Wiper control device

Abstract

To provide a wiper control device for which a countermeasure against entrainment wind has been adopted.SOLUTION: A storage position of a wiper blade 35b changes to an upper inversion position URP side according to speed of a vehicle. Consequently, the wiper blade 35b is prevented from contacting a cowl top panel CT despite that entrainment wind arises in the vicinity of an edge part 12a of a bonnet 12. Accordingly, deterioration of the wiper blade 35b is suppressed and an exchange cycle of the wiper blade 35b can be extended, thus, maintainability can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

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 device (wiper control device) described in Patent Document 1 is configured to move the lower terminal position further downward when the wiper (wiper member) is pressed upward by wind flowing along the windshield (wind glass) and the lower terminal position (lower reversal position) is moved upward (toward the upper reversal position). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-533400 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To improve the appearance and aerodynamic characteristics of a vehicle, the storage position and lower inversion position of the wiper members are often hidden near the edge of the hood. In this case, the wind flowing along the hood is drawn into the inside of the hood near the edge, and this "wind drawn" presses downward on the wiper members moved to the storage position or lower inversion position. As a result, the pressed downward wiper members come into contact with the cowl top panel located inside the hood, which could cause deterioration of the wiper members. The technology described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above does not take measures against such wind drawn inside the hood.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper control device that is provided with measures against wind being drawn in. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper control device having a wiper motor that causes a wiper member to perform a wiping operation, and a controller that rotates the wiper motor forward and backward to move the wiper member back and forth between a lower reversal position and an upper reversal position, and stops the wiper motor to stop the wiper member at a reference storage position that is farther from the upper reversal position than the lower reversal position, wherein the controller has a vehicle speed detection unit that detects the vehicle speed, and a storage position change unit that changes the storage position of the wiper member to a corrected storage position that is closer to the upper reversal position than the reference storage position in accordance with the vehicle speed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the wiper member is in the storage position. Place the car The upper inversion position changes depending on the vehicle speed. On the side Therefore, even if wind is blown in near the edge of the hood, the wiper member can be prevented from coming into contact with the cowl top panel. [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] 1 is a block diagram of a wiper control device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the wiper member and the hood in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a graph illustrating the operation of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a graph illustrating the operation of a modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a wiper control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating the positions of the wiper member and the hood in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment (the dashed lines indicate modified examples). [Figure 12] 10 is a graph illustrating the operation of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a graph illustrating the operation of another modified example of the second 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 a schematic diagram of a wiper control device mounted on a vehicle, Figure 2 shows a view of the wiper motor from the side, 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 of embodiment 1, Figure 5 shows a diagram explaining the position of the wiper member and hood of embodiment 1, Figure 6 shows a flowchart showing the operation of embodiment 1, Figure 7 shows a graph explaining the operation of embodiment 1, and Figure 8 shows a graph explaining the operation of a modified example of embodiment 1.

[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 synchronously 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.

[0018] In the drawings, the symbol LRP indicates the "lower reversal position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, the symbol URP indicates the "upper reversal position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, and the symbol HP indicates the "storage position" of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b. Here, the storage position HP where the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are stored is located farther from the upper reversal position URP than the lower reversal position LRP.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] [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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] [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.

[0032] [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.

[0033] [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.

[0034] [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.

[0035] [Vehicle speed detection section] The control board 60 is also provided with a vehicle speed detection unit 62 that detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. A vehicle speed signal is input to the vehicle speed detection unit 62 from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle 10. Specifically, the control board 60 is electrically connected to an in-vehicle controller (not shown) 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.

[0036] Furthermore, the vehicle speed detection unit 62 pre-stores a first vehicle speed threshold V1 and a second vehicle speed threshold V2 to be compared with the input vehicle speed signal. These vehicle speed thresholds V1 and V2 serve as criteria for determining a correction amount ΔC in the storage position change unit 63, which will be described later. In the first embodiment, the first vehicle speed threshold V1 is set to "100 km / h," and the second vehicle speed threshold V2 is set to "150 km / h."

