Constant Speed Or Automatic Motor Control Patents (Class 15/250.12)
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Patent number: 11752975Abstract: A vehicle is provided to include a wiper, a wiper driver that is connected to the wiper and configured to provide a driving force for rotation of the wiper, and a multi-function switch that is configured to receive a user command to turn the wiper driver on or off. A controller is configured to adjust a position of the wiper to enter a parking state after a preset time when a local interconnect network (LIN) communication system enters a limp home mode and the rotation of the wiper is stopped by a signal for turning off the wiper driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Choongseob Park
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Patent number: 11661034Abstract: A wiper motor control circuit controls a drive circuit such that an actual speed of a wiper speed computed based on change in a rotation angle of an output shaft of the wiper motor detected by a rotation angle sensor that detects the rotation angle becomes a target speed corresponding to a position of a wiper blade indicated by the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle sensor. The wiper motor control circuit also controls the drive circuit so as to apply a braking current in the wiper motor when the actual speed has exceeded a threshold value when the rotation angle detected by the rotation angle sensor indicates a return position of the wiper blade.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Kota Mizuno
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Patent number: 11485324Abstract: A vehicle is provided to include a wiper, a wiper driver that is connected to the wiper and configured to provide a driving force for rotation of the wiper, and a multi-function switch that is configured to receive a user command to turn the wiper driver on or off. A controller is configured to adjust a position of the wiper to enter a parking state after a preset time when a local interconnect network (LIN) communication system enters a limp home mode and the rotation of the wiper is stopped by a signal for turning off the wiper driver.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: ChoongSeob Park
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Patent number: 11305734Abstract: A wiper device that includes: a first control section that, during intermittent operation, controls power supply to a drive source such that a wiper blade wipes to-and-fro between a first return position and a second return position on a windshield and stops moving for a predetermined duration at the first return position, and that performs position retention control that controls power supply to the drive source such that the stopped wiper blade is retained at a position at which the wiper blade is stopped; and a second control section that suspends the position retention control by the first control section in a case in which a current flowing in the drive source is detected to have increased by a predetermined value or greater while the wiper blade moves toward the first return position within a predetermined region in a vicinity of the first return position.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiromu Ootani
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Patent number: 11101766Abstract: A wiper device is provided. A boost control unit, if a duty ratio has reached an upper limit value determined in advance, and if the rotational speed of a motor is less than a target rotational speed, varies an advance angle and an energization angle associated with the energization of the motor in accordance with the target rotational speed. An overtemperature protection unit monitors a load state of the motor, and, upon detecting a high-load state, performs a first protection control for decreasing the rotational speed of the motor. A demagnetization protection unit, upon receipt of an operating signal from a wiper switch when the temperature detected by means of a temperature sensor exceeds a first threshold and the first protection control is being performed, performs a second protection control for fixing the advance angle and energization angle of the motor by prohibiting the operation of the boost control unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: MITSUBA CorporationInventors: Takashi Tai, Hisashi Azami
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Patent number: 10780860Abstract: A windshield-wiper system includes a precipitation-detector, a windshield-wiper actuator, an object-detector, and a controller. The precipitation-detector detects precipitation proximate to a host-vehicle. The windshield-wiper actuator clears the precipitation from a windshield of the host-vehicle. The object-detector detects a distance of an object to the host-vehicle. The controller is in communication with the precipitation-detector, the windshield-wiper actuator, and the object-detector. The controller determines when the precipitation is present based on the precipitation-detector, determines the distance from the object to the host-vehicle based on the object-detector, and adjusts a speed of the windshield-wiper actuator when the precipitation is detected and the object is less than a distance-threshold away from the host-vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventor: Walter K. Kosiak
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Patent number: 10766461Abstract: A windshield wiper system for an aircraft is provided and includes a motor, an output shaft, a wrap spring and crank rocker mechanism (WSCRM) to which the motor and the output shaft are coupled and a controller. By way of the WSCRM, first directional rotation input to the WSCRM from the motor via a two-stage gear reduction is converted such that the output shaft drives wiper blade oscillation through a first sweep angle and second directional rotation input to the WSCRM from the motor is converted such that the output shaft drives wiper blade oscillation through a second sweep angle. The controller is configured to control the motor such that the first directional rotation is continuously or non-continuously input during first or second flight conditions, respectively, and the second directional rotation is continuously input during third flight conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.Inventors: Srivatsa Santyar, Guru Prasad Mahapatra
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Patent number: 10726578Abstract: A vehicular imaging system includes an imaging device having a single imaging sensor capturing image data within a field of view. A control within the vehicle includes an image processor and receives image data captured by the single imaging sensor and receives vehicle data via a communication bus of the vehicle. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control detects converging road features along the road the vehicle is travelling and determines a point of intersection where the converging road features would converge. Responsive at least in part to image processing of captured image data, the control automatically corrects for misalignment of the imaging device mounted at the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Yuesheng Lu, Michael J. Higgins-Luthman, Antony V. Jeyaraj, Manoj R. Phirke
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Patent number: 10682984Abstract: A wiper control device that includes: a current detection section that detects a flow of current through a coil of a wiper motor; an environmental information acquisition section that acquires a vehicle speed or a vehicle external air temperature as environmental information; and a control section that controls a drive circuit such that a torque of an output shaft that is estimated from the current detected by the current detection section becomes equal to or less than a base limit torque that corresponds to a rotation angle detected by a rotation angle detection section, and such that a torque of the output shaft becomes equal to or less than a base limit torque that is corrected according to environmental information acquired by the environmental information acquisition section.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Yuta Doi
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Patent number: 10384650Abstract: A vehicular wiper device is provided with a snowfall determination unit that determines whether a predetermined snowfall condition is satisfied. When the snowfall determination unit determines that a predetermined snowfall condition is satisfied, a controller that controls a wiper motor changes lower reverse positions of wiper blades to lower reverse positions during snowfall that are on the lower side with respect to lower reverse positions during normal times.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Okabe, Takashi Kondo
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Patent number: 9827951Abstract: A semiconductor device including an abnormality detection section that detects an abnormality occurring in a moving body that moves along a specific path on a surface of a specific object; a position detection section that detects a position of the moving body as an abnormality occurrence position, in a case in which the abnormality detection section has detected an abnormality, and that stores abnormality occurrence position information expressing the abnormality occurrence position in a storage section; and a moving body controller that controls an adjusting section to adjust at least one of a force with which the moving body presses against the specific object, or a position of the moving body in a direction intersecting the surface of the specific object, based on a detection result detected by the abnormality detection section and the abnormality occurrence position information.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kentaro Toda
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Patent number: 9604602Abstract: The present invention relates to a wiper motor drive system that includes a motor, an output shaft operatively connected to a wiper blade, and a breakaway clutch operatively connected between the motor and output shaft. The breakaway clutch includes a torque-sensitive releasable locking mechanism having a first position wherein torque is translated from the motor to the output shaft through the breakaway clutch to drive the wiper blade across a surface to be wiped, and a second position wherein torque is interrupted between the motor and the output shaft in response to a predetermined rotational torque differential acting on the output shaft, with the locking mechanism being movable back to the first position when the differential torque is reduced on the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Trico Products CorporationInventors: Oswald Baasch, Danny W. Brown, Casey A. Thomas, Jon A. Bigley
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Patent number: 9404545Abstract: A combined power take-off and hydraulic pump assembly includes a power-take off including a housing portion having an opened end, an input put mechanism that is adapted to be connected to a source of rotational energy, and an output mechanism that is rotatably driven by the input mechanism. The assembly also includes a hydraulic pump including a housing portion having an opened end, a fluid inlet port that is adapted to communicate with a reservoir containing a quantity of relatively low pressure hydraulic fluid, and a pumping mechanism that is rotatably driven by the output mechanism of the power take-off. An intermediate housing has a first opened end that cooperates with the opened end of the housing portion of the power take-off and a second opened end that cooperates with the opened end of the housing portion of the hydraulic pump. The intermediate housing also has a fluid outlet port that communicates with the pumping mechanism and that is adapted to communicate with a hydraulically driven device.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Parker-Hannifin CorporationInventors: James E. Bohn, Darrel Hannaford, Brian L. Rang
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Patent number: 9296361Abstract: A wiping system is provided for a vehicle including a window having a window surface and a device having a device surface. The wiping system includes a moveable blade element for wiping both the window surface and the device surface. The moveable blade element includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first profile defining a first wiping edge configured to wipe the window surface. The second portion has a second profile defining a second wiping edge configured to wipe the device surface. The device surface may protrude from the window surface, and the second wiping edge may conform to the protrusion of the device surface from the window surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Thomas W. Jozwiak
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Publication number: 20150090291Abstract: An apparatus for removing contamination for use with a distance measuring sensor, the apparatus comprising: a distance measuring module mounted inside or outside of a vehicle and configured to measure the distance between the vehicle and objects around the vehicle; a distance-based recognition unit configured to recognize a surround environment of the vehicle based on the distance measured by the distance measuring module; and a contamination removing module configured to measure the level of contamination on the distance measuring module and perform a cleaning with respect to an area where the contamination occurs when the measured level of contamination is above a preset threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Ki In NA, Jaemin BYUN, Myung Chan ROH, Beom-Su SEO, Sung Hoon KIM
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Publication number: 20150082575Abstract: A brushless motor comprises: a stator 21 having armature coils 21a, 21b, and 21c; a rotor 22 which is rotated by a revolving magnetic field; and a switching element 30a, wherein the brushless motor has a rotation number control unit 33 which switches between low-speed and high-speed mode, wherein in the low-speed mode, the rotation number control unit 33 supplies current to the armature coils 21a, 21b, and 21c at predetermined energization timing and controls a duty ratio to control the rotation number of the rotor 22, and in the high-speed mode, the rotation number control unit 33 supplies current to the armature coils 21a, 21b, and 21c at energization timing advanced from the energization timing for the low-speed mode, thereby performing field weakening control of weakening the revolving magnetic field from that of the low-speed mode to control the rotation number of the rotor 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Masaaki Kimura, Hiroto Tanaka, Tamotsu Iwazaki, Tomohiko Annaka, Naoki Kojima, Junya Kitazawa
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Patent number: 8843270Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wiper motor control system for a vehicle, which precisely controls the speed of the wiper motor to improve the wiper performance. The present disclosure implements a wiper motor control method in a new form, which precisely controls a speed of the wiper motor for each section through a scheme of improving a plate structure of the wiper motor and monitoring a state of a parking switch, and thus reduces a noise generated in an operation of a wiper device and increases the wiping performance through a differentiated speed for each section, which generally improves the wiper performance. More specifically, the present disclosure implements a smart ECW (Electric Control Wiper) control module inputting a remote control by a wireless transmitter, so that a driver can wirelessly control a wiper before getting into a vehicle, which makes the driver feel convenience and induces the driver to safely drive.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CorporationInventors: Mun Soon Kwon, Hyun Sub Kim, Nak Kyoung Kong
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Publication number: 20140148085Abstract: An arrangement to reduce refreezing of meltable snow includes a wiper arm configured to wipe the meltable snow from an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle. The arrangement also includes a sensor coupled to the wiper arm that is configured to gather and transmit a parameter on the vehicle and environment. The arrangement also includes a processor that is configured to receiving the parameter, determining refreezability of the meltable snow based on the parameter, and defining an action to be performed by the wiper arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: John R. Dangler, Thomas D. Kidd
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Publication number: 20140082874Abstract: This invention concerns a method to detect the wetness state of a vehicle windshield surface (S) comprising a windshield wiper unit (1), the windshield wiper unit (1) comprising: —wiper blades (5) configured to wipe the windshield surface (S) when set in motion, —at least one motor (7) configured to set the wiper blades (5) in motion, —a controller (9), configured to control the at least one motor (7), the method comprising the steps: —measuring the power consumption of the at least one motor (7), —determining the wiping speed (W) of the wiper blades (5), —using the measured power consumption and determined wiping speed (W) to deduce a friction related coefficient of the windshield surface (S), —comparing the deduced value to at least one predetermined value in order to determine the wetness state of the vehicle windshield surface (S).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: VALEO SYSTÈMES D'ESSUYAGEInventor: Dominique Dias
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Publication number: 20140013535Abstract: A wiper device comprising a wiper motor; a storage section storing specific positions at an upper and a lower portions of a region on the window glass where the wiper blade swings as a first upper stop target position and a first lower stop target position, and also storing specific ranges from the first upper stop target position to a lower side and from the first lower stop target position to an upper side as an upper and a lower permissible stop ranges; a detection section that detects rotation speed and rotation angle of the wiper motor; and a control section that identifies the wiper blade position, reduces the rotation speed of the wiper motor as the swinging wiper blade approaches the upper or the lower permissible stop range, and stops the wiper motor rotation when the wiper blade has stopped in the upper or the lower permissible stop range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventor: Takashi NATSUME
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Publication number: 20130345931Abstract: A method and system for detecting the presence of a carrier mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle or of an object carried by the carrier that may cause damage or a malfunction of a rear wiper system of the motor vehicle. If a potentially obstructing situation is determined to be present, the rear wiper system is deactivated to prevent it malfunctioning or being damaged by the obstruction. A user of the vehicle may be provided with a message that an obstruction has been detected and the user may control whether the wiper system is deactivated. The obstruction may be sensed by monitoring the amount of current drawn by a wiper motor, by an ultrasonic sensor, or by a rear-view camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: Themi Philemon Petridis, Nils Schloesser
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Publication number: 20120325265Abstract: A point value corresponding to a load state of an electric motor is set. The load state of the electric motor is detected so as to calculate a load point value of the electric motor and accumulate the load point values (S3, S4). A wiper-device operation mode is identified (S6). A difference Ptd between the accumulated load point value for forward operations and the accumulated load point value for return operations is compared with a criterion threshold value SVb (S24). When the difference Ptd exceeds the criterion threshold value SVb, it is determined that a vehicle is in a high-speed running state. Then, an angle of rotation of the electric motor is reduced to narrow a wiping angle of the wiper blade (S25). In this manner, an upper reversal position is set closer to a return side than a given position. As a result, overrun caused by the deflection of a blade or the like due to a wind generated by running when the vehicle is running at a high speed is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventor: Toshiyuki AMAGASA
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Patent number: 8327497Abstract: A method of operating a wiper system on a window of a vehicle. The method comprising: setting a park position for a wiper to one of a standard park position or a high park position, where the standard park position locates a wiper blade of the wiper closer to a bottom edge of the window; activating the wiper system to cause the wiper to be pivoted back and forth between an in-wipe position and an out-wipe position; deactivating the wiper system; if the park position is set to the standard park position when the wiper system is deactivated, stopping movement of the wiper when the wiper blade is in the standard park position; and if the park position is set to the high park position when the wiper system is deactivated, stopping movement of the wiper when the wiper blade is in the high park position.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas W. Cox, Mark K. Denison, Marcia R. Ganske
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Publication number: 20120266404Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (160) for a drive unit (120) of a vehicle windshield wiper system (100) comprising at least one wiper arm (140). The control device (160) is designed to determine a load quantity (L) of the drive unit (120) and to set the wiping frequency (WH) of the wiper arm (140) on the basis of the ratio of the load quantity (L) to at least one load threshold value (LS). Furthermore, the control device (160) is designed to set the wiping frequency (WH) depending on the current speed (v) of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Peter Braun, Norbert Wegner, Harald Retsch
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Publication number: 20120227205Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield wiper device (100) comprising a driving means (110) and a control unit (130) for the driving means (110). An operating characteristic map (140) is provided, in which a maximum torque to be output by the driving means (110) and a minimum rotational speed of the driving means (110) are stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Gerald Maier, Norbert Wegner, Juergen Rapp, Michael May
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Patent number: 8264183Abstract: A windshield wiper control unit that controls a windshield wiper based on the position of an operation member, includes: an electric value detection unit that detects an electric value that continuously changes based on the position of the operation member; a setting unit that sets a reference electric value range that is a portion of a variation range of the electric value; a determination unit that determines whether the electric value detected by the electric value detection unit falls within the reference electric value range; and a position determination unit that determines the position of the operation member based on the reference electric value range. When the detected electric value falls outside the reference electric value range, the reference electric value range is updated in such a manner that the electric value, which falls outside the pre-update reference electric value range, falls within the post-update reference electric value range.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Jonathan Debrouwere
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Publication number: 20120125367Abstract: The invention relates to a service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement, comprising a service unit for maintenance of at least one surface of the solar panel arrangement, a guiding unit for guiding the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, and a driving unit for moving the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, wherein the service unit comprises a first engagement section and a second engagement section, wherein the guiding unit is attachable to the first engagement section, the guiding unit being configured for direct engagement with an edge of the solar panel arrangement, wherein the driving unit is attachable to the second engagement section, and wherein the second engagement section is displaceable with respect to the first engagement section by the driving unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Fachhochschule RegensburgInventors: Gareth Monkman, Christian Baar, Arthur Fischer, Stefan Jaeger, Sebastian Kilbertus, Adrian Patzak, Michael Schumm, Daniel Treiber
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Publication number: 20120047672Abstract: A method of operating a wiper system on a window of a vehicle. The method comprising: setting a park position for a wiper to one of a standard park position or a high park position, where the standard park position locates a wiper blade of the wiper closer to a bottom edge of the window; activating the wiper system to cause the wiper to be pivoted back and forth between an in-wipe position and an out-wipe position; deactivating the wiper system; if the park position is set to the standard park position when the wiper system is deactivated, stopping movement of the wiper when the wiper blade is in the standard park position; and if the park position is set to the high park position when the wiper system is deactivated, stopping movement of the wiper when the wiper blade is in the high park position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thomas W. Cox, Mark K. Denison, Marcia R. Ganske
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Patent number: 8112197Abstract: A wiper apparatus includes: a wiper blade driven by a first motor; and a wiper blade driven by a second motor. The motors are drive-controlled by control microcomputers, respectively. The control microcomputers are connected to each other through a communication line. While exchanging position information of the wiper blades through the communication line, the control microcomputers synchronously drive the motors on the basis of a position relationship between both of the wiper blades. When an abnormality occurs in a communication state of an in-vehicle LAN, a setting state of a wiper switch is grasped through a switch signal line directly connected to the wiper switch, and wipers are prevented from being stopped when such communication abnormality occurs.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Amagasa, Takashi Kondo, Toru Namiki
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Publication number: 20110247652Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling an electric motor (2), wherein an operating voltage and an operating current is supplied to an electric motor (2), and at least one measurement variable (4, 6, 7, 8) characterizing the electric motor temperature is recorded, wherein the torque discharged by the electric motor during operation is maintained nearly constant regardless of the temperature of the electric motor (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Joachim Zimmer
