Rain sensor
First Claim
1. A rain sensor arranged with respect to a measuring distance in which is arranged a windshield, comprising:
- a housing;
a light conducting element for joining to the housing, wherein the light conducting element includes a first region having a first color and a second region having a second color that is different than the first color; and
a plurality of optical and electronic components mounted in the housing and including;
at least one transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, andat least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic wave, the measuring distance influencing a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver such that when a coating forms on the windshield, an output signal sensed by the at least one receiver is changed.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rain sensor, for motor vehicles in particular, having one measuring distance with at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for electromagnetic waves (light waves), a windshield being arranged in the measuring distance, and the measuring distance influencing the wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver in such a way that when a coating forms on the windshield, in particular as the result of wetting by precipitation, an output signal sensed by the receiver is changed. It is provided that the optical and electronic components of the rain sensor are mounted in a housing, a light conducting element forming a cover of the housing.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A rain sensor arranged with respect to a measuring distance in which is arranged a windshield, comprising:
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a housing; a light conducting element for joining to the housing, wherein the light conducting element includes a first region having a first color and a second region having a second color that is different than the first color; and a plurality of optical and electronic components mounted in the housing and including; at least one transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, and at least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic wave, the measuring distance influencing a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver such that when a coating forms on the windshield, an output signal sensed by the at least one receiver is changed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 45)
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25. A rain sensor arranged with respect to a measuring distance in which is arranged a windshield, comprising:
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a housing; a light conducting element for joining to the housing; and a plurality of optical and electronic components mounted in the housing and including; at least one transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, at least one ambient light sensor that is sensitive to visible light, and at least one receiver for receiving the electromagnetic wave, the measuring distance influencing a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver such that when a coating forms on the windshield, wherein; an output signal sensed by the at least one receiver is changed the output signal is provided to a downstream analysis circuit and includes information with respect to an instantaneous degree of wetting of the windshield, and at least one of a windshield wiper mechanism and a vehicle lighting system is activated as a function of the output signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification