WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS


    1. Wiper and Washer System


      1. The raindrop sensing function consists of the following parts:

        Component Function
        Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly

        • Outputs the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly to the windshield wiper motor assembly, windshield washer motor and pump assembly and windshield wiper relay assembly.

        • Setting this switch to AUTO will cause the rain sensing function to operate. This switch is also used to adjust the rain sensing function sensitivity.
        Wiper Motor and Link Assembly Activates the front wiper in accordance with the position signal of the wiper switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) or the control signal from the windshield wiper relay assembly.
        Windshield Washer Motor and Pump Assembly Activates the windshield washer motor and pump assembly in accordance with the signal from the front washer switch (windshield wiper switch assembly).
        Rain Sensor* Senses rain when the wiper switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is in AUTO, and sends signals to the windshield wiper relay assembly.
        Windshield Wiper Relay Assembly* Receives the operation signal from the windshield wiper switch assembly (wiper switch and washer switch) and the rain sensor, and inputs them into the windshield wiper motor assembly.
        Combination Meter Sub-assembly Outputs the vehicle speed signal to the windshield wiper relay assembly.

        *: Models with rain sensing function

    2. Headlight Cleaner System


      1. The headlight cleaner system has the following parts and functions:

        Component Function
        Headlight Cleaner Switch Assembly The user operates this switch to operate the headlight cleaner system.
        Headlight Cleaner Motor and Pump Assembly Sends the washer fluid to the headlight washer actuators in accordance with the signals from the headlight cleaner switch assembly.
        Headlight Cleaner Control Relay Receives the signals from the headlight cleaner switch assembly, windshield washer switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) and main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU), and controls the headlight cleaner motor and pump assembly.
        Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU) Sends the headlight low beam illumination signal to the headlight cleaner control relay.
        Headlight Washer Actuator Sub-assembly LH, RH Sprays the washer fluid sent by the headlight cleaner motor and pump assembly onto the headlights.
        Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly Outputs the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly to the headlight cleaner control relay.

  2. OPERATING CONDITION


    1. The headlight cleaner operates as follows:

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

  3. SYSTEM CONTROL


    1. This system has the following functions.

      Function Outline
      Wiper Forced Wiping*1

      When any one of the following conditions is met while wiping is controlled by the rain sensing function, the windshield wiper relay assembly forcibly operates the wipers once.


      • The wiper switch is turned from OFF to AUTO when the power switch is on (IG).

      • The vehicle starts off.

      • The automatic control adjuster is turned to the + direction. (to boost the sensitivity)
      Rain Sensing*1 Controls the wiping interval and speed in accordance with the amount of rain and vehicle speeds when the windshield washer switch assembly is in the AUTO position.
      Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention*1 To prevent the fluid from dripping after the washer has been operated, this function operates the wipers once after they have operated in unison with the washer.
      Washer Headlight Cleaner*2 Sprays washer fluid on the headlight lenses to clean them.

      *1: Models with rain sensing function

      *2: Models with headlight cleaner system

    2. 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 front wiper switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is in the AUTO position.

    3. Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention Function


      1. When the front wiper switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is set to OFF or AUTO and the front washer switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is turned on for approximately 0.2 seconds or more, the wipers start operating in LO at the same time as the washer fluid is sprayed.

      2. The wipers operate 3 times in LO after the front washer switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is turned off.

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

        A00512CE21

    4. Headlight Cleaner System


      1. When the power switch is on (IG), pressing the headlight cleaner switch assembly will cause the headlight cleaner motor and pump assembly to operate for a predetermined length of time.

      2. When the power switch is on (IG) and the headlights are turned to low beam, pressing the front washer switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) once will cause the headlight cleaner motor and pump assembly to operate.

  4. 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.

        A0050P7E12
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Rain Sensor Tape *2 Lens
        *3 Photo Diode *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 penetrates 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 rain. This change of internal reflection due to 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 rain. Thus, this function controls the intermittent, low, and high operation in order to operate the wipers at an optimal wiping timing.

        A0051COE13
        Text in Illustration
        *1 Windshield Glass *2 Photo Diode
        *3 LED - -
        *a Infrared Rays *b Rain Drop

  5. FAIL-SAFE


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


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

      • Switches to 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 assembly is in the AUTO position.