Rain-sensing WipersIn the past, automakers have tried to either eliminate the wipers or to control their speed automatically. Some of the schemes involved detecting the vibrations caused by individual raindrops hitting the windshield, applying special coatings that did not allow drops to form, or even ultrasonically vibrating the windshield to break up the droplets so they don't need to be wiped at all. But these systems were plagued by problems and either never made it to production or were quickly axed because they annoyed more drivers than they pleased.

However, a new type of wiper system is starting to appear on cars that actually does a good job of detecting the amount of water on the windshield and controlling the wipers. One such system is made by TRW Inc., here is a PDF describing their rain sensor system. TRW Inc. uses optical sensors to detect the moisture. The sensor is mounted in contact with the inside of the windshield, near the r earview mirror .

The sensor projects infrared light into the windshield at a 45-degree angle. If the glass is dry, most of this light is reflected back into the sensor by the front of the windshield. If water droplets are on the glass, they reflect the light in different directions -- the wetter the glass, the less light makes it back into the sensor.

The electronics and software in the sensor turn on the wipers when the amount of light reflected onto the sensor decreases to a preset level. The software sets the speed of the wipers based on how fast the moisture builds up between wipes. It can operate the wipers at any speed. The system adjusts the speed as often as necessary to match with the rate of moisture accumulation.

The TRW system, which is found on many General Motors cars, including all Cadillac models, can also be overridden or turned off so the car can be washed

Rain-Sensing WipersWindshield wipers, which have been standard equipment on most vehicles since 1916, were developed to improve visibility during inclement weather. For nearly 100 years, drivers operated the wipers with manual controls mounted on the dashboard. Today, technology has made possible motorized windshield wipers that automatically recognize a developing visibility problem and clear the glass before the driver can react to the problem.

The term “rain-sensing wipers” is commonly used for a system designed to clear the windshield of rain, snow, and debris without driver intervention. The system is programmed to automatically activate and alter the speed and rate of the wiper blades to keep outward visibility unobstructed at all times. A rain-sensing wiper system does not clean the windshield any better than a manual system; it simply monitors outward visibility and automatically activates the wipers.

How do they work?The technology behind rain-sensing wipers is not complicated. A small area of the front windshield glass (usually located on the outside of the vehicle, opposite the rear-view mirror) is monitored by an optical sensor. The sensor is designed to project harmless infrared light at the windshield at an angle and then read the amount of light that is reflected back. A clean windshield will reflect nearly all of the light back, while a wet or dirty windshield will cause the light to scatter. The optical sensor can determine the necessary frequency and speed of the windshield wipers by monitoring the amount of light reflected back into the sensor.

As a safety precaution, and to prevent damage to the wiper mechanism, nearly all rain-sensing wipers must be activated each time they are used. The activation process prevents the system from automatically wiping a frozen windshield, or triggering while the vehicle is in a car wash; both instances could damage the blades or electric motor powering the wipers.

What are the benefits of rain-sensing wipers?The benefits of a rain-sensing wiper system are most obvious during inconsistent rain or snow, when a standard wiper system requires constant attention by the driver to keep the windshield clear. Under such conditions, the rain-sensing system adapts to periods of heavy rain or snow and increases the speed of the wipers. During dry periods, when the windshield is clear, the wipers completely stop. If other vehicles splash or spray water or debris on the windshield, the rain-sensing system automatically intervenes by starting the wipers to keep visibility unobstructed.

How do they increase driver safety?Many collisions are caused by driver distractions. Rain-sensing wiper technology allows the driver to activate the windshield wipers once, and then forget about them. The windshield wipers must be re-activated, however, if the vehicle has been turned off and re-started.

Do I need them?Rain-sensing wipers are offered as standard equipment or as an inexpensive factory option on many new cars, light trucks and SUVs. There are also many systems offered by aftermarket suppliers. The wipers are easy to install; with just a single optical component, the technology can easily be adapted to any vehicle with electric wipers. Because they increase driving safety while reducing driver distraction and workload, rain-sensing wipers are a worthwhile improvement to any vehicle.

to know the components used in the control system of automated wiper.If possible tell me the description of the whole project.Rain-Sensing Wipers-abstractThis Mechanical engineering project requires the help of electronic components for working. The design of automated rain operated wiper is based on an electronically controlled motor whose controls are actuated by the presence of water droplets.

