Method and device for controlling at least one windscreen wiper for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle windscreen wiper (1), the method comprising the following steps: - at a first time (T1), activating a movement of the wiper (1) according to a first period (P1); then - between the first time (T2) and a second time (T2), automatically moving the wiper (1) according to the first period (P1); then - at the second time (T2), deactivating the movement of the wiper (1); then - at a third time (T3), activating a movement of the wiper (1), comprising determining a second period (P2); then - from the third time (T3), automatically moving the at least one windscreen wiper (1) (i) according to the second period (P2), or (ii) according to a standard duration of intermittence (D1), or (iii) according to a so-called maximum duration (D2) which is strictly greater than the standard duration of intermittence (D1).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Method and device for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle.

[0003] The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle. The invention also relates to a device for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade for a vehicle. The invention further relates to a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, comprising such a device. The invention also relates to a computer program implementing such a method. Finally, the invention relates to a recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0004] Motor vehicles are generally equipped with one or more wiper blades, including rear wiper blades, which can be operated in an intermittent mode, in which the blade is controlled to operate at regular time intervals.

[0005] However, existing rear wiper control systems have drawbacks, particularly because the ideal wiper frequency varies depending on the vehicle's driving environment. For example, when traveling at low speeds, the wiper frequency should ideally be adjusted to the amount of rain, while at higher speeds, it should be adjusted to the amount of water on the road. Yet, the rear window wiper frequency is generally fixed and cannot be adjusted by the user. Only an automatic adjustment of the wiper frequency based on driving speed is sometimes implemented by the vehicle.Technical solutions involving the use of a rain sensor on the rear window and / or a control allowing the user to choose a wiping frequency from several frequencies have disadvantages, notably they are costly and can lead to complexity in the control of the rear wiper.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to provide a device and method for controlling a windshield wiper for a vehicle, overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and improving upon devices and methods known in the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to create a device and method that are simple, reliable, inexpensive, and that allow a user to set a rear window wiping frequency adapted to their needs.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising a means for activating and a means for deactivating the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade, the method comprising an iteration over the following steps:

[0008] - initially, a first activation step, via the activation means, of a movement of at least one windshield wiper blade according to a first period, then

[0009] - between the first instant and a second instant, a second automatic movement stage of at least one wiper blade according to the first period, then

[0010] - at the second instant, a third step of deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade, by means of the deactivation means, then

[0011] - at a third instant, a fourth activation step, via the activation means, of a movement of at least one wiper blade, the fourth step comprising a determination of a second period as being equal to a duration separating the third instant and an instant of the start of a final movement of at least one wiper blade which took place no later than the second instant, then

[0012] - from the third moment, a fifth step implementing an automatic movement of at least one windshield wiper blade

[0013] (i) according to the second period, or

[0014] (ii) according to a standard intermittent duration applied by default between the respective start times of two consecutive movements of at least one wiper blade, or

[0015] (iii) according to a so-called maximum duration strictly greater than the standard duration of intermittency.

[0016] In one embodiment, the duration of the first period is equal to the standard duration of intermittency.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fifth step includes a substep comparing the second period to the standard duration of intermittency, then,

[0018] - if the second period is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration, implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the second period,

[0019] - otherwise, the implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade for a period equal to the standard intermittent duration.

[0020] In one embodiment, the fifth step includes a substep comparing the second period to the maximum duration and then,

[0021] - if the second period is less than or equal to the maximum duration, implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the second period, - otherwise, implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to a period equal to the maximum duration.

[0022] In one embodiment, if a measured time between the second instant and the third instant is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time, the fifth step includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade according to the standard intermittent duration.

[0023] In one embodiment, the at least one wiper blade includes at least one front wiper blade and / or at least one rear wiper blade.

[0024] In one embodiment, the means for activating and deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade are implemented by a control lever for at least one wiper blade, in particular by a rotary switch that can take at least two positions, including an activation position for at least one wiper blade and a deactivation position for at least one wiper blade.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second period is greater than or equal to a minimum value, for example the minimum value being 500 milliseconds.

[0026] The invention further relates to a control device for at least one windshield wiper blade of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising means for activating and deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade, the device comprising hardware and / or software elements implementing the method according to the invention. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a control device according to the invention.

[0027] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a windshield wiper control device according to the invention and an execution of a windshield wiper control method according to the invention.

[0028] Figure 1 represents a motor vehicle equipped with a windshield wiper control device according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a wiper blade control device without changing the sweeping frequency.

[0030] Figure 3 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 4 is a second illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 5 is a third illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 7 is a second illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 8 is a third illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is a fourth illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0036] Figure 10 is a first illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 11 is a second illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Figure 12 is a third illustration of the operation of a windshield wiper control device according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0039] An example of a motor vehicle 100 equipped with an embodiment of a device 10 for controlling a windshield wiper 1 is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12.

[0040] The motor vehicle 100 can be an electric or hybrid vehicle, or a thermal engine vehicle.

[0041] The motor vehicle 100 includes at least one front wiper blade 1 or at least one rear wiper blade 1.

[0042] The device 10 includes a motor 4 intended to drive at least one windshield wiper 1, in a movement enabling the wiping of a portion of a window of the motor vehicle 100.

[0043] The device 10 further includes a means 2 for activating the wiper blade 1 and a means 3 for deactivating the wiper blade 1. In one embodiment, the activation means 2 and the deactivation means 3 are advantageously implemented by a wiper switch comprising, for example, a rotary switch that can take at least two positions, including an activation position for at least one wiper blade and a deactivation position for at least one wiper blade. Other embodiments of a means 2 for activating the wiper blade 1 and a means 3 for deactivating the wiper blade 1 are conceivable.

[0044] Alternatively, the activation method 2 and the deactivation method 3 can be implemented by a pulse control that causes a switch between an ON state and an OFF state and vice versa with each action of the user. In other words, the pulse control allows, with a single movement, switching alternately from the ON state to the OFF state, or from the OFF state to the ON state.

[0045] Activation means 2 and deactivation means 3 allow a user to increase or decrease a measured interval between two movements of the windshield wiper blade.

[0046] Activation means 2 and deactivation means 3 allow alternating between wiper activation phases and wiper deactivation phases.

[0047] In the rest of the document the term "activation means" is used to refer to a means of transition between a deactivation phase and an activation phase of the windshield wiper, and the term "deactivation means" is used to refer to a means of transition between an activation phase and a deactivation phase of the windshield wiper.

[0048] Figure 2 illustrates the operation of a wiper blade control device 1 without changing the sweeping frequency. Figure 2 includes two graphs,

[0049] - a first graph G21 which represents a phase of deactivation of the windshield wiper between time 0 and time T1, represented by an ordinate equal to 0, then a phase of activation of the windshield wiper from time T1, represented by an ordinate equal to 1, and

[0050] - a second graph G22 which represents three periods of a movement carried out by the broom, each period being of duration D1.

[0051] As illustrated by graph G22 in Figure 2, an activation phase can be broken down into a succession of periodic broom movements, each period of the movement performed by the broom comprising:

[0052] - a phase PH_1, called the movement of the broom, represented by an ordinate equal to 1, then

[0053] - a PH_2 phase called the broom stop during which the broom is stationary, materialized by an ordinate equal to 0.

[0054] In the remainder of this document, the term "automatic wiper blade movement" refers to the coordinated implementation of a combination of mechanisms, electric motors, and electronic controls, working together to automatically alternate between the movement and rest phases of the wiper blade. The concept of "automatic movement" refers to the movement of the wiper blade without driver intervention between the activation and deactivation of the wiper.

[0055] In the remainder of this document, reference is made to a standard duration D1, also called the "standard intermittent duration." The standard duration corresponds to a default period for implementing the periodic movements of the brush. The standard duration D1 can be, for example, equal to 10 seconds.

[0056] The control device 10 according to the invention allows a user to modify the period of the periodic movement performed by the brush during a phase of brush use. To do this, the user successively uses the deactivation means 3, then the activation means 2.

[0057] Different variations of the invention are presented,

[0058] - according to a first variant illustrated by figures 3 to 5, device 10 allows the user to define a period less than or equal to the standard duration D1,

[0059] - according to a second variant illustrated by figures 6 to 9, the device 10 allows the user to increase or decrease the period of the periodic movement performed by the broom, independently of the standard duration D1,

[0060] - according to a third variant illustrated by figures 10 to 12, the device 10 allows the user to increase or decrease the period of the periodic movement carried out by the broom, within a maximum limit set by a duration D2 greater than the standard duration D1.

