Light sensor configuration
First Claim
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
- a secondary optical element; and
a sensor device posited to receive optical radiation passing through said secondary optical element, said sensor device comprising;
a support structure;
a sensing element mounted on said support structure for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; and
an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation towards said sensing element.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive sensor device includes a support structure, a sensing element mounted on the support substrate for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto, and an encapsulant encapsulating the sensing element on the support structure. The encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident optical radiation onto an active surface of the sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting optical radiation that is not incident the lens portion onto the active surface of the sensing element. The collector portion may be a parabolic reflector that reflects incident light by total internal reflection. The sensor device may be incorporated into an assembly including a diffuser positioned across an aperture, and/or may be incorporated into a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror assembly.
22 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A sensor assembly comprising:
-
a secondary optical element; and
a sensor device posited to receive optical radiation passing through said secondary optical element, said sensor device comprising;
a support structure;
a sensing element mounted on said support structure for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; and
an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation towards said sensing element. - 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. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:
-
a housing;
a mirror disposed in said housing;
a secondary optical element; and
a sensor device positioned in said housing to receive optical radiation passing through said secondary optical element, said sensor device comprising;
a support structure;
a sensing element mounted on said support structure for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; and
an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation towards said sensing element. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A vehicle accessory for mounting in a vehicle, said vehicle accessory comprising:
-
a secondary optical element ; and
a sensor device positioned to receive optical radiation passing through said secondary optical element, said sensor device comprising;
a support structure;
a sensing element mounted on said support structure for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical signal in response thereto; and
an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing element on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation towards said sensing element. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
Specification