Rain drop detecting device
US6015449A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S318/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A rain drop detecting device includes an oscillation element disposed on a plate member such as a windshield for generating an ultrasonic wave on the plate member, an ultrasonic wave receiving element disposed on the plate member for receiving the ultrasonic wave generated by the oscillation element, a detecting device connected to the ultrasonic wave receiving element for detecting an amplitude of the ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic wave absorbing member disposed on the plate member. The absorbing member is designed to absorb a portion of the ultrasonic wave generated by the oscillation element to prevent the downwardly travelling portion of the ultrasonic wave from travelling beyond a desired region of the plate member. In the case of a windshield, the absorbing member can be used to prevent the ultrasonic wave from travelling to the resting location of the wiper so that inadvertent rain drop detection does not occur.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.