Wiper control mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10479322-B2
Application number	US-201615170847-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2016
Priority date	Nov 28, 2012
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system to prevent melting of refreezable-meltable snow deposited on an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle, the system comprising:
a plurality of sensors configured to collect a plurality of parameters; and
at least one processor configured to:
predict the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow based on the plurality of parameters; and
actuate a blower to cool the window to a temperature based on the prediction of the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow that prevents the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parameters is selected from the group comprising actual window temperature, climate control settings of the vehicle, window moisture sensor feedback, vehicle external temperature, vehicle internal temperature, solar radiation intensity at the vehicle, vehicle orientation, snow precipitation type, snow precipitation intensity, wind speed, and ambient temperature.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parameters is gathered based on an input from a camera installed on the vehicle.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the predicting is based on an input from a camera installed on the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an actuator actuable by a user of the vehicle to request termination of the blower.

6. The system according to claim 5 further comprising a timer coupled to the actuator, wherein the user configures the timer for the termination of the blower.

7. A method to prevent melting of refreezable-meltable snow deposited on an ambient-facing surface of a window positioned on a vehicle, the method comprising:
configuring a plurality of sensors to gather a plurality of parameters;
predicting, by a processor, the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow based on the plurality of parameters; and
actuating, by the processor, a blower to cool the window to a temperature based on the prediction of the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow that prevents the melting of the refreezable-meltable snow.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parameters is selected from the group comprising actual window temperature, climate control settings of the vehicle, window moisture sensor feedback, vehicle external temperature, vehicle internal temperature, solar radiation intensity at the vehicle, vehicle orientation, snow precipitation type, snow precipitation intensity, wind speed, and ambient temperature.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of the plurality of parameters is gathered based on an input from a camera installed on the vehicle.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the predicting is based on an input from a camera installed on the vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 7 further comprising an actuator actuable by a user of the vehicle to request termination of the blower.

12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising a timer coupled to the actuator, wherein the user configures the timer for the termination of the blower.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Dangler John R
• Kidd Thomas D

Classifications

• B60H1/00821

  the components being ventilating, air admitting or air distributing devices · CPC title

• B60S1/0866

  including a temperature sensor (heating devices for windshield B60H) · CPC title

• H05B3/86

  the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material {(H05B3/845 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• H05B3/84

  Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields · CPC title

• B60S1/0822 Primary

  characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means · CPC title