Optical sensor device for detecting ambient light

• US 20090284735A1
• Filed: 05/05/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Backers, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,054 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/73
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0407 Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4204 with determination of ambient light solar light G01J2001/4266
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/08 with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876

Abstract

An optical sensor device for detecting ambient light is adapted to be coupled to a pane (10), in particular to a windshield of a motor vehicle. The optical sensor device has a sensor unit which includes at least one light receiver (26) and a lens plate (12). By means of the sensor unit, an ambient light beam having entered the pane (10) is coupled out of the pane (10) and directed onto the light receiver (26). On a surface (12b) which faces the pane (10), the lens plate (12) includes a first Fresnel prism structure (22) having a plurality of individual structures (24). The individual structures (24) of the first Fresnel prism structure (22) are designed such that they deflect the light beam at different angles.

Claims

1. An optical sensor device for detecting ambient light, which is adapted to be coupled to a pane, in particular to a windshield of a motor vehicle, the device having a sensor unit which includes at least one light receiver and a lens plate, the sensor unit coupling an ambient light beam, which has entered the pane, out of the pane and directing the light beam onto the light receiver, the lens plate including a first Fresnel prism structure on a surface which faces the pane, the lens plate having a plurality of individual structures, the individual structures of the first Fresnel prism structure being designed such that they deflect the light beam at different angles.

2. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the first Fresnel prism structure includes a linear structure having a first orientation, and wherein on the same surface, the lens plate includes a second linear Fresnel prism structure having a plurality of individual structures, the second Fresnel prism structure having a second orientation which differs from the first orientation.

3. The optical sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the orientation of the second Fresnel prism structure is perpendicular to the orientation of the first Fresnel prism structure.

4. The optical sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the individual structures of the second Fresnel prism structure are designed such that they deflect rays of the light beam at different angles.

5. The optical sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the second Fresnel prism structure is at least partially integrated into the first Fresnel prism structure.

6. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the lens plate is coupled to the pane by a coupler which contacts the Fresnel prism structure(s) in a form-fitting manner.

7. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the individual structures have inner surfaces on which rays of the light beam are reflected.

8. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the individual structures are sawtooth-shaped in cross-section, having second flanks at which part of the light beam enters, and first flanks at which a reflection occurs.

9. The optical sensor device according to claim 8, wherein a refraction of light at different angles occurs at the second flanks of the individual structures.

10. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the individual structures are sawtooth-shaped in cross-section, having first flanks at which a refraction of light at different angles occurs.

11. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein on a surface which faces the light receiver, the lens plate has a Fresnel lens structure.

12. The optical sensor device according to claim 11, wherein the Fresnel lens structure reshapes a parallel light beam coupled out of the pane and passing through the lens plate into a converging light beam.

13. The optical sensor device according to claim 12, wherein the parallel light beam passes perpendicularly through the lens plate.

14. The optical sensor device according to claim 1, wherein a number of sensor units are provided which include a common lens plate.

15. A rain/light sensor, comprising an optical sensor device for detecting ambient light, which is adapted to be coupled to a pane, in particular to a windshield of a motor vehicle, the device having a sensor unit which includes at least one light receiver and a lens plate, the sensor unit coupling an ambient light beam, which has entered the pane, out of the pane and directing the light beam onto the light receiver, the lens plate including a first Fresnel prism structure on a surface which faces the pane, the lens plate having a plurality of individual structures, the individual structures of the first Fresnel prism structure being designed such that they deflect the light beam at different angles, the rain/light sensor further comprising an optical rain sensor device, the sensor device and the rain sensor device having a common lens plate.