[0061] The description of the second variant also refers to a so-called reset duration D3, which is strictly greater than the standard duration D1.

[0062] The device 10 advantageously includes a computing unit 5 comprising a microprocessor 51, an electronic memory 52 and communication interfaces 53 enabling the microprocessor 51 to communicate with the activation means 2 and deactivation means 3.

[0063] The electronic memory 52 allows the activation or deactivation of a brush movement to be recorded during the execution of the process, at times T1, T2, and T3. Furthermore, the electronic memory 52 advantageously contains the value of the standard intermittent duration D1, the value of the maximum duration D2, and the value of the duration D3. The motor vehicle 100, in particular the device 10, preferably includes all the hardware and / or software components configured to implement the process defined in the object of the invention or the process described below.

[0064] Three modes of execution of the method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade 1 of the motor vehicle 10 are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. In each of these modes of execution, the method includes an iteration over steps E1 to E5 which are executed successively.

[0065] Figures 3 to 12 each include respectively a first graph G31, G41, G51, G61, G71, G81, G91, G101, G111, G121 illustrating the temporal evolution of the wiper blade control 1, the first graph taking alternately two values:

[0066] - either the value 0, which represents a disabled state,

[0067] - either the value 1, which represents an activated state.

[0068] Figures 3 to 12 further each include respectively a second graph G32, G42, G52, G62, G72, G82, G92, G102, G112, G122 which describes the evolution of the movement period of at least one wiper blade 1 as a function of the first graph G31, G41, G51, G61, G71, G81, G91, G101, G111, G121, i.e. as a function of the time evolution of the wiper blade 1 command.

[0069] The first embodiment is described below, with reference to figures 3 to 5. It implements the first variant of the control method according to the invention.

[0070] In this embodiment, device 10 allows the user to define a period less than or equal to the standard duration D1. If the user orders a period strictly greater than the standard duration D1, the applied period will be equal to the standard duration D1.

[0071] In the activation step E1, at a first instant T1, a user commands, via the activation means 2, a movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a first period P31. The first period P31 may be equal to the standard intermittent duration D1. In this case, according to the first embodiment of the method according to the invention, during step E1 the intermittent period is set to the maximum value.

[0072] Alternatively, the duration of the first period P31 can be different from the standard intermittent duration D1. The time T1 and the duration of the first period P31 are recorded in memory 52. ​​Then the process proceeds to step E2.

[0073] In step E2, at least one wiper blade 1 is automatically moved according to the first period P31. Step E2 continues until a second instant T2, corresponding to the user deactivating the wiper movement. Step E3 then proceeds.

[0074] In step E3, at time T2, the user deactivates the movement of the broom via the deactivation means 3. Time T2 is recorded in memory 52.

[0075] Furthermore, in step E3, a fourth instant T4 is thus determined as the start of a final movement of at least one wiper blade 1, which must have occurred no later than the second instant T2. In other words, the fourth instant T4 corresponds to the instant when the wiper blade begins its final movement before being deactivated by the user at instant T2. In one embodiment, in step E3, instant T2 is decomposed to determine an integer factor K31 and a duration R31 such that

[0076] - the second instant T2 is equal to the sum of the first instant T1, a product of the first period P31 by the factor K31, and the duration R31,

[0077] - the factor K31 being an integer greater than or equal to 0,

[0078] - the duration R31 being greater than or equal to 0 and strictly less than the first period P31.

[0079] We can thus determine a fourth instant T4 as the sum of the first instant T1 and the product of the first period P31 by the integer factor K31. Instant T4 then defines the beginning of the last phase PH_1 of the brush movement before deactivation. Instant T4 is recorded in memory 52. ​​We then proceed to step E4.

[0080] In step E4, at a third instant T3, the user activates, via the activation means 2, a movement of at least one wiper blade 1.

[0081] Furthermore, the fourth step involves determining a second period P32 as being equal to the calculated duration between the fourth instant T4 and the third instant T3. The period P32 is recorded in memory 52. ​​Then, the process proceeds to the fifth step E5.

