Test box for optical rain sensor and test method for optical rain sensor

Abstract

The application discloses a test box of an optical raindrop sensor and a test method of the optical raindrop sensor. The test box comprises a box body, a light source simulation module and a rainfall simulation module. An inner cavity is formed in the box body. An opening is formed in the box body and communicates with the inner cavity. The box body is arranged on the outer side of a front windshield glass of a vehicle corresponding to the optical raindrop sensor and abuts against the front windshield glass through the edge of the opening. The light source simulation module is arranged in the inner cavity and comprises a light source. The brightness of the light source is adjustable. The rainfall simulation module is arranged in the inner cavity and comprises a water pump and a spray head. The spray head is used for spraying atomized water drops to the optical raindrop sensor. The water spraying amount of the rainfall simulation module is adjustable. The test box has small volume and simple structure. Compared with a built simulation test chamber, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The light source simulation module and the rainfall simulation module are further arranged in the test box. The test environment is stable and controllable. The test comprehensiveness and accuracy can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle testing technology, and in particular to a test box for a light rain sensor and a test method for the light rain sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Rain sensors are among the most widely used automotive sensors in the passenger vehicle sector. They primarily provide real-time sensing signals of ambient light intensity and rainfall for automatic wiper systems and automatic headlight control systems, and are key components for ensuring vehicle driving safety and ride comfort.

[0003] In related technologies, the real-vehicle testing of light and rain sensors mainly includes two types: natural environment testing and building a simulated test chamber. However, the natural environment testing is uncontrollable and the testing cycle is extremely long; while building a simulated test chamber is costly, complex to use, and has room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a test box for a light-rainfall sensor. The test box is small in size and simple in structure, which can reduce manufacturing costs compared to building a simulation test chamber. Furthermore, the test box is equipped with a light source simulation module and a rainfall simulation module, providing a stable and controllable test environment, thereby improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the test.

[0005] The present invention also proposes a testing method for a light rain sensor using the above-mentioned test box.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a test box for a light-rain sensor includes: a box body having an inner cavity formed therein, an opening communicating with the inner cavity on the box body, the box body covering the outside of a car windshield corresponding to the light-rain sensor, the box body abutting against the car windshield through the edge of the opening, such that the inner cavity and the car windshield together form a closed test space; a light source simulation module disposed in the inner cavity, the light source simulation module including a light source, the brightness of the light source being adjustable; and a rain volume simulation module disposed in the inner cavity, the rain volume simulation module including a water pump and a nozzle, the nozzle being used to spray water droplets onto the light-rain sensor, the spray volume of the rain volume simulation module being adjustable.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the test box for a light-rainfall sensor can be directly installed on a real vehicle, allowing testing at the actual installation location of the sensor without disassembling it, thus completing the test in its original position on the vehicle. Furthermore, the test box is small in size and simple in structure, reducing manufacturing costs compared to building a simulated test chamber. The test box also includes a light source simulation module and a rainfall simulation module, ensuring a stable and controllable testing environment, thereby improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the test.

[0008] In some embodiments, the box body is a rectangular box, with one sidewall of the rectangular box open to form the opening, the edge of the opening being covered with a flexible structural member. And / or, at least the inner wall of the inner cavity is covered with a light-shielding layer.

[0009] In some embodiments, the housing includes a first sidewall facing the opening, and the light source is disposed at the center of the first sidewall.

[0010] In some embodiments, there are multiple nozzles, and the multiple nozzles are disposed on the first sidewall, and the multiple nozzles are spaced apart along a circular trajectory centered on the light source.

[0011] In some embodiments, the rainfall simulation module further includes: a water storage tank, which is detachably connected to the housing; an atomizing distributor, which connects the water storage tank and the plurality of nozzles respectively; and a flow control valve, which is connected to the atomizing distributor and is used to control the flow rate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the light source simulation module further includes a voltage regulator for controlling the voltage of the light source to adjust the brightness of the light source.

[0013] In some embodiments, the test box further includes a control module, the control module including a stepless dimming knob and a rain level adjustment knob disposed on the outer wall of the box body, the stepless dimming knob being used to control the voltage regulator, and the rain level adjustment knob being used to control the flow control valve.

[0014] In some embodiments, the test box further includes an auxiliary fixing module, which includes: a strap, one end of which is fixedly connected to the box body; and a locking buckle, which is disposed at the other end of the strap.

[0015] According to the testing method of the light-rain sensor of the second aspect of the present invention, a test box of the light-rain sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention is applied to a vehicle. The testing method includes at least the following steps: S1, placing the test box on the outside of the windshield of the vehicle where the light-rain sensor is located, the test box abutting against the windshield through the edge of the opening, the inner cavity of the test box and the windshield together forming a closed test space; S3, selecting the test scene type, the test scene type including a single illumination scene, a single rainfall scene, and a combined illumination and rainfall scene; S5, selecting the light source brightness of the light source simulation module and / or the water spray volume of the rainfall simulation module, and simulating the corresponding illumination conditions and / or rainfall conditions in the test space; S7, acquiring the output signal of the light-rain sensor during the test process, and / or recording the action state of the vehicle actuators associated with the light-rain sensor.

[0016] The testing method for the light rain sensor according to embodiments of the present invention features a test box that is easy to install and simple to operate. It allows for multi-scenario testing of the light rain sensor in its original position on a real vehicle, and the testing environment is stable and controllable, which helps to improve operational efficiency and testing accuracy.

[0017] In some embodiments, the light source simulation module can provide complete darkness with a brightness of 0%, weak light with a brightness of 10%-30%, moderate light with a brightness of 40%-60%, and strong light with a brightness of 80%-100%; the rainfall simulation module can provide no rain with a water volume of 0%, light rain with a water volume of 10%-30%, moderate rain with a water volume of 40%-60%, and heavy rain with a water volume of 80%-100%.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a test box for a light rain sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the light source and nozzle of a light rain sensor on the first sidewall according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure label: Test kit 100; Box body 1; inner cavity 1a; first side wall 11; Light source simulation module 2; Light source 21; Rainfall simulation module 3; sprinkler head 31; Control module 4; stepless dimming knob 41; rain level adjustment knob 42; Light and rain sensor 200; 300mm windshield of a car. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0022] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples. Such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. Additionally, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention; however, those skilled in the art will recognize the applicability of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0023] The test box 100 of the light rain sensor 200 according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The test box 100 of the light rain sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the test box 100 includes: a box body 1, a light source simulation module 2, and a rainfall simulation module 3. The box body 1 has an inner cavity 1a, and an opening communicating with the inner cavity 1a is provided on the box body 1. The box body 1 covers the outside of the windshield 300 of the car corresponding to the light rain sensor 200. The box body 1 abuts against the windshield 300 of the car through the edge of the opening, so that the inner cavity 1a and the windshield 300 of the car together form a closed test space. The light source simulation module 2 is disposed in the inner cavity 1a and includes a light source 21. The brightness of the light source 21 is adjustable. The rainfall simulation module 3 is disposed in the inner cavity 1a and includes a water pump and a nozzle 31. The nozzle 31 is used to spray water droplets onto the light rain sensor 200. The amount of water sprayed by the rainfall simulation module 3 is adjustable.