[0037] [Storage position change section] The control board 60 is also provided with a storage position change unit 63. This storage position change unit 63 is activated when the wiper switch 21 is turned on, and vehicle speed information is input to the storage position change unit 63 from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. Specifically, the storage position change unit 63 receives vehicle speed information indicating whether the vehicle 10 is traveling, whether the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a first vehicle speed threshold V1, and whether the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a second vehicle speed threshold V2.

[0038] The storage position changing unit 63 then performs control to change the storage positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to a corrected storage position CP that is different from the reference storage position (corresponding to the storage position HP in FIG. 1) based on vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. Specifically, when the "wind blowing" intensifies near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12, that is, when the vehicle speed increases, the storage positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are changed so as to move them away from the cowl top panel CT (see FIG. 5).

[0039] That is, the storage position change unit 63 changes the storage positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to a corrected storage position CP (one of CP1, CP2, or CP3 in Figure 5) that is located on the upper reversal position URP side of the reference storage position HP, depending on the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10.

[0040] Here, as shown in Figure 5, the cowl top panel CT is a part that is provided near the storage position HP and functions as a cover member that covers and conceals the wiper drive mechanism 30 (see Figure 1) mounted inside the bulkhead, etc. (not shown).

[0041] The correction amount ΔC (+0 deg, +X deg, +Y deg, +Z deg) of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from the reference storage position HP is a constant pre-stored in the storage position changing unit 63. Whether the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b has been moved (changed) by the correction amount ΔC is determined using a detection signal from an output shaft sensor So (see FIG. 3) that detects the rotation state of the output shaft 53b of the wiper motor 31.

[0042] The storage position change unit 63 sets the corrected storage position CP to one of no change (ΔC = +0 deg), a first corrected storage position CP1 (ΔC = +X deg), a second corrected storage position CP2 (ΔC = +Y deg), or a third corrected storage position CP3 (ΔC = +Z deg) (+0 deg < +X deg < +Y deg < +Z deg) in accordance with the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. Note that +X deg, +Y deg, and +Z deg, including +0 deg, are the distances between the reference storage position HP and the corrected storage position CP, and are the correction amount ΔC that prevents the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from contacting the cowl top panel CT. These correction amounts ΔC (separation distances) are determined for each vehicle 10 by, for example, 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, and the like.

[0043] [Operation description] Next, the operation of the control board 60 that forms the wiper control device 20 formed as described above, in particular the operation of the storage position change unit 63 that changes the storage positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from the reference storage position HP to the corrected storage position CP (either CP1, CP2, or CP3 in Figure 5), will be explained in detail using the drawings.

[0044] For the sake of convenience, only the AS-side wiper blade 35b is shown in Fig. 5. Hereinafter, the description will be made on the basis of the wiper blade 35b.

[0045] Before describing the operation of the storage position changing unit 63, various positions of the wiper blade 35b relative to the windshield 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] 5, near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12, for example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling at a medium to high speed (approximately 100 to 170 km / h), a strong entrained wind region AR1 (dark-shaded area) is formed. Specifically, the entrained wind region AR1 is formed from the edge portion 12a to the cowl top panel CT. Note that the entrained wind is wind that flows from the edge portion 12a, through the inside of the hood 12, and toward the cowl top panel CT. When the vehicle speed is medium to high, the wiper blade 35b stopped in the entrained wind region AR1 is pressed toward the cowl top panel CT by the entrained wind.

[0047] 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 along the windshield 11 toward the upper reversal position URP. When the vehicle speed is medium to high 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.

[0048] 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 less likely to be pressed toward either the cowl top panel CT or the upper reversal position URP. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the storage position change unit 63 executes control such that, as the vehicle speed increases, the post-correction storage position CP moves away from the reference storage position HP to increase the distance (separation distance) therebetween, thereby moving the wiper blade 35b closer to the intermediate area AR2. Therefore, even if the wiper blade 35b is pressed by the entrained wind when stopped at the first to third post-correction storage positions CP1 to CP3, it will not come into contact with the cowl top panel CT.

