Optics: measuring and testing – Of light reflection – By comparison
Patent
1996-04-08
1998-03-24
Font, Frank G.
Optics: measuring and testing
Of light reflection
By comparison
G01N 2155
Patent
active
057318786
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus.
In particular, it relates to a measuring apparatus with a transmitter and a receiver which is arranged at a distance therefrom, being optically coupled with a surface of the windshield of a motor vehicle.
Measuring devices of the type indicated measure the quantity of light reaching a receiver and compare it with the quantity of light transmitted by the transmitter in the windshield. If the resulting difference falls below a given value, the windshield wiper mechanism of the motor vehicle is activated via the evaluating device since it is assumed in this case that the loss of light in the measurement path is due to rain, snow or other soiling. In known commercially available measuring devices of the generic type, erroneous measurement and accordingly unwarranted activation of the windshield mechanism can be brought about, for instance, by condensation forming on the inside of the windshield, since the measuring device is always placed outside of the field of view of the driver, that is, in the region of the inside rearview mirror. Since the formation of condensation in that location cannot be reliably prevented by the hot-air blower, unwanted, troublesome and uncalled-for operation of the wiper system will keep occurring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring apparatus of the above mentioned type, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a measuring apparatus having a housing which is at least partially opened toward the windshield, and a heatable component composed of a material with good heat conducting properties and which is located opposite to a plate-shaped portion of a measurement path is supported at the housing.
The measuring apparatus according to the invention has the advantage over the prior art that the heatable component element always ensures that the measurement path will be free of condensation so that unnecessary operation of the wiper mechanism is prevented in a dependable manner.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment example of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained
FIG. 1 is an enlarged view showing a section through a measuring apparatus according to the invention and a partial region of the windshield of a motor vehicle along line I--I in FIG. 6;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a component element of the measuring apparatus which is provided with a heating element and a partial region of a supporting member supporting the component element according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows the component element according to FIG. 2 in a side view;
FIG. 4 shows a top view of the component element according to FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 shows a partial region of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 without the windshield; and
FIG. 6 shows a view of the arrangement according to FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow VI.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A measuring apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a housing which is partially shown in FIG. 1 and is designated by reference number 12. The measuring apparatus 10 has a supporting member which is constructed as a printed circuit board 14 and is fastened in the housing 12 in a secure but detachable manner. The measuring apparatus 10 is attached to the inside 16 of the windshield 18 of a motor vehicle, not shown in more detail (FIGS. 1 and 6). The side of the housing 12 facing the windshield 18 is partially open. Thus, it
REFERENCES:
patent: 5543923 (1996-08-01), Levers et al.
Burkart Manfred
Klappenbach Christoph
Font Frank G.
Merlino Amanda
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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