[0025] The light and rain sensor 200 is one of the most widely used automotive sensors in the passenger vehicle field. It mainly provides real-time sensing signals of ambient light intensity and rainfall for the automatic wiper system and automatic headlight control system of automobiles. It is a key component to ensure vehicle driving safety and ride comfort.

[0026] In related technologies, the testing of the light and rain sensor 200 is divided into two types: real-vehicle testing and laboratory bench testing. Laboratory bench testing requires removing the light and rain sensor 200 from the vehicle's windshield and installing it in a dedicated bench test chamber. Bench testing is conducted using an artificially simulated light source 21 and a water spray device. This testing method deviates from the actual vehicle installation conditions, resulting in decreased test accuracy. Therefore, real-vehicle testing is often used. Real-vehicle testing of the light and rain sensor 200 mainly includes natural environment testing and the construction of a simulated test chamber. However, for natural environment testing, testers must wait outdoors for corresponding weather and lighting conditions and drive the vehicle for on-site testing, relying entirely on the uncontrollable natural environment and resulting in an extremely long testing cycle. Conversely, the construction of a simulated test chamber places the entire vehicle in a professional environmental chamber, simulating different lighting and rainfall conditions. However, the cost of constructing a simulated test chamber is high, its use is complex, and there is room for improvement. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention proposes a test box 100 for a light rain sensor 200. The test box 100 includes a box body 1, with an inner cavity 1a formed inside the box body 1. An opening communicating with the inner cavity 1a is provided on the box body 1. The box body 1 is placed over the outside of the windshield 300 of the vehicle corresponding to the light rain sensor 200, that is, the box body 1 is aligned with the corresponding area of ​​the light rain sensor 200 on the windshield 300 through the opening, covering the area with the box body 1. The edge of the opening of the box body 1 abuts against the windshield 300 of the vehicle, so that the inner cavity 1a and the windshield 300 together form a closed test space.

[0027] In this way, the light and rain sensor 200 is located inside the windshield 300 of the car, and the test box 100 is located outside the windshield 300 of the car. The light and rain sensor 200 corresponds to the test space through the windshield 300 of the car. The changes in light and rain in the test space can be sensed by the light and rain sensor 200 through the windshield 300 of the car. Thus, the light and rain sensor 200 can be tested in situ in the actual vehicle installation state without removing the light and rain sensor 200 from the vehicle, which can improve the accuracy of the test.

[0028] The test box 100 is small in size and simple in structure. It can be directly installed on the actual vehicle to test the light and rain sensor 200 at its actual installation location without disassembling the sensor. The test can be completed in its original position on the vehicle. At the same time, the enclosed test space makes the test environment stable and controllable, further improving the test accuracy.

[0029] The test box 100 also includes a light source simulation module 2, which is located inside the box 1. The light source simulation module 2 includes a light source 21, the brightness of which is adjustable. The light source simulation module 2 is used to simulate different lighting environments within the test space. By adjusting the brightness of the light source 21, different lighting scenarios, from complete darkness to midday sunlight, can be simulated, thereby testing the light sensing performance and signal output accuracy of the light rain sensor 200 under different lighting conditions.

[0030] The test box 100 also includes a rainfall simulation module 3, which is housed within the box 1. The rainfall simulation module 3 includes a water pump and a nozzle 31. The nozzle 31 atomizes water droplets and sprays them onto the optical rain sensor 200. The spray volume of the rainfall simulation module 3 is adjustable. The rainfall simulation module 3 simulates different rainfall environments within the test space. The water pump delivers water to the nozzle 31, which sprays the water as atomized droplets onto the outer surface of the car's windshield 300. The optical rain sensor 200 detects the amount of water droplets adhering to the windshield surface through the glass. By adjusting the spray volume of the rainfall simulation module 3, different rainfall levels, from light rain to heavy rain, can be simulated, thereby testing the rainfall sensing performance and signal output accuracy of the optical rain sensor 200 under different rainfall conditions.

[0031] The brightness of the light source 21 in the light source simulation module 2 is adjustable, and the water spray volume in the rainfall simulation module 3 is adjustable. Testers can freely set the illumination parameters and rainfall parameters according to the test requirements to achieve full-condition coverage from complete darkness to strong light and from light rain to heavy rain. The test scene coverage is high, which can improve the comprehensiveness of the test.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the test box 100 of the light and rain sensor 200 can be directly installed on a real vehicle, and the light and rain sensor 200 can be tested at its actual installation location without disassembling the sensor, thus completing the test in its original position on the vehicle. Furthermore, the test box 100 is small in size and simple in structure, reducing manufacturing costs compared to building a simulated test chamber. The test box 100 also includes a light source simulation module 2 and a rain simulation module 3, ensuring a stable and controllable testing environment, thereby improving the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the test.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, the box body 1 is a rectangular box, one side wall of the rectangular box is open to form an opening, and the edge of the opening is covered with a flexible structural member.

[0034] Box 1 is constructed as a rectangular box with six side walls, one of which is open to form an opening, while the other five side walls are closed. The rectangular box has a simple structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and the flat walls of the rectangular box are conducive to the installation layout of the light source simulation module 2 and the rainfall simulation module 3 within box 1.

[0035] The edge of the opening of the box 1 is covered with a flexible structural component, which extends along the periphery of the opening. When the box 1 is placed on the outside of the windshield 300 of the car, the flexible structural component is sandwiched between the edge of the opening and the windshield 300 of the car.

[0036] By setting up flexible structural components, which have good flexibility and sealing properties, the gap between the opening edge of the box 1 and the windshield 300 of the car can be filled, so that the box 1 can fit tightly with the windshield 300 of different curvatures.

