Precipitation-detecting optoelectronic sensor
First Claim
1. An optoelectronic sensor for detecting precipitation on an outer surface of a transparent pane, the sensor including a waveguide element having a first surface for affixing to an inner surface of the transparent pane, the waveguide element including a plurality of recesses, at least two of which are on opposing sides of a waveguide element centerline, the sensor also including a beam transmitter for transmitting a beam to be received by a beam receiver, the sensor comprising:
- a housing for surrounding the beam transmitter, the beam receiver, and the waveguide element, the housing including a plurality of resilient latching arms corresponding in number and location to the plurality of recesses, each latching arm having an arcuate portion and a barb adapted to engage a corresponding recess; and
a plurality of locking elements corresponding in number to the plurality of latching arms, each locking element being guided by the housing parallel to the waveguide element between a locked and an unlocked position, the locked position being determined by positioning of the locking element into a space defined by the arcuate portion of a corresponding latching arm to prevent disengagement of the corresponding latching arm from its corresponding recess.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optoelectronic sensor device includes a waveguide element for affixing to a transparent pane on one surface and connected to a housing by way of latching barbs provided on U-shaped arms which engage corresponding recesses in the waveguide element. Slide-like locking elements are guided by the housing, parallel to the waveguide element and the pane, into the spaces defined by the U-shaped arms to prevent the arms from disengaging their respective recesses. The locking elements are adjustable by way of a handle which is flush with the housing when the latching elements are in their locked position. The locking elements include dome-shaped protrusions which cooperate with an edge of the housing to secure the locking elements within the housing.
15 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An optoelectronic sensor for detecting precipitation on an outer surface of a transparent pane, the sensor including a waveguide element having a first surface for affixing to an inner surface of the transparent pane, the waveguide element including a plurality of recesses, at least two of which are on opposing sides of a waveguide element centerline, the sensor also including a beam transmitter for transmitting a beam to be received by a beam receiver, the sensor comprising:
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a housing for surrounding the beam transmitter, the beam receiver, and the waveguide element, the housing including a plurality of resilient latching arms corresponding in number and location to the plurality of recesses, each latching arm having an arcuate portion and a barb adapted to engage a corresponding recess; and a plurality of locking elements corresponding in number to the plurality of latching arms, each locking element being guided by the housing parallel to the waveguide element between a locked and an unlocked position, the locked position being determined by positioning of the locking element into a space defined by the arcuate portion of a corresponding latching arm to prevent disengagement of the corresponding latching arm from its corresponding recess. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification