Robert Boschgmbh

Rainer Pientka

Henry Blitzke

Hans Meier

Manfred Burkart

Norbert Hog

Bruno Hodapp

Joerg Buerkle

Patrick Schmitt

Gebhard Michenfelder

Guenther Riehl

Francois Schabanel

Andreas Gille

Hartmut Seiler

Helmut Sautter

Andreas Schneider

Martin Hager

Horst Fedter

Jochen Benz

Klaus Roth

Henry Blizke

Stephanie Lorenz

Stephan Schrodt

Stefanie Lorenz

Manfred Throl

Gehbard Michenfelder

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 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

A sensor device is described for detecting wetting of a windshield that has only one transmitter with which two measuring zones of the sensor device can be implemented on a wettable outside of the windshield. A light guidance body injecting transmitter radiation into the windshield has structures with which the transmitter radiation emitted by the transmitter is collected and parallelized in two different directions.

Sensor device for detecting moisture on a window

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

A sensor device is described for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield that has at least two, preferably eight, transmitters and at least one receiver for receiving light emitted by the respective transmitters. The at least two transmitters are arranged concentrically around the at least one receiver. A base area is defined by the at least two transmitters and the at least one receiver, with the base area being at least a sector of a circle. This reduces an outer dimension of the sensor device and improves a ratio of sensitive area to base area of the sensor device.

A sensor device is described for detecting wetting, in particular rainfall and soiling, on a windshield that has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for the light emitted by the transmitters where transmitters and receivers are arranged at the corner points of an imaginary triangle or parallelogram. As a result, the outside dimensions of the sensor are reduced, and the ratio of sensitive area to base area of the sensor is improved.

The invention relates to an optical sensor for motor vehicles, for detecting ambient parameters that affect vision, having at least one transmitter and at least one receiver for electromagnetic waves (light waves), in which a windshield is disposed in a measurement segment between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and influences a wave propagation between the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver in such a way that when a film develops on the windshield, and especially when wetting occurs from precipitation, an output signal generated by the receiver varies and serves to trigger a windshield wiper system. It is provided that at least one of the receivers ( ) of the optical sensor ( ) receives electromagnetic waves (light waves) of an ambient brightness of the motor vehicle and serves to trigger a light system of the motor vehicle.

Optical sensor

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.

Sensor device for determining the degree of wetting and/or soiling on window panes

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.

Growing community of inventors

Achern, Germany

Rainer Pientka