[0037] Furthermore, by setting flexible structural components, the airtightness of the test space can be improved, reducing the infiltration of external light sources 21 and rainwater into the test space, thereby improving the sealing of the test space and the stability of the test environment, which is conducive to improving test accuracy.

[0038] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the flexible structural component is a medical-grade flexible silicone component. The fitting edge of the flexible structural component is rounded with an R3mm radius. The rounded corner transition can reduce the possibility of the flexible structural component scratching the film or glass surface of the car's windshield 300 during installation and disassembly. The flexible structural component is bonded to the opening edge of the box 1 with environmentally friendly adhesive, which has high bonding strength and is not prone to delamination after long-term use.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least the inner wall of the inner cavity 1a is covered with a light-shielding layer.

[0040] The light-shielding layer covers at least the inner wall of the housing 1, which can reduce and block interference from external natural light and stray light. The light-shielding layer also absorbs the light that shines on the inner wall, reducing the reflection and scattering of light within the inner cavity 1a. This can reduce the situation where the light emitted by the light source 21 is repeatedly reflected on the inner wall, forming stray light that is received by the light rain sensor 200 and causes deviations in the test results.

[0041] By setting a light-shielding layer on the inner wall of the inner cavity 1a, the light received by the light rain sensor 200 comes only from the direct illumination of the light source simulation module 2, making the illumination conditions purer and thus improving the accuracy and repeatability of the light rain sensor 200's light sensing test.

[0042] For example, the light-shielding layer can be constructed as a matte flocked layer adhered to the inner wall. The matte flocked layer has a high light absorption rate, which can effectively absorb incident light and further reduce light reflection.

[0043] As an example, the light-shielding layer can also be configured as a black matte coating.

[0044] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the overall dimensions of the test box 100 are 320mm in length, 260mm in width, and 160mm in height. The size of the test box 100 can cover the installation area of ​​the light and rain sensor 200 in most passenger vehicles on the market. The box body 1 is integrally molded from PVC film-coated light-shielding material with a wall thickness of 3mm. PVC material has good light-shielding performance and lightweight characteristics, which can reduce the overall weight of the box body 1 while improving structural strength, thus reducing the load on the windshield.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the box body 1 includes a first sidewall 11 facing the opening, and the light source 21 is located at the center of the first sidewall 11.

[0046] Understandably, the light rain sensor 200 has a corresponding sensing area on the car's windshield 300, and the light source 21 is positioned at the center of the first wall, so that the position of the light source 21 within the test space is approximately aligned with the sensing area of ​​the light rain sensor 200 in the front-to-back direction. The light emitted by the light source 21 can uniformly cover the sensing area of ​​the light rain sensor 200, reducing the uneven illumination caused by the bias of the light source 21, thereby improving the accuracy of illumination simulation and the reliability of the test results.

[0047] In addition, the first wall is directly opposite the opening, that is, the first wall is roughly parallel to the windshield 300 of the car. The light source 21 is set at the center of the first wall, and the light-emitting surface of the light source 21 faces the opening. The light emitted by the light source 21 is incident at an angle roughly perpendicular to the windshield 300 of the car, which reduces the reflection loss of light on the surface of the windshield 300 of the car, and allows more light to pass through the windshield 300 to reach the light rain sensor 200, resulting in higher light utilization efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple nozzles 31, and the multiple nozzles 31 are disposed on the first sidewall 11, and the multiple nozzles 31 are spaced apart along a circular trajectory centered on the light source 21.

[0049] There are multiple nozzles 31, all of which are disposed on the first side wall 11, that is, the nozzles 31 and the light source 21 are located on the same wall surface of the housing 1. The multiple nozzles 31 are arranged at intervals along a circular trajectory centered on the light source 21. This means that a circular trajectory is drawn with the light source 21 as the center, and the multiple nozzles 31 are arranged at intervals along this circular trajectory, so that the multiple nozzles 31 are distributed around the light source 21.

[0050] The light source 21 is located at the center of the first side wall 11, and multiple nozzles 31 are arranged around the light source 21 at intervals. The spraying area of ​​the nozzles 31 and the irradiation area of ​​the light source 21 roughly overlap on the windshield 300 of the car. The atomized water droplets sprayed by the nozzles 31 can cover the sensing area of ​​the light rain sensor 200. The light rain sensor 200 can detect the amount of water droplets attached to the glass surface while receiving light.

[0051] By arranging multiple nozzles 31 at intervals along a circular trajectory centered on the light source 21, on the one hand, the nozzles 31 are evenly distributed around the light source 21, and the atomized water droplets sprayed by each nozzle 31 are more uniform in the circumferential direction of the first sidewall 11, reducing the possibility of excessive or insufficient water in certain areas. This is beneficial for forming a water film of uniform thickness within the sensing area of ​​the light rain sensor 200, thus improving the realism of the rainfall simulation. On the other hand, the nozzles 31 and the light source 21 are integrated on the same wall surface, with the light source 21 located in the center and the nozzles 31 surrounding the outer perimeter. This results in a compact structure that does not occupy additional internal space in the housing 1, which helps to reduce the overall volume of the housing 1 and improves the portability of the test box 100.

[0052] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, there are six nozzles 31, which are evenly spaced along a circular trajectory centered on the light source 21, and the central angle between adjacent nozzles 31 is 60°.

[0053] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the water outlet angle of the nozzle 31 is 15°. The water outlet angle of the nozzle 31 is similar to the curvature of the windshield, which is conducive to the uniform coverage of the glass area corresponding to the light and rain sensor 200 by the atomized water droplets sprayed by the nozzle 31.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, the rainfall simulation module 3 further includes: a water storage tank, an atomizing distributor, and a flow control valve. The water storage tank is detachably connected to the housing 1. The atomizing distributor connects the water storage tank and multiple nozzles 31 respectively. The flow control valve is connected to the atomizing distributor and is used to control the flow rate.

[0055] The water storage tank is used to store test water. It is designed to be detachably connected to the housing 1. When the water level in the tank is low, it can be removed from the housing 1 to add water, and then reinstalled. After the test is completed, the water storage tank can also be removed for cleaning to prevent bacteria growth or scale buildup that could clog the pipes.

[0056] By making the water storage tank detachably connected to the box body 1, the ease of use of the test box 100 is improved, and subsequent maintenance is also facilitated.

