Light rain sensor

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of rainfall sensing, and provides a light ray rainfall sensor, which comprises a silica gel pad, a lens, an upper shell, a circuit board and a lower shell, an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver are arranged on the circuit board, the lens is arranged in the upper shell to realize light conduction between the infrared transmitter and the silica gel pad and between the silica gel pad and the infrared receiver, and the infrared receiver is arranged in the lower shell. The light guide side of the lens is provided with a light condensation part and a first reflection part, the light condensation part is arranged on one side, near the infrared receiver, of the infrared transmitter, the light condensation part is in a convex mirror shape, and the convex surface of the light condensation part faces the infrared transmitter; the first reflecting part is arranged on the side, far away from the infrared receiver, of the infrared transmitter, the first reflecting part is in an arc shape, an arc opening of the first reflecting part faces the infrared transmitter, the inner arc face of the first reflecting part is a refraction face, and the outer arc face of the first reflecting part is a reflecting face. According to the lens, the first reflecting part is arranged on the light guide side, the inner arc surface of the first reflecting part is the refracting surface, and the outer arc surface of the first reflecting part is the reflecting surface, so that the alignment requirement of the infrared transmitter and the light condensing part is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive rain monitoring technology, specifically to a light-based rain sensor. Background Technology

[0002] A car's rain sensor is an intelligent sensing device primarily used to automatically control the operation of windshield wipers. It detects the amount of rain falling on the windshield and automatically adjusts the speed and frequency of the wipers, thereby reducing driver interference and improving driving safety and convenience. The rain sensor is typically installed on the inside of the windshield and emits infrared light onto the glass surface. When the glass is dry, most of the light is reflected back to the sensor; when there is rain on the glass, water droplets scatter the light, reducing the amount of light reflected back to the sensor. The sensor analyzes the changes in reflected light to determine the amount of rain and then controls the wiper operation accordingly.

[0003] However, traditional rain gauges still have room for improvement, mainly in the high accuracy requirements for the alignment of the infrared transmitter and the lens. Therefore, this invention aims to further improve the rain gauge. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a light and rain sensor that reduces the alignment requirements between the infrared emitter and the lens.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A light and rain sensor includes a silicone pad, a lens, an upper shell, a circuit board, and a lower shell. An infrared emitter and an infrared receiver are mounted on the circuit board. The lens is disposed in the upper shell to facilitate light transmission between the infrared emitter and the silicone pad, and between the silicone pad and the infrared receiver. The lens has a focusing portion and a first reflecting portion on its light-guiding side. The focusing portion is located on the side of the infrared emitter closer to the infrared receiver, and is convex with its convex surface facing the infrared emitter. The first reflecting portion is located on the side of the infrared emitter furthest from the infrared receiver, and is arc-shaped with its arc opening facing the infrared emitter. The inner arc surface of the first reflecting portion is a refractive surface, and the outer arc surface is a reflective surface.

[0007] Furthermore, a second reflective portion is formed in the cavity of the upper shell. The second reflective portion is disposed on the side where the light-concentrating portion is located. The second reflective portion is arc-shaped, and its convex surface faces the first reflective portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the cross-section of the inner arc surface of the first reflector is a circular arc protrusion, and the circular arc protrusion faces the infrared emitter.

[0009] Furthermore, the infrared emitters are a pair, and the infrared receiver is a single unit. The pair of infrared emitters and the single infrared receiver are arranged in a triangular configuration. The lens is a dual-path lens, with the light-guiding sides of the dual-path lenses correspondingly positioned at the upper ends of the pair of infrared emitters, and the light-emitting sides of the dual-path lenses converging at the upper ends of the infrared receiver.

[0010] Furthermore, the lens is a dual-optical-path integrally molded lens, the upper shell is provided with a first mounting hole adapted to the contour of the lens, and a first locking block is provided on the lower edge of the outer wall of the first reflective part of the lens, and the lens is fastened in the first mounting hole by the first locking block.

[0011] Furthermore, the circuit board is also provided with a light sensor, and the upper shell is also provided with a light guide post, which is used to realize the light transmission from the silicone pad to the light sensor.

[0012] Furthermore, several concentric annular protrusions are formed on the end face of the light guide post facing the light sensor, and the cross-section of each annular protrusion is semi-circular.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper shell is provided with a light-blocking dam that connects with the second reflective part and the edge of the upper shell, and the light-blocking dam separates the infrared emitter from the light sensor.

