WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM


  1. OPERATING CONDITION


    1. Headlight Cleaner


      1. The headlight cleaner operates as follows:

        Headlight Low Beam Headlight Cleaner Switch Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly (Washer Switch)
        On On (First Time) On (Second Time or Later)
        Turned On Activated Activated Not Activated
        Turned Off Not Activated Not Activated Not Activated

  2. SYSTEM CONTROL


    1. This system has the following functions:

      Function Outline
      Wiper Vehicle Speed-sensing, Adjustable Interval Controls the wiper interval time in accordance with the vehicle speed when the windshield wiper switch is in the AUTO or INT position.
      Vehicle Speed Switching Automatically selects an intermittent operation when the vehicle is stopped with the windshield wiper switch in LO position.
      Stopped Vehicle Intermittent Wiper Automatically selects an intermittent operation when the windshield wiper switch is switched to the LO position from any positions other than LO with the vehicle stopped.
      Rain Sensing Controls the wiping interval and speed in accordance with the amount of rain, vehicle speeds and taillight signals when the windshield wiper switch is in the AUTO position.
      Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention Operates the wipers once after they have operated in unison with the washer to prevent the fluid from dripping after the washer has been operated.
      Washer Washer Fluid Level Warning When the volume of washer fluid decreases to below a certain level, the combination meter assembly warns the driver through the master warning light illumination and the warning message on the multi-information display.

    2. Vehicle Speed-sensing, Adjustable Interval Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch is in the AUTO position, the interval time of the wiper is controlled in 3 stages in accordance with the automatic control adjuster position and the vehicle speed.

      2. The interval time can be controlled steplessly within each range.

      3. The interval time settings of the wiper are different for day and night.

        A000M46E04

    3. Vehicle Speed Switching Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch is in the LO position and the vehicle has stopped running, wiper operation is automatically switched to intermittent operation.


        1. The front controller judges that the vehicle is being driven if either of the following conditions exists:


          • The vehicle speed is other than 0 mph (0 km/h).

          • The stop light switch and the parking brake switch are off and the shift lever is in a position other than P or N.

        2. If other conditions exist, the front controller judges that the vehicle is stopped. The front contrtoller controls the wipers as shown in the timing chart below.

        3. When the vehicle stops running while driving and the windshield wiper switch is in the LO position, the wiper operates twice in LO. The wiper then switches to intermittent operation with an interval time of approximately 2.5 seconds. If the vehicle starts running during this intermittent wiper operation, the wiper returns automatically to LO operation.

        A000M0OE05

    4. Stopped Vehicle Intermittent Wiper Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch is changed to the LO position while the vehicle is stopped, the wiper operates 3 times in LO. The wiper then switches automatically to an intermittent operation with an interval time of approximately 2.5 seconds.

      2. When the automatic control adjuster is in the FAST position, the wiper operates in LO when the vehicle is stopped.

        A000MEKE04

    5. Rain Sensing Function


      1. The rain sensing function controls the wiper timing in accordance with the amount of raindrops that strikes the windshield when the windshield wiper switch is in the AUTO position.

      2. The front controller controls the timing based on the signal from the rain sensor.

    6. Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch is set to off or AUTO and the washer switch is turned on for approximately 0.2 seconds or more, the wipers start on LO at the same time as the washer fluid is sprayed.

      2. The wipers operate 3 times on LO after the washer switch is turned off.

      3. As shown in the following diagram, after the end of this operation, the wipers operate once more. The wipers do so after an interval time determined by the vehicle speed, so that any washer fluid drips are wiped away.

        A000MNNE04
        Interval Time Table
        Vehicle Speed Interval Time
        Approx. 0 km/h to 59 km/h (0 mph to 37 mph) Approx. 3 seconds
        Approx. 60 km/h to 79 km/h (37 mph to 49 mph) Approx. 5 seconds
        Approx. 80 km/h to 119 km/h (50 mph to 74 mph) Approx. 7 seconds
        Approx. 120 km/h to 159 km/h (75 mph to 99 mph) Approx. 5 seconds
        Approx. 160 km/h to 169 km/h (99 mph to 105 mph) Approx. 3 seconds
        Approx. 170 km/h or more (106 mph or more) No Operation

    7. Washer Fluid Level Warning


      1. When the volume of washer fluid decreases to below a certain level, the combination meter assembly displays the messages "Low Washer Fluid" and "Fill tank" on the multi-information display and illuminate the master warning light to warning the driver.

  3. CONSTRUCTION


    1. Rain Sensor


      1. The rain sensor consists of 2 Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that emit infrared rays, 3 photo diodes that can receive those rays, a lens and rain sensor tape.

        A000LZTE04
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Rain Sensor Tape *2 Lens
        *3 Photodiode *4 LED

      2. If no rain is present in the detection area, the infrared rays emitted by the LED are all reflected from the outer surface of the windshield glass and are received by the photo diode.

      3. If rain is present in the detection area, a portion of the emitted infrared rays penetrate the windshield glass due to the change in the difference of the index of refraction between the glass and the area outside the windshield (difference between air and water).

      4. The ability of the windshield glass to reflect all light back inside changes due to the presence of rain. This change of internal reflection due to presence of water reduces the amount of infrared rays that are received by the photo diode.

      5. The amount of this reduction is then used to determine the amount of rain. Thus, this function selects the INT, LO and HI wiper operation in order to operate the wipers at an optimal speed and timing.

        A000M0CE04
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Windshield Glass *2 Photodiodes
        *a Infrared Rays *b Penetrated Infrared Rays
        *c Raindrop - -

  4. FAIL-SAFE


    1. The following measures are taken as fail-safe when any malfunction is detected by the front controller:

      Trouble Area Condition
      Wiper Motor Malfunction Stops the operation of the rain sensing function.
      Communication Signal Malfunction

      Rain Sensor:


      • Continuously performs a wiper operation prior to the occurrence of a malfunction.

      • Switches to the intermittent operation if a malfunction of the rain sensor is detected when the power switch is turned from off to on (IG) or the windshield wiper switch is in AUTO position.

      Windshield Wiper Switch:

      Continuously performs a wiper operation prior to the occurrence of a malfunction.

      Main body ECU (driver side junction block), hybrid vehicle control ECU and combination meter assembly:

      Continuously perform the LO operation.