[0057] The atomizing distributor has one inlet and multiple outlets. The inlet is connected to the water storage tank, and the multiple outlets are connected to multiple nozzles 31 respectively. The atomizing distributor connects the water storage tank and the multiple nozzles 31. The atomizing distributor evenly distributes the water from the water storage tank to each nozzle 31, making the water output of each nozzle 31 basically the same. This improves the uniformity of the water mist sprayed by each nozzle 31 onto the windshield 300 of the car, which is beneficial for forming a water film of uniform thickness within the sensing area of ​​the light and rain sensor 200, thereby improving the realism of the rainfall simulation and the reliability of the test results.

[0058] The rainfall simulation module 3 also includes a flow control valve, which is connected to the atomizing distributor and is used to control the flow rate. The flow control valve is located between the outlet of the water pump and the inlet of the atomizing distributor, and is used to regulate the flow rate of water delivered from the water storage tank to the atomizing distributor via the water pump.

[0059] By adjusting the flow control valve, the total amount of water delivered to the nozzle 31 per unit time can be changed, thereby achieving continuous adjustment of the water spray volume. In this way, testers can accurately set the water spray volume according to test requirements to simulate different levels of rainfall scenarios, such as light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, or torrential rain, meeting the performance testing requirements of the light rain sensor 200 under different rainfall conditions.

[0060] By setting a flow control valve, the water spray volume can be continuously adjusted. Testers can accurately set any water spray volume as needed. Test parameters can be quantified and reproduced, which can improve the repeatability and consistency of test results.

[0061] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the water storage tank is made of a transparent material. The transparency allows testers to visually observe the water level inside the tank, promptly understand the remaining water volume, and arrange for water replenishment. For example, the water storage tank is made of transparent PC material, has a capacity of 500ml, and is equipped with a water inlet and a sealing cap. The water inlet facilitates water replenishment, and the sealing cap is used to seal the water storage tank during testing to prevent water from splashing out.

[0062] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the flow control valve is a needle valve. The needle valve has high adjustment accuracy and has the advantages of less jamming and less leakage, which can meet the needs of precise adjustment of water spray volume.

[0063] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the water pump is a 12V miniature silent water pump with low operating noise, which can reduce acoustic interference caused by the test environment and has low power consumption.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, a drain hole is provided at the bottom of the box 1, which communicates with the inner cavity 1a, and a removable sealing plug is provided at the drain hole. After the test is completed, the sealing plug can be opened to quickly drain the residual water accumulated at the bottom of the inner cavity 1a during the test through the drain hole, thereby reducing the occurrence of water stagnating in the box 1 for a long time and corroding the internal components.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present invention, the light source simulation module 2 further includes a voltage regulator, which is used to control the voltage of the light source 21 to adjust the brightness of the light source 21.

[0066] The voltage regulator is electrically connected to the light source 21. The voltage regulator is used to adjust the voltage input to the light source 21. By changing the operating voltage of the light source 21, the luminous intensity of the light source 21 is changed, thereby achieving the adjustment of the brightness of the light source 21.

[0067] By setting a voltage regulator, the brightness adjustment of light source 21 becomes more precise and flexible. The voltage regulator can continuously adjust the voltage of light source 21, allowing for stepless brightness variation. This allows testers to precisely set the brightness of light source 21 to any desired value according to testing needs. For example, simulating a specific low-light environment at dusk, or simulating specific transitional lighting conditions inside a tunnel. The simulation of lighting scenarios more closely resembles the continuous changes in lighting in real natural environments, improving the realism of lighting simulation and the precision of testing.

[0068] By setting a voltage regulator, the brightness of the light source 21 can be continuously and steplessly adjusted, which can simulate the gradual change of illumination. This allows for accurate testing of the response performance of the light rain sensor 200 under continuously changing illumination conditions, resulting in higher test coverage. The test parameters are quantifiable and reproducible, which can improve the repeatability and consistency of the test results.

[0069] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the voltage regulator is constructed as a rotary potentiometer, which is intuitive and convenient to operate. Testers can manually adjust the brightness of the light source 21 at any time according to test needs. The adjustment angle of the rotary voltage regulator is 300°. Within the effective adjustment angle range, the output voltage changes linearly, thereby making the brightness of the light source 21 change linearly and continuously, and improving the uniformity and controllability of brightness adjustment. It achieves linear stepless adjustment of brightness from 0-100%, with a brightness adjustment accuracy of ≤1%. It can smoothly transition from complete darkness (0 brightness) to midday strong light (100% brightness), accurately simulating a full range of lighting scenarios such as night, early morning low light, cloudy diffused light, daytime soft light, midday strong light, and direct sunlight.

[0070] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the light source 21 is a 15W high-power LED surface light source 21 with a light emission uniformity of over 95% and a color temperature that simulates natural sunlight.

[0071] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the light source simulation module 2 further includes a constant current drive module with a working voltage of 12V and a current stability of ±0.5%, which makes the light source 21 emit light without flickering or brightness jumps, thereby making the brightness of the light source 21 change linearly and continuously, and improving the uniformity and controllability of brightness adjustment.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present invention, the test box 100 of the light and rain sensor 200 further includes a control module 4. The control module 4 includes a stepless dimming knob 41 and a rain adjustment knob 42 disposed on the outer wall of the box body 1. The stepless dimming knob 41 is used to control the voltage regulator, and the rain adjustment knob 42 is used to control the flow control valve.

[0073] By setting the stepless dimming knob 41 and the rain volume adjustment knob 42 on the outer wall of the box 1, the tester can directly adjust the brightness of the light source 21 and the amount of water sprayed directly from the outside of the box 1 without opening the box 1 or reaching into the box 1 during the test. This is convenient to operate and helps to maintain the stability of the test environment.

[0074] The stepless dimming knob 41 and the rainfall adjustment knob 42 operate independently, controlling the brightness of the light source 21 and the water spray volume respectively, without interfering with each other. This allows testers to adjust the brightness of the light source 21 individually for single-lighting scenarios, adjust the water spray volume individually for single-rain scenarios, or simultaneously adjust both the brightness and water spray volume for combined lighting and rainfall scenarios, depending on the test requirements. The independent settings of the stepless dimming knob 41 and the rainfall adjustment knob 42 enable arbitrary combinations of lighting and rainfall parameters, allowing for flexible and diverse test scenario setups. This covers a wide range of lighting and rainfall combinations that the light and rain sensor 200 may encounter in practical use, resulting in broader test coverage.

[0075] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the voltage regulator is constructed as a rotary potentiometer, which is also constructed as a stepless dimming knob 41. The rotary potentiometer serves both as the actuator for voltage regulation and as an external knob operated by the tester. When the tester rotates the stepless dimming knob 41, it directly drives the sliding contact of the rotary potentiometer to slide on the resistive element, changing the output voltage, thereby adjusting the input voltage of the light source 21 and realizing stepless adjustment of the brightness of the light source 21.