[0082] In one embodiment, the second period P32 is greater than or equal to a minimum duration Dmin, so that two successive activations of the windshield wiper are separated by a sufficiently significant pause. For example, in one embodiment, the minimum duration Dmin may be equal to 500 milliseconds.

[0083] In an alternative embodiment of steps E3 and E4, instead of calculating the integer factor K31 and the duration R31, the time elapsed since the last sweep movement is continuously measured. Then, in step E4, the elapsed time is compared to the duration D1 to determine whether to apply duration D1 or the elapsed time as the new intermittent duration.

[0084] Other ways of implementing steps E3 and E4 are possible.

[0085] In step E5, from the third instant T3, an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 is implemented.

[0086] In the execution mode illustrated by Figure 3, the fifth step E5 includes a substep comparing the second period P32 to the standard intermittent duration D1, then,

[0087] - if the second period P32 is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration D1, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to the second period P32,

[0088] - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a period equal to the standard intermittent duration D1.

[0089] Figure 3 illustrates an IT31 iteration of the process according to the first execution mode, when the user-commanded period P32 is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration D1. From time T3, the period P32 is automatically implemented.

[0090] Figure 4 illustrates an IT41 iteration of the process according to the first execution mode, when the period P42 commanded by the user is strictly greater than the standard intermittency duration D1. From time T3, the standard intermittency duration D1 is automatically implemented.

[0091] Figure 5 illustrates a sequence comprising successive iterations IT51, IT52 of the process according to the invention, - iteration IT51 commanding the implementation of a period P52 less than or equal to the standard duration D1, then

[0092] - iteration IT52 commanding the implementation of a period equal to the standard duration D1, because the period P53 ordered by the user is strictly greater than the standard duration D1.

[0093] The second embodiment of the method according to the invention is described below, with reference to figures 6 to 9. It implements the second variant of the control method according to the invention.

[0094] In the second variant illustrated by figures 6 to 9, device 10 allows the user to define the period he wants, independently of the standard duration D1.

[0095] Steps E1 to E4 of the second execution mode are similar to steps E1 to E4 of the first execution mode.

[0096] Then in step E5, from the third instant T3, an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 is implemented.

[0097] If the time measured between the second instant T2 and the third instant T3 is less than the reset time D3, the fifth step E5 includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 for a period equal to the time measured between the fourth instant T4 and the third instant T3.

[0098] Figures 6 and 7 each illustrate an iteration IT62, IT72 of the process according to the second execution mode, where the user-commanded period P62, P72 is less than or equal to the reset time D3. Figure 6 illustrates an increase in the wiper blade travel period 1, and Figure 7 illustrates a decrease in the wiper blade travel period 1. Figure 8 illustrates a sequence comprising successively

[0099] - a first iteration IT82 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P82, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the first iteration and the third instant T3 of the first iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3, then

[0100] - a second iteration IT83 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P83, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the second iteration and the third instant T3 of the second iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3.

[0101] If a measured time between the second instant T2 and the third instant T3 is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time D3, the fifth step E5 includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 for a period equal to the standard intermittent time D1.

[0102] This scenario is illustrated by Figure 9, which includes successively

[0103] - a first iteration IT92 of the process in which the travel period of the wiper blade 1 is set by the user to the value P92, a duration measured between the second instant T2 of the first iteration and the third instant T3 of the first iteration being less than or equal to the reset time D3, then

[0104] - A second iteration IT93 of the process, within a time measured between the second instant T2 of the second iteration and the third instant T3 of the second iteration, is greater than or equal to the reset time D3. The wiper blade travel period 1 is then automatically set to the standard time D1, and not to the time P93. Implementing a reset time D3 allows the control process to be reset when the time measured between the previous deactivation and the current activation exceeds a representative time for the intermittent function.

[0105] The third embodiment is described below, with reference to figures 10 to 12. It implements the third variant of the control method according to the invention.

[0106] In the third variant illustrated by figures 10 to 12, device 10 allows the user to define a period less than a maximum duration D2, the maximum duration being advantageously greater than the standard duration D1.

[0107] Steps E1 to E4 of the third execution mode are similar to steps E1 to E4 of the first execution mode.

