Robert Boschgmbh

Hans Meier

Henry Blitzke

Rainer Pientka

Bruno Hodapp

Norbert Hog

Patrick Schmitt

Manfred Burkart

Gebhard Michenfelder

Guenther Riehl

Andreas Schneider

Francois Schabanel

Andreas Gille

Helmut Sautter

Guenter Haderer

Hubert Lamm

Peter Braun

Martin Hager

Michael May

Jochen Benz

Pierre Nonnenmacher

Pierre Nonnnenmacher

Gehbard Michenfelder

Henry Blizke

Hans-Georg Klug

Wolfgang Hermann

Rainer Pientke

Klaus Merkel

A sensor unit for automatic switching of lighting devices of motor vehicles is described. The sensor unit includes at least one light-sensitive sensor, a filter element being situated upstream from it, and the filter element filtering out infrared light. A coupling medium for improving the switching points of the sensor unit and the use of a coupling medium and a filter for improving the switching points of the sensor unit are also described.

Sensor unit for automatically switching of lighting devices and coupling medium for a sensor unit

A method and an apparatus for automatic control of illumination devices, in particular of a motor vehicle, include a brightness sensor which delivers first signals, the illumination devices are switched off after a time interval that begins at the point in time at which the first signals exceed or fall below a first threshold. The length of the time interval is modifiable, and in particular, is capable of being extended.

Method and device for automatic control of illumination devices

In a method for the automatic control of lighting devices, particularly of a motor vehicle, and a device for implementing the method, the brightness in a specific direction being detected by at least one directional sensor which emits direction signals to a control device, the control device switching on the lighting devices after a minimum time has elapsed. The minimum time begins when the direction signals exceed or drop below a switch-on threshold. The lighting devices are only switched on when the direction signals lie above or below the switch-on threshold during the entire minimum time. To that end, the control device is connected to a timer.

Method for automatically controlling lighting devices and device for carrying out the method

A sensor for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that is coupled to the inside of the window and having a fastening device, which is glued to the window, wherein the housing part has a fastening part pivotably attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device by the clamping tension.

Sensor for optically detecting foreign bodies particularly raindrops on a glass pane

A rain sensor, in particular for a motor vehicle including a window-wiper device (windshield-wiper device), including a measuring element, which has a sensitivity that is predefinable by a control device, a signal, characterizing the speed of the motor vehicle, being able to be transmitted to the control device, and the control device increasing the sensitivity of the measuring element at lower speed. Furthermore, a method for controlling a windshield-wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle. A measuring element is connected to a control device, its sensitivity being predefined by the control device. A signal characterizing a speed of the motor vehicle is transmitted to the control device and the sensitivity of the measuring element increased at lower speed.

Rain sensor, in particular for a motor vehicle having a window-wiper device, and method for controlling a windshield-wiper device

Light-sensitive sensor unit, especially for the automatic switching of illuminating equipment, preferably in motor vehicles, which includes at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least a first sensor and a second sensor detecting the light conditions in predetermined directions. For this purpose, all light-conducting elements allocated to the sensors are to be connected in one piece as a light-conducting member and integrated into the light-conducting member of a rain sensor.

Light-sensitive sensor unit, especially for automatic switching of illumination equipment

A rain sensor ( ), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter ( ) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver ( ) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter ( ), and a substantially flat light-conducting body ( ) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane ( ) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures ( ) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter ( ), whereby the structures ( ) for directing the radiation are different from the structures ( ) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.

Rain sensor with a light-conducting body for a motor vehicle

A light-sensitive sensor unit, in particular for automatic switching of lighting devices, preferably in motor vehicles, including at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least one first sensor detecting the global lighting conditions, and at least one second sensor detecting the lighting conditions in predetermined directions. All light guide elements provided for the sensors are joined in one piece to form a light guide body.

Photosensitive detection unit, in particular for automatic connection of lighting equipment

The device has a sensor device ( ) and an evaluation device ( ). The sensor device ( ) has a global sensor ( ), by which the general light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected nondirectionally, and a directional sensor ( ), by which the light intensity is detected directionally in the travel direction of the vehicle. By the evaluation device ( ), the signals (S , S ) of the sensors ( ) of the sensor device ( ) are compared with threshold values (SE), and if at least one threshold value (SE) is undershot, the lighting devices ( ) are switched on. A temperature measuring instrument ( ) for detecting the temperature of the sensor device ( ) is also provided, which supplies the evaluation device with a signal (ST) about the temperature. In the evaluation device ( ), temperature-dependent basic signals (S , S ) that the sensors ( ) generate without light incidence are stored in memory. By means of the evaluation device ( ), a correction of the current signals (S , S ) of the sensors ( ) of the sensor device ( ) and/or of the threshold mn values (SE) is effected as a function of the basic signals (S , S ).