[0076] This integrated design reduces intermediate transmission links and additional electronic control conversion circuits, resulting in a simple and compact structure, direct response, and reduced manufacturing costs.

[0077] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the rainfall adjustment knob 42 is configured as a rotary potentiometer, which controls the opening of the flow control valve to achieve continuous stepless adjustment of the water spray volume.

[0078] In some embodiments of the present invention, the test box 100 of the light rain sensor 200 further includes a power supply, which supplies power to the light source simulation module 2 and the rain simulation module 3 respectively. The control module 4 further includes a power switch disposed on the outer wall of the box 1, which is used to control the on and off of the power supply.

[0079] By setting a power supply, the test box 100 can work independently without relying on an external power source, improving its portability and flexibility of use, allowing testers to conduct tests at any time in different locations.

[0080] The power supply provides power to the light source simulation module 2 and the rainfall simulation module 3 respectively. The power supply of the two modules is independent of each other. The light source simulation module 2 and the rainfall simulation module 3 can work independently or simultaneously to meet different testing requirements of single illumination scene, single rainfall scene and light and rain composite scene.

[0081] The control module 4 also includes a power switch, which is located on the outer wall of the housing 1, on the same outer wall as the stepless dimming knob 41 and the rain level adjustment knob 42. By centrally configuring the power switch, the stepless dimming knob 41, and the rain level adjustment knob 42, the tester can perform all control operations—power on / off, brightness adjustment, and rain level adjustment—on the same operating surface of the housing 1. This convenient operation improves testing efficiency.

[0082] In other embodiments of the present invention, the test box 100 of the light and rain sensor 200 has an external power interface that can be connected to an external regulated power supply. Exemplarily, the external power interface can be a Type-C USB interface, or, even more exemplaryly, a 12V cigarette lighter socket interface. The test box 100 can be powered by the vehicle's onboard power supply or by an external power supply when disconnected from the vehicle, adapting to different testing scenarios and offering strong power supply flexibility.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present invention, the control module 4 further includes a power indicator light and a water pump operation indicator light disposed on the outer wall of the housing 1. The power indicator light is used to display the on / off state of the power supply, and the water pump operation indicator light is used to display the working state of the water pump. Testers can intuitively understand the working state of the test box 100 through the indicator lights, which facilitates timely detection of abnormalities.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present invention, the test box 100 further includes an auxiliary fixing module, which includes a strap and a locking buckle. One end of the strap is fixedly connected to the box body 1, and the locking buckle is disposed at the other end of the strap. One end of the strap is fixedly connected to the box 1. The strap is used to go around fixed structures on the vehicle, such as the rearview mirror bracket, roof frame, or above the door frame, to hang or tie the box 1 to the vehicle. The other end of the strap is provided with a locking buckle. After the strap goes around the vehicle's fixed structure, the locking buckle locks the strap, so that the box 1 is in close contact with the windshield 300 of the car.

[0085] When installing the test box 100, the tester first aligns the opening of the box 1 with the area of ​​the windshield 300 of the car corresponding to the light and rain sensor 200, presses the box 1 against the glass, then wraps the strap around the vehicle's rearview mirror bracket or roof frame and other fixed structures, adjusts the length of the strap according to the actual size of the vehicle, and finally locks the strap with the locking buckle to complete the fixation of the test box 100.

[0086] With the addition of an auxiliary fixing module, the test box 100 is easy and quick to install and remove, requiring no drilling into the vehicle body, no removal of the vehicle interior, and no modification to the vehicle structure; it is ready to use immediately. The length of the straps can be adjusted according to the dimensions of different vehicle models, allowing the test box 100 to fit the windshield mounting area of ​​different vehicles, demonstrating strong versatility.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present invention, the strap is an adjustable strap with a length adjustment range of 300mm to 800mm to adapt to different vehicle sizes.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present invention, the strap is a stretchable nylon strap.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present invention, there may be one strap. After the strap passes around the vehicle rearview mirror bracket or roof frame and other fixed structures, the strap is locked by a locking buckle to complete the fixation of the test box 100.

[0090] In other embodiments of the present invention, there may be multiple straps. For example, there are two straps, which are respectively disposed on the outer walls of the two sides of the box 1 along the length direction. The two straps pass around the vehicle fixing structure from both sides of the box 1 and are locked, so that the box 1 is subjected to balanced force and further improves the fixing stability.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present invention, a handle is provided on the outer wall of the box 1 for the tester to hold.

[0092] During the handling of the test box 100 or its installation on the windshield 300 of a vehicle, the tester can operate it by holding the handle, which facilitates the application of force and control over the orientation of the box 100. Furthermore, after the test, the tester can easily remove the test box 100 from the vehicle and carry it away using the handle, improving the portability of the test box 100.

[0093] Understandably, when installing the test box 100, the opening needs to be aligned with the area of ​​the car's windshield 300 corresponding to the light and rain sensor 200, and the box body 1 needs to be pressed and adhered to the glass. During the installation process, the tester needs to operate with both hands. By setting up a handle, the tester can hold the handle with one hand to control the position and angle of the box body 1, and operate the strap with the other hand to fix it. The installation operation is more convenient and labor-saving, which is conducive to a single person completing the installation and removal of the test box 100.

[0094] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, a handle is disposed on the top outer wall of the box body 1. The handle is integrally formed with the box body 1, resulting in good structural strength and resistance to breakage. The surface of the handle is treated with an anti-slip texture to increase friction during gripping, reduce slippage, and improve operational safety.

[0095] According to a second aspect embodiment of the present invention, a test method for a light-rain sensor 200 is applied using a test box 100 of the light-rain sensor 200 from a first aspect embodiment of the present invention. The test box 100 is applied to a vehicle. The test method includes at least the following steps: S1. The test box 100 is placed over the outside of the windshield 300 of the vehicle where the light-rain sensor 200 is located. The test box 100 abuts against the windshield 300 through the edge of its opening. The inner cavity 1a of the test box 100 and the windshield together form a closed test space. S3. The test scenario type is selected. The test scenario type includes a single illumination scenario, a single rainfall scenario, and a combined illumination and rainfall scenario. S5. The brightness of the light source 21 of the light source simulation module 2 and / or the water spray volume of the rainfall simulation module 3 are selected to simulate the corresponding illumination conditions and / or rainfall conditions within the test space. S7. The output signal of the light-rain sensor 200 is collected during the test process, and / or the action state of the vehicle actuators associated with the light-rain sensor 200 is recorded.