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Publication number: 20110138567Abstract: A rain detector for use with an automotive vehicle. The rain detector includes a capacitance sensor mounted to the inside surface of a windshield. The sensor includes at least two output lines which vary in capacitance as the function of magnitude of rain on the outside surface of the windshield. A programmed microcontroller receives the sensor output lines as analog input signals and then compares the magnitude of the capacitance with a threshold capacitance. In the event that the sensed capacitance exceeds the threshold capacitance, indicative of raindrops on the outside surface of the windshield, the microcontroller generates an output signal to the wiper control circuitry of the vehicle to activate the windshield wiper system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventor: David Pearson
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Patent number: 7945985Abstract: Windshield wiper device (10), particularly for a motor vehicle, having at least an electric motor drive (24) is proposed. This comprises an electric motor drive, which can be driven with at least one first speed (V1) and one second speed (V2). According to the invention, a temperature detection means (40) for detecting the operating temperature of the drive (24) and at least one switching means (50) are provided, which, when operating the drive (24) at the second speed (V2), switches the drive (24) from the second speed (V2) to the first speed (V1) when a predetermined operating temperature (T1) is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Armin Stubner
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Patent number: 7895701Abstract: An opposite type wiper apparatus which can prevent interference of each wiper blade even if reference position data is lost. When at least one of reference position data memory sections is in abnormal condition, angle range calculation sections correct operation angle ranges of a DR-side and an AS-side wiper motor so as to shift an upper and a lower reversal positions of a DR-side and an AS-side wiper blade toward storage positions, and so as to make a correction value from the AS-side angle range calculation section larger than a correction value from the DR-side angle range calculation section. Therefore, even when reference position data individually memorized in reference position data memory sections are lost, the DR-side and the AS-side wiper blades can be prevented from interfering with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignees: MITSUBA Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Amagasa, Takashi Kondo, Toru Namiki
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Publication number: 20100175216Abstract: A wiper is pivotably supported and is swung by a drive force of an electric motor. When a command, which commands execution of one of high and low speed modes, is entered through a wiper switch in the middle of operation of the wiper in another one of the high and low speed modes, a control unit controls an electric motor such that a moving speed of the wiper, which is preset for the another one of the high and low speed modes, is changed to the moving speed of the wiper, which is preset for the one of the high and low speed modes, during a time period of executing a predetermined number of swings of the wiper between an upper return position and a lower return position upon entering of the command through the wiper switch means.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Natsume
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Publication number: 20100101040Abstract: A windshield wiper control unit that controls a windshield wiper based on the position of an operation member, includes: an electric value detection unit that detects an electric value that continuously changes based on the position of the operation member; a setting unit that sets a reference electric value range that is a portion of a variation range of the electric value; a determination unit that determines whether the electric value detected by the electric value detection unit falls within the reference electric value range; and a position determination unit that determines the position of the operation member based on the reference electric value range. When the detected electric value falls outside the reference electric value range, the reference electric value range is updated in such a manner that the electric value, which falls outside the pre-update reference electric value range, falls within the post-update reference electric value range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Jonathan Debrouwere
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Patent number: 7676880Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly including at least one motor having an output shaft and a windshield wiper operatively connected to the output shaft. The motor includes a stator adapted to provide an electromagnetic flux and a rotor assembly supported for rotation about the stator. The rotor assembly includes a back iron that defines an inner circumference and a plurality of magnets disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to one another about the inner circumference of the back iron and in radially spaced relationship about the stator. The rotor assembly is operatively connected to the output shaft and responsive to electromagnetic flux generated by the stator so as to provide a rotational force to the output shaft to drive the windshield wiper in repeated wiping motion across the windshield.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Trico Products CorporationInventors: Arman Moein, David Emery Peck
