Sensor for optically detecting foreign bodies particularly raindrops on a glass pane

• US 6,894,619 B1
• Filed: 07/05/2000
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hager, Martin, Pientka, Rainer, Benz, Jochen, Meier, Hans, Schmitt, Patrick, Burkart, Manfred, Blitzke, Henry, Hodapp, Bruno, Hog, Norbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/030,833
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 340603-604, 340618-619, 340/602, 318480-483, 250/341.8, 219/209, 731/701.7, 356/445, 356/446, 356/448, 385/56, 385/59, 209/202, 209/203, 209/209, 209/602
• US Class Current: 340/604
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0833 Optical rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0888 characterized by the attachment of the elements in a unit

Abstract

A sensor for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that is coupled to the inside of the window and having a fastening device, which is glued to the window, wherein the housing part has a fastening part pivotably attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device by the clamping tension.

Claims

1. A sensor (10) for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element (21) that can be coupled to the inside of the window, having at least one fastening device (18) to be fastened to the window, and having a housing part (12) that contains at least the sensor element (21), where the sensor element (21) can be coupled to the window (18) by means of spring force, characterized in that the housing part (12) has at least one fastening part (14) attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device (16) by means of clamping tension.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor element (21) is affixed to the housing part (12).

3. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that two fastening parts (14) are disposed opposite each other on the housing part (12).

4. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening device (16) has pins (20) for engaging with the at least one fastening part (14).

5. The sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) has recesses (29) for receiving the pins (20) in the installed position.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) is attached to the housing part (12) in a movable fashion and has elastic properties.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) can be brought into engagement with the at least one fastening device (16) by means of an oblique plane (28).

8. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) has an oblong formation (24) on its exterior.

9. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) is a stamped and bent part.

10. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) is an injection molded plastic part.

11. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (16) is embodied as being of one piece.

12. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing part (12) can be inserted in a collar-like fashion into the fastening device (16).

13. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor element (21) is fastened in the housing part (12) by being clipped into it.

15. The sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening device (16) to be fastened to the window is glued to the window.

16. The sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one fastening part (14) which is attached to the housing part (12) in the movable fashion is also attached to the housing part (12) pivotally.

14. A sensor (10) for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element (21) that can be coupled to the inside of the window, having at least one fastening device (16) to be fastened to the window, and having a housing part (12) that contains at least the sensor element (21), where the sensor element (21) can be coupled to the window (18) by means of spring force, characterized by means of a design that is comprised of at least 3 components, in particular an optical body with a coupling medium, a plate with at least one transmitter and receiver, and a housing part (12) with fastening parts (14).

17. A sensor according to claim 14, wherein the at least one fastening device (16) to be fastened to the window is glued to the window.