[0096] For step S1, before conducting the test, the test box 100 is first installed on the outside of the windshield 300 of the car where the light and rain sensor 200 is located. The opening of the box 1 is aligned with the corresponding area of ​​the light and rain sensor 200 on the windshield 300, so that the light and rain sensor 200 is located in the glass area covered by the opening. Then, the box 1 is pressed towards the glass, so that the flexible structural component at the edge of the opening fits tightly against the windshield 300, and the inner cavity 1a of the test box 100 and the windshield 300 together form a closed test space.

[0097] Optionally, after the test box 100 is installed, the box body 1 can be fixed to the vehicle by the straps and locking buckles of the auxiliary fixing module to improve the installation stability of the test box 100.

[0098] The light and rain sensor 200 is located inside the windshield 300 of the car, and the test box 100 is located outside the windshield 300 of the car. The light and rain sensor 200 senses the changes in light and rain in the test space through the windshield 300 of the car, thereby realizing the in-situ test of the actual vehicle without removing the light and rain sensor 200 from the vehicle.

[0099] For step S3, based on the testing objective and requirements, select the type of test scenario. These scenarios include single-lighting scenarios, single-raining scenarios, and combined lighting and rainfall scenarios. A single-lighting scenario simulates only changes in lighting conditions, without simulating rainfall, and is used to test the light sensing performance and automatic headlight triggering function of the light-rain sensor 200 under different lighting conditions. A single-raining scenario simulates only changes in rainfall conditions, without simulating changes in lighting or maintaining a fixed lighting level, and is used to test the rainfall sensing performance and automatic wiper triggering function of the light-rain sensor 200 under different rainfall conditions. A combined lighting and rainfall scenario simulates changes in both lighting and rainfall conditions simultaneously, and is used to test the comprehensive sensing capability of the light-rain sensor 200 under superimposed lighting and rainfall conditions, as well as the coordinated operation of the automatic headlights and automatic wipers.

[0100] For step S5, adjust the brightness of light source 21 in the light source simulation module 2 and / or the water spray volume in the rainfall simulation module 3 according to the selected test scene type. For a single lighting scene, turn off or keep the rainfall simulation module 3 off, adjust the brightness of light source 21 to the target value, and simulate the corresponding lighting conditions in the test space. For a single rainfall scene, turn off light source 21 or fix the brightness of light source 21 to a certain value, adjust the water spray volume to the target value, and simulate the corresponding rainfall conditions in the test space. For a combined lighting and rainfall scene, adjust the brightness of light source 21 and the water spray volume independently, and simulate lighting and rainfall conditions simultaneously in the test space.

[0101] For example, the brightness of the light source 21 can be adjusted to the target value via the stepless dimming knob 41, and the amount of water sprayed can be adjusted to the target value via the rain volume adjustment knob 42.

[0102] For step S7, under simulated lighting and / or rainfall conditions, the output signal of the light and rain sensor 200 is acquired. The output signal includes lighting values, rainfall values, etc. The operational status of the vehicle actuators associated with the light and rain sensor 200 is observed and recorded, including the on / off status of the automatic headlights, the response time of the headlights, the on / off status of the automatic wipers, the wiper speed and wiping frequency, etc. By acquiring the sensor's output signal and the operational status of the vehicle actuators, the signal output accuracy, response performance, and collaborative operation with the vehicle system of the light and rain sensor 200 under different operating conditions can be comprehensively evaluated.

[0103] According to the testing method of the light rain sensor 200 of the present invention, the test box 100 is easy to install and simple to operate. It can perform multi-scenario testing on the light rain sensor 200 in the original position of the actual vehicle. The test environment is stable and controllable, which is conducive to improving the operating efficiency and testing accuracy.

[0104] In some embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle's windshield wipers need to be modified before the test box 100 is installed on the windshield 300 of the vehicle. Since the test box 100 is positioned on the outside of the windshield 300 corresponding to the light and rain sensor 200, the box body 1 of the test box 100 occupies a certain amount of space on the outside of the windshield. The wiping path of the vehicle's original windshield wipers may interfere with the box body 1 of the test box 100, affecting the normal operation of the wipers and the installation stability of the test box 100. Therefore, before installing the test box 100, the vehicle's original windshield wipers need to be replaced with shorter wipers, or the original wipers need to be shortened, so that the wiping area of ​​the wipers avoids the installation position of the test box 100.

[0105] In some embodiments of the present invention, before conducting the test, the test vehicle must first be parked in an indoor garage, laboratory, or other environment that is shaded, windless, and free from strong light interference.

[0106] In some embodiments of the present invention, step S2 is also included: after the test box 100 is installed and fixed by the auxiliary fixing module, the tester should check the installation seal of the test box 100. During the check, observe whether there is a gap between the flexible structural component and the windshield 300 of the car to confirm that there is no light leakage; gently shake the box 1 by hand to confirm that the box 1 is installed firmly, without shaking or tilting. After completing the seal check, turn on the power switch, the power indicator light will light up, and then gently rotate the rain volume adjustment knob 42 to confirm that the water pump operation indicator light is on, and that each nozzle 31 sprays water normally without blockage or leakage; then rotate the stepless dimming knob 41 to confirm that the light source 21 emits light normally without flickering or going out. After the above debugging and inspection steps are completed, confirming that the test box 100 is installed correctly and that each functional module is working normally, the formal testing phase can begin.

[0107] In some embodiments of the present invention, for step S5: selecting the brightness of the light source 21 of the light source simulation module 2 and / or the spray volume of the rainfall simulation module 3, the light source simulation module 2 can provide complete darkness with a brightness of 0%, weak light with a brightness of 10%-30%, moderate light with a brightness of 40%-60%, and strong light with a brightness of 80%-100%; the rainfall simulation module 3 can provide no rain with a water volume of 0%, light rain with a water volume of 10%-30%, moderate rain with a water volume of 40%-60%, and heavy rain with a water volume of 80%-100%.

[0108] The brightness of the light source 21 in the light source simulation module 2 is continuously adjustable between 0% and 100%, which can cover the full range of lighting scenarios from complete darkness to midday bright light.

