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Raindrop detection apparatus with case and lenses integrally configured and circuit board supported by case

  • US 7,705,338 B2
  • Filed: 11/17/2008
  • Issued: 04/27/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A raindrop detection apparatus comprising:

  • at least one light emitting unit for emitting light toward an inner side of windshield;

    a light receiving unit for receiving the light reflected by an outer surface of the windshield;

    at least one first lens unit which is arranged between the windshield and the light emitting unit to convert the light from the light emitting unit into parallel light;

    a second lens unit which is arranged between the windshield and the light receiving unit to converge the reflected light at the light receiving unit;

    a light conducting unit arranged between an inner surface of the windshield, and the first and second lens units, the light conducting unit conducting the parallel light to the windshield and conducting the reflected light to the second lens unit;

    a case unit, in which the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the light conducting unit are accommodated; and

    a circuit board, to which the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are mounted, the circuit board being directly supported by the case unit, whereinthe case unit, the first lens unit, the second lens unit and the light conducting unit are integrally made of resin having an optical transparency, andan amount of raindrop landed on the outer surface of the windshield is detected based on an intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit.

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