Windshield Rain Detection Using Microphone-Based Wiper Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current higher-trim vehicles equipped with dedicated rain-sensing systems for windshield wipers are costly due to expensive components, necessitating the development of a low-cost automatic rain response system.
Innovation Solution
An automatic rain response system utilizing microphones to generate acoustic signals from rain striking the windshield, classifying these signals to determine rain intensity and activate windshield wipers accordingly, potentially incorporating a windshield heater and vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-everything communication for weather data sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated rain-sensing systems with infrared light transmission are used, then automatic windshield wiper activation is achieved, but system cost increases due to expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system (infrared light transmission and reflection) with an acoustic detection system using microphones to capture rain sounds. This substitution uses sound wave detection instead of light wave detection, achieving the same functional goal of rain detection while using less expensive components. The acoustic signals are processed through feature extraction and classification to determine rain intensity and trigger appropriate wiper responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard microphones, which are inexpensive and widely available consumer electronics components, replacing the specialized infrared sensors and transmitters. These microphones can be integrated into existing vehicle audio systems or used as standalone units, significantly reducing the bill of materials cost while maintaining adequate detection performance for automatic wiper control.
2Measurement precision
If multiple acoustic features and weather conditions are analyzed, then rain classification accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rain detection problem into distinct classification categories (light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, freezing rain, no rain) based on acoustic feature analysis. By dividing the continuous spectrum of rain conditions into discrete classes, the system simplifies the decision-making process while maintaining accurate detection. Each class has specific acoustic characteristics that can be identified through feature extraction from microphone signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the classified rain condition triggers appropriate windshield wiper responses, and the system continuously monitors acoustic signals to adjust wiper operation in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that the wiper speed and activation state remain appropriate for current rain conditions, improving overall system accuracy and responsiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system effectively replaces dedicated rain sensors, reducing component costs while accurately controlling windshield wipers based on rain conditions, and can share weather information with neighboring vehicles or services.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of microphones is configured to generate a plurality of acoustic signals in response to rain striking a windshield
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic rain response system includes microphones of a vehicle, windshield wipers, and a controller. The microphones generate acoustic signals in response to rain. The controller is configured to receive a local weather condition, extract acoustic features from the acoustic signals, form feature vectors in response to the acoustic features and the local weather condition, classify the feature vectors to determine a current class among multiple classes, activate the windshield the wipers at a high speed in response to the current class being a heavy rain on a windshield class, activate the windshield wipers at a medium speed in response to the current class being a freezing rain on the windshield class, activate the windshield wipers at a low speed in response to the current class being a light rain on the windshield class, and deactivate the windshield wipers in response to the current class being a no rain class.