WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS

    Component Function

    Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly


    • Wiper ECU

    • AUTO Switch*1

    • Wiper Control Switch

    • Automatic Control Adjuster*1

    • Interval Time Adjuster*2

    • Washer Switch

    • Outputs the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly to the windshield wiper motor assembly.

    • Setting the AUTO switch on will cause the rain sensing function to operate.*1
    Rain Sensor*1 Senses rain when the AUTO switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is on, and sends signals to the windshield wiper switch assembly.
    Windshield Wiper Motor Assembly Activates the front wipers in accordance with the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly.
    Windshield Washer Motor and Pump Assembly Activates in accordance with the signal from the windshield wiper switch assembly.
    Steering Sensor Receives the vehicle speed signal from the skid control ECU and sends it to the windshield wiper switch assembly.

    Brake Actuator Assembly


    • Skid Control ECU

    		 Sends the vehicle speed signal to the steering sensor.
    Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU) Sends the dimmer signal to the windshield wiper switch assembly.

    *1: Models with rain sensing function

    *2: Models without rain sensing function

  2. FUNCTION


    1. Rain Sensing Function


      1. When the AUTO switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is on, the rain sensor mounted on the upper area of the windshield detects the amount of rain and the luminance of the surrounding area. When the rain sensor detects rain, it sends an optimal wiper timing signal to the wiper ECU (windshield wiper switch assembly) in accordance with the vehicle speed, luminance of the surrounding area and the amount of rain detected.

      2. The wiper ECU (windshield wiper switch assembly) changes the operation of the windshield wiper motor assembly as shown in the following table, based on wiper operation request signals sent from the rain sensor. If a wiper HI operation request signal is received due to a sudden increase of the amount of rain, such as a splash on the windshield, the wipers are operated continuously on HI.

      3. The rain sensor detects the luminance of the surrounding area. If the luminance changes such as when the vehicle goes in or out of a tunnel, the rain sensor sends a wiper operation request signal in accordance with the situation, enabling the wipers to operate at a comfortable setting.

        Wiper Operation
        Amount of Rain While Being Driven While Stopped
        Large Continuously (at HI) Continuously (at LO)
        ↓↑ Continuously (at LO) Continuously (at LO)
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 0.6 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 0.8 Seconds Interval
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 1.2 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 1.6 Seconds Interval
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 2.1 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 3.1 Seconds Interval
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 3.5 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 5.4 Seconds Interval
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 5.9 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 9.7 Seconds Interval
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 10.1 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 17.5 Seconds Interval
        Small Intermittently at Approximately 17.9 Seconds Interval Intermittently at Approximately 32.7 Seconds Interval
        No detection Not operated Not operated

    2. Rain Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment Function


      1. When the wiper control switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is in AUTO, operating the sensitivity switch adjusts the sensitivity of the rain sensor to adjust the wiper operation timing.

    3. Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch assembly is set to off or AUTO and the washer switch is turned on, 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. When the washer switch is turned on for approximately 0.5 seconds or more and vehicle speed is approximately 4 km/h (2 mph) or less, as shown in the following diagram, after the end of this operation, the wipers operate once more.

        A01VMELE04

  3. FAIL-SAFE


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

      Trouble Area Condition
      Speed Signal Malfunction If a malfunction occurs in the speed signal, control will continue using the speed the vehicle was traveling at before the malfunction occurred.
      Communication Signal Malfunction If a malfunction occurs in the LIN communication signal, control will continue while preserving the same control status that was in effect before the malfunction occurred.
      Rain Sensor Malfunction If a malfunction occurs in the rain sensor, intermittent operation will be conducted in accordance with the position of the automatic control adjuster.
      Rain Sensor Temperature Malfunction If the temperature of the rain sensor becomes abnormally high or low, control will be stopped.
      Rain Sensor Low Voltage If the voltage of the power source of the rain sensor becomes low, control will continue while preserving the same control status that was in effect before the malfunction occurred.