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Publication number: 20090282636Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for actuating a wiper system. The device comprises a drive unit (2) for driving at least one wiper arm (4), and a control unit (6), wherein the control unit (6) is designed to set a wiping frequency of the wiper arm (4) as a function of a load variable which is dependent on the torque which is to be applied by the drive unit (2) during a wiping operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Peter Braun, Norbert Wegner, Harald Retsch
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Patent number: 7535190Abstract: A windshield wiper system for use on a hybrid electric vehicle is capable of adjusting the delay between consecutive cycles based on engine state and vehicle speed. The system includes a windshield wiper and a motor coupled to the windshield wiper. A sensor generates an engine speed signal and another sensor generates a vehicle speed signal. A processor in communication with the sensors and wiper motor provides a drive signal to the wiper motor which is based on the engine and vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zhang Yan, Amer Malik, Zhengyu Dai, Issa Aljanabi
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Publication number: 20090106927Abstract: A rear wiper assembly that moves to a parked position located out of contact with the rear windshield upon the occurrence of a specified condition. Upon resuming the normal operation of the rear wiper assembly the rear wiper arm waits a first delay prior to moving to a flip position located on the rear windshield and then waits a second delay prior to resuming its normal oscillation across the rear windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Michael Binfet, John Sgueglia, Dave Peterson
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Publication number: 20090089955Abstract: A wiper controller which detects the raindrops adhered onto the windshield glass G of the vehicle to control the wiper based on the detected result is provided with a wiped water measurement unit for calculating an amount of water wiped by the wiper, a wiper operation time counter for counting the actual wiper operation time based on the ON/OFF signal of the wiper motor for driving the wiper, a delay time calculation unit which obtains the wiper operation delay time by comparing the actual wiper operation time with the reference wiper operation time, and an operation change determination unit for determining with respect to the need for changing the wiper operation based on the wiper operation delay time and the amount of water wiped by the wiper. The change in the rainfall state is derived from the wiper operation delay time and the amount of water wiped by the wiper to appropriately control the wiper in response to the change in the rainfall state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoyuki Ohata, Shigeo Watanabe
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Publication number: 20090026986Abstract: A method of protecting a reversible electric motor that includes an armature capable of rotating axially about itself between two angular end positions, the axial rotation of the armature undergoing a deceleration phase as each angular end position approaches, where the method involves determining a characteristic value of the deceleration phase, comparing this characteristic value to a predetermined threshold value, and applying a degraded operating mode when the characteristic value is far from the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES D'ESSUYAGEInventor: Michel Soleilhac
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Publication number: 20090025170Abstract: A vehicle windshield wiper motor controller (10) includes a control circuit (15) and a power circuit. The power circuit can operate in dual modes, using a low cost MOSFET as the power switch during normal operation of the wiper motor, and a relay as the power switch during motor lugging and stall conditions. The controller (10) is part of a vehicle wiper system which includes a conventional wiper blade assembly positioned on the vehicle to engage the windshield or other window surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2005Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Vernon D. Price, Alex Irkliy
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Publication number: 20080263807Abstract: A windshield wiper system for use on a hybrid electric vehicle is capable of adjusting the delay between consecutive cycles based on engine state and vehicle speed. The system includes a windshield wiper and a motor coupled to the windshield wiper. A sensor generates an engine speed signal and another sensor generates a vehicle speed signal. A processor in communication with the sensors and wiper motor provides a drive signal to the wiper motor which is based on the engine and vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Zhang Yan, Amer Malik, Zhengyu Dai, Issa Aljanabi
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Publication number: 20080222827Abstract: A system and/or method for sensing the presence of moisture (e.g., rain) and/or other material(s) on a window such as a vehicle window (e.g., vehicle windshield, sunroof or backlite). In certain example embodiments, a plurality of sensing capacitors are supported by a window such as a vehicle windshield, the capacitors each having a different field and/or pattern. A sensing circuit outputs an analog signal that is based on and/or related to the capacitances of one or more of the sensing capacitors. In certain example embodiments, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) mountable in or on a vehicle window is provided. First and second sensing circuits are formed on opposing sides of the flexible PCB, with each said sensing circuit comprising a plurality of different fractal structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
