Optical assembly for a light sensor, light sensor assembly using the optical assembly, and vehicle rearview assembly using the light sensor assembly

• US 9,224,889 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2012
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Fish, Richard T. Jr., Minikey, Danny L. Jr., Tuttle, Darin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Legasse, Jr., Francis M
• Application Number:
  US13/565,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20130032704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 250/216, 250/234, 250/239, 359265-275, 356601-604
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0076 for use with a detector G02B19/009, G02B19/0095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02325 the optical elements not being integrated nor being directly associated with the device

Abstract

An optical assembly is provided wherein the optical assembly includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element is configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through the first optical element in a first direction and a second direction. The second optical element is configured to receive the light from the first optical element, and alter a transmission path of the light through the second optical element in the first and second directions. The light is passed through the second optical element, such that a sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of the sensor.

Claims

1. An optical assembly comprising:

a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and

a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element, and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in said first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said first and second optical elements such that a light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of the light sensor.

2. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the first direction is a substantially horizontal direction, such that said first optical element is configured to alter the transmission path of the light through said first optical element in the substantially horizontal direction.

3. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the second direction is a substantially vertical direction, such that said second optical element is configured to alter the transmission path of the light through said first optical element in the substantially vertical direction.

4. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that the light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees horizontally offset from a field of view of the light sensor.

5. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 40 degrees to 50 degrees offset from a field of view of the light sensor.

6. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein the light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 45 degrees offset from a field of view of the light sensor.

7. The optical assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second optical elements are configured for mounting in an auto-dimming rearview assembly.

8. A light sensor assembly comprising:

a light sensor;

a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and

a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element, and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said first and second optical elements such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of said light sensor.

9. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the first direction is a substantially horizontal direction, such that said first optical element is configured to alter the transmission path of the light through said first optical element in the substantially horizontal direction.

10. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the second direction is a substantially vertical direction, such that said second optical element is configured to alter the transmission path of the light through said first optical element in the substantially vertical direction.

11. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees horizontally offset from a field of view of said light sensor.

12. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 40 degrees to 50 degrees offset from a field of view of the light sensor.

13. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein said light sensor is an ambient light sensor.

14. The light sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein said light sensor comprises:

a support structure;

a sensing element mounted on said support substrate for sensing light and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto; and

an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident light onto an active surface of said sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting light that is not incident on the lens portion onto the active surface of said sensing element.

15. A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle;

a rearview element disposed in said housing that presents images of a scene rearward of the vehicle;

a light sensor assembly disposed in said housing, said light sensor comprising;

a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light receiving surface of the light sensor;

a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and

a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees horizontally offset from a field of view of said light sensor; and

a controller for receiving the electrical signal of said light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images presented by said rearview element.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein said rearview element includes a display positioned in said housing, wherein the controller adjusts the brightness of the images presented by said rearview element by adjusting the brightness of said display.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein said rearview element includes an electro-optic mirror element having a reflectance that is adjustable, wherein the controller adjusts the brightness of the images presented by said rearview element by adjusting the reflectance of said electro-optic mirror element.

18. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein said rearview element includes a display positioned in said housing, wherein the controller adjusts the brightness of the images presented by said rearview element by further adjusting the brightness of said display.

19. The rearview assembly of claim 15 and further comprising a second light sensor assembly, wherein both said first and second light sensor assemblies are generally facing forward with respect to a forward driving orientation of the vehicle and configured to detect ambient light, wherein said second light sensor assembly is spaced apart at least about 10 cm from said first light sensor assembly.

20. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein said light sensor comprises:

a support structure;

a sensing element mounted on said support substrate for sensing light and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto; and

an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident light onto an active surface of said sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting light that is not incident on the lens portion onto the active surface of said sensing element.