Robert Boschgmbh

Norbert Hog

Henry Blitzke

Hans Meier

Rainer Pientka

Wolfgang Feiler

Bruno Hodapp

Patrick Schmitt

Manfred Burkart

Gebhard Michenfelder

Andreas Schneider

Andreas Gille

Guenther Riehl

Martin Hager

Jochen Benz

Pierre Nonnenmacher

Pierre Nonnnenmacher

Gehbard Michenfelder

Axel Schwarz

Henry Blizke

Stefanie Lorenz

Andreas Pack

Markus Wolff

A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.

Sensor system in a motor vehicle

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

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 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

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 invention relates to a circuit for supplying a consumer ( ) with electric energy provided by a battery ( ). The battery voltage (Ub) is prevented from falling below a predetermined minimum voltage (Umin) by a regulator ( ) which adjusts the battery voltage (Ub) to a predetermined minimum voltage (Umin) by influencing the average amount of energy which is provided to the consumer ( ). Preferably, the inventive circuit is used in a motor vehicle.

Circuit for supplying a consumer with electric energy

An apparatus and a method for operating an optoelectronic rain sensor for detecting the wetting of a window (,) with moisture for wetting-dependent triggering of a system, in particular a windshield wiper system for motor vehicles, is proposed in which the component of the ambient beam (,) of the sensor signal (,) in a first interval is virtually eliminated and therefore need no longer be taken into account in the ensuing detection of the sensor signal (,) in a second interval relevant to triggering of the windshield wiper system. The apparatus includes first means (,), which in the first interval detect the sensor signal (,) and ascertain an interfering light signal (,) corresponding to the ambient beam (,), the latter signal being delivered to a regulator (,), which as a function of the interfering light signal (,) regulates compensation means (,) disposed in the current circuit of the receiver (,), and second means (,), which in the second interval, directly following the first, detect the sensor signal (,) and ascertain a useful light signal (,) corresponding substantially to the transmitter beam (,).

Device and method for operating a rain detector

An apparatus and a method for operating a rain sensor (,) that outputs a sensor signal (,) as a function of the wetting of a window (,) are proposed, having a controller (,) which as a function of the sensor signal (,) outputs a control signal (,) to the rain sensor (,) for regulating the sensor signal (,); for signal evaluation, the sensor signal (,) and in addition the control signal (,) are used for tripping switching events of a device.

Process and device for operating a rain sensor

An optical sensor for detecting wetting of a surface in a motor vehicle, the optical sensor has a measuring segment which has at least one transmitter of electromagnet waves and at least one receiver of electromagnetic waves and in which a windshield is disposable so that when a layer of moisture forms on the windshield upon wetting from precipitation a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver changes and an output signal generated by the receiver changes, a housing disposable on an inside of the windshield and having a bottom face adapted to be in physical contact with the windshield, the bottom face of the housing being oval.

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Buehl, Germany

Norbert Hog