[0014] Furthermore, a second mounting hole is formed in the upper shell, a limiting ring is provided at the upper end of the second mounting hole, a plurality of circumferentially distributed retaining strips are provided on the circumferential surface of the light guide post to interfere with the second mounting hole, an anti-rotation groove is provided at the lower end of the second mounting hole, and an anti-rotation block is provided at the lower end of the light guide post to engage with the anti-rotation groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the lower end of the upper shell is provided with a pair of positioning posts, the circuit board is provided with positioning holes to be fitted onto the positioning posts, and the lower shell is provided with a support block to support the circuit board; the lower end of the upper shell is provided with a pair of positioning notches on both sides and an installation dam corresponding to the edge position of the circuit board, the upper end of the lower shell is provided with a pair of positioning blocks corresponding to the positioning notches on both sides, and the support block and the edge of the lower shell form an installation slot corresponding to the installation dam, and the upper shell and the lower shell are connected by a snap fastener.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0017] 1. This utility model provides an arc-shaped first reflective part on the light guide side of the lens, with the inner arc surface of the first reflective part serving as the refractive surface and the outer arc surface of the first reflective part serving as the reflective surface. This design reduces the alignment requirements between the infrared emitter and the focusing part.

[0018] 2. In this invention, the cross-section of the inner arc surface of the first reflector is designed as a circular arc protrusion, with the circular arc protrusion facing the infrared emitter. In this way, combined with the overall arc shape, better light focusing and refraction effects are achieved, which helps to reduce the power requirements of the infrared emitter.

[0019] 3. This utility model also includes a second reflective part, which, in conjunction with the light-concentrating part, further improves the utilization of light from the infrared emitter.

[0020] 4. This utility model arranges a pair of infrared transmitters and an infrared receiver in a triangular configuration, and sets the light-guiding sides of the dual-optical-path lenses one-to-one on the upper end of the pair of infrared transmitters, and converges the light-emitting sides of the dual optical paths on the upper end of the infrared receiver, thereby realizing the sharing of the infrared receiver and saving components while increasing the rain sensing area.

[0021] 5. This utility model also functions as a light sensor, improving the sensitivity to external sunlight by optimizing the structure of the light guide column.

[0022] 6. This utility model achieves screwless rapid assembly of the product by optimizing the structure of the lens, light guide column, circuit board, upper shell and lower shell, thereby improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one axis of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a disassembly diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is another disassembly diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the interaction between the lens and light guide post of this utility model and the corresponding sensor;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the lens and light guide post with the upper shell of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 This is another assembly diagram of the lens and light guide post of this utility model with the upper shell;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a detailed view of the assembly of the light guide post and the upper shell of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a top view of the present invention (with the silicone pad hidden);

[0031] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Sectional view at point AA.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] 100. Silicone pad;

[0034] 200, Lens; 210, Light guiding side; 211, Concentrating part; 212, First reflecting part; 220, Light emitting side; 230, Bridging section; 240, First locking block;

[0035] 300. Upper shell; 310. First mounting hole; 320. Light-blocking dam; 330. Second mounting hole; 331. Limiting ring; 332. Anti-rotation groove; 340. Positioning notch; 350. Mounting dam; 360. Second locking block; 370. Positioning post; 380. Second reflector;

[0036] 400. Light guide post; 410. Annular protrusion; 420. Locking strip; 430. Anti-rotation block;

[0037] 500. Circuit board; 510. Infrared transmitter; 520. Infrared receiver; 530. Light sensor; 540. Positioning hole;

[0038] 600, lower shell; 610, support block; 620, positioning block; 630, mounting slot; 640, locking foot. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0040] Additionally, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" are all based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are merely for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element of this utility model must have a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0041] When an element is referred to as being "fixed to," "set on," or "contained on" another element, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to," it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other element.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections 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 utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] Example

[0044] Please refer to Figures 1-3 As shown, this utility model discloses a light and rain sensor, including a silicone pad 100, a lens 200, an upper shell 300, a circuit board 500, and a lower shell 600. The silicone pad 100 is used to transmit light between the lens 200 and the windshield of an automobile. The circuit board 500 is equipped with an infrared emitter 510 and an infrared receiver 520. The lens 200 is disposed in the upper shell 300 to transmit light between the infrared emitter 510 and the silicone pad 100, and between the silicone pad 100 and the infrared receiver 520.