[0049] 5 has been described using an example in which the vehicle speed is medium to high (approximately 100 to 170 km / h), but the positions and sizes of the entrained wind area AR1 (dark-shaded area) and the intermediate area AR2 (light-shaded area) will vary depending on the design and running performance (maximum speed, etc.) of the vehicle 10. The positions and sizes of the entrained wind area AR1 and the intermediate area AR2 can also be analyzed by, for example, FEM analysis.

[0050] Next, the specific operation of the storage position change unit 63 (see FIG. 4) will be described in detail.

[0051] 6, first, in step S1, the wiper switch 21 is turned on by an operation such as a driver, which starts (START) the wiping operation of the wiper control device 20 (see FIG. 1). Accordingly, the control board 60 rotates the wiper motor 31 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) forward and backward, and moves the wiper blade 35b (see FIG. 5) back and forth between the lower reversal position LRP and the upper reversal position URP.

[0052] In the following step S2, the vehicle speed detection unit 62 (see FIG. 4) determines whether the vehicle 10 is moving. Specifically, the vehicle speed detection unit 62 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 moving (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S4.

[0053] In step S3, the storage position changing unit 63 keeps the storage position of the wiper blade 35b at the predetermined reference storage position HP (ΔC=+0 deg). That is, when the vehicle 10 is not moving (when the vehicle is stopped), the storage position changing unit 63 does not change the storage position (corrected storage position CP=reference storage position HP). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0054] In step S5, it is determined whether the wiper switch 21 has been turned off, and if it is determined that the wiper switch 21 has been turned off (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S6. Then, in step S6, the supply of drive current from the control board 60 to the wiper control device 20 is stopped, that is, the wiper motor 31 is stopped, and the wiper blade 35b is stopped at the reference storage position HP set in the upstream step S3. Thereafter, in step S7, the operation of the wiper control device 20 is completely stopped (END).

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the wiper switch 21 remains in the on position (no determination), the process returns to step S2.

[0056] If the vehicle 10 is traveling (if the determination in step S2 is yes), then in step S4 the vehicle speed detection unit 62 detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 and determines whether the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the first vehicle speed threshold V1. If the determination in step S4 is that the vehicle speed is less than the vehicle speed threshold V1 (no determination), the process proceeds to step S8, and if the determination in step S4 is that the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the vehicle speed threshold V1 (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0057] In step S8, the storage position changing unit 63 sets the storage position of the wiper blade 35b to a predetermined first corrected storage position CP1 (ΔC=+X deg) based on the vehicle speed information (less than vehicle speed V1) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. That is, the storage position changing unit 63 determines that the vehicle 10 is traveling at a low speed (less than 100 km / h) and changes the storage position to the first corrected storage position CP1 by moving it slightly away from the reference storage position HP (see FIG. 5) (corrected storage position CP=first corrected storage position CP1).

[0058] This prevents the wiper blade 35b from coming into contact with the cowl top panel CT due to wind being blown in while the vehicle is traveling at a low speed (less than 100 km / h). After the change process in step S8, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0059] In step S9, the vehicle speed detection unit 62 determines whether the detected vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than the second vehicle speed threshold V2. If it is determined in step S9 that the vehicle speed is less than the vehicle speed threshold V2 (no determination), the process proceeds to step S10, and if it is determined in step S9 that the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the vehicle speed threshold V2 (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S11.

[0060] In step S10, the storage position changing unit 63 sets the storage position of the wiper blade 35b to a predetermined second corrected storage position CP2 (ΔC=+Y deg) based on the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed V1 or more and less than vehicle speed V2) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. That is, the storage position changing unit 63 determines that the vehicle 10 is traveling at a medium speed (100 km / h or more and less than 150 km / h), and changes the storage position to the second corrected storage position CP2 by moving it moderately away from the reference storage position HP (see FIG. 5) (corrected storage position CP=second corrected storage position CP2).

[0061] Therefore, contact of the wiper blade 35b with the cowl top panel CT due to wind being blown in during medium speed driving (driving at 100 km / h or more and less than 150 km / h) is suppressed. After the change process in step S10, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0062] In step S11, the storage position changing unit 63 sets the storage position of the wiper blade 35b to a predetermined third corrected storage position CP3 (ΔC=+Zdeg) based on the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed V2 or higher) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. That is, the storage position changing unit 63 determines that the vehicle 10 is traveling at high speed (150 km / h or higher), and changes the storage position to the third corrected storage position CP3 by moving it far away from the reference storage position HP (see FIG. 5) (corrected storage position CP=third corrected storage position CP3).

[0063] Therefore, contact of the wiper blade 35b with the cowl top panel CT due to wind blown in during high speed driving (driving at 150 km / h or more) is suppressed. After the change process in step S11, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0064] 7, the storage position of the wiper blade 35b is changed in stages according to the speed of the vehicle 10. That is, the storage position change unit 63 executes control to increase the distance between the reference storage position HP and the corrected storage position CP (CP1, CP2, CP3), i.e., the correction amount ΔC (+Xdeg, +Ydeg, +Zdeg), as the vehicle speed increases.

[0065] 7, when the vehicle speed is 0 km / h (stopped), the storage position of the wiper blade 35b remains at the reference storage position HP. Furthermore, when the vehicle speed is greater than 0 km / h and less than 100 km / h (V1) (driving at a low speed), the storage position of the wiper blade 35b is changed to a first post-correction storage position CP1. Furthermore, when the vehicle speed is greater than 100 km / h (V1) and less than 150 km / h (V2) (driving at a medium speed), the storage position of the wiper blade 35b is changed to a second post-correction storage position CP2. Furthermore, when the vehicle speed is 150 km / h (V2) or higher (driving at a high speed), the storage position of the wiper blade 35b is changed to a third post-correction storage position CP3.

[0066] However, as shown in the graph of Fig. 8, the storage position changing unit 63 can also change the storage position of the wiper blade 35b "continuously (linearly)" in response to changes in vehicle speed. The graph of Fig. 8 is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the distance between the reference storage position HP and the n-th post-correction storage position CPn(+ndeg) is gradually increased as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases toward Vn. However, the n-th post-correction storage position CPn is set to a position that does not extend beyond the edge portion 12a of the hood 12 (see Fig. 5) and does not extend toward the upper reversal position URP.

[0067] Here, the control board 60 controls the wiper motor 31 to slow down the wiping speed of the wiper blades 35b as the wiping range narrows and to speed up the wiping speed of the wiper blades 35b as the wiping range widens. Therefore, if the storage position is changed "stepwise," the operator may feel uncomfortable with the change in the wiping speed of the wiper blades 35b when turning on the wiper switch 21. In contrast, if the storage position is changed "continuously," there is an advantage in that the operator is less likely to notice the change in the wiping speed of the wiper blades 35b when turning on the wiper switch 21.

[0068] As described above in detail, the wiper control device 20 according to the first embodiment changes the storage positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b toward the upper reversal position URP in accordance with the speed of the vehicle 10. Therefore, even if wind is blown in near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b can be prevented from coming into contact with the cowl top panel CT. This prevents deterioration of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, making it possible to extend the replacement cycle of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b (improving maintainability).

[0069] Furthermore, according to the wiper control device 20 of the first embodiment, the storage position change unit 63 increases the distance between the reference storage position HP and the corrected storage position CP (CP1, CP2, CP3), i.e., the correction amount ΔC (+Xdeg, +Ydeg, +Zdeg), as the speed of the vehicle 10 increases. Therefore, even if the amount of deflection (warping) of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b and the link mechanism 36 increases due to wind that becomes stronger as the speed of the vehicle 10 increases, contact between the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b and the cowl top panel CT can be more reliably suppressed.

[0070] Furthermore, the wiper control device 20 according to the first embodiment can extend the life of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, and extend the replacement cycle, thereby reducing the energy required for manufacturing them. This can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0071] [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.

[0072] Figure 9 shows a block diagram of the wiper control device of embodiment 2, Figure 10 shows a diagram explaining the position of the wiper member and hood of embodiment 2, Figure 11 shows a flowchart showing the operation of embodiment 2 (the dashed line part is a modified example), Figure 12 shows a graph explaining the operation of embodiment 2, and Figure 13 shows a graph explaining the operation of another modified example of embodiment 2.

[0073] 9 and 11, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration and control content of the control board 60. Specifically, in the second embodiment, a reversal position change unit 70 is provided instead of the storage position change unit 63 (see FIG. 4) of the first embodiment, and the vehicle speed detection unit 62 stores a third vehicle speed threshold V3 (200 km / h) in addition to the first vehicle speed threshold V1 and the second vehicle speed threshold V2.

[0074] [Inversion position change section] The reversing position changing unit 70 is activated by turning on the wiper switch 21, and receives vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. Specifically, the reversing position changing unit 70 receives vehicle speed information indicating whether the vehicle 10 is traveling, whether the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a first vehicle speed threshold V1, whether the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a second vehicle speed threshold V2, and whether the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than a third vehicle speed threshold V3.

[0075] The reversal position changing unit 70 controls the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b (see FIG. 1) to be changed to a corrected lower reversal position CL that is different from the reference lower reversal position (corresponding to the lower reversal position LRP in FIG. 1) based on vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, when the "wind entrainment" intensifies near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12, that is, when the vehicle speed increases, the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are changed to be away from the cowl top panel CT.

[0076] That is, the reversal position changing unit 70 changes the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to a corrected lower reversal position CL that is closer to the reference upper reversal position URP than the reference lower reversal position LRP (+0 deg), depending on the speed of the vehicle 10. Here, the corrected lower reversal position CL changes continuously (linearly) between the reference lower reversal position LRP (+0 deg) and the maximum corrected lower reversal position CLmax (+γ deg) depending on the speed of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the correction amount δC of the lower reversal position by the reversal position changing unit 70, i.e., the distance between the reference lower reversal position LRP and the corrected lower reversal position CL, changes continuously between +0 deg and +γ deg (+0 deg≦δC≦+γ deg).

[0077] In the second embodiment, the lower reversal position before the change is referred to as the "reference lower reversal position LRP," and the upper reversal position before the change is referred to as the "reference upper reversal position URP." That is, before the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b are changed, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b reciprocate between the reference lower reversal position LRP and the reference upper reversal position URP as the wiper motor 31 rotates forward and backward.

[0078] [Operation description] Next, the operation of the control board 60 of the second embodiment formed as described above, in particular the operation of the reversal position changing unit 70 that changes the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b from the reference lower reversal position LRP to the corrected lower reversal position CL (continuously variable from LRP to CPmax), will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0079] The processes shown in the shaded areas in FIG. 11 are different from those in the flowchart of the first embodiment (see FIG. 6).

[0080] 11, if the vehicle speed detection unit 62 (see FIG. 9) determines in step S2 that the vehicle 10 is stopped (no determination), the reverse position changing unit 70 keeps the lower reverse position of the wiper blade 35b at the predetermined reference lower reverse position LRP (ΔC=+0 deg) in the following step S21 (see FIG. 10). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0081] If it is determined in step S5 that the wiper switch 21 has been turned off (yes), the process proceeds to step S22, where the wiper blades 35b are stopped at a predetermined storage position HP (see FIG. 10). In the second embodiment, the storage position HP is unchangeable (fixed). Thereafter, in step S7, the operation of the wiper control device 20 is completely stopped (END).

