A method of controlling a rear wiper system of a vehicle includes determining at least one current vehicle operating parameter with a vehicle controller in response to the rear wiper system being activated. The current vehicle operating parameter may include an on/off status of a front wiper system, a wiper speed of the front wiper system, a ground speed of the vehicle, or some other parameter dependent upon a body style of the vehicle. A delay time for the rear wiper system is defined, with the vehicle controller, based on one or more of the current vehicle operating parameters. The rear wiper system is controlled, with the vehicle controller, to repeatedly actuate the rear wiper system at time intervals separated by the defined delay time. Accordingly, the delay time of the rear wiper system is controlled by the vehicle controller as a function of the current vehicle operating parameters.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a sensor for a vehicle, which includes: a vehicle glass; a substrate disposed on the vehicle glass; a transparent sensing electrode disposed on the substrate; and a wire electrode connected to the sensing electrode, wherein the sensing electrode comprises a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode spaced apart from the first sensing electrode.

A vehicle configured to automatically clear snow from windows of the vehicle includes: a prime mover, a first window with a first vibration sensor, processor(s) configured to: control speed or load of the prime mover to increase vibration detected by the first vibration sensor, control the speed or the load of the prime mover, within certain predetermined limits, to maximize vibration detected by the first vibration sensor; accept a user prioritization of the windows; control speed or load of the prime mover based on the user prioritization.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper apparatus reduced in the number of parts. A wiper apparatus 40A has: a drive mechanism 13 for driving a wiper 12 for wiping a front windshield of a vehicle; a gear case 17 in which the drive mechanism 13 is housed, and which is fixed to a vehicle body, wherein the wiper apparatus 40A has: a fixing part 35 provided in the gear case 17 and fixed to the vehicle body; and a fixing part 36 provided in the gear case 17 and fixed to the vehicle body at a position different from a fixed position of the fixing part 35 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

A holder to fasten a component to a glass pane is disclosed. The holder includes a supporting body with a lower side, where the supporting body is adhereable to the glass pane by the lower side, and an upper side, where a holding element is included on the upper side and where the component is fastenable to the supporting body with the holding element. A first section of the supporting body which includes the holding element is separated from a remaining portion of the supporting body along a first slot and a second slot, where both the first slot and the second slot each begin at an outer edge of the supporting body and each end at a connection region at a distance from the outer edge, and where the first section of the supporting body is connected to the remaining portion of the supporting body by the connection region.

Water is removed from the windshield of a ground vehicle via a wiper sweeping across the windshield, thus transporting the water thereon to a particular side. At least one remote sensor registers set of parameters in respect of other ground vehicles. A controller unit determines a point in time when a substantial amount of water is expected to hit the windshield of the own vehicle as the result of another vehicle moving proximate thereto and controls the operation of the wiper such that, before said point in time, the wiper is placed at a predetermined position. At said point in time, a stroke of the at least one wiper is initiated from the predetermined position over said surface. In one embodiment, this means moving the at least one wiper in a continuous sweep such that it passes the predetermined position at said point in time.

Sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems are provided. Output from sensors of a vehicle may be used to describe an environment around the vehicle. In the event that a sensor is obstructed by dirt, debris, or detritus the sensor may not sufficiently describe the environment for autonomous control operations. In response to receiving an indication of an obstructed sensor, the sensor cleaning devices, methods, and systems described herein may proceed to remove the obstruction from the sensor.

A method of preventing a windshield wiper from freezing to a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) receiving information relating to an ambient condition of the vehicle; (b) switching power to a motor for driving the windshield wiper in a first direction if the received information indicates an adverse ambient condition of the vehicle; (c) sensing current drawn by the motor; (d) comparing an initial sensed current drawn by the motor when power is initially switched to the motor to a subsequent sensed current drawn by the motor a period after power is initially switched to the motor; and (e) periodically reversing the motor for driving the windshield wiper in a second direction or the first direction until the subsequent sensed current is less than the initial sensed current.

A method of preventing a windshield wiper from freezing to a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (a) receiving information relating to an ambient condition of the vehicle; (b) switching power to a motor for driving the windshield wiper in a first direction if the received information indicates an adverse ambient condition of the vehicle; (c) sensing current drawn by the motor; (d) comparing an initial sensed current drawn by the motor when power is initially switched to the motor to a subsequent sensed current drawn by the motor a period after power is initially switched to the motor; and (e) periodically reversing the motor for driving the windshield wiper in a second direction or the first direction until the subsequent sensed current is less than the initial sensed current.

A brushless motor includes a motor part and a gear part. The motor part includes: a rotating shaft, having a first gear; a rotor, having a bottom wall and a side wall, the bottom wall being fixed to the rotating shaft; magnets, fixed to the side wall and arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the rotor; a stator, provided between the rotating shaft and the magnets in a radial direction of the rotor and wound with a coil; and a motor housing, rotatably supporting the rotating shaft, and accommodating the rotor and the stator. The gear part includes: a second gear, meshed with the first gear; an output shaft, having an output part, having a base end side thereof fixed to the second gear, and parallel to the rotating shaft; and a gear housing, rotatably supporting the output shaft, and accommodating the second gear.