JPH02286452A - Windshield wiper controller for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a wiper mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and in particular, the present invention relates to a wiper control for automatically controlling the operation of this type of wiper. Regarding equipment.

<Prior art> Conventional wiper control devices of this type include a continuous drive method in which the wiper is moved back and forth continuously, an intermittent drive method in which the wiper is operated intermittently at predetermined time intervals, and furthermore, a wiper control device that operates the wiper intermittently at predetermined time intervals. A drive adjustment method that manually adjusts the spacing has been introduced.

When driving a car equipped with such a wiper control device, the driver selects either continuous drive or intermittent drive or adjusts the time interval of intermittent operation depending on the rain situation. .

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, with conventional wiper control devices, the driver has to manually select or adjust the wiper operation, which makes the operation complicated and makes it difficult to concentrate driving. This may cause an accident.

Additionally, it is empirically known that the optimal operating conditions for wipers vary depending not only on the amount of rainfall, but also on vehicle speed and external brightness, but conventional manual operation does not allow fine-grained control over wiper operation. Another problem is that it takes a lot of effort to obtain good operating conditions.

This invention was made by focusing on the above problem, and by introducing a method that inputs a predetermined physical quantity such as the speed of the vehicle and infers the optimal wiper operation, it eliminates the complexity of operation and optimizes the wiper operation. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new wiper control device that can finely control various operations.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the wiper control device of the present invention includes a first detection means for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to a vehicle, and a first detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle. a second detection means; a first detection means; an inference means that inputs the detected values by each of the second detection means and performs an inference calculation according to a predetermined control rule to determine the operation of the wiper; and a control means that controls the operation of the wiper based on the inference result by the inference means. It is equipped with

Further, in the invention as set forth in claim 2, in order to realize - layer fine control, the inference means inputs the detected values by each of the first and second detection means and performs inference calculation according to a predetermined control rule. The control means then controls continuous and intermittent operation of the wiper based on the inference result.

Furthermore, in the invention described in claim 3, in order to incorporate more detailed control based on human experience, the first detection means for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle and the second detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle are provided. detection means, a third detection means for detecting the brightness outside the vehicle, and a first detection means. Second. an inference means that inputs the detected values by each of the third detection means and performs an inference calculation according to a predetermined control rule to determine the operation of the wiper; and a control means that controls the operation of the wiper based on the inference result by the inference means. The wiper control device is constructed using the following.

Function> When the detected values of the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle, as well as the detected values of the external brightness of the vehicle, are given to the inference means, the inference means uses each detected value to determine a predetermined control rule. The optimal wiper operation is determined by performing inference calculations according to the following. This eliminates the need for complicated operations by the driver and centralizes driving, thereby preventing accidents. Moreover, the optimal operating state of the wiper can be set precisely and quickly based on human experience. In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the current value to the motor that drives the wiper and the operation interval in intermittent operation are controlled, more fine-grained control in continuous and intermittent operation is possible in terms of both time interval and operation speed. Realized.

<Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a wiper control device for an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention, but this invention is applicable not only to automobiles but also to controlling wipers installed in vehicles such as trains and airplanes. It can also be applied.

The illustrated example is for automatically controlling the continuous and intermittent operations of a wiper installed on the windshield of a car depending on the amount of raindrops adhering to the car and the speed of the car. , a fuzzy inference section 2, a control section 3, etc.

The detection unit 1 includes a rainfall sensor 4 and a speed sensor 5-,
The amounts detected by the rain sensor 4 and the speed sensor 5 are sent to the rain amount detection circuit 6 and the speed detection circuit 7 as electrical signals S+, S
It is converted into t and given to the sample hold circuit 8.9. The rain sensor 4 is used to detect the amount of raindrops adhering to the windshield. For example, a sensor of a type that detects the amount of raindrops using a change in capacitance between electrodes is used. The speed sensor 5 is, for example, a rotary encoder, and outputs a number of pulses depending on the speed of the vehicle.

The sample and hold circuits 8 and 9 sample and hold the electrical signals S+ and Sz from the rain amount detection circuit 6 and the speed detection circuit 7, and provide the held values to the fuzzy inference section 2 as inputs XI+XZ.

The fuzzy inference unit 2 is a calculation entity for executing fuzzy inference, that is, a fuzzy computer, a fuzzy controller, etc., and includes a plurality of rule processing units 10 and an MA
It includes an X synthesis circuit 11 and a defassifier 12.

Each rule processing unit IO executes fuzzy inference according to multiple fuzzy rules with a fuzzy inference antecedent part and a fuzzy inference consequent part, and maximizes the inference output regarding the wiper operation.
Output to the synthesis circuit 11.