[0082] In step S23, the reversing position changing unit 70 determines the distance between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the corrected lower reversing position CL, i.e., the correction amount ΔC, from the range of "+0 deg<ΔC≦+α deg" according to the vehicle speed at that time based on the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed less than V1) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. As a result, the corrected lower reversing position CL is set in the range between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax, closer to the lower reversing position LRP (see vehicle speed 0 km / h → V1 km / h in FIG. 12). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0083] In step S24, the reversing position changing unit 70 determines the distance between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the corrected lower reversing position CL, i.e., the correction amount ΔC, in accordance with the current vehicle speed based on the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed V1 or more and less than vehicle speed V2) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62, from the range of "+αdeg<ΔC≦+βdeg" (+αdeg<+βdeg). As a result, the corrected lower reversing position CL is set within the intermediate range between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax (see vehicle speed V1km / h→V2km / h in FIG. 12). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0084] In step S25, the vehicle speed detection unit 62 determines whether the detected vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or greater than the third vehicle speed threshold V3. If it is determined in step S25 that the vehicle speed is less than the vehicle speed threshold V3 (no determination), the process proceeds to step S26, and if it is determined in step S25 that the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the vehicle speed threshold V3 (yes determination), the process proceeds to step S27.

[0085] In step S26, the reversing position changing unit 70 determines the distance between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the corrected lower reversing position CL, i.e., the correction amount ΔC, from the range of +βdeg<ΔC<+γdeg (+βdeg<+γdeg) according to the vehicle speed at that time based on the vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed detection unit 62 (vehicle speed V2 or more and less than vehicle speed V3). As a result, the corrected lower reversing position CL is set in the range between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax, closer to the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax (see vehicle speed V2km / h→V3km / h in FIG. 12). Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0086] In step S27, the reversing position changing unit 70 fixes the distance between the reference lower reversing position LRP and the corrected lower reversing position CL, i.e., the correction amount ΔC, as "ΔC = +γdeg" based on the vehicle speed information (vehicle speed V3 or higher) from the vehicle speed detection unit 62. As a result, the corrected lower reversing position CL is set to the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax (see vehicle speed V3 km / h and thereafter in FIG. 12). That is, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is V3 or higher, the corrected lower reversing position CL is fixed at the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax and is not changed any further toward the reference upper reversing position URP. This is to prevent the corrected lower reversing position CL from exceeding the intermediate region AR2 and positioning the wiper blade 35b in an area with a strong tailwind, as shown in FIG. 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0087] In this way, the reversal position changing unit 70 increases the distance between the reference lower reversal position LRP and the corrected lower reversal position CL (LRP to CPmax), i.e., the correction amount ΔC (+0deg, +αdeg, +βdeg, +γdeg), as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases.

[0088] However, the reversing position changing unit 70 may also perform the process of step S30 indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 11 after step S27. Step S30 indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 11 is a modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, when the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or higher than V3 (yes in step S25) and the corrected lower reversing position CL is fixed at the maximum corrected lower reversing position CLmax (step S27), the reversing position changing unit 70 performs a process of moving the reference upper reversing position URP by a predetermined amount toward the reference lower reversing position LRP. In other words, the reversing position changing unit 70 performs a process of moving the reference upper reversing position URP toward the reference lower reversing position LRP in accordance with the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0089] In this way, by having the reversal position changing unit 70 execute the process of step S30, when the DR-side wiper blade 34b wipes on the outward path toward the reference reversal position URP while the vehicle 10 is traveling at a vehicle speed of V3 or higher, as shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to prevent the DR-side wiper blade 34b from being subjected to a strong traveling wind (tailwind) and colliding forcefully with the A-pillar AP of the vehicle 10. This also makes it possible to extend the life of the DR-side wiper blade 34b.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in the graph of Fig. 13, the reverse position changing unit 70 can change the lower reverse position of the wiper blade 35b in a "stepwise" manner in response to changes in vehicle speed. The graph of Fig. 13 shows another modification of the second embodiment. In this modification, the reference lower reverse position LRP (+0 deg) is changed stepwise (three steps in Fig. 13) toward the maximum corrected lower reverse position CLmax (+γ deg) as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases toward V3. In this case, the resolution of the control by the reverse position changing unit 70 can be made coarse, thereby reducing the load on the control board 60.

