and controls the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, which have been moved by the traveling wind, to return to the reference intermittent stop position INTP.

[0038] Here, the position holding control unit 62 determines whether the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b have been moved (shifted) relative to the reference intermittent stop position INTP based on a detection signal from the output shaft sensor So, which detects the rotational state of the output shaft 53b of the wiper motor 31.

[0039] [Continuous drive determination section] The control board 60 is also provided with a continuous drive determination unit 63. This continuous drive determination unit 63 determines whether the wiper motor 31 (motor unit 40) has been continuously driven by the position maintenance control unit 62. Specifically, in this embodiment, the position maintenance control unit 62 determines whether the wiper motor 31 has been continuously driven based on how many times it has performed an operation to return the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to the reference intermittent stop position INTP (the number of return operations). In other words, whether the wiper motors have been continuously driven is determined based on how well the "position maintenance function" of the position maintenance control unit 62 has worked.

[0040] [Return direction memory section] Furthermore, the control board 60 is provided with a return direction storage unit 64. This return direction storage unit 64 stores the direction (return direction) in which the position holding control unit 62 returns the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, which have been moved from the reference intermittent stop position INTP by wind while the vehicle 10 is traveling, toward the reference intermittent stop position INTP. For example, if the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are moved from the reference intermittent stop position INTP toward the stored position HP due to "wind blown in" occurring near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12 while the vehicle 10 is traveling, the return direction at this time is "toward the upper reversal position URP." The return direction storage unit 64 stores this upper reversal position URP side.

[0041] [Intermittent stop position change section] The control board 60 is also provided with an intermittent stop position changing unit 65. This intermittent stop position changing unit 65 performs control to change the intermittent stop positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to a corrected position CP that is different from the reference intermittent stop position INTP, based on the determination by the continuous drive determination unit 63 that the wiper motor 31 has been continuously driven. For example, if the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are moved toward the stored position HP by the entrained wind as described above, the intermittent stop positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are set (corrected) to a position where the influence of the entrained wind is small, i.e., a position where the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b will not be moved by the entrained wind.

[0042] Here, the intermittent stop position after correction will be referred to as a corrected position CP in the following description. In this embodiment, the corrected position CP is a predetermined upper adjustment position UAP (see FIG. 5) (corrected position CP = upper adjustment position UAP). Note that the upper adjustment position UAP, which is the corrected position CP, is a position that is predetermined for the vehicle 10, for example, by FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis, taking into consideration the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle 10, specifically the angle between the hood 12 and the windshield 11, etc.

[0043] [Operation description] Next, the operation of the control board 60 forming the wiper control device 20 configured as described above, in particular the operation of the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 that changes the intermittent stop positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the corrected position CP (upper adjustment position UAP), will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, only the AS-side wiper blade 35b is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the description will be given assuming that it is the wiper blade 35b.

[0044] Before describing the operation of the intermittent stop position changing unit 65, various positions of the wiper blade 35b relative to the windshield 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] 5, for example, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is 100 km / h, a strong entrained wind area AR1 (dark shaded area) is formed near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12. Specifically, the entrained wind area AR1 is formed from the edge portion 12a toward the storage position HP. Note that the entrained wind is wind that flows from the edge portion 12a toward the storage position HP, and when the vehicle speed is 100 km / h, the wiper blade 35b stopped in the entrained wind area AR1 is pressed toward the storage position HP by the entrained wind.

[0046] Meanwhile, an intermediate area AR2 (lightly shaded area) where the entrained wind and the "tailwind" compete with each other is also formed near the edge portion 12a. Here, the tailwind refers to the wind that flows over the hood 12, passes through the edge portion 12a, and then flows over the windshield 11 toward the upper reversal position URP. When the vehicle speed is 100 km / h and the wiper blade 35b is stopped in an area where the tailwind is strong, the wiper blade 35b is pressed toward the upper reversal position URP by the tailwind.

[0047] As described above, the intermediate area AR2 is an area where the entrained wind and the tailwind compete with each other. That is, it is an area where the wiper blade 35b is unlikely to be pressed toward either the storage position HP or the upper reversal position URP. Therefore, in this embodiment, the correction position CP is set to the upper adjustment position UAP, which is within the intermediate area AR2. Therefore, the wiper blade 35b stopped at the upper adjustment position UAP will not move toward the storage position HP or the upper reversal position URP even if the vehicle speed is 100 km / h.

[0048] 5 has been described using an example where the vehicle speed is 100 km / h, the positions and sizes of the entrained wind area AR1 (dark-shaded area) and the intermediate area AR2 (light-shaded area) vary depending on the design (sports type, sedan type, etc.) and the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. The positions and sizes of the entrained wind area AR1 and the intermediate area AR2 can be analyzed, for example, by FEM analysis.

