VIEWING WINDOW FOR THE ARRANGEMENT OF AN OPTICAL SENSOR AND/OR DETECTION SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE

• US 20100219173A1
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ADC Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: ADC Automotive Distance Control Systems GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Gruber, Andreas
• Application Number:
  US12/670,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20100219173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/203
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0848 Cleaning devices for cameras on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/004 using zigzag layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/008 with layout including a portion free of resistive material, e.g. communication window
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence

Abstract

A viewing window for an optical sensor and/or detection system in a vehicle, wherein at least one viewing field of the optical system is defined within the viewing window. A window-heating device encircles the viewing field while the viewing field itself is designed to be free from integrated elements or surface-mounted elements.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A viewing window for an optical sensor and/or detection system in a vehicle, within the viewing window at least one viewing field of the optical system being defined, wherein a window-heating device encircles the viewing field, while the viewing field itself is designed to be free from integrated elements or surface-mounted elements.

16. A viewing window according to claim 15, wherein a zone surrounding the viewing field of the viewing window comprises a window-heating device.

17. A viewing window according to claim 16, wherein the zone represents a strip surrounding the viewing field, this strip having a width from approximately 5 mm to approximately 30 mm.

18. A viewing window according to claim 15, wherein the window-heating device comprises a heating pipeline which takes a meandering course around the viewing field.

19. A viewing window according to claim 18, wherein the heating pipeline comprises a heating wire set into the window.

20. A viewing window according to claim 18, wherein the heating pipeline is arranged on a surface of the window, the heating pipeline being glued or printed thereon.

21. A viewing window according to claim 15, wherein in the region of the window-heating device a black print is arranged on the window.

22. A viewing window according to claim 15, wherein the viewing field has one of the following forms:

rectangular;

square;

circular;

trapezoidal;

ellipsoidal;

egg-shaped.

23. A viewing windows according to claim 15, wherein the dimensions of the viewing field are smaller than approximately 5 cm×

5 cm.

24. A viewing window according to claim 15 as a window pane of the vehicle.

25. A viewing window according to claim 24 wherein the window pane is a windshield or a rear window of the vehicle.

26. A viewing window according to claim 15 as a covering element.

27. A sensor and/or detection system, comprising an optical unit and a viewing window according to claim 15, the viewing field of the window being such dimensioned and the optical unit being such arranged that the viewing field of the window provides an unimpaired optical passage for the visual range of the optical unit.

28. A sensor and/or detection system according to claim 27 wherein the optical unit is an optical sensor and/or a camera.

29. A vehicle, comprising at least one sensor and/or detection system according to claim 27.

30. A vehicle, comprising at least one viewing window according to claim 15.