Patent · US Expired

Wiper control apparatus

US5917603A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 22, 1998
Grant dateJun 29, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60S1/0881
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A wiper control apparatus of the water drop sensitive type for detecting of the amount of water or water drops adhering to or present upon the front surface of a windshield and for driving a wiper, comprising: a light emitting means for introducing light into the inside of the windshield so that the light experiences total internal reflection upon interior surfaces of the windshield; a light receiving means for receiving the light reflected within the windshield; means for turning a first output D1, a second output D2, and a third output D3 to either an H level or an L level in response to the level of a signal output from the light receiving means, the outputs being preset in sequence of height of sensitivity thereof; means for outputting a drive signal WD for the wiper when outputs D1, D2, and D3 are switched into the H level; means for maintaining the drive signal as long as the second output signal D2 is in the H level even if the third output D3 turns to the L level; and means for stopping the drive signal WD for the wiper when the second output D2 turns OFF.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.