Wiper Control Method Using Sensor Feedback for Dome Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wiper devices for dome-shaped or plate-shaped bodies, such as window glasses, are affected by environmental influences like high and low temperatures, leading to inconsistent performance and annoying effects due to improper parking and velocity changes, which hinder clear visibility.

Innovation Solution

A method using a drive mechanism controlled by a sensor unit and image processing techniques to track the wiper's movement and dirt detection, allowing for precise positioning and velocity adjustment, ensuring the wiper is parked in a defined position only when the surface is clean, and adjusting motor speed using pulse width modulation to mitigate environmental impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the wiper is driven to stop exactly in a parking position, then the visibility through the body is improved, but environmental influences cause the wiper to be improperly positioned, handinging the view

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidparking position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a sensor unit to continuously detect the actual position of the wiper during movement and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected position with the target parking position and adjusts the drive mechanism accordingly, ensuring the wiper stops at the correct position despite environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates the expected position of the wiper based on drive mechanism commands before the wiper actually reaches that position. By anticipating the position discrepancy caused by environmental influences, the control unit can pre-adjust the stopping point to compensate for expected deviations, ensuring accurate parking position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the wiper velocity is adjusted to adapt to environmental conditions, then the performance is improved, but velocity changes cause annoying effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiper performanceVSAvoidannoying effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the wiper velocity based on real-time detection of environmental conditions and surface dirt levels. The control unit modifies the drive mechanism speed commands adaptively, allowing the wiper to operate optimally under varying conditions while maintaining smooth motion to avoid annoying effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If image processing techniques are used to track wiper movement, then the position detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit serves multiple functions: it detects dirt on the surface, tracks the wiper position through image processing, and provides feedback for control. By making the sensor unit multi-functional, the system achieves high position detection precision without adding separate dedicated position sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution ensures the wiper is accurately parked, reducing annoying effects and maintaining clear visibility by tracking the wiper's movement and dirt levels, independent of environmental conditions, and adjusts motor speed for optimal performance.

Implementation Method 1

Tracking the movement of the wiper by using image processing techniques by using the sensor unit analysing recorded images of the camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Implementation Method 2

adjusting motor speed using pulse width modulation to mitigate environmental impacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse width modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP2792555B1Method for controlling a wiper device
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 SMR PATENTS S A R L
  • EP2792555B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a wiper (8) device (2) for cleaning a surface (4) of a dome-shaped or plate-shaped body (6), having at least one wiper (8) movably touching the surface (4) of the body, at least one drive mechanism (10) to move the wiper (8) from a first position (P1) to at least one second position (P2), at least one sensor unit (12) and at least one controller (14), providing the steps: a. Moving the wiper (8) from a first position (P1) to a second position (P2) by the drive mechanism (10). The method is characterized by the step of b. Tracking the movement of the wiper (8) by the sensor unit (12).