Patent ID: 8441221

Claim:
A windshield wiper control system comprising: a disconnectable rain sensor including an output capable of producing varying voltage levels, such voltage levels corresponding to a selected mode of windshield wiper operation, the control voltage outputs having an associated rain sensor output electrical resistance; a wiper driver motor with an integrated cam assembly; a wiring harness operatively connected to the wiper driver motor; an operator accessible windshield wiper control unit, contained in a stalk connected to the vehicle steering column and connected to the wiring harness, the windshield wiper control unit containing a control circuit comprising: (a) at least one mechanical switch having a plurality of electrical contacts; (b) a rain sensor control electrical input operatively connected to the rain sensor control voltage output; (c) an intermittent RC network operatively connected to the rain sensor control electrical input and configured to provide an intermittent delay function, and comprised of a capacitor and at least one intermittent RC network resistor, said intermittent RC network resistor being of a value at least ten times the value of the rain sensor output resistance; (d) at least one electrical relay operatively connected to drive the wiper driver motor; (f) a rain sensor electrical input analysis device which responds to the varying control voltages present at the rain sensor control voltage inputs, the varying control voltages driving the at least one electrical relay; wherein the rain sensor output resistance shunts current flowing through the intermittent RC network resistor and the windshield wiper control system operates in a rain sensing mode, but when the rain sensor control voltage output is disconnected from the rain sensor control electrical input, the windshield wiper control system operates in a conventional intermittent wiper operation mode.