[0108] Then in step E5, from the third instant T3, we implement an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1.

[0109] The fifth step E5 includes a sub-step comparing the second period P2 to the maximum duration D2, then,

[0110] - if the second period P2 is less than or equal to the maximum duration D2, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to the second period P2,

[0111] - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade 1 according to a period equal to the maximum duration D2.

[0112] Figures 10 and 12 each illustrate an IT102, IT122 iteration of the process according to the third execution mode, when the period P102, P122 commanded by the user is less than or equal to the maximum duration D2, Figure 10 illustrating the implementation of a period P102 strictly greater than the standard duration D1, and Figure 12 illustrating the implementation of a period P122 strictly less than the standard duration D1.

[0113] Figure 11 illustrates an IT112 iteration of the process according to the third execution mode, where the user-commanded period P112 is strictly greater than the maximum duration D2. The wiper blade movement period 1 is then automatically set to the maximum duration D2, and not to the duration P112.

[0114] Finally, the method and device according to the invention allow a user of the motor vehicle to adjust the travel period of at least one wiper blade, in particular the travel frequency of a rear wiper blade.

[0115] To achieve this, a means for activating the windshield wiper and a means for deactivating the windshield wiper are already present in the vehicle. Thus, implementing the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention does not require the addition of any extra physical control.

[0116] Furthermore, the implementation of the invention is carried out solely through software, which facilitates its installation in the motor vehicle.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade (1) of a motor vehicle (100), the vehicle comprising an activation means (2) and a deactivation means (3) for the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1), the method comprising an iteration over the following steps: - at a first instant (T1), a first step (E1) of activation, by means of the activation means (2), of a movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1) according to a first period (P1), then - between the first instant (T1) and a second instant (T2), a second step (E2) of automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the first period (P1), then - at the second instant (T2), a third step (E3) of deactivating the movement of at least one wiper blade (1), by means of the deactivation means (3), then - at a third instant (T3), a fourth activation step (E4), via the activation means (2), of a movement of at least one wiper blade (1), the fourth step (E4) comprising a determination of a second period (P2) as being equal to a duration separating the third instant (T3) and an instant (T4) of the start of a final movement of at least one wiper blade (1) having taken place no later than the second instant (T2), then - from the third instant (T3), a fifth step (E5) of implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) (i) according to the second period (P2), or (ii) according to a standard intermittent duration (D1) applied by default between the respective start times of two movements consecutive at least one wiper blade (1), or (iii) according to a so-called maximum duration (D2) strictly greater than the standard duration of intermittency (D1).

2. Control method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the duration of the first period (P1) is equal to the standard duration of intermittency (D1).

3. A control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fifth step (E5) comprises a substep of comparing the second period (P2) to the standard intermittency duration (D1) and then, - if the second period (P2) is less than or equal to the standard intermittent duration (D1), an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the second period (P2), - otherwise an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to a period equal to the standard duration of intermittency (D1).

4. A control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fifth step (E5) comprises a substep of comparing the second period (P2) to the maximum duration (D2) and then, - if the second period (P2) is less than or equal to the maximum duration (D2), an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the second period (P2), - otherwise, an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) for a period equal to the maximum duration (D2).

5. Control method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, if a time measured between the second instant (T2) and the third instant (T3) is greater than or equal to a so-called reset time (D3), the fifth step (E5) includes an implementation of an automatic movement of at least one wiper blade (1) according to the standard intermittent time (D1).

6. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wiper blade (1) comprises at least one front wiper blade and / or at least one rear wiper blade.

7. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation means (2) and the deactivation means (3) of a movement of at least one wiper blade (1) are implemented by a control lever of at least one wiper blade (1), in particular by a rotary switch capable of taking at least two positions, comprising an activation position of at least one wiper blade (1) and a deactivation position of at least one wiper blade (1).

8. Control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second period (P2) is greater than or equal to a minimum value (Dmin), for example the minimum value (Dmin) being 500 milliseconds.

9. Device (10) for controlling at least one windshield wiper blade (1) of a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle (100) comprising means for activating (2) and a means for deactivating (3) the movement of at least one windshield wiper blade (1), the device comprising hardware and / or software elements (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55) implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle (100) comprising a control device (10) according to the preceding claim.

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