Sensor in car window

• US 20030010890A1
• Filed: 12/05/2001
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Sakata, Kazuki
• Granted Patent: US 6,768,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/203.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A sensor in a car window permits a reduction in size thereof. The sensor includes a lens that is provided on the inner side of a sloping windshield to condense light coming from an object to be detected that is located outside the windshield, a sensor main body that detects the object to be detected by means of the light that has passed through the lens, and a transparent glass pane that is provided between the windshield and the lens to refract the light from the object to be detected that has passed through the windshield.

Claims

1. A sensor in a car window, comprising:

a lens that is provided on the inner side of a sloping windowpane to condense light coming from an object to be detected that is located outside the windowpane;

a sensor main body that detects the object to be detected by means of the light that has passed through the lens; and

a transparent member that is provided between the windowpane and the lens to refract the light from the object to be detected that has passed through the windowpane.

2. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the area between the windowpane and the lens is covered by a hood for blocking unwanted light coming from other than an object to be detected.

3. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is disposed in parallel to the windowpane.

4. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein a light-shielding member for blocking unwanted light coming from other than an object to be detected is provided between the windowpane and the lens.

5. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is attached to the windowpane by a light transmitting adhesive agent.

6. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is provided with a light shielding/absorbing means for blocking or absorbing unwanted light coming from other than an object to be detected.

7. A sensor in a car window according to claim 6, wherein the light shielding/absorbing means is Japanese ink.

8. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the hood is provided with a breathable dustproof filter.

9. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is a transparent glass pane.

10. A sensor in a car window according to claim 1, wherein the sensor main body is formed of a camera main body.