Transmission detector for a window body in particular the windshield of a motor vehicle and a cleaning device for a viewing area of a window body

• US 20040100217A1
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Neubauer, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 6,954,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0818 including control systems responsive to external conditions, e.g. by detection of moisture, dirt or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0837 with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0844 including a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/157 Monitoring by optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/59 Transmissivity G01N21/25 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/94 Investigating contamination, e.g. dust G01N21/85 takes precedence

Abstract

A transmission detector (1) for a window body (2), in particular the windshield of a motor vehicle, has an optical sensor device (4, 6, 7, 17) which includes an imaging system (4, 7) and a position-sensitive optical detector (6). In addition, the transmission detector (1) has an analyzing system (10) for the image data recorded by the optical detector (6). The imaging system (4, 7) is designed such that sections of a surface of the window body (2) whose distance to one another is comparable to the size of the free aperture of the window body (2) are projected on the optical detector (6). This allows for a precise allocation of the variables affecting the transmission of the window body (2). A cleaning system for a viewing area of a window body (2) being equipped with this transmission detector (1) also has a cleaning device (28, 29, 31, 32) which is controlled by the analyzing system (10). Such a cleaning system may be triggered as needed.

Claims

1. A transmission detector for a window body, in particular the windshield of a motor vehicle, comprising

a) an optical sensor device including an imaging system and a position-sensitive optical detector, and

b) an analyzing system for the image data recorded by the optical detector, wherein

c) the imaging system (4, 7) is designed such that sections (5, 8) of a surface of the window body (2), whose maximum distance to one another is comparable to the free aperture of the window body (2), are projected on the optical detector (6).

2. The transmission detector as recited in claim 1, wherein the position-sensitive optical detector includes a sensor array (6).

3. The transmission detector as recited in claim 2, wherein the sensor array (6) is a CCD array.

4. The transmission detector as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the imaging system (4, 7) includes a wide-angle lens.

5. The transmission detector as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical sensor device (4, 6, 7, 17) has at least one aperture (7) via which a selection of the sections (5, 8) to be imaged takes place.

6. The transmission detector as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one actuator (15) is provided for the control of the aperture opening.

7. The transmission detector as recited in claim 6, wherein the actuator (15) communicates with the analyzing system (10) via a signal link (14).

8. The transmission detector as recited in one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the optical sensor device (4, 6, 7, 17) has a plurality of apertures.

9. The transmission detector as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical sensor device (4, 6, 7, 17) includes a radiation source (17) for illuminating the sections (5, 8) to be imaged.

10. The transmission detector as recited in claim 9, wherein the radiation source (17) emits IR radiation.

11. The transmission detector as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein the analyzing system (10) is designed such that a contrast analysis of the intensity distribution of the imaged sections (5, 8) is performed based upon the image data recorded by the optical detector (6).

12. The transmission detector as recited in one of claims 1 through 10, wherein the analyzing system (10) is designed such that a Fourier analysis of the intensity distribution of the imaged sections (5, 8) is performed based upon the image data recorded by the optical detector (6).

13. The transmission detector as recited in one of claims 1 through 10, wherein the analyzing system (10) is designed such that an auto-correlation analysis of the intensity distribution of the imaged sections (5, 8) is performed based upon the image data recorded by the optical detector (6).

14. The transmission detector as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein a comparator (21) is provided for comparing the analyzed image data with reference values.

15. The transmission detector as recited in claim 14, wherein the comparator (21) is designed such that the reference values are dynamically adjusted to the results of a plurality of sets of analyzed image data.

16. The transmission detector as recited in claim 15, wherein the comparator (21) includes a neural network.

17. A cleaning system for a field of vision of a window body having a cleaning device controlled by the analyzing system characterized by a transmission detector (1) as recited in one of claims 1 through 16.

18. The cleaning system as recited in claim 17, wherein the cleaning device (28, 29, 31, 32) includes a window wiper body (28, 29).

19. The cleaning system as recited in claim 17 or 18, wherein the cleaning device (28, 29, 31, 32) includes a window washing device (31, 32).

20. The cleaning system as recited in one of claims 17 through 19, wherein the imaged sections (5, 8) lie in a user'"'"'s field of vision through the window body.

21. The cleaning system as recited in claim 20, wherein the imaged sections (5, 8) essentially cover the field of vision.

22. The cleaning system as recited in one of claims 17 through 21, wherein the control of the cleaning device (28, 29, 31, 32) by the analyzing system (10) is designed such that the cleaning device (28, 29, 31, 32) is controlled only after a first time activation by the user.