The fuzzy rules mentioned above are called if, then (if, then) rules, and in this embodiment, include the following rules.

if x, = PL, xt - PL,
then y=PLif XI-pt,,
Xg −ZR, then y=PMif
Xt = ZR, xz = PL, then
y=PMif x, =ZR, xt =ZR
, then y=PSif x,=NL,
Xt = NL, then y = NL where PL,
PM, PS, etc. are fuzzy labels, and the input X1 regarding the amount of raindrops is PL (Posi).
tive Large) is a very large amount, P? +(Po
sitive Medium) is a large amount, PS (Po
sitiveSma 11) was used in a slightly larger amount, and ZR (
Normal amount of NS (Negative S)
NM (Negative)
Medium) is a small amount, NL (Negative)
eLarge) indicates a very small amount, and regarding input X2 regarding vehicle speed, PL indicates a very high speed (for example, 1004 cm/h), PM indicates a high speed,
PS means a slightly faster speed, ZR means a normal speed (for example, 50
km/h), NS indicates a slightly slow speed, NM indicates a slow speed, and NL indicates a stopped state. Regarding the output y related to wiper operation, PL is for high-speed continuous operation, PM is for medium-speed continuous operation, ps is for low-speed continuous operation, ZR is for intermittent operation with close operation intervals, and NS is for operation interval. indicates normal intermittent operation, NM indicates intermittent operation with sparse operation intervals, and NL indicates a stopped state.

These linguistic expressions are expressed by membership functions, and the membership function for the input X regarding the amount of raindrops is shown in Figure 2 (1), and the membership function for the input x2 regarding the speed of the car is shown in Figure 2 (2). ), the membership function of the output y regarding the wiper operation is shown in Figure 2 (3),
Each is shown below. In each of these figures, the horizontal axis represents variables, while the vertical axis represents these variables in the linguistic expression (PL).

represents the degree of belonging (membership value) to a fuzzy set represented by a group (e.g., phylum).

In the fuzzy inference antecedent part of each rule processing unit 10, input X regarding the amount and speed of raindrops given from the detection unit 1
1. The degree to which Xg conforms to the corresponding membership function of each fuzzy rule is determined, and the one with the lowest degree of conformity is selected and given to the fuzzy inference consequent (M I N operation). -Then, in the fuzzy inference consequent part, the membership function of the output y related to the wiper operation is restricted by the selected degree of fitness to obtain, for example, a trapezoidal membership function.

These membership functions obtained in each rule processing unit 10 are superimposed in a MAX synthesis circuit 11 and a synthesis output u
(y) is generated, and the center of gravity of this composite output is calculated by the differential output 12 as the final output y', and the control unit 3
Output to.

Note that although the above is an explanation of fuzzy inference according to the MIN-MAX calculation rule, the present invention is not limited to this, and fuzzy inference can also be performed according to other calculation rules. Furthermore, the membership function is not limited to triangular shapes as shown in FIG. 2 (1), (2), and (3), but may be of any shape.

The control unit 3 is a part for automatically controlling the operation of the wiper 16 to an optimal state based on the inference result by the fuzzy inference unit 2, and outputs the definitive output y' of the fuzzy inference unit 2 to the amplifier 1.
3, the wiper operation control circuit 14 generates a control signal for controlling the operation speed of the wiper 16 in continuous operation and the operation interval in intermittent operation, and outputs the control signal to the wiper drive circuit 15. This is used to control the drive of the wiper 16.

In the wiper control device having the above configuration, for example, when driving at a speed of about 50 km/h during normal rainfall, the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle is normal and the speed of the car is normal, so the wiper 16 is operated at a low speed. This will result in continuous operation.

Then, during this normal driving, when the rain becomes heavy and the amount of raindrops becomes very large, the continuous operation of the wiper 16 becomes medium speed. Furthermore, when the vehicle travels at high speed in this heavy rain, the continuous operation of the wiper 16 becomes high speed.

In this way, the operation of the wiper 16 is finely and automatically controlled to the optimum state based on human experience in accordance with the rain condition and the speed of the vehicle, and the driver does not need to perform complicated operations.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In this second embodiment, the operation interval of the intermittent wiper operation and the operation speed of the wiper in the intermittent and continuous operation are automatically controlled in a series according to the amount of raindrops adhering to the car and the speed of the car. Like the first embodiment, it is composed of a detection section 1, a fuzzy inference section 2, a control section 3, and the like.

The detection unit 1 has the same configuration as that in the first embodiment, and corresponding components are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted here.

The fuzzy inference section 2 includes a plurality of rule processing sections 10, two MAX synthesis circuits 11a and Jlb, and two defassifiers 12a and 12b, and each rule processing section 10 executes a predetermined fuzzy rule. Accordingly, fuzzy inference is executed, and an inference output regarding the time interval in the intermittent operation of the wiper 16 is provided to one MAX synthesis circuit 11a, and an inference output regarding the operating speed of the wiper 16 is provided to the other MAX synthesis circuit 11b. .