[0045] Please refer to Figures 4-6 As shown, in this invention, there is a pair of infrared emitters 510 and a single infrared receiver 520, arranged in a triangular pattern. Correspondingly, the lens 200 is configured as a dual-light path, with the light-guiding sides 210 of the dual light paths correspondingly positioned at the upper ends of the pair of infrared emitters 510, and the light-emitting sides 220 of the dual light paths converging at the upper end of the infrared receiver 520, forming an overall V-shape. Thus, by sharing the infrared receiver 520, the advantages of a dual-light path in increasing the rainfall sensing area are achieved, while also saving on components and reducing costs.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 9As shown, the lens 200 has a focusing part 211 and a first reflecting part 212 on its light guide side 210. The focusing part 211 is located on one side of the near-infrared receiver 520 of the infrared emitter 510. The focusing part 211 is convex and faces the infrared emitter 510. In this way, more of the light emitted by the infrared emitter 510 is refracted by the focusing part 211 and directed towards the windshield, and then reflected to the infrared receiver 520. The first reflector 212 is disposed on one side of the infrared transmitter 510 and the far-infrared receiver 520. The first reflector 212 is arc-shaped and its arc opening faces the infrared transmitter 510. The inner arc surface 2121 of the first reflector 212 is a refracting surface, and the outer arc surface 2122 of the first reflector 212 is a reflecting surface. In this way, the light from the infrared transmitter 510 is guided by the concave arc surface to be refracted by the inner arc surface of the first reflector 212 to its outer arc surface, and then reflected by the total reflection coating on its outer arc surface to the windshield, and then reflected to the infrared receiver 520. In this way, the area of ​​the rainwater monitoring area and the utilization rate of infrared light are increased.

[0047] In a more preferred embodiment, please refer to Figure 9 As shown, the cross-section of the inner arc surface of the first reflector 212 is designed as a circular arc protrusion, with the circular arc protrusion facing the infrared emitter 510. In this way, combined with the overall arc shape, better light focusing and refraction effects are achieved, further improving the utilization rate of infrared light and reducing the power requirements of the infrared emitter 510.

[0048] In addition, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, this invention also includes a second reflective part 380 in the upper shell. The second reflective part 380 is located on the side where the light-concentrating part 211 is located. The second reflective part is arc-shaped, with its convex surface facing the first reflective part 210. By cooperating with the light-concentrating part, the utilization of light by the infrared emitter 510 is further improved. The first reflective part 210 and the second reflective part 380 can achieve reflection through a reflective coating.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in this invention, the lens 200 is a dual-optical-path integrally formed lens 200. Specifically, in each optical path, there is a flat bridging section 230 in the middle, with its light-guiding side 210 and light-emitting side 220 respectively located at both ends of the bridging section 230, while the light-emitting sides 220 of the two optical paths are connected as one unit. Correspondingly, the upper shell 300 is provided with a first mounting hole 310 adapted to the contour of the lens 200. In the optical path adaptation structure of the first mounting hole 310, the middle is a straight blind groove to connect the bridging section 230, and the two ends are hollow holes to connect the light-guiding side 210 and the light-emitting side 220 of the lens 200. Furthermore, please refer to... Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, a first locking block 240 is provided on the lower edge of the outer wall of the first reflecting part 212 of the lens 200. Thus, the lens 200 is inserted into the first mounting hole 310, and the first reflecting parts 212 of the two optical paths are pressed down to engage with the first mounting hole 310, thereby completing the installation of the lens 200 in the upper shell 300.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the circuit board 500 is further provided with a light sensor 530, so that the rain sensor also functions as a light sensor to sense external light and output a signal for adjusting lamps, etc. Specifically, the upper housing 300 is also provided with a light guide post 400, which is used to conduct light from the silicone pad 100 to the light sensor 530.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 7 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the light guide post 400 forms a plurality of concentric annular protrusions 410 on the end face of the light sensor 530, and the cross-section of each annular protrusion 410 is semi-circular. In this way, the concentration effect of external light is improved by the plurality of concentric annular protrusions 410, thereby improving the ability to sense light.

