Light sensor configurations for automatic vehicle equipment control
First Claim
1. A vehicle equipment control, comprising:
- a sensing element for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto mounted on a support substrate;
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 toward said sensing element; and
a controller configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of said electrical output signal.
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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.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle equipment control, comprising:
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a sensing element for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto mounted on a support substrate;
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 toward said sensing element; and
a controller configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of said electrical output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A vehicle equipment control, comprising:
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a first sensing element for sensing optical radiation and generating a first electrical output signal in response thereto mounted on a support substrate;
a second sensing element for sensing optical radiation and generating a second electrical output signal in response thereto mounted on a support substrate an encapsulant encapsulating at least one of said sensing elements on at least one of said support structures, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation toward the given sensing element; and
a controller configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of at least one of said first electrical output signal and said second electrical output signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle equipment control, comprising:
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at least one sensing element for sensing optical radiation and generating at least one electrical output signal in response thereto mounted on at least one support substrate an encapsulant encapsulating at least one of said sensing elements on at least one of said support structures, said encapsulant being configured to define an optical radiation collector portion for collecting and redirecting incident optical radiation toward the given sensing element; and
a controller configured to generate at least one vehicle equipment control signal as a function of at least one of said electrical output signals, wherein at least one vehicle equipment control signal is configured to interact with vehicle equipment selected from the group comprising;
windshield wiper, moisture sensor, defogger, defroster, heater, air conditioner, climate, head lamp, interior light and rearview mirror element. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification