Electricity: motive power systems – Periodic – repetitious or successive operations control of... – Variable periods or intervals between controlling operations
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-05-22
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Periodic, repetitious or successive operations control of...
Variable periods or intervals between controlling operations
C318S085000, C318S480000, C318S482000, C318S483000, C318SDIG002, C015S250020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236180
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the development of a windshield washer control system and more particularly to the incorporation of a windshield washer control system using three operating modes. The first operating mode is a manual mode; the second operating mode is a cycle mode; and the third operating mode is an automatic mode. The three operating modes allow for the driver to effectively wash the windshield according to the conditions in which one is driving in.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently the ability to operate a windshield washer control system is either by manual or automatic control. The operation of a windshield wiper in manual mode has the potential of becoming a distraction to the driver. In response to a dirty windshield, the operator of the vehicle activates the windshield washer system manually. In order to manually activate the system the operator must turn the system on him/herself.
In contrast to the manual mode, the automatic mode incorporates the use of a windshield transparency detection system, comprised of a sensor and a transmitter. As with any system, if the components aren't functioning properly, the operating system will not work appropriately. An example of malfunctioning potentials within an automatic operating system is if the sensor is not sensitive enough to detect the transparency of the windshield, the windshield will remain dirty forcing the driver to change operation settings of the washer system to manual mode. In contrast, if the sensor is too sensitive there is a waste of windshield washer fluid. The problems incurred in the automatic, as well as the manual, operating system are seen more as an inconvenience and a hassle for the operator of the vehicle. This inconvenience for the operator of the vehicle can be minimized by the present invention, which provides an alternative option to the previously mentioned operating modes.
The present invention incorporates the use of three different operating modes. The three operating modes which enable the driver to operate the washer control system dependant upon the environment in which he/she is driving. Contrast to the two previous systems, the new system incorporates a cycle operating mode which allows the driver to have flexibility in determining the way the windshield wiper system operates. In addition to the three operating modes of the present invention, manual, cycle, and automatic, an additional feature of the present invention is that the sensor for the detection of the windshield transparency in the automatic operating mode is disposed on the windshield wiper. This position of the sensor is different compared to previous washer systems which have a sensor placed on the hood of the car. The placement of the sensor on the windshield wiper allows for a more accurate determination of the transparency of the windshield relative to if the wiper system should be activated or not.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved windshield washer control system by utilizing three different operating modes, manual, cycle and automatic. The windshield washer control system, for use on a vehicle having a windshield wiper device, includes a washer device which further includes a windshield transparency detection system and a controller unit that controls all three operating modes.
The first operating mode of the controller unit is defined by the windshield washer device being manually operable. The second operating mode of the controller unit is defined by the windshield washer device being operated by a cycle mode wherein the system is controlled to spray after a predetermined number of wiper cycles. The third operating mode in the controller unit is the automatic mode which uses the windshield transparency detection system to operate automatically.
In particular, the present invention further includes a windshield washer control system on a vehicle utilizing a controller unit incorporating a cycle operating mode. Based upon the operation of the cycle mode, the windshield washer device is controlled to spray after a predetermined number of wiper cycles. The cycle operating mode is activated by a switch device which allows for the operator to select a predetermined number of wiper cycles between the wash cycles.
If the automatic mode of the windshield washer control system is chosen, it is comprised of a transparency detection system which includes an infrared transmitter and a sensor. The sensor is disposed on the wiper device. In addition, a controller unit utilizes the windshield transparency detection system for automatically operating the washer system. Initially, the windshield transparency system detects that the windshield has a transparency level above or below a predetermined level. The automatic operating mode of the windshield washer control system also includes a switch device which allows for the operator to select the automatic operating mode.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention are intended for purposes of illustration only since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Contos Joseph G.
Meskouri Mohamed S.
Roach Jerald P.
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Ro Bentsu
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