Vehicle optoelectronic precipitation sensor with adjustable lens holder

US7297932B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Leopold KOSTAL GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Christos Georgiadis · Dortmund, DE
• Michael Rohr · Dortmund, DE
• Frank A. Hagen · Rancho Palos Verdes, US
• Thomas Weber · Oak Creek, US
• Matthias Richwin · Dortmund, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 5, 2006
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2007
• Expiry date: Apr 18, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60S1/0833
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An optoelectronic sensor for sensing wetting of a windshield includes a first circuit, and a radiation emitter and a radiation detector both arranged on the first circuit to emit radiation toward the windshield and to detect radiation reflected from the windshield. Beam shapers parallelize the emitted radiation toward the windshield and focus radiation reflected from the windshield toward the detector. A coupling element couples the emitted radiation into the windshield and couples the reflected radiation out of the windshield. A structural element is arranged between the lens holder and the coupling element. The structural element may have retaining elements for positioning a second circuit arranged between the lens holder and the structural element relative to the windshield. The structural element may have support elements for adjustably positioning the lens holder and thereby the beam shapers relative to the first circuit and the windshield.