Vehicle Rainfall Sensing Integrated With Wiper Interval Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rainfall measurement systems on vehicles are complex and do not provide official, versatile rainfall amount data for meteorological purposes, as they separate the rainfall measurement unit and wiper control unit, leading to inaccurate and non-official rainfall data when using raindrop sensors for wiper control.
Innovation Solution
A rainfall amount measurement apparatus integrated with a raindrop sensor that acquires raindrop amount information to set wiper intervals and calculates rainfall amount per unit time, outputting this data for external communication, using an information acquisition unit, calculation unit, and output unit to provide official meteorological information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate rainfall measurement unit and wiper control unit are used, then the wiper can be controlled according to rainfall amount, but the apparatus becomes complex and the rainfall data is not suitable for official meteorological purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rainfall measurement function and wiper control function into a single integrated apparatus. The raindrop sensor detects raindrops on the windshield, and the same detection results are used both to control the wiper operation and to measure rainfall amount. This merging eliminates the need for separate measurement and control units, simplifying the apparatus configuration while maintaining reliable rainfall measurement capability suitable for meteorological purposes.
2Extent of automation
If a raindrop sensor is used for wiper control, then the wiper operation can be automated, but the rainfall data obtained is not official and versatile for meteorological applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the raindrop sensor serve multiple functions: it controls the wiper operation automatically based on raindrop detection, simultaneously measures the rainfall amount by counting raindrops over time, and outputs the measurement results for external use. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor to provide both automated wiper control and official rainfall data for meteorological purposes, enhancing the versatility of the system.
3Measurement precision
If separate rainfall measurement and wiper control systems are implemented, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases and data integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the rainfall measurement function directly into the wiper control system. The raindrop sensor, originally intended for wiper control, is also used for rainfall measurement by accumulating detection results over time. The control unit processes the same detection signals to determine both wiper operation timing and rainfall amount, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
In a rainfall amount measurement apparatus, raindrop amount information corresponding to an attachment amount of raindrops attached to an outer wall surface of a windshield of the vehicle in a measurement period is acquired based on an output of a detector configured to generate an output corresponding to the attachment amount of raindrops. The raindrop amount information is used to set a wiping interval in a wiper wiping the raindrops attached to the outer wall surface. The measurement value of a rainfall amount per unit time is calculated based on the raindrop amount information, and outputted to an outside of the vehicle.