[0049] Furthermore, when the vehicle 10 is traveling on an ordinary road (maximum speed of approximately 50 km / h), the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b is the reference intermittent stop position INTP, which is the same position as the lower reversal position LRP. Specifically, the reference intermittent stop position INTP (lower reversal position LRP) is located near the edge portion 12a that is barely hidden by the hood 12. This makes it possible to improve the appearance of the vehicle 10 when viewed from the outside.

[0050] 5, a cowl top panel CT is provided near the storage position HP to cover the wiper drive mechanism 30 mounted inside a bulkhead or the like (not shown). In addition, in the wiping direction of the wiper blade 35b, a first lower adjustment position LAP1, a second lower adjustment position LAP2, and a lower adjustment lower limit position LLP are provided between the storage position HP and the reference intermittent stop position INTP (lower reversal position LRP).

[0051] These first and second lower adjustment positions LAP1, LAP2 and lower adjustment lower limit position LLP are located in positions that are hidden by the hood 12 and are hardly affected by wind when the vehicle speed is 100 km / h. In other words, these first and second lower adjustment positions LAP1, LAP2 and lower adjustment lower limit position LLP can also be used as correction positions CP (see Embodiments 2 and 3).

[0052] Next, the specific operation of the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 (see FIG. 4) will be described in detail.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S1, the wiper switch 21 is intermittently operated (ON operation: INT SW ON) by the driver or the like, which causes the intermittent operation of the wiper control device 20 (see FIG. 1) to start (START), and the wiper motor 31 is intermittently driven.

[0054] In the following step S2, the vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs (see FIG. 4) determines whether the vehicle 10 is traveling. Specifically, the vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs determines whether a vehicle speed signal of the vehicle 10 has been received. If it is determined in step S2 that the vehicle 10 is stopped (no determination), the process proceeds to step S3, and if it is determined in step S2 that the vehicle 10 is traveling (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0055] In step S3, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 keeps the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b (see FIG. 5) at the predetermined reference intermittent stop position INTP. That is, when the vehicle 10 is not moving (when the vehicle is stopped), the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 does not change the intermittent stop position (corrected position CP = reference intermittent stop position INTP). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0056] In step S5, it is determined whether the intermittent operation of the wiper switch 21 has been turned off, and if it is determined that the intermittent operation has been turned off (yes: INT SW OFF), the process proceeds to step S6. Then, in step S6, the supply of drive current to the wiper control device 20 is stopped, and the intermittent operation of the wiper control device 20 is stopped (END). After the intermittent operation of the wiper switch 21 is turned off, the wiper blades 35b are automatically positioned at the storage position HP (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the wiper switch 21 remains in the intermittent operation (INT SW ON) (no), the process returns to step S2.

[0057] If the vehicle 10 is traveling (if yes is determined in step S3), then in step S4, the position maintenance control unit 62 determines whether the position maintenance function was turned on (ON) while the wiper motor 31 was being intermittently stopped. If it is determined in step S4 that the position maintenance function is off (NO), then the process proceeds to step S3. That is, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 determines that the wiper blade 35b can be stopped at the reference intermittent stop position INTP, and does not change the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b from the reference intermittent stop position INTP (corrected position CP = reference intermittent stop position INTP).

[0058] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the position holding function has been turned on while the wiper motor 31 is being intermittently stopped (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the continuous drive determination unit 63 determines whether the wiper motor 31 is being continuously driven by the position holding control unit 62. Specifically, in this embodiment, it is determined whether the position holding function has been turned on a predetermined number of times or more n times in succession.

[0059] 7, the position maintaining function is turned on three times in succession between time t1 when the position maintaining function starts operating and time t7. That is, in this embodiment, the predetermined number of times n is set to three. This number of three is stored in advance in the continuous drive determination unit 63 as a determination threshold.

[0060] More specifically, when the wiper blade 35b is pushed toward the storage position HP by the wind (external force) from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the movement position MP (time t1→t2), the position holding control unit 62 then drives the wiper motor 31 to return the wiper blade 35b from the movement position MP to the reference intermittent stop position INTP (time t2→t3). This drive of the wiper motor 31 from the movement position MP to the reference intermittent stop position INTP (return operation) is performed "three times" between time t1 and time t7. Here, the wiper motor 31 is driven by the position holding control unit 62 between time t2→t3, time t4→t5, and time t6→t7.

[0061] Here, the return direction storage unit 64 provided on the control board 60 stores the direction in which the wiper blade 35b is returned from the movement position MP to the reference intermittent stop position INTP, i.e., the "return direction" of the wiper blade 35b. That is, in this embodiment, the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction storage unit 64 is toward the upper reversal position URP (between times t2 and t3, between times t4 and t5, and between times t6 and t7).

[0062] If step S7 returns no, that is, if it is determined that the position maintaining function has not been turned on three or more times in succession, the process proceeds to step S3. That is, if the wiper blade 35b can be returned to the reference intermittent stop position INTP by turning on the position maintaining function less than three times (if the returning operation is successful), the process proceeds to step S3, and the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b is left unchanged at the reference intermittent stop position INTP (corrected position CP = reference intermittent stop position INTP).

[0063] On the other hand, if step S7 returns "yes," that is, if it is determined that the position holding function has been turned on three or more times in succession, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 performs control to move (shift) the intermittent stop position relative to the reference intermittent stop position INTP in the same direction as the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction storage unit 64, that is, to the upper adjustment position UAP on the upper reversal position URP side (see the period from time t7 to time t8 in FIG. 7).

[0064] In this way, when the wiper blade 35b cannot be returned to the reference intermittent stop position INTP due to the influence of the wind, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 moves (changes) the intermittent stop position to the upper adjustment position UAP different from the reference intermittent stop position INTP. Specifically, in this embodiment, the corrected position CP is the upper adjustment position UAP (corrected position CP=upper adjustment position UAP).

[0065] Then, proceeding to step S5, as long as the wiper switch 21 remains in intermittent operation and the vehicle 10 is moving, taking into consideration that the position holding function was turned on in the previous control routine and that it was turned on a predetermined number of times or more in succession, that is, based on the history of the previous control routine, the intermittent stop position change unit 65 continues to set the upper adjustment position UAP as the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b (see time t8 onwards in Figure 7).

[0066] As described above in detail, in the wiper control device 20 according to this embodiment, when the continuous drive determination unit 63 determines that the wiper motor 31 has been continuously driven, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 changes the intermittent stop position of the wiper blade 35b to a corrected position CP (upper adjustment position UAP) different from the reference intermittent stop position INTP. This prevents the position holding control unit 62 from repeatedly performing control to return the wiper blade 35b to the reference intermittent stop position INTP, thereby reducing the load on the wiper motor 31. Furthermore, it is possible to continue operating the intermittent function with the intermittent stop position changed (reference intermittent stop position INTP → upper adjustment position UAP), thereby improving comfort and convenience.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the wiper control device 20 of this embodiment, the control board 60 includes a return direction memory unit 64 that stores the return direction of the wiper blade 35b determined by the position holding control unit 62, and the corrected position CP is the upper adjustment position UAP that is moved relative to the reference intermittent stop position INTP in the same direction as the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction memory unit 64. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the changed intermittent stop position can be set as the upper adjustment position UAP near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12 and visible to the driver, etc. (a position that is not hidden by the hood 12). Therefore, the driver, etc. can easily check the operating status of the wiper control device 20 (such as whether the intermittent stop position has been changed).

[0068] Furthermore, according to the wiper control device 20 of this embodiment, repeated control by the position holding control unit 62 to return the wiper blade 35b to the reference intermittent stop position INTP is suppressed, and the load on the wiper motor 31 can be reduced, thereby extending the life of the wiper control device 20 and improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 10. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, particularly to Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0069] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 6 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 7 of the second embodiment.

[0071] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, only the control content of the control board 60 (controller) is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, compared to the first embodiment (see Figure 6), processing of step S21 (shaded portion) is added, processing of step S22 (shaded portion) is performed instead of processing of step S7 in Figure 6, and processing of step S23 (shaded portion) is performed instead of processing of step S8 in Figure 6.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8, if the vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs (see FIG. 4) determines in step S2 that the vehicle 10 is traveling (yes), then in the following step S21, the vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs determines whether the current vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined vehicle speed threshold (threshold) Th. Here, the vehicle speed threshold Th is a constant pre-stored in the vehicle speed information acquisition unit Vs, and in this embodiment, the vehicle speed threshold Th is set to 100 km / h. That is, in the second embodiment, the position holding control unit 62 (see FIG. 4) starts control when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 becomes equal to or greater than the vehicle speed threshold Th. Then, if the determination in step S21 is yes, the process proceeds to step S4, and if the determination in step S21 is no, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0073] Furthermore, in step S4, if the position holding control unit 62 determines that the position holding function has been turned on (yes determination) while the wiper motor 31 is being intermittently stopped, then in the following step S22, the continuous drive determination unit 63 (see FIG. 4) determines whether the wiper motor 31 (see FIG. 1) is being continuously driven by the position holding control unit 62. Specifically, unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment determines whether the position holding function has been continuously turned on for a predetermined time Tm or more. In other words, while the first embodiment looks at the "number of times the position holding function has been operated," the second embodiment looks at the "operation time of the position holding function."

[0074] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the time t1 to t7 between the time t1 when the position maintaining function starts operating and the time t7 is the above-mentioned "predetermined time Tm." Here, the predetermined time Tm (time t1 to t7), which is the operating time of the position maintaining function, is set to, for example, 10 seconds. This "10 seconds" is stored in advance in the continuous drive determination unit 63 as a judgment threshold value.

[0075] 9, from time t1 to time t7, the wiper blade 35b (see FIG. 5) is pushed from the reference intermittent stop position INTP toward the storage position HP by the entrained wind (external force) and moved to the movement position MP, and the position holding function operates from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, and from time t6 to time t7. In this way, the position holding control unit 62 controls the wiper blade 35b to return from the movement position MP to the reference intermittent stop position INTP.

[0076] In step S23, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 (see FIG. 4) controls the intermittent stop position to move (shift) from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the first lower adjustment position LAP1 (see FIG. 5) (see the period from time t7 to time t8 in FIG. 9). Here, in the second embodiment, the correction position CP is the predetermined first lower adjustment position LAP1 (correction position CP=first lower adjustment position LAP1), and this first lower adjustment position LAP1 is the same position as the movement position MP (first lower adjustment position LAP1=movement position MP).

[0077] Thus, in the second embodiment, the intermittent stop position change unit 65 moves the intermittent stop position relative to the reference intermittent stop position INTP in the direction opposite to the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction memory unit 64 (see FIG. 4), that is, the first lower adjustment position LAP1 located on the opposite side of the upper reversal position URP (storage position HP side) is set as the correction position CP.

[0078] When determining the first lower adjustment position LAP1 using FEM analysis or the like, it is desirable not to exceed the lower adjustment lower limit position LLP (see FIG. 5). In other words, it is desirable not to set the first lower adjustment position LAP1 in a position closer to the storage position HP than the lower adjustment lower limit position LLP. If the first lower adjustment position LAP1 were set to a position substantially the same as the storage position HP, a relatively large area of ​​the wiping range of the wiper blade 35b would be hidden by the hood 12. This could cause a sense of discomfort to the driver, etc.

[0079] The second embodiment configured as described above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the correction position CP is the first lower adjustment position LAP1 that is moved with respect to the reference intermittent stop position INTP in the direction opposite to the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction storage unit 64 (toward the stored position HP). Therefore, the wiper blade 35b can be covered by the hood 12 during an intermittent stop. This can improve the appearance of the vehicle 10 during an intermittent stop.

[0080] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the position holding control unit 62 starts control when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 becomes equal to or greater than the vehicle speed threshold Th. Therefore, when the vehicle speed is low (for example, about 30 km / h) and a sudden gust of wind or the like causes the wiper blade 35b to move temporarily, the position holding control unit 62 can be prevented from operating unnecessarily, and the load on the wiper motor 31 and the control board 60 can be reduced.

[0081] [Embodiment 3] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that parts having the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] FIG. 10 shows a part of a flowchart illustrating the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 shows a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 7 of the third embodiment.

[0083] 10 and 11, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the control content of the control board 60 (controller). Specifically, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the processing of step S31 is performed instead of the processing of step S8 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6).

[0084] Specifically, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 (see FIG. 4) stores the movement amount AM of the wiper blade 35b from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the movement position MP during the period from when the position holding function is turned on (determined as yes) in step S4 until the position holding function is turned on (determined as yes) a predetermined number of times n or more consecutively in step S7, that is, during the period from time t1 to time t7 in FIG. 11. Here, the movement amount AM is obtained from the detection signal of the output shaft sensor So (see FIG. 4) and is equal to the distance from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the movement position MP.

[0085] Then, in step S31, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 performs control to move (shift) the intermittent stop position from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the second lower adjustment position LAP2 (see FIG. 5). Specifically, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 moves (corrects) the intermittent stop position relative to the reference intermittent stop position INTP in the direction opposite to the return direction of the wiper blade 35b stored in the return direction storage unit 64 (see FIG. 4), that is, to the second lower adjustment position LAP2 on the opposite side from the upper reversal position URP.

