Adaptive Wiper Control System for Rain Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic wiper systems in motor vehicles often fail to accurately detect when to start or stop wiping and adjust wiping speed according to individual driver preferences, leading to frustration as they are either too sensitive or not sensitive enough.

Innovation Solution

A self-adaptive wiper control system that adjusts the trigger threshold and wiping speed based on driver input through a manual control member, using a learning algorithm to integrate driver preferences and correct initial settings, allowing for customizable automatic wiping functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the automatic wiping system uses a fixed trigger threshold and sweeping speed, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to individual driver preferences and rain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to driver preferencesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects manual control commands and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the trigger threshold and sweeping speed parameters. The control unit monitors when the driver manually activates or deactivates wiping, then modifies the automatic wiping parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying its own parameters based on detected manual commands. The control unit autonomously changes the trigger threshold and sweeping speed without requiring direct driver intervention or complex calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the automatic wiping system triggers wiping frequently, then the driver's vision is maintained, but the wiping may be triggered too quickly in relation to the amount of rain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision maintenance reliabilityVSAvoiddriver satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger threshold and sweeping speed are made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adapts these parameters based on detected manual commands, allowing the wiping behavior to evolve and match the driver's preferences over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies operational parameters (trigger threshold and sweeping speed) based on detected manual commands. When the driver manually activates wiping, the trigger threshold is increased; when manually deactivated, the threshold is decreased, creating adaptive parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the automatic wiping system uses limited sensitivity adjustments, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot satisfy a wide range of driver preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of driver preferences satisfactionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from manual control commands to automatically adjust parameters. Instead of providing multiple manual adjustment options, the system learns from driver behavior and self-adjusts the trigger threshold and sweeping speed to satisfy diverse driver preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically modifying its parameters based on detected manual commands. This eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while still achieving high adaptability to individual driver preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3204267B1Control of a wiping system comprising an automatic wiping function for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 VALEO SYST DESSUYAGE SAS
  • EP3204267B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to the control of a wiping system for a motor vehicle, said wiping system comprising a rain detector (1) capable of controlling the automatic control of at least one windscreen wiper in the event of rain in a so-called automatic wiping function, and a manual control member (2) capable of controlling said at least one windscreen wiper in a so-called manual sweeping function. According to the invention, the automatic wiping function is associated with a triggering threshold and/or a sweeping speed which are automatically adaptive and which can be adjusted (40) in accordance with a detection (10), when the automatic wiping function is activated, of a command from the manual control member (2).