[0091] As described above in detail, the wiper control device 20 according to the second embodiment can change the lower reversal positions of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b toward the reference upper reversal position URP in accordance with the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10. Therefore, even if wind is blown in near the edge portion 12a of the hood 12, the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b can be prevented from contacting the cowl top panel CT. This prevents deterioration of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, and enables the replacement cycle of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b to be extended (improved maintainability).

[0092] Furthermore, according to the wiper control device 20 of embodiment 2, the reversal position changing unit 70 increases the distance between the reference lower reversal position LRP and the corrected lower reversal position CL (LRP to CPmax), i.e., the correction amount ΔC (+0deg, +αdeg, +βdeg, +γdeg), as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases. Therefore, even if the deflection (warping) of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b and the link mechanism 36 increases due to the wind that becomes stronger as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases, contact between the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b and the cowl top panel CT can be more reliably prevented.

[0093] Furthermore, according to the wiper control device 20 of embodiment 2, the reversal position changing unit 70 moves the reference upper reversal position URP toward the reference lower reversal position LRP according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10, thereby preventing the DR side wiper blade 34b from colliding forcefully with the A-pillar AP of the vehicle 10 due to being subjected to strong traveling wind.

[0094] Furthermore, the wiper control device 20 according to the second embodiment can extend the life of the pair of wiper blades 34b, 35b, and extend the replacement cycle, thereby reducing the energy required for manufacturing them. This can contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, particularly Goal 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy) and Goal 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).

[0095] 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.

[0096] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first, second, and third vehicle speed thresholds V1, V2, and V3 are set to 100 km / h, 150 km / h, and 200 km / h, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they can be arbitrarily tuned depending on the design, driving performance, etc. of the vehicle 10 in which the wiper control device 20 is installed. Furthermore, these vehicle speed thresholds are not limited to two or three, and four or more thresholds can also be provided.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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, a railway vehicle.

[0099] 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]

[0100] 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, 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: DR 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, 53b: output shaft, 60: control Circuit board (controller), 61: inverter circuit, 62: vehicle speed detection unit, 63: storage position change unit, 70: reversal position change unit, AP: A-pillar, AR1: entrained wind area, AR2: intermediate area, CL: corrected lower reversal position, CLmax: maximum corrected lower reversal position, CP: corrected storage position, CP1: first corrected storage position, CP2: second corrected storage position, CP3: third corrected storage position, CPn: nth corrected storage position, CT: cowl top panel, HP: storage position (reference storage position), LRP: lower reversal position (reference lower reversal position), MG1: sensor magnet for rotating shaft, MG2: sensor magnet for output shaft, SD: reduction mechanism, So: output shaft sensor, Su, Sv, Sw: rotating shaft sensors, URP: upper reversal position (reference upper reversal position), V1: first vehicle speed threshold, V2: second vehicle speed threshold, V3: third vehicle speed threshold, δC: correction amount

Claims

1. a wiper motor that drives the wiper member to perform a wiping operation; a controller that rotates the wiper motor forward and backward to reciprocate the wiper member between a lower reversal position and an upper reversal position, and stops the wiper motor to stop the wiper member at a reference storage position that is farther from the upper reversal position than the lower reversal position; A wiper control device having The controller a vehicle speed detection unit that detects the vehicle speed; a storage position change unit that changes the storage position of the wiper member to a corrected storage position that is closer to the upper reversal position than the reference storage position in accordance with the vehicle speed; Equipped with Wiper control device.

2. the storage position change unit increases the separation distance between the reference storage position and the corrected storage position as the vehicle speed increases. The wiper control device according to claim 1 .

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