Optical sensor

Details Optical sensor Optical sensor

2000-02-01

2001-05-08

Pham, Hoa Q. (Department: 2877)

Optics: measuring and testing

Of light reflection

C250S227250, C318S483000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06229613

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an optical sensor.
Windshield wiper systems for motor vehicles are known in which control of the windshield wipers is effected not only via a lever on the steering column but also via an optical rain sensor. The optical rain sensor typically includes a light source, whose electromagnetic radiation is reflected by the windshield differently, depending on the film of moisture on the windshield. The reflected proportion is detected by means of a photo element, so that an output signal of the rain sensor corresponding to the film of moisture can be furnished. These output signals can be evaluated in such a way and used for controlling the windshield wipers in such a way that both the turning on of the wiper system and the wiping speed are varied as a function of a measured quantity of rain.
Such rain sensors are typically disposed on the inside of the windshield. To avoid impairing the view for the driver, it is known to dispose the rain sensors in the region of an inside mirror, or in other words between the inside mirror and the windshield. The rain sensors are then disposed in a housing, which with a bottom face is in physical contact with the windshield. It is known to provide such housings with a polygonal or round bottom face. A disadvantage here is that with either a polygonal or a round bottom face, it is only with difficulty that the rain sensors can be integrated with a covering or fastening of an inside mirror; besides, they make the overall visual appearance of the arrangement less attractive. Precisely because these rain sensors are disposed at an exposed place in the motor vehicle, which can readily be seen both by someone using the vehicle and by those looking at the vehicle, the overall impression is adversely affected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an optical sensor which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
In keeping with these objects, one feature of present invention resides, briefly stated, in an optical sensor in which the bottom face of the housing is
The optical sensor of the invention has the advantage over the prior art that it can easily be integrated into a covering of a base of an inside mirror. Because the bottom face of the housing is oval, the geometric dimensions of the housing of the optical sensor can be optimized in such a way that on the one hand, a sufficiently large bottom face for maintaining the functions of the optical sensor is available, and on the other, this bottom face is nevertheless embodied such that not only is its outer appearance suitable, but it can be integrated in a mirror base with optimal utilization of the area required. Because of the oval shaping in the bottom face, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a circuit board that carries the electronic and/or optical components of the sensor can be integrated in a space-saving way with the housing.
Particularly if, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the circuit board has a trapezoidal or rhomboid contour, it can be integrated optimally with the housing, without having to reserve a relatively large blind area as in the case of a round bottom face, for instance, or in other words without having to reserve an area that is not needed for disposing optical and electronic elements. The structural form of the optical sensor can thus be reduced in size, without sacrificing an attractive outer shape and appearance.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5391891 (1995-02-01), Wiegleb et al.
patent: 5498866 (1996-03-01), Bendicks et al.
patent: 5804817 (1998-09-01), Seiler et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Optical sensor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Optical sensor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical sensor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2559340