Control device for operating a window wiper in a motor vehicle

Abstract

A control device operates a window wiper in a motor vehicle, and includes a switching device for the selection of several wiping functions, a sensor device for determining a wetting degree of a window, and an electronic analyzing system. The window wiper is capable of being operated, depending on the wiping function selected by the user, in a continuous wiping operation and/or in a single wiping operation. The electronic analyzing system, during a first wiping function, analyzes the determined wetting degree of the window and, depending on the determined wetting degree of the window, in a continuous wiping operation, sets a wiping frequency and/or, in a single wiping operation, activates a wiping cycle for the window wiper. The electronic analyzing system sets the wiping frequency of the window wiper in the continuous wiping operation during a second wiping function within a second wiping frequency band, and during a third wiping function, within a third wiping frequency band, and during the first wiping function, within a first wiping frequency band, depending on the analysis of the wetting degree of the window, an actual wiping frequency being set which is as optimal as possible. If, during the switching between the wiping functions, a change of the wiping frequency band is required, the actual wiping frequency, during a change from the second wiping frequency band to the third wiping frequency band is increased by a defined number 'n' wiping cycles per minute or, during a change from the third wiping frequency band to the second wiping frequency band is reduced by a defined number 'm' wiping cycles per minute.