US5336980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for controlling a windshield wiping system
Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 1992-12-10
•
Granted: 1994-08-09
•
Expires: 2012-12-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for controlling a windshield wiping system, including a motor and windshield wipers, by detecting when a wiper passes over the portion of the windshield monitored by an optoelectronic sensor for the last time during a complete wipe cycle. In addition to the sensor, the apparatus includes a switch arrangement for activating the windshield wiping system and a circuit for processing the sensor output. The apparatus also includes a switching contact device associated with the motor for detecting the resting position of the windshield wipers.
Inventors
- 👤 Juergen Levers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0818; G; G01; G01V; G01V8/00; G01V8/10; G01V8/12; B60S1/0822; B60S1/0833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated only after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated only after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for modifying the switch-on threshold based on the signal value generated only after the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the detecting means includes a Hall-effect switch arrangement associated with the sensor and the at least one windshield wiper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the detecting means includes a light barrier arrangement wherein the at least one windshield wiper interrupts a beam of light emitted by the sensor.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; switch contact means for detecting a resting position of the wiper and generating a resting position signal, and wherein the means for detecting includes means for determining the operating time of the first wipe cycle based on the resting position signal; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; switch contact means for detecting a resting position of the wiper and generating a resting position signal, and wherein the means for detecting includes means for determining the operating time of the first wipe cycle based on the resting position signal; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising compensating means for compensating the operating time of the first wipe cycle by a factor based on operational parameters so as to identify a particular point in time during the first wipe cycle when the wiper is expected to pass over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein operating time is compensated in real-time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the compensating means includes means for defining a time window around the particular point in time, the detecting means determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle based on the sensor signal during the time window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the time window is about 40 milliseconds to about 60 milliseconds long.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the detecting means includes means for determining the length of time between the wiper passing over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle and the wiper returning to the resting position at the end of the first wipe cycle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; time delay means for delaying initiation of an additional wipe cycle after the one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; time delay means for delaying initiation of an additional wipe cycle after the one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; an activation switch for activating the wiping system and triggering an initial wiping cycle, and means for determining an initial threshold value after the at least one windshield wiper passes over the monitored portion for the last time during the initial wiping cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the apparatus including a sensor mounted to the windshield for monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during each wipe cycle, the sensor generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion, the wiping system being activated when the sensor value crosses a switch-on threshold such that the at least one wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during each wipe cycle, the apparatus further comprising: detecting means for determining when the at least one wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during a first wipe cycle; an activation switch for activating the wiping system and triggering an initial wiping cycle, and means for determining an initial threshold value after the at least one windshield wiper passes over the monitored portion for the last time during the initial wiping cycle; and means for controlling the windshield wiping system based on the sensor value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means for initiating at least one wiping cycle when the activation switch is activated and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, so as to obtain a new switch-on threshold and to inform a vehicle operator that the activation switch is activated.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during a wipe cycle; generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion of the windshield; activating the motor when the signal value crosses a switch-on threshold, such that the wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during the wipe cycle; determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle; and controlling the windshield wiping system based on the signal value generated only after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during a wipe cycle; generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion of the windshield; activating the motor when the signal value crosses a switch-on threshold, such that the wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during the wipe cycle; determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle; and controlling the windshield wiping system based on the signal value generated only after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of modifying the switch-on threshold based on the signal value generated only after the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the method comprising: monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during a wipe cycle; generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion of the windshield; activating the motor when the signal value crosses a switch-on threshold, such that the wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during the wipe cycle; determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle; modifying the switch-on threshold based on the signal value generated after the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle detecting the resting position of the wiper; generating a resting position signal; determining the operating time of the first wipe cycle based on the resting position signal; and controlling the windshield wiping system based on the signal value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
202 words
A method for controlling a vehicular windshield wiping system including a motor and at least one windshield wiper, the method comprising: monitoring a portion of the windshield wiped by the wiper during a wipe cycle; generating a signal having a value which varies as a coating collects on the monitored portion of the windshield; activating the motor when the signal value crosses a switch-on threshold, such that the wiper leaves a resting position and wipes the windshield, passing over the monitored portion of the windshield at least once during the wipe cycle; determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle; modifying the switch-on threshold based on the signal value generated after the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the first wipe cycle detecting the resting position of the wiper; generating a resting position signal; determining the operating time of the first wipe cycle based on the resting position signal; and controlling the windshield wiping system based on the signal value generated after determining when the wiper passes over the monitored portion of the windshield for the last time during the wipe cycle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3947131A
Cited
US4481450A
Cited
DE3314770C2
Cited
US4595866A
Cited
US4588935A
Cited
DE3538553A1
Cited
US4908554A
Cited
DE3722510A1
Cited
US4987354A
Cited
US4798956A
Cited
DE3733762A1
Cited
US5157314A
Cited
DD277437A1
Cited
US5216341A
Cited
US5015931A
Cited
DE3930732A1
Cited
DE3937920A1
Cited
WO1991007298A1
Cited
US5157312A
Cited
US5059877A
Cited
US5140234A
Cited
DE4011510C1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-08 | 1998-02-07 | 1998-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-08 | 2002-02-07 | 2002-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-08 | 2006-02-07 | 2006-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |