Ultraviolet light detection device

• US 7,626,492 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Sugiura, Makiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US11/826,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20080068143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/457, 340/522, 340/600, 340/584, 250/203.4, 250/239, 621/32, 600/300
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/429 applied to measurement of ultraviolet light using counting tubes G01T
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/34 using capacitors, e.g. pyroelectric capacitors

Abstract

A detector made of lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate detects intensity of ultraviolet light radiated inside of a vehicle. The detector sends ultrasonic wave to an incidence direction of ultraviolet light, and detects ultrasonic wave reflected by an object. An electrical unit determines the object to be an occupant of the vehicle or not based on the reflected ultrasonic wave. The electrical unit outputs a signal representing that a predetermined or more amount of ultraviolet light is radiated to the occupant, when the detector detects the predetermined or more amount of ultraviolet light and when the electrical unit determines the object to be the occupant.

Claims

1. An ultraviolet light detection device for detecting ultraviolet light radiated to an occupant of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a detecting element including an ultraviolet detector for detecting intensity of ultraviolet light radiated inside of the vehicle, wherein the ultraviolet detector is made of lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT); and

an electrical unit for outputting an ultraviolet light detection signal representing that a predetermined or more amount of ultraviolet light is radiated to the occupant, wherein

the ultraviolet detector sends ultrasonic wave to an incidence direction of ultraviolet light, and detects ultrasonic wave reflected by an object to be detected, and

the electrical unit outputs the ultraviolet light detection signal when the detecting element detects the predetermined or more amount of ultraviolet light and when the object is determined to be the occupant of the vehicle based on the reflected ultrasonic wave.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the ultraviolet detector is disposed on a board, and

the board has a thin membrane part in at least a part of an area, on which the ultraviolet detector is disposed.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the ultraviolet detector is a capacitive vibration detector having a piezoelectric film made of the lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) on a vibration face.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the detecting element includes a plurality of the ultraviolet detectors, and

the plurality of the ultraviolet detectors are arranged approximately parallel to each other, and oppose to an approximately the same direction.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein

the plurality of the ultraviolet detectors are disposed on the same board.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:

another detecting element having an infrared detector for detecting infrared ray.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein

the infrared detector is made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT),

the infrared detector detects intensity of heat ray radiated from the object, and

the infrared detector sends ultrasonic wave, and detects ultrasonic wave reflected by the object.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the detecting element is disposed on at least one of a front windshield, a rear windshield and a side windshield.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the detecting element includes a cover having a hole transmittable of ultrasonic wave, and

the cover is disposed between the ultraviolet detector and the object.

10. The device according to claim 2, wherein

the board is an indium tin oxide (ITO) board.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the detecting element further includes an infrared detector for detecting infrared ray.