Optical sensor

US6376824B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gebhard Michenfelder · Lichtenau, DE
• Rainer Pientka · Achern, DE
• Guenther Riehl · Bühl, DE
• Stephanie Lorenz · Baden-Baden, DE
• Manfred Burkart · Iffezheim, DE
• Klaus Roth · Ofterdingen, DE
• Stephan Schrodt · Karlsruhe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 23, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60S1/087
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

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 (16, 20, 22) of the optical sensor (4) receives electromagnetic waves (light waves) of an ambient brightness of the motor vehicle and serves to trigger a light system of the motor vehicle.