Automatic wiper control prohibiting means prohibits execution of automatic wiper control when vehicle stop detecting means detects that a vehicle is stopping and a masking object detecting part determines that a masking object is adhered to an outer surface of a window part. When the vehicle stop detecting means detects that the vehicle is stopping and a state of the masking object detecting part is changed from a state where the masking object detecting part detects that the masking object is adhered to the outer surface of the window part to a state where the masking object detecting part detects that the masking object is not adhered to the outer surface of the window part at a changing time, the automatic wiper control prohibiting means prohibits the execution of said automatic wiper control for a predetermined period of time from the changing time.

An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.

A wiper motor including an electrically conductive housing in which a speed reduction mechanism is housed, a motor body housed within a yoke joined to the housing and having a power supply terminal that contacts a commutator so as to supply electric power to a rotor, and having a brush that includes a ground terminal having one end in contact with the commutator and another end connected to an electrically conductive partitioning wall of the housing that covers an opening in the yoke, a power supply line configured to supply electric power to the power supply terminal via a noise-suppression choke coil, a ground line connected to the partitioning wall and to ground, and a capacitor connecting the power supply line with the ground line, such that a noise component flowing through the ground line passes through the choke coil.

A wiper motor including an electrically conductive housing in which a speed reduction mechanism is housed, a motor body housed within a yoke joined to the housing and having a power supply terminal that contacts a commutator so as to supply electric power to a rotor, and having a brush that includes a ground terminal having one end in contact with the commutator and another end connected to an electrically conductive partitioning wall of the housing that covers an opening in the yoke, a power supply line configured to supply electric power to the power supply terminal via a noise-suppression choke coil, a ground line connected to the partitioning wall and to ground, and a capacitor connecting the power supply line with the ground line, such that a noise component flowing through the ground line passes through the choke coil.

In a driving apparatus (10) in which a position of a rotating shaft (27) of an electric motor (16) in a direction of an axis (B1) is determined, the driving apparatus (10) has: a stopper (77) which determines a position of the rotating shaft (27) in the direction of the axis (B1), and a terminal holder (31) which holds a first terminal for supplying an electric current to the electric motor (16), wherein a layout region of the stopper (77) in the direction of the axis (B1) and a layout region of the terminal holder (31) in the direction of the axis (B1) are overlapped with each other.

In a driving apparatus (10) in which a position of a rotating shaft (27) of an electric motor (16) in a direction of an axis (B1) is determined, the driving apparatus (10) has: a stopper (77) which determines a position of the rotating shaft (27) in the direction of the axis (B1), and a terminal holder (31) which holds a first terminal for supplying an electric current to the electric motor (16), wherein a layout region of the stopper (77) in the direction of the axis (B1) and a layout region of the terminal holder (31) in the direction of the axis (B1) are overlapped with each other.

An imaging device includes a reflection polarization prism having an incident surface on which illumination light emitted from a light emitter is incident and a transmission surface that passes the illumination light entered the incident surface through one surface of a light-transmitting member, an imager including an image sensor having a first light-receiving portion that receives light from a predetermined imaging area transmitting the light-transmitting member and a second light-receiving portion adjacent to the first light-receiving portion that receives the illumination light reflected on an opposite surface to the one surface of the light-transmitting member, and an optical member that emits the light introduced from the predetermined imaging area to the first light-receiving portion and emits the illumination light reflected on the opposite surface of the light-transmitting member to the second light-receiving portion.

A motor control device includes: a driving unit that supplies a driving voltage to a motor so as to rotate the motor in a predetermined direction and in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of a circuit including the driving unit; and a control unit that has the driving unit execute a voltage drop control that lowers a voltage of the circuit by supplying the driving voltage to the motor and stopping the supply of the driving voltage in a predetermined manner, in a case in which a voltage that is equal to or higher than a threshold voltage is detected by the voltage detection unit in a state in which the motor is not being driven.

A motor control device includes: a driving unit that supplies a driving voltage to a motor so as to rotate the motor in a predetermined direction and in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage of a circuit including the driving unit; and a control unit that has the driving unit execute a voltage drop control that lowers a voltage of the circuit by supplying the driving voltage to the motor and stopping the supply of the driving voltage in a predetermined manner, in a case in which a voltage that is equal to or higher than a threshold voltage is detected by the voltage detection unit in a state in which the motor is not being driven.

A system and method for sensing precipitation conditions near a vehicle. The precipitation radar system is mounted on the vehicle and includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an electronic control unit. The method transmits radar signals from the transmitter; receives reflected radar signals at the receiver; determines response information from the reflected radar signals for a region of interest; and uses the response information to determine precipitation conditions for the region of interest. The region of interest is defined, at least in part, by a range and the response information includes phase data, amplitude data, or both phase and amplitude data based on the reflected radar signals. The method and system may then use the precipitation conditions to control other responsive vehicle actions, such as activating a windshield heater, a windshield defroster, a windshield wiper or a combination thereof.