Integrated rainfall light detection sensor

Abstract

The utility model discloses an integrated rainfall light detection sensor comprising an optical sensing assembly comprising a rainfall sensing assembly, an ambient light sensing assembly and an optical filter; the optical sensing assembly is arranged on the shell; the PCB is fixed under the optical sensing assembly through the shell, and the PCB comprises a PCB substrate, a rainfall light sensing assembly and an ambient light sensing assembly; and the gel lens is arranged on the ambient light incident surface of the optical sensing assembly. The sensor is used for automatically monitoring rainfall and ambient light brightness so as to realize automatic control of an automobile headlamp and a windscreen wiper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of automotive sensor technology, specifically referring to an integrated rain and light detection sensor. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, people are paying increasing attention to driving safety, especially in rainy weather. According to publicly available news reports, most traffic accidents in rainy or snowy weather are caused by poor visibility through the windshield or improper operation of the windshield wipers. Furthermore, as vehicles become increasingly intelligent, windshield wiper control, air conditioning system control, and headlight control are all moving towards automation and intelligence. This means that windshield wiper and headlight controls should be able to automatically adjust according to changes in the environment.

[0003] Most vehicles currently use separate sensors such as rain sensors, sunlight sensors, and light sensors. This presents challenges for installation and debugging; furthermore, the relatively large size of each sensor occupies installation space, complicating vehicle design. As user demands continue to increase, there is a growing need for more intelligent and miniaturized sensors. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application provides an integrated rain and light detection sensor for automatically monitoring rainfall and ambient light levels, thereby enabling automatic control of automotive headlights and windshield wipers.

[0005] This utility model provides an integrated rain and light detection sensor, comprising:

[0006] Optical sensing components, including rain sensing components, ambient light sensing components, and filters;

[0007] The housing, on which the optical sensing component is disposed;

[0008] The PCB circuit board is fixed directly below the optical sensing component by the housing. The PCB circuit board includes a PCB substrate, a rain light sensing component, and an ambient light sensing component.

[0009] A gel lens is disposed on the ambient light incident surface of the optical sensing component.

[0010] Furthermore, the rain light sensing component includes at least a first LED, a first photodiode, a second LED, and a second photodiode; the ambient light sensing component includes a third photodiode and a fourth photodiode.

[0011] Furthermore, the first LED and the second LED are infrared LEDs with wavelengths of 750nm to 1000nm; the first photodiode and the second photodiode are infrared receivers with wavelengths of 750nm to 1000nm; and the third photodiode and the fourth photodiode are ambient light receivers with wavelengths of 450nm to 650nm.

[0012] Furthermore, the first photodiode and the second photodiode include flat-top filters; the third photodiode and the fourth photodiode include infrared light suppression filters.

[0013] Furthermore, the rainfall sensing component includes at least two sets of rainfall detection lens groups; wherein, the first rainfall detection lens group includes a first convex lens and a third convex lens, and the second rainfall detection lens group includes a second convex lens and a fourth convex lens.

[0014] Furthermore, the first LED light-emitting diode faces the third convex lens, and the first convex lens faces the first photodiode. The first LED light-emitting diode, the third convex lens, the gel lens, the ambient light incident surface, the first convex lens, and the first photodiode constitute the first rain detection optical path. The first photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the windshield wipers.

[0015] The second LED light-emitting diode is directly opposite the fourth convex lens, and the second convex lens is directly opposite the second photodiode. The second LED light-emitting diode, the fourth convex lens, the gel lens, the ambient light incident surface, the second convex lens, and the second photodiode constitute the second rain detection optical path.

[0016] The second photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the car's body controller to control the windshield wipers.

[0017] Furthermore, the ambient light sensing component includes a forward-facing lens and an ambient light lens, wherein the forward-facing lens is a fifth convex lens and the ambient light lens is a first flat lens.

[0018] Furthermore, the fifth convex lens is directly opposite the third photodiode, and the ambient light incident surface, the gel lens, the fifth convex lens, and the third photodiode constitute a forward light detection optical path;

[0019] The third photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

[0020] Furthermore, the first flat lens is directly opposite the fourth photodiode, and the ambient light incident surface, the gel lens, the first flat lens, and the fourth photodiode constitute an ambient light detection optical path;

[0021] The fourth photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The integrated rain and light detection sensor provided by this utility model mainly includes an optical sensing component and a PCB circuit board. Light emitted from the PCB circuit board is transmitted through the optical sensing component and then returned to the PCB circuit board. The PCB circuit board converts the received light intensity into the magnitude of the current and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller. This enables the acquisition of changes in rainfall and ambient light, and the control of windshield wipers and headlights based on these changes. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of this application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated rain and light detection sensor structure provided in this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the PCB circuit board structure of the integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a top view of the optical sensing component of the integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the optical sensing component of the integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rainfall detection of the integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of ambient light detection for the integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in this embodiment.