[0109] When the brightness of light source 21 is adjusted to 0%, it is completely off, and the test space is dark, simulating a dark environment at night. When the brightness of light source 21 is adjusted to the 10%-30% range, the test space is dimly lit, simulating a low-light environment at dusk, dawn, or in a tunnel. When the brightness of light source 21 is adjusted to the 40%-60% range, the test space is moderately lit, simulating a diffused light environment on a cloudy or overcast day. When the brightness of light source 21 is adjusted to the 80%-100% range, the test space is brightly lit, simulating a strong midday sun or direct sunlight environment in summer. By dividing the brightness of light source 21 into four levels—complete darkness, low light, medium light, and strong light—testers can quickly select the target lighting scene according to their testing needs. The setting of the test scene is intuitive and clear, which is conducive to the standardization of the testing process.

[0110] Similarly, the water spray volume of the rainfall simulation module 3 is continuously adjustable between 0% and 100%, covering all levels of rainfall scenarios from no rain to heavy rain.

[0111] When the water spray volume is adjusted to 0%, the rainfall simulation module 3 is not activated, and the surface of the car's windshield 300 remains dry, simulating a rainless state. When the water spray volume is adjusted to the 10%-30% range, the nozzle 31 sprays a small amount of atomized water droplets, forming a thin water film on the glass surface, simulating light rain or drizzle. When the water spray volume is adjusted to the 40%-60% range, the water spray volume increases, and water continuously adheres to the glass surface, simulating moderate rain. When the water spray volume is adjusted to the 80%-100% range, the water spray volume reaches its maximum, and water flows densely on the glass surface, simulating heavy rain or downpour. By dividing the water spray volume into four rainfall levels—no rain, light rain, moderate rain, and heavy rain—testers can quickly select the target rainfall scenario according to their testing needs. The setting of the test scenario is intuitive and clear, which is conducive to the standardization of the testing process.

[0112] The following describes the operation steps of a testing method for a light rain sensor 200 according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] During the single-light performance test, the rain simulation module 3 was turned off, ensuring that the nozzle 31 was not spraying water and that the surface of the car's windshield 300 was dry. The single-light scene test was then started, with the brightness of the light source 21 adjusted in gradients, each gradient held for 30 seconds. The sensor's real-time light level, automatic headlight trigger status, and response time were recorded.

[0114] The specific test gradients include all-black scene testing, low-light scene testing, medium-light scene testing, and strong-light scene testing.

[0115] The complete darkness scene test involved turning the stepless dimming knob 41 to the 0 position, completely turning off the light source 21, and simulating a dark night environment with no illumination in the test space. The light output value of the light rain sensor 200 was observed to determine if it was 0, and whether the automatic headlights were on. The headlight activation delay time was recorded to verify the sensing performance of the light rain sensor 200 under dark conditions and whether the automatic headlight triggering function was normal.

[0116] The low-light scene test involved slowly rotating the stepless dimming knob 41 to adjust the brightness of the light source 21 to the range of 10% to 30%, simulating low-light environments such as dusk, dawn, or inside a tunnel. Each 5% brightness increment served as a test gradient, and the light output value of the light rain sensor 200 was recorded at each gradient. The brightness threshold at which the automatic headlights switched from on to off was also recorded, along with the curve of the light output value changing with brightness, to verify the sensitivity of the light rain sensor 200 under low-light conditions.

[0117] The medium lighting scenario test involved adjusting the brightness of light source 21 to the range of 40% to 60% to simulate the diffused light environment of a cloudy or overcast day. Each 5% brightness increment served as a test gradient. At each gradient, the stability of the light output value of the light rain sensor 200 was observed, along with whether the automatic headlights remained off. This verified the anti-interference performance of the light rain sensor 200 under medium lighting conditions and whether there were any instances of false triggering of the automatic headlights.

[0118] The strong light scene test involved adjusting the brightness of light source 21 to between 80% and 100% to simulate strong sunlight or direct sunlight at midday in summer. The light output value of the light rain sensor 200 was recorded to determine whether it reached its maximum value and whether the automatic headlights were completely turned off. This verified the detection accuracy of the light rain sensor 200 in strong light environments and whether there were any instances of the automatic headlights being mistakenly turned on due to strong light.

[0119] Simultaneously, a light response time test was conducted. The stepless dimming knob 41 was quickly rotated from 0 to 100%, instantly switching the brightness of the light source 21 from complete darkness to maximum, simulating a scenario where the light intensity suddenly increases when a vehicle exits a tunnel. The response time of the light rain sensor 200 signal from low to high was recorded. Then, the stepless dimming knob 41 was quickly rotated from 100% to 0, instantly switching the brightness of the light source 21 from maximum to complete darkness, simulating a scenario where the light intensity suddenly decreases when a vehicle enters a tunnel. The response time of the light rain sensor 200 signal from high to low was recorded. This verifies whether the light sensing response speed of the light rain sensor 200 meets the design requirements, for example, a response time of less than or equal to 0.5 seconds, with no delay or stuttering.

[0120] During a single rainfall performance test, the brightness of light source 21 in the light source simulation module 2 can be fixed at level 0 to completely turn off light source 21 and simulate a dark, unlit environment. Alternatively, the brightness of light source 21 can be fixed at 50% to simulate a moderately lit environment on a cloudy day. Testers adjust the water spray volume in 42 levels using the rainfall adjustment knob, holding each rainfall level for 60 seconds, and recording the rainfall value output by the light rain sensor 200, the automatic wiper speed switching, and the wiping frequency.

[0121] The specific test levels include no rain test, light rain / drizzle test, moderate rain test, and heavy rain / storm test.

[0122] The no-rain test involves turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to the 0 position, disabling the rain simulation module 3, and ensuring the surface of the car's windshield 300 is dry. Observe whether the rain level output value of the light rain sensor 200 is 0, whether the automatic wipers are stopped, and confirm that there are no erroneous or random wiping phenomena.

[0123] The light rain / drizzle test involves turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to a setting between 10% and 30%, such as 20%. The nozzle 31 sprays a small amount of atomized water droplets, creating a thin film of water on the glass surface to simulate light rain or drizzle. The uniformity of the water mist on the glass surface is observed, and it is recorded whether the light rain sensor 200 detects a rain signal, whether the automatic wipers switch to an intermittent low setting, and whether the wiping interval is reasonable.

[0124] The moderate rain test involves turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to a setting between 40% and 60%, such as 50%, to simulate moderate rainfall. Observe whether the automatic wipers switch to a continuously low setting, whether the wiping frequency increases accordingly with the increase in water spray volume, and whether there is any water residue on the glass surface.