The required components for this project are1. A conduction sensor circuit2. Control unit3.A wiper motor4.A glassframeWindshield wipers, which have been standard equipment on most vehicles since 1916, were developed to improve visibility during inclement weather. For nearly 100 years, drivers operated the wipers with manual controls mounted on the dashboard. Today, technology has made possible motorized windshield wipers that automatically recognize a developing visibility problem and clear the glass before the driver can react to the problem. The term “rain-sensing wipers” is commonly used for a system designed to clear the windshield of rain, snow, and debris without driver intervention. The system is programmed to automatically activate and alter the speed and rate of the wiper blades to keep outward visibility unobstructed at all times. A rain-sensing wiper system does not clean the windshield any better than a manual system; it simply monitors outward visibility and automatically activates the wipers.

COST ESTIMATION

Wind shield - Rs.1200

Wiper Motor with linkage - Rs.1700

12V battery - Rs.1200

Wiper blade - Rs.160

Rain Sensor with accessories - Rs.800

Transport & Refreshments - Rs.800

TOTAL = Rs.5860.00

PROJECT REVIEW- I

PROJECT TITLE: AUTOMATIC SENSING WIPER

COMPONENTS REQUIRED:

WINDSHIELD (CAR)

WIPER BLADES

WIPER MOTOR&LINK (12V)

BATTERY (12V)

TYPES OF SENSORS AVAILABLE

OPTICAL SENSOR:

Optical sensor emits a ray which will be reflected by the windshield at 450 at normal conditions.

During raining if the amount of water in windshield is more the light reflected at an angle which will increase the speed of wiper motor to avoid the lesser visibility of driver.

If the amount of water is less it will reflect an angle which will decrease the speed of wiper motor to avoid the scratching of wind shield.

RAIN SENSOR:

It triggers the wiper motor when it senses rain.

It controls the speed of the motor by the amount of water collected in the ‘V’ shaped cup like arrangement in the sensor.

There is a cock under it for the continuous discharge of rain water.

TOUCH PLATE:

It only senses the water presence in the plate. It only triggers the wiper motor not control the speed. FLOW METER:

It will also trigger the motor when it sense the rain, control the speed by the rate at which the rain water flow.

      ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

It is used to connect the circuit such as wires, clips etc,

PROJECT STUDY:

As the first step of our project we gathered some videos and pictures how the actual wiper mechanism works.

We tried to found is there any cars which had this feature of automatic sensing wiper. We found that it is implemented in only one car (BMW)

That car is only under testing.

We searched what kind of improvement that can be implemented in our project.

For example:

Positioning of wiper blades which will be more efficient.

Using sensors which will also give automatic speed control which is a new idea not implemented in any other automotives. It will increase our project value.

PROJECT STATUS:

We gave amount Rs.200/- as an advance to buy Wind shield of MARUTI 800 with sheet metal body (not includes dashboard) for our project.

Address:

105, South Cooum River Road,

Pudupet,

Chennai- 600002.

Ph.No: 044-28521825

We also searched for the availability of other components also knew what different rates they are available.

W selected the prices which will suit our project cost.

According to that we plan to buy

Wiper blade = Rs.80/-

Battery(12V) = Rs.200/-

Wiper motor (12V) + link = Rs.600/-

Address:

No: 65, Singana Cheety Street,

Chintadripet,

Chennai – 600002.

SENSOR:

Optical sensor – Rs.8000/ Only in USA not in India.

Rain sensor – Rs.2500/- Address:

BOSCH products co,

G.P Road. Touch plate – Rs.500/- Address:

Ajanta Electronics,

No: 05, Athipattan Street,

Mount road,

Chennai – 600002. Flow meter – Rs.2900

Address:No: 10, Athipattan Street,

Mount road,

Chennai – 600002.

TECHNICAL STUDY:

To gain some technical knowledge and technical assistance to do our project on our own effort we contacted some auto electrical workers.

We also asked about the idea implementing the project in a car after it is tested on the table.

PREPLANS FOR NEXT PROJECT REVIEW;

First to buy sensor, this is very important for our project and rest of the components required.

Assembling the components as per the circuit diagram and to run a trial.