Device for automatically switching lighting devices in vehicles

A sensor arrangement for detecting a wetting, in particular a precipitation and dirt accumulation, on a window ( ) is proposed, with at least one transmitter ( ) and at least one receiver ( ) for the transmitter light ( ) emitted by the transmitters ( ), where the transmitters ( ) and receivers ( ) are disposed on the vertex points of an imaginary trapezoid. As a result, the external dimensions of the sensor are reduced, the ratio of sensitive area ( ) and base area ( ) of the sensor is improved, and a coherent sensitive area is produced, where there is also space available for a receiving element of an automatic light control.

Sensing device for detecting wetness on a glass pane

A sensor device, by which the light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected and which is connected to an evaluation device, by which the signals (S) of the sensor device for the light intensity are compared with at least one threshold value, and from that it is ascertained whether a change in the switching state of the lighting devices is necessary. The evaluation device evaluates signals (S) of the sensor device for the presence of at least one periodically variable signal component (Sk), and in the presence of such a signal component (Sk), the lighting devices are either turned on at a certain level, or remain turned on at that level. By this evaluation, light originating from artificial light sources and having a variable intensity depending on the alternating voltage with which these sources are operated, are detected and assure that the lighting devices will be turned on or will remain turned on if the vehicle is driving in a tunnel or underground garage, for instance, where lighting is provided by artificial light sources.

System for automatic switching of lighting devices in vehicles

Operation of a windshield wiper system for cleaning a windshield of a motor vehicle includes driving at least one wiper by an electric drive motor so that the at least one wiper shifted between two terminal positions, processing by a control unit as the input variable the output signals of a rain quantity and the switching signals of a manually controllable switch mechanism, and processing as the output variable a supply voltage of the electric drive motor so as to control the wiper speed, operating the at least one wiper ( ) with variable intermittent interval times and at variable wiper speeds, as a function of a rain quantity detected by the rain sensor ( ), so that the precisely one wiper speed and precisely one intermittent interval time are associated with each measured rain quantity, and moving the at least one wiper ( ) in an intermittent mode with a lower speed than in a continuous mode.

Windshield wiper system

A device for checking the evaluation circuit for automatic switching operations of the illumination devices in vehicles. A sensor device contains a global sensor for detecting the light conditions in the environment of the vehicle and a directional sensor for the directed detection of the light conditions in the direction of travel in front of the vehicle. The signals of the sensor device are supplied to the evaluation circuit, to determine whether a change in the switching state of the illumination devices is necessary. In order to check the evaluation circuit which is designed using analog technology, in the operating state, the voltage supply to the sensor unit is briefly interrupted at predetermined intervals, as a result of which the condition &ldquo;night&rdquo; is simulated. When the evaluation circuit is functioning correctly, this is detected by it as such. When the evaluation circuit is not functioning correctly, a signal is generated, directing attention to the faulty functioning and causing further steps to be initiated. In an embodiment, the checking operation and the voltage interruption are carried out by a microcontroller. In a second checking operation, it is established, in particular in the software, whether the emitted signal values of the evaluation circuit do not exceed a lower value that is determined by the hardware. In a third checking operation, the correct functioning of the A/D converter unit is ascertained.

Device for checking the evaluation circuit for automatic switching operations of illumination device in vehicles

The device for the detection of a wetting of a pane of glass, has an optical rain sensor which detects extraneous light and evaluates it for purposes of day-night detection. The amount of light striking the receiver ( ) is integrated in an integration stage ( ) and supplied to a comparator stage ( ). The total light quantity formed by the light of a transmitter ( ) and extraneous light and the extraneous light quantity detected when the transmitter ( ) is switched off are measured in separate time intervals (Tg, Tf, Tf&prime;). The time interval (Tf, Tf&prime;) utilized for measurement of the extraneous light quantity is to be extended after a predeterminable number of measurement cycles (M) or after a predeterminable time period and/or the threshold (S ) is to be lowered for day-night detection.

Device for detecting surface wetness

A sensor device for determining the degree of wetting and/or soiling of a pane in a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor device detects the coating of moisture on the outer side of the pane via an optical beam which is arranged in the area of the pane. The sensor device includes a reflector positioned in the pane, the reflector directing the beam through the pane under conditions of total reflection or reflection at the outer side of the pane and at the reflector. The pane additionally includes a light filter which absorbs a selected wavelength of sunlight. The attenuation is reduced via an optically more absorbent layer of the light filter.

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Ottersweier, Germany

Hans Meier