In this embodiment, the fuzzy rules include the following rules.

if XI = ZR, Xz = ZR, then)
'+=ZR.

yi=ZR if XI=PS, xt=ZR, then
y, =PS.

y,=pL.

if x, = PL, Xz = ZR, tben
y, = PM.

y, -pM if XI = ps, x, = PS, then
y, = PL.

) r, = pl.

if XI = PM, Xz = PL, then
y, = PL.

)'t=PL where inputs regarding the amount of raindrops and the speed of the car XI+
The fuzzy labels and membership functions for Xs are shown in FIG.
The fuzzy labels and membership functions for ++3'z are shown in FIG. 4 (3) and (4), respectively.

Each defassifier 12a and 12b of the fuzzy inference section 2
is the definite output YI in terms of time interval and operating speed,'
/z' to the control unit 3a and each amplifier 13a.

The signal is output to the time interval control circuit 14a and the operating speed control circuit 14b via the signal line 13b. The time interval control circuit 14a generates control signals for controlling the time interval in the intermittent operation of the motor that drives the wiper 16, and the operating speed control circuit 14b generates control signals for controlling the current value of the current flowing to the motor, respectively, and drives the wiper. The signal is applied to the circuit 15, thereby controlling the drive of the wiper 16.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermittent operation interval of the wiper 16 is automatically controlled in a series according to the amount of raindrops adhering to the car, the speed of the car, and the brightness outside the car. It is something. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the rain sensor 4 and the speed sensor 5, the detection unit 1 includes:
It includes an optical sensor 17 for detecting the brightness outside the vehicle, and the amount of light detected by the optical sensor 17 is converted into an electrical signal S! by a brightness detection circuit 18. The sample and hold circuit 19 samples and holds the electric signal S3, and the hold value is inputted to X3.
It is given to the fuzzy inference section 2 as follows.

This fuzzy inference section 2 has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and each rule processing section 10 executes fuzzy inference according to the following fuzzy rules to generate an inference output regarding the time interval in the intermittent operation of the wiper 16. generate.

if Xt=NS, xt=NSthen
y=NL if X, =ss, Xz =ps, x3
=PSthen y =NS if Xt =ps, xz=NS, x, =
PSthen y =NS if x, =PS, x, =NS, x3=
NSthen y=ZR if x, =PS, x, =PSthen
y=PS where inputs regarding raindrop volume, speed, and brightness Xl, Xt
The fuzzy labels and membership functions for + 4) shows the respective results.

The defassifier 12 of the fuzzy inference section 2 outputs a definitive output y' regarding the time interval to the wiper operation control circuit 14 via the amplifier 13 of the control section 3. The wiper operation control circuit 14 generates a control signal for controlling the time interval in the intermittent operation of the wiper 16 and controls the wiper drive circuit 1.
5, thereby controlling the drive of the wiper 16.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention infers the optimal wiper operation by inputting the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle, and controls the wiper operation based on the inference result. This eliminates the need for the driver to perform complicated operations during rainy weather. Furthermore, since driving is centralized, accidents can be prevented from occurring. Furthermore, the optimal operating conditions for the wipers can be automatically and precisely set based on experience.

Further, in the invention as claimed in claim 2, since the wiper operation is controlled by determining the current value to the motor that drives the wiper and the operation interval in intermittent operation by inference, the wiper operation is controlled according to the time interval. Fine control is possible in terms of both operating speed and speed.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle and the speed of the vehicle, the brightness outside the vehicle is also taken into account to infer the optimal wiper operation.
This invention achieves the purpose of the invention and achieves remarkable effects, such as being able to achieve more fine-grained control based on human experience.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wiper control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing input/output membership functions in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wiper control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram of a wiper control device according to an example, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing input/output membership functions in a second embodiment, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a wiper control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing input/output membership functions in the third embodiment.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper mounted on a vehicle, comprising a first detection means for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle, and a first detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle. 2 detection means; an inference means for determining the wiper operation by inputting the detected values by the first and second detection means and performing inference calculations according to a predetermined control rule; and based on the inference result by the inference means. A wiper control device for a vehicle, comprising: control means for controlling the operation of a wiper. (2) The inference means inputs the detection values from the first and second detection means and performs inference calculations according to a predetermined control rule to determine the current value to the motor that drives the wiper and the operation interval in the intermittent operation. The vehicle wiper control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls continuous and intermittent operation of the wiper based on the inference result. (3) A wiper control device for controlling the operation of a wiper mounted on a vehicle, comprising a first detection means for detecting the amount of raindrops adhering to the vehicle, and a first detection means for detecting the speed of the vehicle. a second detection means, a third detection means for detecting the brightness outside the vehicle, and inference according to a predetermined control rule by inputting the detected values from each of the first, second, and third detection means. A wiper control device for a vehicle, comprising: inference means that performs calculations to determine the operation of the wiper; and control means that controls the operation of the wiper based on the inference result by the inference means.