After it works successfully implementing it in a car.

SO FAR MONEY SPENT:

Rs.200/- for advance of windshield.

Rs.50/- for browsing, downloading videos and pictures.

Rs.50/- for transporting.

PROJECT TITLES:

AUTOMATIC SENSING WIPER:

This project deals with the wiper arrangement in three/four wheeler vehicles.

With the help of RAIN SENSOR we actuating the wiper and also the speed of the wiper are also controlled by

using it. The rain sensor is in the shape of a ‘V’ block. If the rain drops for the certain time or amount it

triggers the wiper ON. According to the collection of water in the sensor the speed of wiper is

controlled. There is a passage for delivery of water when it is fully filled.

Components required for

Front glass

Wiper attachment with motor

Rain sensor

Battery

Electrical equipments like switch etc.,

WATER TREATMENT PLANT:It is project which deals with the major problem in our daily routine life.

That is cleaning the water and makes it into tasty.

This water is supplied to the boiler. Because the salty water into the boilers make the boiler efficiency low

and forms salt formation on the boilers shell and peal the material. It may lead to the overheating of

tubes.

Components required for this project are

Glass jar (2 No)

Tubes

Carbon, stone and all other things.

The water in the jar flows to the bottom while going; it color, taste and smell change good. With the help of

glass jar we can clearly see the process.

Reference: http://www.seminarprojects.com/Thread-automated-wiper#ixzz1jq53IacF

BIBLIOGRAPHY

WEBSITE http://en.wikipedia.org www.google.com results for wiper motor

BOOKS AUTOMOBILE ENGINEERING

Author: Suthir Kumar Saxana

Rain Sensors: A Thing of the Past ... or Future?by MONICA MATTHEWS

I imagine that the first vehicle windshield wiper was powered by the same forces that drove the car. Literally. Some driver clutching his kerchief stretched his arm out from behind the steering wheel and wiped the mist and road gunk off of his windshield. After all, glass windshields were used on vehicles for the first time in 1903. It wasn’t until 1916 that the mechanical windshield wipers started to appear on select cars and it was a full ten years later before wipers became standard automotive original equipment.

Rain Sensors EmergeBoth rain-sensor and intermittent wipers are significant milestones that incorporate the windshield wiper as part of an overall design system. These systems were developed with the end user in mind and were not last-minute considerations. In fact, the rain-sensor system took years of development efforts by many talented individuals from several major companies including Pilkington, General Motors, DuPont and the 3M Company. Then it was several more years before it actually went into production.

The rain sensor is really on the verge of being one of those “Great idea, but who really needs it?” items. Think about it. Research and development is full of individuals finding cures for which there are no diseases. And then they leave it up to the marketing department to find a fit and function for these “cures” in real life applications. I’m speaking from experience about my first encounter with a prototype rain-sensor system on display in the Futures Exhibit area in the bowels of Libbey-Owens Ford Tech Center a dozen years ago. I followed the demo instructions and used a squirt bottle to spray water onto a windshield mounted in the front part of a chopped-up vehicle. My companions and I all thought aloud, “What kind of driver would be so inclined to want an automatic wiper system?” Years later when the rain sensor was introduced on the 1996 Cadillac, I had my answer.

Are Rain Sensors Necessary? In reality, the rain sensor is partly a safety product and in the automotive industry, safety sells. I must admit that there are occasions when passing semi-trucks on the road in the right weather conditions that a rain sensor would be a benefit.

Traditionally the rain sensor was available only on the high-priced luxury vehicles, but the popularity is growing and it is becoming more mainstream and is appearing on several average-priced cars. The list of manufacturers that are using a rain sensor on 2002 models includes BMW, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Peugeot and Volkswagen. Each is designed on the same basic principles.

How They Work

The majority of the rain sensors are mounted on the inside surface of glass near the rear view mirror and are attached directly to the glass with an adhesive or a mechanical clip-on locking mechanism to a bracket that is attached to the glass. This keeps the sensor out of the primary vision area of the driver while giving it the opportunity to be in the standard wiping path of the traditional windshield wiper.

However, the system is flexible enough that the sensor can be placed in various alternate windshield areas when used with the non-standard wiper configurations and travel paths.