[0086] Here, the second lower adjustment position LAP2 is calculated by the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 based on the stored movement amount AM. Specifically, the second lower adjustment position LAP2, which is the correction position CP, is set to be closer to the storage position HP than the movement position MP to which the wiper blade 35b is moved by the entrained wind (external force). In other words, the intermittent stop position changing unit 65 sets the movement amount from the reference intermittent stop position INTP to the correction position CP (second lower adjustment position LAP2) to be equal to or greater than the movement amount AM of the wiper blade 35b from the reference intermittent stop position INTP due to the entrained wind.

[0087] The third embodiment configured as described above can also achieve the same effects as those of the second embodiment. In addition, in the third embodiment, the correction position CP (second lower adjustment position LAP2) is located closer to the lower adjustment lower limit position LLP than the first lower adjustment position LAP1 (see FIGS. 5 and 9), which makes it difficult for strong wind to hit the wiper blade 35b.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the control board 60 as a controller is attached to the gear cover 52 of the wiper motor 31, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the control board 60 can also be mounted on an on-board controller installed in the vehicle 10.

[0089] In addition, in the above-mentioned second and third embodiments, the vehicle speed threshold Th is set to 100 km / h and the predetermined time Tm is set to 10 seconds, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the wiper control device 20 can be tuned as desired depending on the design, driving performance, etc. of the vehicle 10 in which the wiper control device 20 is installed.

[0090] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the wiper motor 31 is a brushless motor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a motor with brushes can also be used.

[0091] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the wiper control device 20 is used in a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be used in, for example, an aircraft or a railway vehicle.

[0092] Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, installation location, etc. of each component in each of the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10: vehicle, 11: windshield, 11a: DR side wiping range, 11b: AS side wiping range, 12: bonnet, 12a: edge portion, 20: wiper control device, 21: wiper switch (intermittent switch), 30: wiper drive mechanism, 31: wiper motor, 32: DR side pivot shaft, 33: AS side pivot shaft, 34: DR side wiper member (wiper member), 34a: DR side wiper arm, 34b: D R-side wiper blade, 35: AS-side wiper member (wiper member), 35a: AS-side wiper arm, 35b: AS-side wiper blade (wiper blade), 36: link mechanism, 40: motor section, 41: motor case, 42: stator, 43: rotor, 44: rotating shaft, 44a: worm, 50: reduction mechanism section, 51: gear case, 52: gear cover, 53: worm wheel, 53a: gear teeth, 5 3b: output shaft, 60: control board (controller), 61: inverter circuit, 62: position holding control unit, 63: continuous drive determination unit, 64: return direction memory unit, 65: intermittent stop position change unit, AM: movement amount, AR1: entrained wind area, AR2: intermediate area, CP: correction position, CT: cowl top panel, HP: storage position, INTP: reference intermittent stop position, LAP1: first lower adjustment position, LAP2: second lower adjustment position, LLP: lower adjustment lower limit position, LRP: lower reversal position, MG1: sensor magnet for rotating shaft, MG2: sensor magnet for output shaft, MP: movement position, SD: reduction mechanism, So: output shaft sensor, Su, Sv, Sw: rotating shaft sensor, Th: vehicle speed threshold (threshold), Tm: predetermined time, UAP: upper adjustment position, URP: upper reversal position, Vs: vehicle speed information acquisition unit, n: predetermined number of times, t1 to t8: time

Claims

1. a wiper motor that drives the wiper member to perform a wiping operation; a controller that intermittently drives the wiper motor; A wiper control device comprising: The controller a position holding control unit that drives the wiper motor to return the wiper member to the reference intermittent stop position when the wiper member is moved from the reference intermittent stop position by an external force while the wiper motor is intermittently stopped; a continuous drive determination unit that determines whether the wiper motor is continuously driven by the position holding control unit; an intermittent stop position changing unit that changes an intermittent stop position of the wiper member to a correction position different from the reference intermittent stop position when the continuous drive determining unit determines that the wiper motor has been continuously driven; having Wiper control device.

2. The wiper control device according to claim 1, the controller includes a return direction storage unit that stores a return direction of the wiper member determined by the position holding control unit, the corrected position is a position moved with respect to the reference intermittent stop position in the same direction as the return direction of the wiper member stored in the return direction storage unit, Wiper control device.

3. The wiper control device according to claim 1, the controller includes a return direction storage unit that stores a return direction of the wiper member determined by the position holding control unit, the corrected position is a position obtained by moving the wiper member in a direction opposite to the return direction of the wiper member stored in the return direction storage unit with respect to the reference intermittent stop position. Wiper control device.

4. a movement amount from the reference intermittent stop position to the correction position is equal to or greater than a movement amount of the wiper member from the reference intermittent stop position due to the external force; The wiper control device according to claim 3 .

5. The position holding control unit starts control when the vehicle speed reaches or exceeds a threshold value. The wiper control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images