Rain sensor, particular for a motor vehicle and method for mounting a rain sensor

• US 6,900,733 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2001
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Schneider, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US10/344,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20040020285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,249 Days
• Field of Search: 340601-604, 340/618, 340/619, 731/701.7, 731/701.9, 731/702.1, 385/56, 385/59
• US Class Current: 340/602
• 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 1/0888 characterized by the attachment of the elements in a unit

Abstract

A rain sensor and a method for installing a rain sensor are provided for a motor vehicle. The rain sensor includes a housing in which at least one printed circuit board is located and which has a light-conducting member, which at least partially closes the housing in the manner of a lid. A plate is located between the light-conducting member and the printed circuit board. During installation, the plate is partially punched through.

Claims

1. A rain sensor, comprising:

a housing having at least one printed-circuit board;

at least one light-conducting member at least partially closing off the housing; and

a plate positioned between the at least one light-conducting member and the at least one printed-circuit board to protect the at lest one printed-circuit board.

2. The rain sensor according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one optical component provided on the at least one printed-circuit board, wherein the at least one optical component interacts with the at least one light-conducting member in a coupling region, and wherein the plate is configured with cut-outs in the coupling region.

3. The rain sensor according to claim 2, wherein the plate is configured as a thin foil and is provided with perforations in the coupling region.

4. The rain sensor according to claim 3, wherein the at least one light-conducting member is provided with separation aids for punching through the perforations in the plate.

5. The rain sensor according to claim 2, further comprising:

a subcarrier positioned between the at least one printed-circuit board and the at least one light-conducting member, wherein the subcarrier is configured with a recess in a region of the at least one optical component.

6. The rain sensor according to claim 5, wherein the plate is configured as a foil and is able to be peeled off from one of the housing and from the subcarrier.

7. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plate is configured as a foil and is made of one of a paper, a metal-coated paper and a plastic.

8. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein the plate is configured as a foil, optically transparent, stretchable and is configured to cling, at least partially, to the at least one light-conducting member.

9. The rain sensor according to claim 5, wherein comprising:

contact devices configured to extend out of the housing through the plate.

10. A method for installing a rain sensor, comprising:

mounting a light-conducting member on a window; and

sliding a housing onto the light-conducting member, the housing including at least one printed-circuit board having at least one optical component, wherein the housing is closed off, at least partially, by a plate, and wherein the plate is pierced by the light-conducting member in a region of the at least one optical component.