Rain sensor with reference channel
First Claim
1. A sensing assembly for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window having inside and outside surfaces, said assembly comprising;
- emitter means (18) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to emit radiant energy to the window (12) on an ingress axis (A), detector means (20) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to detect radiant energy emitted by said emitter means (18) and received along an egress axis (B) extending from the window (12), and characterized by including reference detector means (22) for disposition on the window (12) to receive radiant energy directed by the window (12) and emitted by said emitter means (18) and to detect the magnitude of said radiant energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensing assembly (10) for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window (12) having inside (14) and outside (16) surfaces. The assembly includes an emitter (18) disposed on the inside surface (14) of the window (12) to emit infrared energy to the window (12). A detector (20) is disposed on the inside surface (14) to detect infrared energy from the window (12) on an egress axis. A reference detector (22) detects ambient light and emitter output which are parallel to the egress axis. A control circuit (24) receives the detected measurement level and reference level for comparison to actuate the wipers when rain or particles are on the window (12).
88 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensing assembly for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window having inside and outside surfaces, said assembly comprising;
- emitter means (18) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to emit radiant energy to the window (12) on an ingress axis (A), detector means (20) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to detect radiant energy emitted by said emitter means (18) and received along an egress axis (B) extending from the window (12), and characterized by including reference detector means (22) for disposition on the window (12) to receive radiant energy directed by the window (12) and emitted by said emitter means (18) and to detect the magnitude of said radiant energy.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensing assembly for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window having inside and outside surfaces, said assembly comprising;
- emitter means (18) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to emit radiant energy to the window (12) on an ingress axis (A), detector means (20) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to detect radiant energy emitted by said emitter means (18) and received on an egress axis (B) extending from the window (12), and characterized by reference detector means (22) for receiving radiant energy on a reference axis (C) substantially parallel with said egress axis (B) to detect the amount of radiant energy impinging thereon.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensing assembly for indicating when moisture or other particles have accumulated on a window having inside and outside surfaces, said assembly comprising;
- emitter means (18) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to emit radiant energy to the window (12) on an ingress axis (A), detector means (20) for disposition on the inside of the window (12) to detect radiant energy emitted by said emitter means (18) and received along an egress axis (B) extending from the window (12), reference detector means (22) for disposition on the window (12) to detect the magnitude of ambient light entering through the window (12) substantially from the same direction as ambient light entering said detector means (20).
- View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A support housing assembly for a rain sensor for disposition on a window having an emitter for emitting radiant energy toward a window and a detector for sensing reflected radiant energy from the window on an egress axis and a reference detector for sensing ambient light and radiant energy parallel to the egress axis, said assembly comprising:
- support housing for disposition on the inside surface (14) of a window (12), said support housing comprising emitter holder means (64) for holding an emitter such that when the assembly is disposed on the window, the emitter is directed toward the window (12), detector holder means (62) for supporting a measurement detector on an egress axis (B), and characterized by reference holder means for supporting a reference detector parallel to said egress axis (B).
Specification