SENSOR SYSTEM IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20110267624A1
• Filed: 04/21/2011
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: PACK, Andreas, HODAPP, Bruno, HOG, Norbert, SCHWARZ, Axel, BLITZKE, Henry
• Granted Patent: US 9,120,464 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/446
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0837 with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/06126 Large diffuse sources

Abstract

A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.

Claims

1. A sensor system for detecting wetting of a window, comprising:

a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements; and

a light source for emitting light to the window so that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window;

wherein the light source and the photodetector element are situated so that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements, and

wherein the light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body, the transparent body having a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the lighting element irradiates into the transparent body in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to a radiation direction of the light source.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a further lighting element, the lighting elements irradiating into the transparent body in different directions.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transparent body has an outer surface for the total reflection of irradiated light in a direction perpendicular to the radiation direction.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the unevennesses are microlenses.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the unevennesses are defined by a roughness.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the transparent body is mirrored.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein scattering particles are provided in the light guide to diffusely distribute the irradiated light.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the transparent body has a recess for accommodating the lighting element, so that the lighting element is encased by the transparent body.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the lighting element includes a light-emitting diode.

11. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the light emitted by the lighting element has a wavelength that is invisible to the human eye.

12. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein a mirror on which the diffusely radiated light falls, the mirror being integrated with the transparent body.