[0030] The components in the diagram are labeled as follows: PCB substrate 1, optical sensing component 2, first convex lens 3, third convex lens 4, fifth convex lens 5, first flat lens 6, second convex lens 7, fourth convex lens 8, filter 9, first LED light-emitting diode 10, second LED light-emitting diode 11, third photodiode 12, fourth photodiode 13, first photodiode 14, second photodiode 15, gel lens 16, windshield 17, raindrop 18. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. 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 indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] The disclosure below provides many different embodiments or examples for realizing different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and settings of specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, the present application may repeat reference numbers and / or reference letters in different examples, and such repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not itself indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and / or settings discussed. In addition, the present application provides examples of various specific processes and materials, but those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0034] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] like Figures 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides an integrated rain and light detection sensor, mainly including an optical sensing component 2, a housing, a PCB circuit board, and a gel lens 16. The optical sensing component 2 includes a rain sensing component, an ambient light sensing component, and a filter 9. The PCB circuit board includes a PCB substrate 1, a rain and light sensing component, and an ambient light sensing component. The optical sensing component 2 is disposed on the housing, and the PCB circuit board is fixed directly below the optical sensing component 2 through the housing. The gel lens 16 is disposed on the ambient light incident surface of the optical sensing component 2.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, the integrated rain and light detection sensor is mainly installed on the windshield 17 of the car, so the ambient light incident surface is the windshield 17 of the car. The shape of the housing is not specifically limited and has no fixed shape. The fixed positions of the optical sensing component 2 and the PCB circuit board can be designed according to actual needs.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the PCB circuit board includes at least a PCB substrate 1 and a rain light sensing component and an ambient light sensing component disposed on the PCB substrate 1. The rain light sensing component includes at least a first LED 10, a first photodiode 14, a second LED 11, and a second photodiode 15; the ambient light sensing component includes a third photodiode 12 and a fourth photodiode 13. The first LED 10 and the second LED 11 are arranged opposite each other, the first photodiode 14 and the second photodiode 15 are arranged opposite each other, and the third photodiode 12 and the fourth photodiode 13 are arranged opposite each other. The first LED 10, the first photodiode 14, and the third photodiode 12 are arranged in a mirror image of the second LED 11, the second photodiode 15, and the fourth photodiode 13.

[0038] The first LED 10 and the second LED 11 are infrared LEDs with wavelengths from 750nm to 1000nm. Using infrared LEDs with wavelengths from 750nm to 1000nm has the characteristics of wide radiation viewing angle, high radiation intensity, high luminous power and high light transmittance, and can produce a stable and reliable light source with good anti-interference ability.

[0039] The first photodiode 14 and the second photodiode 15 are infrared receivers with a wavelength of 750nm to 1000nm. Both the first photodiode 14 and the second photodiode 15 include a flat-top filter 9. Infrared receivers with a wavelength of 750nm to 1000nm have the characteristics of wide viewing angle, high sensitivity, and fast response time. Furthermore, the flat-top filter 9 integrated into the first photodiode 14 and the second photodiode 15 can be matched with the transmitted wavelength, selectively transmitting light of specific wavelengths while blocking other wavelengths. This reduces interference from ambient light, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of the sensor.

[0040] The third photodiode 12 and the fourth photodiode 13 are ambient light receivers with wavelengths from 450 nm to 650 nm. Both the third photodiode 12 and the fourth photodiode 13 include an infrared light suppression filter 9. Ambient light receivers with wavelengths from 450 nm to 650 nm have the characteristics of wide viewing angle, high receiving sensitivity, and fast response time. They are also sensitive to visible light and can adapt to the reaction ability of the human eye. The third photodiode 12 and the fourth photodiode 13 have built-in infrared light suppression filters 9, which can suppress infrared wavelength light, reduce infrared light interference, and improve the accuracy and stability of ambient light measurement.

[0041] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the rainfall sensing component includes at least two sets of rainfall detection lens groups; wherein, the first rainfall detection lens group includes a first convex lens 3 and a third convex lens 4, and the second rainfall detection lens group includes a second convex lens 7 and a fourth convex lens 8. The ambient light sensing component includes a forward light lens and an ambient light lens, wherein the forward light lens is a fifth convex lens 5, and the ambient light lens is a first flat lens 6.

[0042] The first LED light-emitting diode 10 faces the third convex lens 4, and the first convex lens 3 faces the first photodiode 14. The first LED light-emitting diode 10, the third convex lens 4, the gel lens 16, the ambient light incident surface, the first convex lens 3, and the first photodiode 14 constitute the first rain detection optical path. The first photodiode 14 converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the windshield wipers.

