Device for operating a windshield wiper

An apparatus for operating a windshield wiper, comprising:

• a sensor device (10) for detecting the state of wetness of a windshield and generating a sensor signal (S);
• an evaluating device (20) that receives the sensor signal, evaluating device including a first adjusting stage (21, 22, 23) for receiving measured values (MW) of the sensor signal at intervals of a fraction of a second and generating a first reference value RW1), and a second adjusting stage (24, 25) for generating a second reference value (RW2) which follows the first reference value;
• and
• an actuator unit (30) for the windshield wiper that is actuated by the evaluating device (20) for initiating a wiping process if the difference between the second reference value (RW2) and a current measured value (MW) exceeds a threshold value,
• wherein the second reference value (RW2) generated by the second adjusting stage (24, 25) follows the first reference value (RW1) step-wise with consideration of recent measured values (MW) and wherein the second adjusting stage (24, 25) has a time constant on the order of magnitude of one second to a few seconds.