Combined sensor device for measuring both rain-covered area on and visual range through a windshield of a motor vehicle
US6108084A · kind A · utility
51Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60S1/0833
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sensor is described which simultaneously allows visual range and rain-covered area detection. To this end, light is coupled into the windshield in such a way, that a portion is reflected in the windshield and a portion leaves the windshield and is scattered outside the windshield. The rain-covered area is determined from the reflected portion, and the usual range is determined from the scattered portion which returns to the windshield, wherein both portions are detected by means of a decoupling mechanism and a light receiver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.