[0125] The heavy rain / torrential rain test involves turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to the 80% to 100% setting to simulate heavy rainfall. Observe whether the automatic wipers switch to the continuously high setting, whether the wiping frequency reaches its maximum, and whether they can quickly clear water from the glass surface. This verifies whether the light rain sensor 200's sensitivity under heavy rain and torrential rain conditions, as well as the automatic wiper's response performance, meet the requirements.

[0126] Simultaneously, the waterproof performance of the light-rain sensor 200 was verified. The rainfall adjustment knob 42 was turned to the 100% position and operated continuously at the maximum water spray volume for 10 minutes. Observe whether there is any water leakage, and whether the sensor has any signal abnormalities or no signal output faults under long-term heavy rain simulation conditions, to ensure the rainfall sensing performance of the light-rain sensor 200.

[0127] When conducting comprehensive testing of composite scenarios, the test verifies the sensor's comprehensive perception capability in real natural environments. By independently adjusting the light and rainfall parameters, it simulates various common combined light and rainfall conditions encountered in daily driving.

[0128] The specific test combinations include: nighttime heavy rain scenario test, daytime strong light and rain scenario test, cloudy light rain scenario test, and tunnel entry and exit light and dark transition scenario test.

[0129] The nighttime heavy rain scenario test involved turning the stepless dimming knob 41 to the 0 position, completely turning off the light source 21, and turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to the 100% position, maximizing the water spray volume to simulate a nighttime heavy rain. This verified whether the light-rain sensor 200 could accurately detect rain signals under conditions of no light and heavy rainfall, whether the automatic wipers functioned properly, and whether the automatic headlights remained on.

[0130] The daytime strong light and rain scenario test involved turning the stepless dimming knob 41 to 100% (maximum brightness of light source 21) and turning the rain level adjustment knob 42 to 60% to simulate heavy rain under strong sunlight during a summer day. This verified whether the light and rain sensor 200 could accurately identify both light and rain signals simultaneously under conditions of combined strong light and rain, whether the automatic headlights remained off, whether the automatic wipers adjusted their settings correctly according to the rainfall, whether there was any interference between the light and rain signals, and whether there were any malfunctions in the vehicle's actuators.

[0131] The test for a cloudy and light rain scenario involved turning the stepless dimming knob 41 to the 40% setting and the rain level adjustment knob 42 to the 20% setting to simulate cloudy and light rain weather. This verified the light and rain sensor 200's ability to accurately perceive light and rain conditions, whether the automatic headlights remained off, whether the automatic wipers operated intermittently at low speeds, and whether the wiping intervals were reasonable.

[0132] The test for the transition between light and dark scenarios when entering and exiting the tunnel involved fixing the rain level adjustment knob 42 at 50% to simulate moderate rain, keeping the rainfall conditions constant. The stepless dimming knob 41 was then rapidly rotated from 100% to 10%, and then rapidly rotated back from 10% to 100%, simulating the abrupt change in light intensity as the vehicle enters and exits the tunnel. This verified the response speed of the light and rain sensor 200 under abrupt changes in light intensity, whether the automatic headlights switched quickly, and whether the automatic wipers maintained stable operation.

[0133] It is worth noting that each composite scenario test was repeated three times, and the sensor signal data and the actions of the vehicle actuators were recorded to ensure stable performance under composite scenarios, with no signal disturbances or functional failures.

[0134] Other components of the test box for the light and rain sensor according to embodiments of the present invention, such as a rotary potentiometer and its operation, are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0135] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0136] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0137] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0138] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0139] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0140] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A test box for a light-rainfall sensor, characterized in that, include: The box body has an inner cavity inside, and an opening on the box body that communicates with the inner cavity. The box body is placed on the outside of the windshield of the car corresponding to the light and rain sensor. The box body abuts against the windshield of the car through the edge of the opening, so that the inner cavity and the windshield of the car together form a closed test space. A light source simulation module is disposed in the inner cavity, and the light source simulation module includes a light source, the brightness of which is adjustable; A rainfall simulation module is disposed in the inner cavity. The rainfall simulation module includes a water pump and a nozzle. The nozzle is used to spray water droplets onto the optical rain sensor. The spray volume of the rainfall simulation module is adjustable.

2. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box is a rectangular box, with one side wall of the rectangular box open to form the opening, and the edge of the opening is covered with a flexible structural member; And / or, at least the inner wall of the cavity is covered with a light-shielding layer.

3. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The box body includes a first sidewall directly opposite the opening, and the light source is located at the center of the first sidewall.

4. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple nozzles, and the multiple nozzles are disposed on the first sidewall, and the multiple nozzles are spaced apart along a circular trajectory centered on the light source.

5. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rainfall simulation module also includes: A water storage tank, which is detachably connected to the box body; Atomizing distributor connects the water storage tank and the plurality of nozzles respectively; A flow control valve is connected to the atomizing distributor and is used to control the flow rate.

6. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light source simulation module also includes a voltage regulator, which is used to control the voltage of the light source to adjust the brightness of the light source.

7. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The control module includes a stepless dimming knob and a rain level adjustment knob disposed on the outer wall of the housing. The stepless dimming knob is used to control the voltage regulator, and the rain level adjustment knob is used to control the flow control valve.

8. The test box for the light rain sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes an auxiliary fixing module, which includes: A strap, one end of which is fixedly connected to the box body; A locking buckle is located at the other end of the strap.

9. A testing method for a light-rainfall sensor, using the test box of the light-rainfall sensor according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The test kit is applied to the entire vehicle and includes at least the following steps: S1. The test box is placed on the outside of the windshield of the car where the light and rain sensor is located. The test box abuts against the windshield of the car through the edge of the opening. The inner cavity of the test box and the windshield together form a closed test space. S3. Select the test scenario type, which includes single illumination scenario, single rainfall scenario, and composite illumination and rainfall scenario. S5. Select the light source brightness of the light source simulation module and / or the water spray volume of the rain simulation module, and simulate the corresponding lighting conditions and / or rainfall conditions in the test space. S7. Acquire the output signal of the light rain sensor during the test process, and / or record the action status of the vehicle actuators associated with the light rain sensor.

10. The testing method for the light rain sensor according to claim 9, characterized in that, The light source simulation module can provide complete darkness with a brightness of 0%, weak light with a brightness of 10%-30%, medium light with a brightness of 40%-60%, and strong light with a brightness of 80%-100%. The rainfall simulation module can provide rainfall with 0% water content (no rain), 10%-30% light rain, 40%-60% moderate rain, and 80%-100% heavy rain.

Images