[0043] The second LED light-emitting diode 11 faces the fourth convex lens 8, and the second convex lens 7 faces the second photodiode 15. The second LED light-emitting diode 11, the fourth convex lens 8, the gel lens 16, the ambient light incident surface, the second convex lens 7, and the second photodiode 15 constitute the second rain detection optical path. The second photodiode 15 converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the windshield wipers.

[0044] The fifth convex lens 5 is directly opposite the third photodiode 12. The ambient light incident surface, the gel lens 16, the fifth convex lens 5, and the third photodiode 12 constitute a forward light detection optical path. The third photodiode 12 converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

[0045] The first flat lens 6 faces the fourth photodiode 13. The ambient light incident surface, the gel lens 16, the first flat lens 6, and the fourth photodiode 13 constitute an ambient light detection optical path. The fourth photodiode 13 converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

[0046] The filter 9 can be matched with the infrared wavelength generated by the first LED 10 and the second LED 11, ensuring that the optical path only receives light of a specific wavelength and eliminates interference from other stray light. This reduces interference from ambient light and improves the accuracy and stability of the measurement.

[0047] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the integrated rain light detection sensor detects rainfall and is composed of the PCB substrate 1, the optical sensing component 2, the first convex lens 3, the third convex lens 4, the first LED light-emitting diode 10, the first photodiode 14, the gel lens 16, the windshield 17, and raindrops 18.

[0048] The optical sensing component 2, the first convex lens 3, the third convex lens 4, the first LED light-emitting diode 10, the first photodiode 14, the gel lens 16, and the windshield 17 constitute the first rain detection optical path. Infrared light generated by the first LED light-emitting diode 10 is converged by the third convex lens 4, transmitted within the optical sensing component 2, refracted into the gel lens 16, refracted into the windshield 17, and then totally reflected back to the gel lens 16, before being refracted back into the optical sensing component 2. After transmission within the optical sensing component, the light is converged onto the first photodiode 14 by the first convex lens 3.

[0049] If the surface of the windshield 17 is dry and clean, the first photodiode 14 can stably receive the infrared light generated by the first LED light-emitting tube 10 through the first rain detection optical path. At this time, the photocurrent value corresponding to the first photodiode 14 is at its maximum value.

[0050] If raindrops 18 are present on the surface of the windshield 17, some of the infrared light entering the windshield 17 will be scattered by the raindrops 18 and cannot be completely reflected back to the optical sensing component 2. In this case, the amount of infrared light received by the first photodiode 14 will decrease, and the photocurrent value of the first photodiode 14 will also decrease. When there are more and larger raindrops 18, more infrared light will be lost through refraction by the raindrops 18, resulting in less infrared light received by the first photodiode 14 and a smaller photocurrent value.

[0051] By judging the photocurrent value of the first photodiode 14, it is possible to determine whether there are raindrops 18 on the surface of the windshield 17, as well as the number and size of the raindrops 18, thereby identifying rain conditions such as drizzle, light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, and rainstorm, and sending the current value to the vehicle's body controller to realize the automatic adjustment and control of the windshield wipers.

[0052] like Figures 2-4 As shown, to increase the detection area and efficiency of the sensor, a second rainfall detection optical path is provided in the mirror position of the first rainfall detection optical path in this embodiment. The second rainfall detection optical path is composed of the optical sensing component 2, the second convex lens 7, the fourth convex lens 8, the second LED light-emitting diode 11, the second photodiode 15, the gel lens 16, and the windshield 17. The detection principle of the second rainfall detection optical path is the same as that of the first rainfall detection optical path, and will not be described in detail here.

[0053] Specifically, such as Figure 6As shown, in one embodiment, the integrated rain and light detection sensor detects ambient light and is composed of the PCB substrate 1, the optical sensing component 2, the fifth convex lens 5, the first flat lens 6, the third photodiode 12, the fourth photodiode 13, the gel lens 16, and the windshield 17.

[0054] The optical sensing component 2, the fifth convex lens 5, the third photodiode 12, the gel lens 16, and the windshield 17 constitute a forward light detection optical path. This path detects light rays from an oncoming vehicle. If headlights from an oncoming vehicle are emitted, the light is refracted through the windshield 17 into the gel lens 16, then transmitted through the optical sensing component 2, and finally focused onto the third photodiode 12 by the fifth convex lens 5. Upon receiving the light, the third photodiode 12 generates a photocurrent. The greater the intensity of the forward light, the greater the photocurrent of the third photodiode 12; conversely, the smaller the intensity of the forward light, the smaller the photocurrent of the third photodiode 12. By judging the photocurrent value of the third photodiode 12, it is determined whether there is light in front of the car and the amount of light, thereby determining whether there is a vehicle in the oncoming direction. The car's body controller then controls whether the headlights automatically switch between high and low beams based on the photocurrent value of the third photodiode 12.

