Wiper Motor Home Position Return Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle wiper systems stop at arbitrary positions on the windshield when the ignition is turned off, requiring the ignition to be turned back on to return the wiper to its home position, causing inconvenience to the driver.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent wiper system with a controller, relays, and input devices that allow the wiper to return to its home position even when the ignition is turned off, using a home position returning control signal and battery power supply to the wiper motor, and can be controlled by door lock or unlock signals for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the ignition-on switch is turned off during wiper motor operation, then power consumption is reduced and the engine can be stopped, but the wiper motor cannot return to its home position and stops at an arbitrary position
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects when the ignition-on switch is turned off during wiper operation and automatically activates the home position returning mode before the driver can manually intervene. This preliminary action ensures the wiper returns to home position without requiring the driver to turn the ignition back on, resolving the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while allowing engine stop for energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper system performs self-service by automatically returning to its home position when power is cut off. The controller monitors the ignition state and autonomously controls the relay to provide brief power restoration for home position return, eliminating the need for driver intervention and ensuring the system serves itself rather than requiring external assistance.
2Ease of operation
If the ignition-on switch is turned back on to return the wiper to home position, then the wiper can be positioned correctly, but the driver experiences inconvenience and additional time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The controller initiates the home position returning sequence immediately upon detecting ignition-off status, performing the positioning action in advance before the driver needs to use the vehicle. This eliminates the time loss by pre-executing the wiper return function without requiring the driver to restart the ignition or perform any manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the ignition switch state to automatically trigger the home position returning sequence. The controller continuously monitors ignition status and responds appropriately by activating the relay to restore power briefly, enabling the wiper to return to home position based on real-time ignition state feedback without driver intervention.
3Device complexity
If the wiper operates without automatic home position return, then the system construction remains simple, but the reliability of wiper operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper system achieves self-service by automatically returning to its home position when power is interrupted. The controller monitors ignition state and autonomously manages the relay to provide brief power restoration, enabling the system to correct its own position without external assistance. This self-correcting capability significantly improves operational reliability while adding only minimal control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter dynamically by using the relay to restore power briefly after detecting ignition-off during wiper operation. This parameter change enables the wiper motor to complete its home position return sequence even after power interruption, improving reliability without requiring permanent changes to the overall system construction or additional hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper control system and method is disclosed. When an ignition-on switch is turned off while the wiper is being operated, a wiper motor is controlled to return to its home position. When a predetermined switch is operated for more than a predetermined period while the ignition-on switch is turned off, the wiper motor is operated until the operation of the predetermined switch is stopped. When a door lock signal is produced by a remote door controller after an ignition-on switch is turned off while a wiper is being operated, the wiper motor is controlled to return to its home position. When a door unlock signal is produced by a remote door controller while the ignition-on switch is turned off, the wiper motor is controlled to operate for a predetermined period and then to return to its home position.