Sensor for detecting raindrops, wiper drive apparatus using the device, and vehicle using them
US5847826A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S318/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A raindrop sensor of the present invention including light emitting part which emits a strip-shaped light; light receiving part which receives the strip-shaped light emitted from the light emitting means; and detecting device which detects a raindrop based on the amount of the light received by the light receiving device. The raindrop sensor of the present invention is applied to a wiper apparatus of a vehicle. The wiper apparatus includes a wiper for wiping a windshield of the vehicle, and a control unit for instructing a given wiper operation to the wiper in accordance with a given output signals from the raindrop sensor, the wiper being driven in accordance with the instruction from the control unit. Also, the wiper apparatus using the raindrop sensor is applied to a vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.