Optical precipitation sensor for monitoring the accumulation of precipitation upon automotive glass
First Claim
1. An improved precipitation sensor to sense the presence of water upon an automotive glass of the type having an optical emitter, an optical receiver, a first mirror surface for collimating light emitted from said optical emitter and having a first leading edge, a second mirror surface for focusing said emitted light upon said optical receiver and having a second leading edge, and an electronic circuit in electrical communication with said optical emitter and said optical receiver, the improvement comprising:
- said precipitation sensor including an intermediate reflector having a first reflective region proximate said emitter and a second reflective region proximate said receiver;
said second mirror surface being aspheric and positioned to focus said emitted light upon said receiver;
said second reflective region having a second mean reflective point being displaced from said automotive glass at a distance at least as great as a distance said second leading edge of said second mirror surface is displaced from said automotive glass;
said second leading edge laterally disposed such that said second mirror surface is positioned between said receiver and substantially all ambient light exiting from said automotive glass toward said receiver.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is a precipitation sensor adapted to detect water upon an automotive glass and a method for its use. The precipitation sensor includes an optical emitter and a first mirror surface in optical communication with the optical emitter. The first mirror surface is adapted to reflect and collimate light emission from the optical emitter. The precipitation sensor also includes an optical receiver and a second mirror surface in optical communication with the optical receiver. The second mirror surface is adapted to focus collimated light upon the optical receiver. The precipitation sensor further includes an intermediate reflector in optical communication with the first mirror surface and with the second mirror surface.
27 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An improved precipitation sensor to sense the presence of water upon an automotive glass of the type having an optical emitter, an optical receiver, a first mirror surface for collimating light emitted from said optical emitter and having a first leading edge, a second mirror surface for focusing said emitted light upon said optical receiver and having a second leading edge, and an electronic circuit in electrical communication with said optical emitter and said optical receiver, the improvement comprising:
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said precipitation sensor including an intermediate reflector having a first reflective region proximate said emitter and a second reflective region proximate said receiver;
said second mirror surface being aspheric and positioned to focus said emitted light upon said receiver;
said second reflective region having a second mean reflective point being displaced from said automotive glass at a distance at least as great as a distance said second leading edge of said second mirror surface is displaced from said automotive glass;
said second leading edge laterally disposed such that said second mirror surface is positioned between said receiver and substantially all ambient light exiting from said automotive glass toward said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for detecting water upon an automotive glass comprising the steps of:
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emitting light upon a first aspheric mirror surface;
collimating said light;
reflecting said light with a first reflective region;
reflecting said light with a windshield;
reflecting said light with a second reflective region;
shielding a receiver from ambient light with a second aspheric mirror surface; and
,reflecting said light with said second mirror surface upon said receiver. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification