Abstract: The device for the detection of a wetting of a pane of glass, has an optical rain sensor which detects extraneous light and evaluates it for purposes of day-night detection. The amount of light striking the receiver (14) is integrated in an integration stage (16) and supplied to a comparator stage (20). The total light quantity formed by the light of a transmitter (12) and extraneous light and the extraneous light quantity detected when the transmitter (12) is switched off are measured in separate time intervals (Tg, Tf, Tf′). The time interval (Tf, Tf′) utilized for measurement of the extraneous light quantity is to be extended after a predeterminable number of measurement cycles (M) or after a predeterminable time period and/or the threshold (S2) is to be lowered for day-night detection.

Abstract: Operation of a windshield wiper system for cleaning a windshield of a motor vehicle includes driving at least one wiper by an electric drive motor so that the at least one wiper shifted between two terminal positions, processing by a control unit as the input variable the output signals of a rain quantity and the switching signals of a manually controllable switch means, and processing as the output variable a supply voltage of the electric drive motor so as to control the wiper speed, operating the at least one wiper (8) with variable intermittent interval times and at variable wiper speeds, as a function of a rain quantity detected by the rain sensor (12), so that precisely one wiper speed and precisely one intermittent interval time are associated with each measured rain quantity, and moving the at least one wiper (8) in an intermittent mode with a lower speed than in a continuous mode.

Abstract: A device for checking the evaluation circuit for automatic switching operations of the illumination devices in vehicles. A sensor device contains a global sensor for detecting the light conditions in the environment of the vehicle and a directional sensor for the directed detection of the light conditions in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle. The signals of the sensor device are supplied to the evaluation circuit, to determine whether a change in the switching state of the illumination devices is necessary. In order to check the evaluation circuit which is designed using analog technology, in the operating state, the voltage supply to the sensor unit is briefly interrupted at predetermined intervals, as a result of which the condition “night” is simulated. When the evaluation circuit is functioning correctly, this is detected by it as such.

Abstract: The device for controlling automatic operation of a windshield wiper in a motor vehicle includes a central electronic control unit provided with means for triggering wiping operations of the windshield wiper; a rain sensor including a detector for rain on the windshield and a device for generating sensor signals for the triggering of individual wiping operations according to detector response, which is connected to the control unit in order to furnish the sensor signals to the control unit, and a sensitivity control device for adjusting rain sensor sensitivity, which includes a display device for observing the rain sensor sensitivity or parameters controlling it optically and buttons operable to adjust the rain sensor sensitivity or at least one of the parameters controlling it.

Abstract: A device (10) for operating a windshield wiper (12) is proposed, with a moisture sensor (22) for detecting the wetness of a window that in addition to detecting rain and droplets also detects fog and drizzle. The measured values (Us) of the moisture sensor (22) are allocated incremental values (Ink) by the control unit (16). The difference between two successive incremental values (Ink) is to be added, with a sign (+ or −), in the memory (28) to a sum (&Sgr;) of differences formed previously in the same way, and when a threshold (S) is reached by the sum (&Sgr;) stored in the memory (28), the control unit (16) trips a wiper operating mode.

Abstract: Proposed is a control device (50) for a windshield wiper that serves in actuating a further window wiper. The control device (50), having an inventive embodiment, includes a control (18), whose signal output (20) provides first control signals (42) for actuating the windshield wiper, preferably a front windshield wiper (26) of a motor vehicle, and whose further signal output (22) provides further control signals (42) for actuating a further windshield wiper, preferably a rear window wiper (30).

Abstract: A device which determines a condition of at least one wiper blade of a motor-vehicle windshield wiper. The device includes a rain sensor controlling the motor-vehicle windshield wiper and being utilized for determining the condition of the wiper blade. The device also includes an evaluation circuit receiving data from the rain sensor. The evaluation circuit evaluates wear and tear of a rubber wiper element of the wiper blade based on one of a slow and continuous change of the data and a quick and continuous change of the data provided by the rain sensor.

Abstract: A device for operating a windshield wiper with an automatic wiper control. The wiping operation is optimally adapted to the wetting conditions of a windshield as soon as the automatic wiper control is turned on. This is achieved by a control stage which, during the switching on, triggers at least one initial wiping action when responding to an activation signal emitted by an input stage. Following the initial wiping action, the wiping operation takes place on the basis of the wetting conditions detected by the sensor unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an arrangement for monitoring a computing unit, such as is used, for example, in control devices. The monitoring device generates a reset signal if the supply voltage drops below a voltage level, below which a defined operation is not ensured. Following the occurrence of a reset signal, a fixedly predetermined code is compared with the content of a volatile memory unit and a signal is emitted based on the comparison result, which determines the further process sequence. A fast and secure determination of the continued optimum process sequence is obtained by continuing with the control of the operating state as it exists at the time when the reset signal occurs, provided the content of the volatile memory unit coincides with the code, whereas a new initialization is carried out if the content of the volatile memory unit deviates from the code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a wetting of a pane having a wetting sensor which is provided with a measuring circuit having a transmitter, which emits light, and a receiver, which responds to the emitted light and emits a sensor signal, as well as with an evaluation device for the sensor signal comprising a difference former.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for operating a windshield wiper, having a sensor device for detecting the state of wetness of a windshield, an evaluation device that receives the sensor signal and an actuating unit for the windshield wiper that can be actuated by the evaluation device to effect suitable wiping operation. Even when individual drops impact the windshield, appropriate wiping operation can be initiated during a drying phase of the windshield, because it is provided that current measured values of the sensor signal can be supplied to both the difference-initiating stage and a drop-recognition device that is provided in the evaluation device and in which the sensor signal can be evaluated with respect to individual drops using signal breaks, and that an adapted control signal can be generated by the control-signal-generating stage when a minimum signal break is detected, with which signal corresponding wiping operation can be initiated by way of the actuating unit.

Abstract: A device for operating a windshield wiper with an automatic wiper control. A fast reaction to a suddenly occurring heavy wetting event is assured without adversely affecting the sequence of intermittent wiper operation. This is achieved by an evaluation unit which has a surge detection stage that makes it possible to detect, during intermittent operation when a sensor signal falls short of a surge threshold and by triggering a control signal for at least one wiping action when the signal falls short of the surge threshold.

Abstract: A arrangement for operating a windshield wiper in a direct mode, an intermittent mode or a continuous mode, having a sensor device for detecting a degree of moisture on the windshield, an evaluation device for the sensor signal and an actuation unit for the windshield wiper. A non-disturbing smoothing of the interval times is accomplished in a simple manner in that an interval time control has a smoothing stage for the interval time with which it can be determined during which time segment of predetermined time segments within the interval time a wetting event occurs, starting from the beginning of the interval, and with which the second interval time can be shortened all the more, the earlier the time segment appears during which the wetting event occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for operating a windshield wiper, having a sensor device for detecting the state of wetness of the windshield, an evaluating device that receives the sensor signal and in which an adjusting device is provided for updating a reference value, and an actuator unit for the windshield wiper that is actuated by the evaluating device for initiating a wiping process if the difference between the reference value and a current measured value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The evaluation and analysis of an event that influences the sensor signal, such as a slow buildup on the windshield under drizzly or foggy conditions, are facilitated by the fact that the adjusting device includes at least one adjusting stage whose time constant is in an order of magnitude of one second to a few seconds, and that the reference value can be followed step-wise, taking into consideration all current measured values received at intervals of fractions of a second.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement, in particular for a wiper arrangement for motor vehicle windshields, having an electric wiper motor and a step-switching unit for the wiper motor that can be actuated via a control device, and wherein at least one output of the control device that is assigned to a specific wiper speed is connected to at least one input of the step-switching unit that determines this wiper speed.A switching means (18) is parallel-connected to the outputs (20, 24) of the control device (12), by way of which a voltage source (U.sub.bat) can be connected with the inputs (22, 26) of the step-switching unit (14), which are assigned to the outputs (20, 24) of the control device (12).

Abstract: An arrangement for operating a wiper includes a sensor for detecting a wetting state of a pane and outputting a sensor signal based thereon, an evaluator for receiving the sensor signal from the sensor, and evaluating the sensor signal, and an actuator for actuating the wiper, the actuator being actuated by the evaluator to produce one of a plurality of wiping modes, including a stage II wiping mode for heavy wetting conditions. The evaluator includes an evaluation stage for determining whether a degree of wetting corresponding to a stage II wiping condition occurs after a prolonged wiping break, for example after passing through a tunnel, and a processing stage. If a degree of wetting corresponding to a stage II wiping condition is determined to occur after a prolonged wiping break, the processing stage is actuated by the evaluation stage to cause a change-over to stage II wiping within a shorter time period than in a case where a prolonged wiping break is not present for a comparable degree of wetting.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the automatic operation of a windshield wiper, having a sensor device for detecting the degree of moisture on a windshield, an evaluation device, and an actuation unit for the windshield wiper which is actuated by the evaluation device. The degree of moisture on the windshield can be analyzed better in that the evaluation device in has a recognition stage for recognizing drying moisture that is present on the windshield. By means of this recognition stage, whether the level of the measured values is rising as a result of the drying process can be determined from a time sequence of measured values derived from the sensor signal. In this manner, unnecessary wiping actions can be prevented.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a windshield wiper having a sensor device for determining the state of wetness of a windshield, an evaluation device which receives the sensor signal, a dirt-recognition stage and an adjusting device for updating a reference value when dirt is present on the windshield, and an actuating unit for the windshield wiper which can be actuated by the evaluation device in order to initiate a wiping process if the difference between the reference value and a current measured value of the sensor signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The measured values can be evaluated by the dirt-recognition stage with respect to signal breaks of the sensor signal caused by the wiping action of the wiper across the sensor surface.

Abstract: A device for operating a windshield wiper, with the device including a sensor for detecting the degree of moistness of a windshield, an evaluator for receiving a signal from the sensor, and a control unit which receives a control signal from the evaluator for operating the windshield wiper if a difference between a reference value and values derived from the sensor signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The evaluator includes a detector stage for determining whether the sensor signal or the values derived therefrom lie within a normal range (UGR, OGR), and a selector stage for switching to a predetermined base interval mode of operating of the wipes when the detector stage determines that the sensor signal or the values derived therefrom lie outside of the normal range.

Abstract: Proposed is a device for operating a windshield wiper in the intermittent and continuous modes. To do this, at least one sensor (12) is provided, which emits signals in dependence on the coat of moisture or the amount of rain on a windshield to be cleaned, as well as an electronic control (16) for operating the windshield wiper (11) in dependence of the signal from sensor (12). The number for the sensor signals (E) per wiping interval (WP) is recorded as control signal (n) in one evaluating mechanism (14). Furthermore and depending on whether at least one threshold value (S1, S2) is exceeded or not reached by the control signal (n) or a signal (M1, M2), derived from control signals, there is a changeover between intermittent and continuous modes by means of a changeover device (21, 22).