SENSOR DEVICE FOR DETECTING MOISTURE ON A PANE

• US 20140196525A1
• Filed: 01/16/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Original Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Company
• Inventors: NIEMANN, Thomas, EGGERS, Torsten
• Granted Patent: US 9,709,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/73
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0833 Optical rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0837 with a particular arrangement of the optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/55 Specular reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/552 Attenuated total reflection

Abstract

In a sensor device for detecting moisture on a pane comprising at least one transmitter which emits light which is reflected at the pane and received by at least one receiver, an optical system is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, which brings about a multiple reflection between the pane and the optical system. A particularly good measurement is thereby made possible.

Claims

1. A sensor device for detecting moisture on a pane comprising at least one transmitter which emits light which is reflected at the pane and received by at least one receiver,

wherein an optical system is provided between the transmitter and the receiver, which brings about a multiple reflection between the pane and the optical system,

wherein the sensor device has a frame which can be fastened to the pane, the optical system extends in an annular shape over the entire frame, and the frame of the sensor device is used for holding further components, in particular a camera.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system has a mirror which is disposed parallel to the pane.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein transmitters and receivers are configured as diodes.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is disposed on the inner side of the frame.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is designed such that the multiple reflection takes place at angles between 40°

and 50°

.

6. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system is configured in such a manner that the angle of reflection at the pane smaller than the angle of reflection in the optical system, in particular the mirror disposed in the optical system.

7. Motor vehicle having a windscreen and sensor device according to claim 1 disposed on the widescreen.