Intermittent wiper control device
AssigneeHasenberg, Inc.
InventorsMark Hasenberg, Richard M. Anton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intermittent windshield wiper control device for use with antique or historical cars. The control device includes a user actuator mechanism, microprocessor circuitry, a potentiometer system, and a relay system. User movement of the actuator mechanism is translated to the potentiometer system to vary an output therefrom. The microprocessor circuitry acts in response to the potentiometer system output in controlling operation of a vehicle's wiper motor via the relay system.
Claims20
An intermittent wiper control device for use in controlling operation of a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system, the control device comprising:
- a user actuator mechanism;
- a potentiometer system connected to the actuator mechanism such that a change in a position of the actuator mechanism produces a change in an output of the potentiometer system;
- microprocessor circuitry electronically connected to the potentiometer system;
- and
- a relay system including at least one relay electronically connected to the microprocessor circuitry and adapted to generate a motor activation signal and a motor deactivation signal corresponding with activation and deactivation, respectively, of a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system;
- wherein the microprocessor circuitry is programmed to prompt operation of the relay system based upon the potentiometer system output to cause the wiper system to selectively operate in at least one continuous speed mode, a variable intermittent mode, and an off mode, based on different values of the potentiometer system output.
A method of controlling operation of a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system, the method comprising:
- providing an intermittent wiper control device including:
- a user actuator mechanism,
- a potentiometer system connected to the actuator mechanism such that a change in a position of the actuator mechanism produces a change in an output of the potentiometer system,
- microprocessor circuitry electronically connected to the potentiometer system, and
- a relay system including at least one relay electronically connected to the microprocessor circuitry and adapted to generate a motor activation signal and a motor deactivation signal corresponding with activation and deactivation, respectively, of a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system,
- wherein the microprocessor circuitry is programmed to prompt operation of the relay system based upon the potentiometer system output to cause the wiper system to selectively operate in at least one continuous speed mode, a variable intermittent mode, and an off mode, based on different values of the potentiometer system output;
- electrically connecting the relay system to an electrical system of the vehicle such that at least one relay of the relay system is electrically coupled to a wiper motor of the vehicle's windshield wiper system;
- mounting the user actuator mechanism to an interior surface of the vehicle;
- and
- operating the user actuator mechanism by a user to effectuate desired operation of the wiper motor.
A method of retrofitting an existing wiper control device used in controlling a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system, the method comprising:
- removing the existing wiper control device from the vehicle;
- providing an intermittent wiper control device including:
- a user actuator mechanism,
- a potentiometer system connected to the actuator mechanism such that a change in a position of the actuator mechanism produces a change in an output of the potentiometer system,
- microprocessor circuitry electronically connected to the potentiometer system, and
- a relay system including at least one relay electronically connected to the microprocessor circuitry and adapted to generate a motor activation signal and a motor deactivation signal corresponding with activation and deactivation, respectively, of a wiper motor of a vehicle's windshield wiper system,
- wherein the microprocessor circuitry is programmed to prompt operation of the relay system based upon the potentiometer system output to cause the wiper system to selectively operate in at least one continuous speed mode, a variable intermittent mode, and an off mode, based on different values of the potentiometer system output;
- electrically coupling the relay system to an electrical system of the vehicle such that at least one relay is electrically coupled to the wiper motor;
- and
- mounting the user actuator mechanism to an interior surface of the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.