The rain sensor is actually based on an optical sensor unit that emits infrared (IR) light to the windshield. The system, when turned on, monitors for changing conditions constantly. Some of the light is reflected back to the IR detectors. The amount of light reflected back to the sensors changes depending on the outside-surface conditions of the windshield. When the unit detects moisture, less light is reflected back to the photo cells in the unit. The system detects a change in the intensity of the reflected light and that change is interpreted by a unique microprocessor contained in the control module. This activates the wipers as needed. These systems are sensitive enough to pick up mist, wet snow and rain.

Working Around Rain SensorsThe rain sensor was designed to provide low production costs and to minimize added costs in windshield replacement because the system was not an integral part of the windshield. But auto glass manufacturers have implemented several aesthetic changes to rain-sensor versions of windshields that do not promote interchangeability with the non-rain-sensor versions. The current trend is to include a third visor pattern area on the glass around the rearview mirror. To accommodate positioning of the rain sensor on the glass in the required optimal area, a clear patch needs to be incorporated in the third visor. Right now, there are more than 60 basic replacement part numbers for either rain-sensor-specific or rain-sensor-optional windshields, not including all the color and hardware combinations. A familiarity with the various design styles of rain sensors available will save a lot of headaches when trying to order the right part(s). There are a couple of basic rain-sensor designs that attach to the glass in a similar method. The bonded-on varieties are attached to the glass with an optically clear grade double-faced tape manufactured by the 3M Company. This style is typical of the rain sensors used by BMW, General Motors and Mercedes. The sensor lens constantly is attached to the glass with the tape. The replacement glass may or may not contain the replacement lens already attached to the glass.

If it is not attached, there are several varieties of attachment kits in the marketplace that contain everything needed to remove the lens from the original windshield and reattach it to the replacement windshield. One such kit from General Motors even contains quite a few items, such as cleaning cloths and a cleaning solution that may be helpful in removing the residual adhesive from the lens. It also has a detailed four-page instruction sheet complete with pictures and diagrams. Other kits have been put together with the minimalist in mind and contain only a couple pieces of the adhesive tape and the glass primer. Yet a third option is the replacement lens available for the BMW and Mercedes designs, which

has the adhesive tape applied with a peal liner for ease of use. Regardless, the key is to make sure the glass is clean and that the tape is applied without any fingerprints and air bubbles on either the glass or the lens.

Remember how the sensor works. It must “see” through the glass to read the outside surface moisture. If it sees air bubbles, dirt or fingerprints, it will cause the wipers to malfunction. It can detect the defect as moisture that can’t be eliminated, which causes the wipers to constantly activate. If enough dirt is present, the sensor will not activate the wipers at all because the IR light reflected back to the unit remains constant and is not affected by the outside glass surface conditions.

Also note that super glue does not work. Most super-glue-type adhesives are not meant for long-term weathering exposure. The glue might work initially, but eventually the adhesive will degrade and cause the sensor to malfunction since it can not see through the adhesive.

Sensor AttachmentsFord, Jaguar, Lexus and Volkswagen all have the secondary type of rain sensors that attach to the glass in some sort of mechanical fashion. In these sensor designs, the service and windshield replacement does not involve any adhesive tape to bond on the sensor lens. The sensor attaches to a bracket that is already bonded to the glass. The brackets need to be designed precisely and positioned so the rain sensor lens can make contact with the glass, so it is common that these replacement windshields have the bracket already attached. The Ford and Jaguar design reminds me of a hammock swing because there is a pair of brackets and the sensor lens nests in between them. A mechanical slide clips the lens to the brackets. The Lexus rain sensor actually slides into and snaps on to the bracket that is bonded to the glass. Volkswagen has a rain sensor that is integral to the mirror bracket. The rain sensor is incorporated into the rearview mirror stem and, when correctly in place, the lens sees out though the middle of the rear view mirror bracket.

Oddly enough, I have not seen any rain sensor designs called out on SUV, van or wagon backlites. Perhaps it’s a matter of more time. Certainly these vehicles can be equipped with all the high-tech gadgetry and safety features customers have been demanding. Wouldn’t it make sense that a rain sensor in combination with the back window wiper would keep the back window clean for when you need it?

Unlike the windshield, which the driver knows immediately when it needs to be wiped, the backlite becomes a secondary, less-viewed through portal to the road behind. This is one reason why it is not watched continuously. For the driver to reap the benefits of the rain sensor, mounting it on the backlite would keep the window clean so that it could be clearly seen through as quickly as it was necessary.

Its taken more than ten years since the rain sensor was first introduced to come this far. Perhaps in a few more years time it will not only migrate to other vehicle makes and models, but it will also move to the rear of the vehicle. This way the rain sensor would not only benefit the drivers of the world from

seeing the road clearly ahead of them, but also to clearly see what is catching up from behind.

Monica Matthews works in the auto glass replacement division of Pilkington North America in Toledo, Ohio, as a technical services specialist.

Intelligent Rain sensing for Vision -based Smart Windshield wiper system

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2nd National Conference on Information and Communication Technology

© 2011 by IJCA Journal

Number 1 - Article 3

Year of Publication: 2011

Authors:

Sonali B.Madankar

Dr.Milind.M.Khanapurkar

Sonali B.Madankar and Dr.Milind.M.Khanapurkar. Article: Intelligent Rain sensing for Vision -Based

Smart Windshield wiper system. IJCA Proceedings on 2nd National Conference on Information and

Communication Technology NCICT(1):27-29, November 2011. Published by Foundation of

Computer Science, New York, USA. BibTeX

@article{key:article,

author = {Sonali B.Madankar and Dr.Milind.M.Khanapurkar},

title = {Article: Intelligent Rain sensing for Vision -Based Smart

Windshield wiper system},

journal = {IJCA Proceedings on 2nd National Conference on Information and

Communication Technology},

year = {2011},

volume = {NCICT},

number = {1},

pages = {27-29},

month = {November},

note = {Published by Foundation of Computer Science, New York, USA}

}

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the automotive industry has aggressively researched ways to exploit

modern computing and electronic advances in the development of safety, reliability, and

entertainment technologies for vehicles. With drivers exposed to an ever increasing number of

distractions, automatic rain-sensing wiper systems become an even more appealing feature, as they

work to minimize the time the driver must take his/her hands off the wheel. Most traditional systems

offer intermittent as well as variable speed operation. The traditional wiper system however requires

driver constant attention in adjusting the wiper speed .Traditional windshield wiper speed constantly

varies according to time and vehicle’s speed. Because the manual adjustment of the wiper distracts

driver's attention, which may be a direct cause accidents. In this project, adjust speed of wiper

automatically cording to the amount of water on the windshield and in addition with also in advance

removal of moisture inside the car while raining. The system activates the wiper to operate in full

automatic mode and detect moister using CAN technology.

Reference 1. Abhishek Shukla, Rohan Dwivedi ”Design and Implementation of Vision System Aid in

Windscreen Assembly” International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)Volume 7–

No.12, October 2010

2. Joonwoo Son · Seon Bong Lee, Man Ho Kim · Suk Lee*, Kyung Chang Lee**” Intelligent

Rain Sensing and Fuzzy Wiper Control Algorithmfor Vision-based Smart Windshield Wiper System”

3. Hideki Kajioka,Keiji Fujimura,Yasuhiro Fujita”Automatic wiper comtroller using optical

sensor”

4. Wong Sai Hoong & Gilbert Thio”Design of A Moisture Controller For Wiper” Paper reach

report JASA |July 2006

5. Shinichi KATO* Toshinori YAGI* “Development of a RainLight Sensor”Technical Review

2008

6. Jian hu, Gangyan li, Xiude Wu, Jianhua Zhou and Liping Lu, "Design of intelligent bridge in

city-bus information integrated control system", in Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE/ASME International

Conference onMechatronic and Embedded Systems and Applications, Beijing, China,2006, pp.423-

427.

7. ISO, "Road vehicles-low speed serial data communication-part 2: low speed controller area

network", in ISO 11519-2, 1994.

8. Bosch, "CAN Specification 2.0", in Robert Bosch GmbH, 1991.

9. Working system of windshield wiperhttp://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper.htm

10. History of Windshield wiper.http://www.answers.com/topic/windscreen-wiper-1.

11. Rain sensor datasheet

Index Terms Computer Science

Key words moisture sensor (SH200) PIC 18F/16F series Microcontrollers with CAN function provisions

temperature sensor moisture sensor rain level sensor

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