US20010013763A1 - Sensor device for detecting moisture on a window - Google Patents
Sensor device for detecting moisture on a window Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010013763A1 US20010013763A1 US09/445,528 US44552800A US2001013763A1 US 20010013763 A1 US20010013763 A1 US 20010013763A1 US 44552800 A US44552800 A US 44552800A US 2001013763 A1 US2001013763 A1 US 2001013763A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sensor device
- windshield
- receivers
- transmitters
- transmitter
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005693 optoelectronics Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
- B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
- B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
- B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
- B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60S1/00—Cleaning of vehicles
- B60S1/02—Cleaning windscreens, windows or optical devices
- B60S1/04—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers
- B60S1/06—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive
- B60S1/08—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven
- B60S1/0818—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
- B60S1/0822—Wipers or the like, e.g. scrapers characterised by the drive electrically driven including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
- B60S1/0833—Optical rain sensor
- B60S1/0837—Optical rain sensor with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S318/00—Electricity: motive power systems
- Y10S318/02—Windshield wiper controls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting wetting of a windshield according to the definition of the species of the main claim.
- German Patent 197 01 258 A1 describes a sensor device that operates according to an optoelectronic principle for controlling wash/wipe systems for automotive windshields.
- the sensor device has multiple transmitters and at least one receiver for injecting and outputting via a coupling means a defined radiation into and out of the windshield whose wetting due to moisture or soiling is to be measured.
- the radiation is completely reflected at least once in the windshield on the (dry) surface of the windshield due to the injection angle and finally is output again to a receiver at a predetermined location.
- Total reflection is prevented by wetting of the surface of the windshield (air, water, ice, dirt, fog, etc.), resulting in wetting-dependent radiation losses due to output of a portion of the radiation from the original beam path, e.g., due to water droplets.
- the diminished radiation detected by the receiver is output as a sensor signal to a signal processing arrangement, where it is analyzed with regard to controlling a wash or wipe system for an automotive windshield, for example.
- a controller controls the wiper motor in continuous or interval wiping mode as a function of the sensor signal analyzed.
- the transmitters are arranged concentrically around the receiver on the coupling means or concentrically in sections, the coupling means having a circular or toroidal design.
- the coupling means having a circular or toroidal design.
- a circular base area is spanned by transmitters, receivers and coupling means.
- the sensor i.e., the sensor casing, is in the form of a round cylinder.
- the sensitive area of the sensor is defined by the sum of the measuring ranges of the windshield located approximately between a transmitter and the respective receiver, i.e., the one receiving the radiation.
- the measuring range is understood to be the range on the wettable side of the windshield within which the transmitter radiation is completely reflected in the absence of wetting, and therefore the transmitter radiation can be output more or less in the measuring range because of wetting of the windshield.
- Another disadvantage here is the small proportion of sensitive area relative to the base area of the sensor, i.e., its contact area. This is due to the fact that with a predetermined number of transmitters, e.g., eight, the non-sensitive areas between the transmitters arranged on the outer perimeter of the base area are large, usually much larger than the sensitive areas.
- the sensor device having the characterizing features of the main claim has the advantage that the images of the transmitter and receiver as optical elements projected onto a plane parallel to the windshield form the corner points of a parallelogram or an isosceles triangle.
- the ratio of sensitive area to base area is increased by this arrangement of optical elements.
- the outside dimensions of the sensor on the windshield and thus its contact area are likewise reduced. It is especially advantageous that due to the trapezoidal base area, rectangular outside dimensions of the sensor casing are selected, so that the base area can be arranged in the contact area with optimal utilization of the latter. In addition, a rectangular contact area, i.e., casing, is less expensive to manufacture.
- the arrangement of the transmitters and receivers as a parallelogram is especially advantageous, such that two transmitters or two receivers are arranged at the opposite corner points.
- four measuring zones, i.e., sensitive areas, of the sensor are implemented with only two sensors and two receivers by using transmitters whose transmitter light is bundled and deflected in two directions.
- the accuracy of the sensor in detecting wetting of the windshield is thereby greatly improved. This doubles the sensitive area in comparison with known transmitters emitting radiation to only one receiver.
- the distances between the transmitters and receivers and thus the sides of the parallelogram are the same length. This converts the parallelogram to a rhombus.
- the distances are defined by the choice of only total reflection of the transmitter radiation in the windshield before the radiation is detected by a receiver. Consequently, the distances are minimal and thus the sides of the base area are also minimal.
