Light/rain sensing system for a vehicle

• US 6,337,491 B1
• Filed: 06/18/1999
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Company LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Krug, Martin, Krieg, Karl-Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B.
• Application Number:
  US09/335,768
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 250/573, 250/227.25, 250/239, 318/483, 307/10.8, 307/10.1, 307/117, 307/118, 340/600-604, 340/901, 356/436
• US Class Current: 250/573
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/087 including an ambient light sensor control of vehicle lights B60Q
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield

Abstract

A sensing system for the detection and analysis of light and/or rain conditions affecting the vehicle has a mounting which can be installed within the scope of an assembly line production. The sensing system has a light sensor and a light sensor control unit and/or a rain sensor and a rain sensor control unit and a common carrier plate on which the light sensor with the light sensor control unit as well as the rain sensor with the rain sensor control unit can be mounted.

Claims

1. Sensing system for a vehicle, for the detection and analysis of light and/or rain conditions affecting the vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a light sensor with a light sensor control unit, and a rain sensor with a rain sensor control unit; and

a common carrier plate on which a light sensor with the light sensor control unit and a rain sensor with the rain sensor control unit are mountable;

wherein

at least one of the sensors with its control unit are combined in a single piece sensor component which is mountable as a unit on the carrier plate; and

the carrier plate includes plug-type connections which provide both a mechanical and an electric linkage for mounting at least one single piece sensor component to the carrier plate.

2. Sensing system according to claim 1, wherein

one sensor with its control unit is fixedly mounted on the carrier plate; and

another sensor with its control unit is mountable on the carrier plate.

3. Sensing system according to claim 1, further comprising a housing detachably fastened on the carrier plate, which housing, in an installed state of the carrier plate on a windshield of the vehicle, is open toward the windshield and, in the direction of the vehicle interior, surrounds the carrier plate and the sensors and control units mounted thereon.

4. Sensing system according to claim 3, wherein, in the installed state of the carrier plate on the windshield, a venting gap is formed extending about the periphery of the housing, between the housing fastened on the carrier plate and the windshield.

5. Sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the housing is mountable on the carrier plate by mechanical linking via snap-type or lock-type connections.

6. Sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the sensors and the control units are fixedly mounted to the carrier plate.

7. Sensing system according to claim 1, wherein

the carrier plate has fastening devices for fastening on an interior side of a windshield of a vehicle;

and

the carrier plate is configured such that each sensor mounted thereon comes to rest against the windshield when the carrier plate is fastened on the windshield.

8. Sensing system according to claim 1, wherein the carrier plate can be connected to a cabling by which the sensors and their control units are supplied with electric energy and control signals of the control units are transmitted to the assemblies of a vehicle to be controlled.

9. A mounting assembly for installing at least one light sensor assembly in a vehicle interior, comprising:

a carrier plate;

at least one adhesive element for installing said carrier plate on an interior of a vehicle windshield;

a plurality of mounting plugs on said carrier plate, which plugs provide both mechanical and electrical linkage for mounting at least one light sensor on said carrier plate in an orientation such that in an installed condition of said carrier plate on said vehicle windshield a sensor element of said light sensor assembly is directed toward and is in proximity to said vehicle windshield; and

electrical couplings on said carrier plate for connecting said plurality of mounting plugs with an electrical supply of said vehicle.

10. Mounting assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an assembly housing which is detachably attached to said carrier plate, and which in an installed condition of said carrier plate, covers said mounting assembly on sides which are exposed toward said vehicle interior.

11. A sensing system for a vehicle, or detection of ambient conditions affecting the vehicle, said sensing system comprising:

a carrier plate;

a component for fixedly mounting said carrier plate to said vehicle; and

at least one sensor mounted on said carrier plate;

wherein said mounting plate has plug-type connections which provide both mechanical and electrical linkage for mounting a plurality of sensors thereon.

12. The sensing system for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein:

said at least one sensor is fixedly mounted on said carrier plate; and

additional sensors are detachably mountable on said plate via said connections.

13. The sensing system for a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein:

said at least one sensor comprises a light sensor; and

said additional sensors comprise at least a rain sensor.