A wiper device that includes: a first control section that, during intermittent operation, controls power supply to a drive source such that a wiper blade wipes to-and-fro between a first return position and a second return position on a windshield and stops moving for a predetermined duration at the first return position, and that performs position retention control that controls power supply to the drive source such that the stopped wiper blade is retained at a position at which the wiper blade is stopped; and a second control section that suspends the position retention control by the first control section in a case in which a current flowing in the drive source is detected to have increased by a predetermined value or greater while the wiper blade moves toward the first return position within a predetermined region in a vicinity of the first return position.

Sensor cleaning apparatus, systems, and related methods for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus includes a sensor of a vehicle. The apparatus also includes a motor operatively coupled to the sensor to enable the sensor to move within a cavity of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a wiper fixedly coupled to the vehicle and partially defining the cavity. An edge of the wiper is to engage the sensor when the sensor moves to remove debris.

A wiper is controlled to sweep a surface area, e.g., a portion of a windshield, in front of a camera, e.g., a camera mounted inside a vehicle. An image captured from the camera after the wiper completes, e.g., immediately completes, the sweep of the surface area in front of the camera is used in generating a depth map. In some embodiments a first wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of a first camera while a second wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of second camera at the same time, and the first and second cameras are synchronized to initiate image capture at the same time, capturing images through recently cleared area, and the captured images are used to generate a depth map. A vehicle control operation, e.g., a direction, braking or speed control operation is performed based on the depth map.

A vehicle and/or a method for detecting contaminants on an optical surface are provided. The vehicle includes at least one light source adjacent the optical surface and at least one light detector at an edge of the optical surface. A controller is configured to introduce light from at least one light source into the optical surface, and to measure light at the edge of the optical surface with at least one detector. The controller compares the measured light to a threshold, and, if the measured light crosses the threshold, triggers or implements a response action.

The disclosure provides for a wiper system for cleaning a surface of a sensor housing, such as a sensor housing positioned on top of a vehicle. The wiper system includes a plurality of windows spaced around a sensor housing, and a plurality of wipers positioned around the sensor housing, each of the wipers includes a wiper blade configured to clean a corresponding window of the plurality of windows. The wiper system further includes a drive system including a movable part coupled to a motor. The motor is configured to drive the drive system to simultaneously rotate the plurality of wipers around the sensor housing such that the plurality of wipers remove debris from the plurality of windows.

An apparatus for displaying a vehicle state using a wiper includes: a wiper arm located on a glass of a vehicle, a driving motor which is located in a pivot unit coupled to one end of the wiper arm, and rotates the wiper arm, a light source unit located in the pivot unit so as to face the wiper arm, reflection units which are located in the wiper arm and reflect light radiated by the light source unit, and a controller to control a rotational speed of the wiper arm and control light emitted by the light source unit to be radiated to selected reflection units among the reflection units in response to a rotational position of the wiper arm so as to provide a user requested form.

A raindrop sensor device, including a substrate, a raindrop sensor element, a first light emitting diode, and an active element, is provided. The raindrop sensor element is located on the substrate and includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated from each other. The first light emitting diode is located on the substrate and is electrically connected to the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are closer to the substrate than the active element. The active element is located on the substrate and is electrically connected to the first light emitting diode.

A vehicle grille assembly includes a vehicle grille, a grille badge and a washer assembly. The grille has an interior side and an exterior side. The grille badge is supported on a surface of the exterior side of the grille. The washer assembly is disposed adjacent to the grille badge and has a nozzle being configured to move between a stowed position and an operating position. The nozzle is stowed on the interior side of the vehicle grille in the stowed position. The nozzle is on the exterior side of the vehicle grille in the operating position to dispense cleaning fluid toward the grille badge.

An interior windshield wiper apparatus for cleaning the interior of an automobile windshield includes a housing with a pair of wiper apertures extending therethrough. An engagement member is coupled to the housing to selectively engage a dashboard of a vehicle adjacent a windshield. An electric motor is coupled within the housing. A gearbox and a wiper linkage are coupled to the electric motor to drive a pair of wiper arms. The wiper arms are pivotably coupled to the housing and extends through the pair of wiper apertures. A pair of wiper blades is coupled to the pair of wiper arms to clean the windshield of the vehicle as the pair of wiper arms pivots. A wiper button is coupled to the housing to activate the movement of the pair of wiper arms.

An interior windshield wiper apparatus for cleaning the interior of an automobile windshield includes a housing with a pair of wiper apertures extending therethrough. An engagement member is coupled to the housing to selectively engage a dashboard of a vehicle adjacent a windshield. An electric motor is coupled within the housing. A gearbox and a wiper linkage are coupled to the electric motor to drive a pair of wiper arms. The wiper arms are pivotably coupled to the housing and extends through the pair of wiper apertures. A pair of wiper blades is coupled to the pair of wiper arms to clean the windshield of the vehicle as the pair of wiper arms pivots. A wiper button is coupled to the housing to activate the movement of the pair of wiper arms.