- the angles between the sides of the base area can be varied, and thus the base area can be adapted to the outside dimensions of the sensor and vice versa.
- the base area can be adapted to the outside dimensions of the sensor and vice versa.
- smaller acute angles can be selected accordingly without any great effort until the extent of the base area can be optimally integrated into the outside dimensions of the sensor casing.
- the transmitters and receivers are arranged within the contact area of the sensor device, with the base area being optimally integrated into the contact area while at the same time the ratio of the sensitive area to the base area is increased. This yields an inexpensive sensor with small outside dimensions.
- FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment
- FIG. 2 shows a section through a sensor device
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the sensor device according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a rectangular contact area 10 with width b and length 1 of a sensor device having a sensor casing 24 on a windshield 22 .
- Its contact area 10 is defined by contact of the sensor with windshield 22 , for example.
- the outside dimensions of contact area 10 correspond to the outside dimensions of the sensor device.
- contact area 10 for example, is also a projection of the outside dimensions of sensor casing 24 with a front view of windshield 22 . Therefore, as an alternative, sensor casing 24 may bulge over the contacted area of windshield 22 , accommodating optical elements of the sensor within it.
- the sensor device is mounted, for example, in the wiping area of a windshield wiper on the inside of an automotive windshield 22 or integrated into the base of a vehicle rearview mirror. Not shown here is the mounting of sensor casing 24 or a fiber optic body on windshield 22 .
- the fiber optic body or casing 24 is preferably mounted on windshield 22 by gluing, the former having the function of injecting light 26 emitted by a transmitter 12 into windshield 22 and outputting light 26 directed in windshield 22 by partial or total reflection to a receiver 14 at another predetermined location. This takes place at lenses 28 , refractive surfaces or mirrors integrally molded on the fiber optic body to bundle, deflect or divert beams 26 in the desired direction.
- two light emitting transmitters 12 and two light detecting receivers 14 are mounted on an essentially known mounting device within sensor casing 24 .
- a circuit board 30 carrying the electronic components or a sensor control is often available as a mounting device for attachment of transmitters 12 and receivers 14 .
- Transmitters 12 are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs)
- receivers 14 are light receiving diodes (LRDs)
- transmitter radiation 26 preferably being in the infrared (IR) range or in the visible (VIS) range.
- Transmitters 12 and receivers 14 span a base area 16 (indicated with dotted lines) corresponding according to the present invention to a parallelogram or a double triangle having sides a′ and a′.
- a base area 16 corresponding according to the present invention to a parallelogram or a double triangle having sides a′ and a′.
- two sides a′, a′′ of base area 16 are of equal or approximately equal length because of the tolerances in the dimensions and in assembly of transmitters 12 and receivers 14 .
- Distances a′ and a′′ between transmitters 12 and receivers 14 are defined, inter alia, by the wavelength of the emitted radiation of transmitter 12 , the thickness of windshield 22 and of the fiber optic body, the refractive index of windshield 22 as well as the angle of incidence and the point of incidence of radiation 26 into windshield 22 so that radiation 26 injected into windshield 22 is completely reflected only once at the surface of windshield 22 , preferably on the outside of the automotive windshield, and then guided out of windshield 22 to receiver 14 .
- distances a′ and a′′ of transmitters 12 and receivers 14 would be selected to be larger accordingly. Furthermore, distances a′ and a′′ from a transmitter 12 and receiver 14 that do not belong together, i.e., transmitter 12 does not emit radiation to this receiver 14 , may be selected as desired.
- Sensitive areas 20 illustrated here correspond to the areas on the wettable side of windshield 22 where there is total reflection of radiation 26 when windshield 22 is not wetted.
- the extent of sensitive areas 20 will vary depending on the arrangement of transmitters 12 and receivers 14 relative to windshield 22 , the thickness of windshield 22 and the diameter of transmitter beam 26 .
- distance a′′ for example corresponds to total reflection in windshield 22 of light 26 emitted by transmitter 12 to receiver 14 .
- Distance a′ and thus the distance between independent transmitters 12 and receivers 14 can be selected as desired. Therefore, the dimensions of the parallelogram and thus of base area 16 and of contact area 10 are determined essentially by the choice of distance a′ and angle ⁇ .
