WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS


    1. The wiper and washer system consists of the following parts:

      Component Function
      Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly Outputs the switch position signal to the windshield wiper motor assembly and the rear wiper motor assembly.*1
      Outputs the switch position signal to the windshield wiper relay assembly.*2
      Windshield Wiper Motor and Link Assembly Activates the front wiper arm and blade assembly in accordance with position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly.
      Rain Sensor*2 Senses rain when the windshield wiper switch assembly is in AUTO, and sends signals to the windshield wiper relay assembly.
      Windshield Wiper Relay Assembly*2 Receives the operation signal from the windshield wiper switch assembly and the rain sensor, and inputs them into the windshield wiper motor and link assembly.
      Rear Wiper Motor Assembly Activates the rear wiper in accordance with the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly.
      Windshield Washer Jar Assembly Activates the windshield washer motor and pump assembly and rear washer motor and pump assembly in accordance with the signal from the washer switch.
      Combination Meter Assembly Outputs the vehicle speed to the windshield wiper relay assembly.*2

      • *1: Models without rain sensing function

      • *2: Models with rain sensing function

  2. SYSTEM CONTROL


    1. Rain Sensing Function


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

      2. The windshield wiper relay assembly circuit controls the timing based on the signal from the rain sensor.

    2. Washer-linked Wiper


      1. When the windshield wiper assembly switch is set to off or AUTO* and the washer switch is turned on for approximately 0.5 seconds or more, the wiper start operating in low speed at the same time as the washer fluid is sprayed.

      2. Turning on the front washer switch for approximately 1.5 seconds or more will cause the front wiper to continue operating at a low speed for approximately extra 2.2 seconds after the washer switch is turned off, preventing washer fluid dripping from occurring.

        *: Models with rain sensing function

        A01UWW5E02

  3. CONSTRUCTION


    1. Rain Sensor


      1. The rain sensor consists of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that emits infrared rays, a photo diode that can receive those rays, a lens and rain sensor tape.

      2. In order to enhance the responsiveness of the day/night control and the tunnel control, the 2 built-in light sensors have been provided.

        A01UWY9E03
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Rain Sensor Tape *2 Lens
        *3 Photo Diode *4 LED
        *5 Photo Diode for Forward Detection (Light Sensor) *6 Photo Diode for Upward Detection (Light Sensor)

      3. If no raindrops are 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.

      4. If raindrops are present in the detection area, a portion of the emitted infrared rays will 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). The ability of the windshield glass to reflect all light back inside changes due to the presence of raindrops. This change of internal reflection due to the presence of water reduces the amount of infrared rays that are received by the photo diode. The amount of this reduction is then used to determine the amount of raindrops. This function then selects intermittent, low, or high wiper operation in order to operate the wipers at an optimal speed and timing.

      5. By using 2 light sensors, the sensitivity to detect night has been improved. In addition, when a tunnel is detected, the responsiveness around the entrance/exit of the tunnel has been improved.

        A01UWSLE03
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Windshield Glass *2 Photo Diode
        *3 LED - -
        *a Infrared Ray *b Raindrop

    2. Front Wiper Arm and Blade Assembly


      1. The front wiper arm and blade assembly consists of a front wiper arm, front wiper blade, sub arm and swivel.

      2. A pantograph mechanism, in which the sub arm and swivel have been added, is used in the front wiper arm. As a result, the lower portion of the wiper blade will move like it is pushed out around the position where the front wiper arm reverses, expanding the wipe-off area to the bottom corner on the driver side.

        A01UX1DE03
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Front Wiper Arm *2 Sub Arm
        *3 Swivel *4 Front Wiper Blade
        *a When the pantograph mechanism is used. *b When the pantograph mechanism is not used.
        A01UWSJ Expanded wipe-off area - -

    3. Windshield Wiper Motor Assembly


      1. The motor used in the windshield wiper motor assembly has been changed from a generally employed 2-pole motor to a 4-pole motor to reduce the yoke and magnet thickness, achieving a more compact and lightweight form.

        A01UXAIE05
        Text in Illustration
        *A 2-pole Motor *B 4-pole Motor
        *1 Windshield Wiper Motor *2 Yoke
        *3 Magnet - -
        *a C-C Cross Section - -

    4. Windshield Washer Nozzle


      1. A windshield washer nozzle has been mounted on the front wiper arm head to spray washer fluid in the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the front wiper blade so that the minimum area along the wiper blade will be sprayed. Due to this, a reduction in view obstruction when spraying and fluid spread when driving at high speeds has been achieved, meanwhile, good wiping performance with a small amount of washer fluid will also be delivered.

        A01UX44E02
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Windshield Washer Nozzle *2 Front Wiper Arm Head
        A01UWSJ Sprayed area - -

    5. Rear Washer Nozzle


      1. Spray type rear washer nozzles are located on the back door panel.

        A01UX4SE02
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Rear Washer Nozzle - -
        A01UWSJ Sprayed area - -

  4. FAIL-SAFE


    1. If the windshield wiper relay assembly* detects a malfunction of the rain sensor during the operation of the rain sensing function, the following controls will be performed:


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

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

        *: Models with rain sensing function