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Publication number: 20080211679Abstract: A wiper control method and a wiper control device which can stabilize wiping rhythm of a wiper while ensuring required wiping and smoothly respond to change of a rainfall situation are provided. An adhesion cycle of a raindrop adhering on a detection surface is detected, a current adhesion cycle to be the basis when determining an intermittence time of a wiper is determined based on the detected raindrop adhesion cycle, the wiper intermittence time is determined based on the current adhesion cycle, a raindrop adhesion cycle shorter than the current adhesion cycle is detected, and when the raindrop adhesion cycle shorter than the current adhesion cycle is detected a predetermined number of times, the current adhesion cycle is changed to a shorter adhesion cycle and the wiper intermittence time is determined based on the changed current adhesion cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2004Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Yoshiteru Makino, Satoshi Furusawa
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Publication number: 20080157704Abstract: A raindrop detecting device for detecting a raindrop amount on a windshield of a vehicle and selecting a wiping mode of a wiper based on the detected raindrop amount includes a controller for lowering the wiping mode when the detected raindrop amount is kept to be smaller than a mode-keep threshold while the wiper performs a predetermined number of wiping operations. The controller changes the predetermined number of wiping operations based on at least one of a sensitivity data of a user of the vehicle and a rainfall block data relative to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Junichi Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20080100137Abstract: Disclosed herein is an intelligent wiper control system for a vehicle. A rain sensor unit controls the speed of wipers based on the amount of rain. An electronic control unit analyzes the input signal of the input unit. An output unit controls the output integrated circuits, and adjusts and controls the driving of the wiper motor. The input unit includes a remote key for inputting a signal for controlling the driving of a wiper system and wirelessly transmitting the signal. An output unit causes an emergency light to blink when the drive power of the wiper motor is set to firm power and the driver turns off an ignition key and then gets out of the vehicle while wipers are turned on.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: MUN-SOON KWON
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Patent number: 7355360Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a wiper system, especially an opposed wiper system or a butterfly wiper system, and to a wiper system comprising at least two motor units which are coupled to wiper blades and can be independently driven, a control appliance for controlling the motor units, and sensor units which are coupled to the control appliance and are used to determine the angular position of the wiper blades. The invention is characterised in that the wiping angle of the wiper blades is divided into areas, the area containing the respective wiper blade being determined along with the angle of the wiper blade inside the respective area.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Valeo Wischersysteme GmbHInventor: Jean Assan
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Patent number: 7345445Abstract: A wiping system for use on a vehicle window comprises a window wiper assembly positioned proximate the window, a first sensor for detecting the presence of moisture on the window and a second sensor for detecting if the vehicle has been remotely started. A controller is coupled to the wiper assembly and to the first and second sensors and enables the wiper assembly when the vehicle has been remotely started and moisture is present on the window. The wiping system also comprises a third sensor for detecting the presence of moisture on the window, a fourth sensor for detecting vehicle shut-down, and a fifth sensor for sensing the temperature of the window. The controller is coupled to each of the third, fourth, and fifth sensors and enables the wiper assembly when the vehicle has been shut-down for less than a predetermined period of time, the temperature of the window exceeds a temperature threshold, and moisture is detected on the window.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Fred W. Huntzicker
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Publication number: 20080028563Abstract: A a raindrop sensor outputs a measurement signal, which corresponds to a quantity of raindrops in a predetermined sensing range in a wiping range on a windshield. A prohibited time period setting arrangement sets a time period, during which a wiper blade is predicted to pass through the predetermined sensing range, as a raindrop quantity sensing prohibited time period based on an elapsed time from a time point of supplying a drive command signal to a wiper motor, which drives the wiper blade. The determining arrangement determines the quantity of raindrops on the windshield based on the measurement signal outputted from the raindrop sensor in a raindrop quantity sensing execution time period, which is outside of the raindrop quantity sensing prohibited time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Taketoshi Yoshigoe, Taiji Morishita