Vehicle Rain Sensor Layout With Separate Optics for Accurate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rain sensor systems for vehicles lack flexibility in design and accuracy due to the optical components being shared with camera devices, limiting their ability to independently adjust positions and optimize sensing on windshields of varying sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A rain sensor system with a mechanically independent transmitter and receiver, separate from the camera optics, allowing for independent positioning and operation, which improves design flexibility and sensing accuracy by using distinct light paths and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the transmitter and receiver are integrated in the same housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flexibility in positioning and design is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rain sensor system is divided into separate functional components: the transmitter and receiver are positioned at different locations on the windshield, allowing independent optimization of each component's position for both complexity reduction and positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter and receiver are arranged in a spatial distribution across the windshield surface rather than being vertically stacked or horizontally adjacent in a single housing, enabling flexible positioning along the windshield plane while maintaining system simplicity
2Area of stationary object
If the rain sensor shares optical elements with the camera device, then the windshield surface area required is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical paths of the rain sensor and camera are completely separated, with the rain sensor using its own transmitter and receiver positioned at specific locations on the windshield, eliminating optical interference while maintaining compact footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The rain sensor components are extracted from any shared housing with the camera and positioned independently on the windshield, allowing each system to operate with optimal precision without compromising the overall space efficiency
3Volume of moving object
If the transmitter and receiver are positioned close to each other, then the device compactness is improved, but the sensing accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter and receiver are positioned at different lateral locations on the windshield rather than being close together in a compact housing, utilizing the extended surface area of the windshield to achieve both compact overall device footprint and adequate sensing baseline for accurate rain detection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the flexibility and accuracy of rain detection on vehicle windshields, enabling better control of wipers and reducing interference with camera systems, while optimizing the design of the rain sensor device.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted by the transmitter is reflected by total reflection at least once on an outer surface of the window and at least once on an inner surface of the window
Data Source
AI summary
A rain sensor system for measuring a quantity of rain on a window of a vehicle is provided. The rain sensor system comprises a camera device configured to capture images of an area surrounding the vehicle using camera optics; and a rain sensor including a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter being configured to emit or transmit light and the receiver being configured to receive measurement light that is emitted or transmitted by the transmitter and guided to the receiver by the window. The transmitter and the receiver are arranged at a distance (d) from each another, and the receiver and the camera optics of the camera device are different components.