Wiper Control Method for Impact Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windshield wiper systems experience noise pollution and reduced service life due to the wiper arm hitting the windshield's lower edge during the stopping process, especially when transitioning from a wet to dry surface, causing mechanical stress and potential impact.
Innovation Solution
The wiper blade is controlled to move up and down between specific positions, with a lower end position only engaged if mechanical resistance is low, and a reversal signal is present, preventing impact and allowing for safe parking positions that reduce noise and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wiper blade is moved into the lower end position during stopping to enable proper storage of the wiper lip, then the wiper lip placement direction can be controlled, but the wiper arm may hit the windshield's lower edge causing noise and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines mechanical resistance before commanding the wiper blade to move into the lower end position. This preliminary assessment prevents harmful impacts by evaluating surface conditions (wet vs. dry) before executing the stopping maneuver that could cause the wiper arm to hit the windshield edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the stopping behavior based on real-time mechanical resistance feedback. When high resistance is detected (indicating dry surface), the wiper blade is prevented from reaching the lower end position. When low resistance is detected (indicating wet surface), the normal stopping sequence is allowed to proceed.
2Reliability
If the wiper blade continuously moves to change the wiper lip placement direction periodically, then the wiper lip durability is improved, but additional noise and mechanical stress occur during non-emergency stopping
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from mechanical resistance detection to intelligently decide whether to execute the lower end position maneuver. The control unit continuously monitors mechanical resistance during stopping and only commands the wiper blade to the lower end position when resistance is low, otherwise it directs the wiper blade to an intermediate parking position above the lower end position.
3Productivity
If the wiper blade is stopped at a parking position close to the lower end position, then the wiper lip can be positioned for next operation, but elastic stresses in the drive can cause the wiper blade to strike external objects
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a preliminary check of mechanical resistance before allowing the wiper blade to approach the lower end position. This advance assessment ensures that the wiper blade only reaches positions that could trigger elastic stress release and potential impact when the surface conditions are favorable (wet).
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 method reduces noise pollution and extends the wiper blade's service life by avoiding impacts during the stopping process, ensuring safe and efficient parking positions that minimize mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical resistance of the movement of the wiper blade can be determined on the basis of a current consumption of an electrical drive device driving the wiper blade
Implementation Method 2
due to elastic mechanical stresses in a drive of the wiper blade, the wiper blade strikes an external object
Implementation Method 3
The wiper blade includes a wiping lip that abuts and sweeps across the windshield
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling the movement of a wiper blade over a wiping surface, including the steps of moving the wiper blade up and down over the wiping surface between a lower turning position and an upper turning position, detecting a requirement to stop the wiper blade, moving the wiper blade downward into a lower end position and from there upward into a first parking position in the event that a reversing signal is present, and stopping the wiper blade. To this end, the wiper blade is moved into the lower end position only if previously thereto low mechanical resistance against the movement of the wiper blade over the wiping surface was determined.