- Angles ⁇ and ⁇ between two sides of the parallelogram can be selected freely, angle ⁇ here by definition referring to each smaller angle or acute angle of the parallelogram. Angle ⁇ is assigned an angle range from almost zero to ninety degrees.
- Criteria for the selection of an angle include, for example, the outside dimensions of the sensor, in particular the ratio of length 1 to width b of its contact area 10 , as well as the dimensions of sensitive areas 20 between transmitters 12 and receivers 14 , so that there is no unwanted overlapping of sensitive areas 20 and thus a restriction of the sensitivity of the sensor.
- the beam diameter and the dimensions of sensors 12 and receivers 14 must also be taken into account.
- distance a′′ between transmitter 12 and receiver 14 and thus the number of total reflections achieved in windshield 22 must also be considered.
- angles ⁇ , ⁇ may form right angles, yielding a square or rectangular design of the sensor.
- An angle range of 65° to 70° is preferred.
- each measuring zone is implemented with two transmitters 12 and two receivers 14 by bundling radiation 26 emitted by transmitters 12 in two directions using lenses 28 or the like, and deflecting it to two receivers 14 . Consequently, all distances a′, a′′ are to be selected so as to yield a given number of total reflections in windshield 22 . Distances a′, a′′ are preferably equal.
- Base area 16 is thus a rhombus, i.e., a double triangle, composed of two isosceles triangles.
- the four measuring zones thus double sensitive areas 20 of the sensor and therefore improve its sensitivity in detection of rainfall with the same design.
- FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show two implementations of a second embodiment of the sensor device having a contact area 10 of width b and length l.
- a light emitting transmitter 12 and two light detecting receivers 14 are arranged above contact area 10 , i.e., the fiber optic body.
- transmitter 12 and receivers 14 span an isosceles triangle having sides a′ and a′′ indicated by a dashed line.
- Two sides a′′ of base area 16 are preferably the same length or approximately the same length, and base side a′ can be selected as desired.
- FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show different angles ⁇ and resulting different dimensions b, l of contact area 10 of the sensor device.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a sensor device for detecting wetting of a windshield according to the definition of the species of the main claim.
- German Patent 197 01 258 A1 describes a sensor device that operates according to an optoelectronic principle for controlling wash/wipe systems for automotive windshields. The sensor device has multiple transmitters and at least one receiver for injecting and outputting via a coupling means a defined radiation into and out of the windshield whose wetting due to moisture or soiling is to be measured. The radiation is completely reflected at least once in the windshield on the (dry) surface of the windshield due to the injection angle and finally is output again to a receiver at a predetermined location. Total reflection is prevented by wetting of the surface of the windshield (air, water, ice, dirt, fog, etc.), resulting in wetting-dependent radiation losses due to output of a portion of the radiation from the original beam path, e.g., due to water droplets.
- The diminished radiation detected by the receiver is output as a sensor signal to a signal processing arrangement, where it is analyzed with regard to controlling a wash or wipe system for an automotive windshield, for example. A controller controls the wiper motor in continuous or interval wiping mode as a function of the sensor signal analyzed.
- According to German Patent 197 01 258 A1, the transmitters are arranged concentrically around the receiver on the coupling means or concentrically in sections, the coupling means having a circular or toroidal design. Thus, a circular base area is spanned by transmitters, receivers and coupling means. For this reason, the sensor, i.e., the sensor casing, is in the form of a round cylinder.
- The sensitive area of the sensor is defined by the sum of the measuring ranges of the windshield located approximately between a transmitter and the respective receiver, i.e., the one receiving the radiation. The measuring range is understood to be the range on the wettable side of the windshield within which the transmitter radiation is completely reflected in the absence of wetting, and therefore the transmitter radiation can be output more or less in the measuring range because of wetting of the windshield.
- One disadvantage here is the circular base area defined by the transmitters, receivers and coupling means and the round cylindrical sensor casing, leading to a relatively great extent of the sensor and its contact area on the windshield and therefore making the sensor noticeable and causing interference for the driver of the vehicle when it is mounted within the wiping area on the windshield, as is customary today.
- Another disadvantage here is the small proportion of sensitive area relative to the base area of the sensor, i.e., its contact area. This is due to the fact that with a predetermined number of transmitters, e.g., eight, the non-sensitive areas between the transmitters arranged on the outer perimeter of the base area are large, usually much larger than the sensitive areas.
- To increase the size of the sensitive area, a great number of transmitters could be used. However, then the sensor would be more expensive without eliminating the disadvantages of the extent, i.e., contact area, of the sensor.
- The sensor device according to the present invention having the characterizing features of the main claim has the advantage that the images of the transmitter and receiver as optical elements projected onto a plane parallel to the windshield form the corner points of a parallelogram or an isosceles triangle. The ratio of sensitive area to base area is increased by this arrangement of optical elements.
- Due to the reduced base area, the outside dimensions of the sensor on the windshield and thus its contact area are likewise reduced. It is especially advantageous that due to the trapezoidal base area, rectangular outside dimensions of the sensor casing are selected, so that the base area can be arranged in the contact area with optimal utilization of the latter. In addition, a rectangular contact area, i.e., casing, is less expensive to manufacture.
- The measures characterized in the subordinate claims yield advantageous refinements and improvements of the features characterized in the main claim.
- The arrangement of the transmitters and receivers as a parallelogram is especially advantageous, such that two transmitters or two receivers are arranged at the opposite corner points. Thus four measuring zones, i.e., sensitive areas, of the sensor are implemented with only two sensors and two receivers by using transmitters whose transmitter light is bundled and deflected in two directions. The accuracy of the sensor in detecting wetting of the windshield is thereby greatly improved. This doubles the sensitive area in comparison with known transmitters emitting radiation to only one receiver.
- It is also advantageous that the distances between the transmitters and receivers and thus the sides of the parallelogram are the same length. This converts the parallelogram to a rhombus. In particular, the distances are defined by the choice of only total reflection of the transmitter radiation in the windshield before the radiation is detected by a receiver. Consequently, the distances are minimal and thus the sides of the base area are also minimal.
- It is likewise advantageous that the angles between the sides of the base area can be varied, and thus the base area can be adapted to the outside dimensions of the sensor and vice versa. For example, if only a narrow rain sensor can be used because of the automobile manufacturer's requirements or the specifics of a given vehicle, smaller acute angles can be selected accordingly without any great effort until the extent of the base area can be optimally integrated into the outside dimensions of the sensor casing.
- Consequently, it is especially advantageous for the transmitters and receivers to be arranged within the contact area of the sensor device, with the base area being optimally integrated into the contact area while at the same time the ratio of the sensitive area to the base area is increased. This yields an inexpensive sensor with small outside dimensions.
- Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawing and are explained in greater detail in the following description.
- FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment;
- FIG. 2 shows a section through a sensor device, and
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the sensor device according to the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a
rectangular contact area 10 with width b and length 1 of a sensor device having asensor casing 24 on awindshield 22. Itscontact area 10 is defined by contact of the sensor withwindshield 22, for example. In general, the outside dimensions ofcontact area 10 correspond to the outside dimensions of the sensor device. However,contact area 10, for example, is also a projection of the outside dimensions ofsensor casing 24 with a front view ofwindshield 22. Therefore, as an alternative,sensor casing 24 may bulge over the contacted area ofwindshield 22, accommodating optical elements of the sensor within it. - The sensor device is mounted, for example, in the wiping area of a windshield wiper on the inside of an
automotive windshield 22 or integrated into the base of a vehicle rearview mirror. Not shown here is the mounting ofsensor casing 24 or a fiber optic body onwindshield 22. - The fiber optic body or
casing 24 is preferably mounted onwindshield 22 by gluing, the former having the function of injectinglight 26 emitted by atransmitter 12 intowindshield 22 and outputtinglight 26 directed inwindshield 22 by partial or total reflection to areceiver 14 at another predetermined location. This takes place atlenses 28, refractive surfaces or mirrors integrally molded on the fiber optic body to bundle, deflect ordivert beams 26 in the desired direction. - Above
contact area 10, i.e., the fiber optic body, twolight emitting transmitters 12 and twolight detecting receivers 14 are mounted on an essentially known mounting device withinsensor casing 24. Acircuit board 30 carrying the electronic components or a sensor control is often available as a mounting device for attachment oftransmitters 12 andreceivers 14.Transmitters 12 are preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs),receivers 14 are light receiving diodes (LRDs), withtransmitter radiation 26 preferably being in the infrared (IR) range or in the visible (VIS) range. -
Transmitters 12 andreceivers 14 span a base area 16 (indicated with dotted lines) corresponding according to the present invention to a parallelogram or a double triangle having sides a′ and a′. Preferably two sides a′, a″ ofbase area 16 are of equal or approximately equal length because of the tolerances in the dimensions and in assembly oftransmitters 12 andreceivers 14. - Distances a′ and a″ between
transmitters 12 andreceivers 14, i.e., the sides ofbase area 16, are defined, inter alia, by the wavelength of the emitted radiation oftransmitter 12, the thickness ofwindshield 22 and of the fiber optic body, the refractive index ofwindshield 22 as well as the angle of incidence and the point of incidence ofradiation 26 intowindshield 22 so thatradiation 26 injected intowindshield 22 is completely reflected only once at the surface ofwindshield 22, preferably on the outside of the automotive windshield, and then guided out ofwindshield 22 toreceiver 14. - With more than a desired total reflection on the wettable outside of
windshield 22, distances a′ and a″ oftransmitters 12 andreceivers 14, respectively, would be selected to be larger accordingly. Furthermore, distances a′ and a″ from atransmitter 12 andreceiver 14 that do not belong together, i.e.,transmitter 12 does not emit radiation to thisreceiver 14, may be selected as desired. -
Sensitive areas 20 illustrated here correspond to the areas on the wettable side ofwindshield 22 where there is total reflection ofradiation 26 whenwindshield 22 is not wetted. The extent ofsensitive areas 20 will vary depending on the arrangement oftransmitters 12 andreceivers 14 relative towindshield 22, the thickness ofwindshield 22 and the diameter oftransmitter beam 26. - According to FIG. 1, distance a″ for example corresponds to total reflection in
windshield 22 oflight 26 emitted bytransmitter 12 toreceiver 14. Distance a′ and thus the distance betweenindependent transmitters 12 andreceivers 14 can be selected as desired. Therefore, the dimensions of the parallelogram and thus ofbase area 16 and ofcontact area 10 are determined essentially by the choice of distance a′ and angle α. - Angles α and β between two sides of the parallelogram can be selected freely, angle α here by definition referring to each smaller angle or acute angle of the parallelogram. Angle α is assigned an angle range from almost zero to ninety degrees.
- Criteria for the selection of an angle include, for example, the outside dimensions of the sensor, in particular the ratio of length1 to width b of its
contact area 10, as well as the dimensions ofsensitive areas 20 betweentransmitters 12 andreceivers 14, so that there is no unwanted overlapping ofsensitive areas 20 and thus a restriction of the sensitivity of the sensor. In addition, the beam diameter and the dimensions ofsensors 12 andreceivers 14 must also be taken into account. Furthermore, distance a″ betweentransmitter 12 andreceiver 14 and thus the number of total reflections achieved inwindshield 22 must also be considered. - For example, angle α will usually be selected to be small when
contact area 10 of the sensor is long and narrow, i.e., rectangular, e.g., α=45°. On the other hand, angles α, β may form right angles, yielding a square or rectangular design of the sensor. An angle range of 65° to 70° is preferred. - In an improved version of this embodiment, four measuring zones are implemented with two
transmitters 12 and tworeceivers 14 by bundlingradiation 26 emitted bytransmitters 12 in twodirections using lenses 28 or the like, and deflecting it to tworeceivers 14. Consequently, all distances a′, a″ are to be selected so as to yield a given number of total reflections inwindshield 22. Distances a′, a″ are preferably equal.Base area 16 is thus a rhombus, i.e., a double triangle, composed of two isosceles triangles. The four measuring zones thus doublesensitive areas 20 of the sensor and therefore improve its sensitivity in detection of rainfall with the same design. - FIGS. 3a and 3 b show two implementations of a second embodiment of the sensor device having a
contact area 10 of width b and length l. Alight emitting transmitter 12 and two light detectingreceivers 14 are arranged abovecontact area 10, i.e., the fiber optic body. According to the present invention,transmitter 12 andreceivers 14 span an isosceles triangle having sides a′ and a″ indicated by a dashed line. Two sides a″ ofbase area 16 are preferably the same length or approximately the same length, and base side a′ can be selected as desired. - Distances a″ between
transmitter 12 and tworeceivers 14 are defined, as already described regarding the first embodiment, so thatradiation 26 injected intowindshield 22 is reflected completely once or a plurality of times at the surface ofwindshield 22 and then is guided out ofwindshield 22 to bothreceivers 14. - Merely for the sake of thoroughness, it should be pointed out that a different length of sides a″ requires a separate analysis by a signal processing arrangement of measuring