[0052] In addition, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, in order to prevent external light from interfering with the infrared light of the infrared emitter 510, a light-blocking dam 320 is provided in the upper shell 300, which is connected to the second reflector 380 and the edge of the upper shell 300. The light-blocking dam 320 separates the infrared emitter 510 from the light sensor 530.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a second mounting hole 330 is formed in the upper shell 300. A limiting ring 331 is provided at the upper end of the second mounting hole 330. Several circumferentially distributed retaining strips 420 are provided on the circumferential surface of the light guide post 400 to interference fit the second mounting hole 330. An anti-rotation groove 332 is provided at the lower end of the second mounting hole 330, and an anti-rotation block 430 is provided at the lower end of the light guide post 400 that engages in the anti-rotation groove 332. Thus, by aligning the anti-rotation block 430 of the light guide post 400 with the anti-rotation groove 332 and pushing it from bottom to top into the second mounting hole 330 until it is fully pushed in, the fixed installation of the light guide post 400 on the upper shell 300 is completed.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the lower end of the upper shell 300 is provided with a pair of positioning posts 370, and the circuit board 500 is provided with positioning holes 540 to fit onto the positioning posts 370. Please refer to... Figure 2 As shown, the lower shell 600 is provided with a support block 610 to support the circuit board 500. In this way, the circuit board 500 can be fixedly installed between the upper shell 300 and the lower shell 600 by connecting the lower shell 600 and the upper shell 300 through a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0055] For more specific details, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, the lower end of the upper shell 300 has a pair of positioning notches 340 on both sides and a mounting dam 350 corresponding to the edge of the circuit board 500. The upper end of the lower shell 600 has a pair of positioning blocks 620 corresponding to the positioning notches 340 on both sides. The support block 610 and the edge of the lower shell 600 form a mounting slot 630 corresponding to the mounting dam 350. The upper shell 300 and the lower shell 600 are connected by a snap fastener (a snap fastener 640 and a second snap fastener 360). In this way, the positioning notches 340 and the positioning blocks 620 cooperate to ensure that the upper shell 300 and the lower shell 600 are accurately aligned. The mounting dam 350 and the mounting slot 630 cooperate to ensure that the assembled upper shell 300 and lower shell 600 have good rigidity and can withstand greater force from the bracket, so that the silicone pad 100 can better fit on the windshield.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A light and rain sensor, comprising a silicone pad, a lens, an upper shell, a circuit board, and a lower shell, wherein an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver are disposed on the circuit board, and the lens is disposed in the upper shell to realize light transmission between the infrared emitter and the silicone pad and between the silicone pad and the infrared receiver, characterized in that: The lens has a focusing part and a first reflecting part on its light-guiding side. The focusing part is located on the side of the infrared transmitter near the infrared receiver. The focusing part is convex and its convex surface faces the infrared transmitter. The first reflecting part is located on the side of the infrared transmitter away from the infrared receiver. The first reflecting part is arc-shaped and its arc opening faces the infrared transmitter. The inner arc surface of the first reflecting part is a refractive surface, and the outer arc surface of the first reflecting part is a reflective surface.

2. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A second reflective portion is formed in the cavity of the upper shell. The second reflective portion is located on the side where the light-concentrating portion is located. The second reflective portion is arc-shaped, and its convex surface faces the first reflective portion.

3. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the inner arc surface of the first reflector is a circular arc protrusion, and the circular arc protrusion faces the infrared emitter.

4. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The infrared emitters are a pair, and the infrared receiver is a single unit. The pair of infrared emitters and the single infrared receiver are arranged in a triangular configuration. The lens is a dual-path lens, with the light-guiding sides of the dual-path lenses correspondingly positioned at the upper ends of the pair of infrared emitters. The light-emitting sides of the dual-path lenses converge at the upper end of the infrared receiver.

5. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The lens is a dual-optical-path integrally molded lens. The upper shell is provided with a first mounting hole adapted to the contour of the lens. A first locking block is provided on the lower edge of the outer wall of the first reflective part of the lens. The lens is snapped into the first mounting hole by the first locking block.

6. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The circuit board is also equipped with a light sensor, and the upper shell is also equipped with a light guide post, which is used to realize the light transmission from the silicone pad to the light sensor.

7. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The light guide post has several concentric annular protrusions on its end face toward the optical sensor, and the cross-section of each annular protrusion is semi-circular.

8. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The upper shell is provided with a light-blocking dam that connects with the second reflective part and the edge of the upper shell, and the light-blocking dam separates the infrared emitter from the light sensor.

9. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 6, characterized in that: A second mounting hole is formed in the upper shell. A limiting ring is provided at the upper end of the second mounting hole. Several circumferentially distributed retaining strips are provided on the circumferential surface of the light guide post to interfere with the second mounting hole. An anti-rotation groove is provided at the lower end of the second mounting hole. An anti-rotation block is provided at the lower end of the light guide post and engages in the anti-rotation groove.

10. The light and rain sensor as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the upper shell is provided with a pair of positioning posts, and the circuit board is provided with positioning holes to be fitted onto the positioning posts. The lower shell is provided with a support block to support the circuit board. The lower end of the upper shell is provided with a pair of positioning notches on both sides and an installation dam corresponding to the edge position of the circuit board. The upper end of the lower shell is provided with a pair of positioning blocks corresponding to the positioning notches on both sides. The support block and the edge of the lower shell form an installation slot corresponding to the installation dam. The upper shell and the lower shell are connected by a snap fastener.

Images