[0055] The optical sensing component 2, the first flat lens 6, the fourth photodiode 13, the gel lens 16, and the windshield 17 constitute an ambient light detection optical path. This path detects ambient light above the windshield 17. During the day, sunlight is refracted through the windshield 17 into the gel lens 16, then transmitted through the optical sensing component 2, and finally refracted by the first flat lens 6 to the fourth photodiode 13. At this time, the photocurrent generated by the fourth photodiode 13 is very large, and the vehicle's body controller keeps the headlights off. If it is nighttime on a road with good street lighting, the light passing through the ambient light detection optical path is weaker than sunlight. In this case, the photocurrent value of the fourth photodiode 13 is small, and the vehicle's body controller controls the headlights to turn on automatically. If it is nighttime on a road with poor street lighting, the light passing through the ambient light detection optical path will be very weak or even zero. In this case, the photocurrent value of the fourth photodiode 13 is very small or even zero, and the vehicle's body controller controls the headlights to turn on automatically or switch to high beams.

[0056] This utility model provides an integrated rain and light detection sensor, mainly comprising an optical sensing component 2 and a PCB circuit board. Light emitted from the PCB circuit board is transmitted through the optical sensing component 2 and then returned to the PCB circuit board. The PCB circuit board converts the received light intensity into current and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller. This enables the acquisition of rainfall and ambient light changes, and the control of windshield wipers and headlights based on these changes. It can also monitor the amount of rainfall and the brightness of forward and ambient light in real time. It can identify rain conditions such as drizzle, light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, and downpours, and can identify road conditions such as daytime, nighttime, underpasses, tunnels, and oncoming vehicles, enabling automatic adjustment of wiper frequency and automatic headlight control.

[0057] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including both the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention. Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0058] The above provides a detailed description of an integrated rain and light detection sensor provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the technical solutions and core ideas of this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An integrated rain and light detection sensor, characterized in that, include: Optical sensing components, including rain sensing components, ambient light sensing components, and filters; The housing, on which the optical sensing component is disposed; The PCB circuit board is fixed directly below the optical sensing component by the housing. The PCB circuit board includes a PCB substrate, a rain light sensing component, and an ambient light sensing component. A gel lens is disposed on the ambient light incident surface of the optical sensing component.

2. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rain light sensing component includes at least a first LED, a first photodiode, a second LED, and a second photodiode; the ambient light sensing component includes a third photodiode and a fourth photodiode.

3. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first LED and the second LED are infrared LEDs with wavelengths from 750nm to 1000nm; the first photodiode and the second photodiode are infrared receivers with wavelengths from 750nm to 1000nm; and the third photodiode and the fourth photodiode are ambient light receivers with wavelengths from 450nm to 650nm.

4. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first photodiode and the second photodiode include flat-top filters; the third photodiode and the fourth photodiode include infrared light suppression filters.

5. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rainfall sensing component includes at least two sets of rainfall detection lens groups; wherein, the first rainfall detection lens group includes a first convex lens and a third convex lens, and the second rainfall detection lens group includes a second convex lens and a fourth convex lens.

6. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first LED light-emitting diode is directly opposite the third convex lens, and the first convex lens is directly opposite the first photodiode. The first LED light-emitting diode, the third convex lens, the gel lens, the ambient light incident surface, the first convex lens, and the first photodiode constitute the first rain detection optical path. The first photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the windshield wipers; The second LED light-emitting diode is directly opposite the fourth convex lens, and the second convex lens is directly opposite the second photodiode. The second LED light-emitting diode, the fourth convex lens, the gel lens, the ambient light incident surface, the second convex lens, and the second photodiode constitute the second rain detection optical path. The second photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the car's body controller to control the windshield wipers.

7. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ambient light sensing component includes a forward-facing lens and an ambient light lens, wherein the forward-facing lens is a fifth convex lens and the ambient light lens is a first flat lens.

8. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fifth convex lens is directly opposite the third photodiode, and the ambient light incident surface, the gel lens, the fifth convex lens, and the third photodiode constitute a forward light detection optical path; The third photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

9. The integrated rain and light detection sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first flat lens faces the fourth photodiode, and the ambient light incident surface, the gel lens, the first flat lens, and the fourth photodiode constitute an ambient light detection optical path; The fourth photodiode converts the received light intensity into a current value and sends the current value to the vehicle's body controller to control the headlights.

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