zones 20 and the two sensor signals output by tworeceivers 14. In particular, amplification of the signal which is usually necessary must be adjusted separately. - Therefore, the dimensions of the triangle and thus of
contact area 10 are essentially determined by the choice of distance a′ and angle α. FIGS. 2a and 2 b show different angles α and resulting different dimensions b, l ofcontact area 10 of the sensor device.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19815746A DE19815746C1 (en) | 1998-04-08 | 1998-04-08 | Sensor device for detecting wetting on a pane |
DE19815746.0 | 1998-04-08 | ||
DE19815746 | 1998-04-08 | ||
PCT/DE1999/000032 WO1999052752A1 (en) | 1998-04-08 | 1999-01-12 | Sensor device for detecting moisture on a window |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010013763A1 true US20010013763A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6433501B2 US6433501B2 (en) | 2002-08-13 |
Family
ID=7863991
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/445,528 Expired - Fee Related US6433501B2 (en) | 1998-04-08 | 1999-01-12 | Sensor device for detecting moisture on a window |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6433501B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP0988192B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002505754A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100558591B1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE19815746C1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2262312T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999052752A1 (en) |
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US20040004456A1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2004-01-08 | Leba Loan My | Automatic control equipment for cleaning a plate surface exhibiting varied soiled conditions , and use method |
US20100005294A1 (en) * | 2005-10-18 | 2010-01-07 | Kari Kostiainen | Security in Wireless Environments Using Out-Of-Band Channel Communication |
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DE50014297D1 (en) * | 1999-06-18 | 2007-06-14 | Valeo Wischersysteme Gmbh | RAIN SENSOR FOR THE DETECTION OF MOISTURE DROPS |
DE19933641A1 (en) * | 1999-07-17 | 2001-03-08 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Sensor device for detecting wetting on a pane |
DE10212269A1 (en) | 2002-03-20 | 2003-10-02 | Bosch Gmbh Robert | Rain sensor, especially for windows |
DE10326854A1 (en) * | 2003-06-14 | 2004-12-30 | Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. | Sensor e.g. for collection of fluid on a disk, has housing having measuring section, transmitter for electromagnetic radiation in optical spectral region, and linking optics |
US20060006701A1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-01-12 | Jason Wells | System and method for rain detection and automatic operation of power roof and power windows |
JP4292413B2 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2009-07-08 | 株式会社デンソー | Raindrop detection device and wiper automatic control device having the same |
JP5425532B2 (en) * | 2009-06-12 | 2014-02-26 | 株式会社ツーデン | Leak detector |
DE102013211738A1 (en) * | 2013-06-21 | 2014-12-24 | Continental Automotive Gmbh | Device for detecting moisture |
US11084463B2 (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2021-08-10 | Littelfuse, Inc. | Optical rain sensor with dynamic optical configuration control comprising a plurality of photo elements each capable of being selectively activated to emit light and deactivated to receive light |
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US5898183A (en) | 1997-10-16 | 1999-04-27 | Libbey-Owens-Ford Co. | Compact moisture sensor with efficient high obliquity optics |
-
1998
- 1998-04-08 DE DE19815746A patent/DE19815746C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-01-12 EP EP99907235A patent/EP0988192B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-01-12 JP JP55099999A patent/JP2002505754A/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-01-12 KR KR1019997011270A patent/KR100558591B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-01-12 WO PCT/DE1999/000032 patent/WO1999052752A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1999-01-12 DE DE59913380T patent/DE59913380D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-01-12 ES ES99907235T patent/ES2262312T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-01-12 US US09/445,528 patent/US6433501B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20040004456A1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2004-01-08 | Leba Loan My | Automatic control equipment for cleaning a plate surface exhibiting varied soiled conditions , and use method |
US20100005294A1 (en) * | 2005-10-18 | 2010-01-07 | Kari Kostiainen | Security in Wireless Environments Using Out-Of-Band Channel Communication |
Also Published As
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US6433501B2 (en) | 2002-08-13 |
EP0988192A1 (en) | 2000-03-29 |
KR20010013277A (en) | 2001-02-26 |
JP2002505754A (en) | 2002-02-19 |
WO1999052752A1 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
DE19815746C1 (en) | 1999-11-04 |
KR100558591B1 (en) | 2006-03-13 |
EP0988192B1 (en) | 2006-05-03 |
ES2262312T3 (en) | 2006-11-16 |
DE59913380D1 (en) | 2006-06-08 |
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