Vehicle Windshield Sensor Using Segmented Image Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing raindrop sensors on vehicle windshields have limited sensing regions and are costly due to complex configurations when multiple sensors are installed, making it difficult to detect water drop thickness and illumination levels effectively.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sensor apparatus that uses a single image sensor with divided sensing regions to measure raindrop states and illumination levels by emitting light over a predetermined area on the windshield, guiding reflected light with a light guider, and collecting external light using photo-diodes and optical lines, allowing for simultaneous detection of raindrop states and illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a point light source is used in the raindrop sensor, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensing region becomes narrow and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple sensing regions (first sensing region for raindrop detection, second sensing region for illumination detection) to enable simultaneous measurement of raindrop state and illumination using a single integrated sensor, thereby expanding the effective sensing region without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A single image sensor performs multiple functions by detecting both raindrop states through the first sensing region and illumination levels through the second sensing region, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are disposed on the windshield, then measurement precision for different parameters is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges raindrop detection and illumination detection functions into a single image sensor by allocating different sensing regions for different measurement purposes, thereby reducing the number of separate sensors needed while maintaining the ability to precisely measure both raindrop state and illumination levels
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - detecting raindrop presence, thickness, and distribution in the first sensing region while measuring illumination intensity in the second sensing region, thus replacing multiple specialized sensors with one multi-functional device
3Device complexity
If a single image sensor with divided sensing regions is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the area of light emission and sensing region coverage must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using multiple separate sensors (spatial distribution in one dimension) to a single sensor with multiple sensing regions (spatial distribution within the sensor plane in another dimension), thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage through the extended light emission area
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
Enables efficient measurement of raindrop states and illumination levels across a wider area on the windshield, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity by using a single sensor, while improving detection accuracy and ease of implementation.
Implementation Method 1
a light guider configured to be attached to the windshield to guide the light emitted by the light emitter to be reflected from one region of the windshield and arrive at the light receiver
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor configured to sense image patterns from the light reflected by one region of the windshield and the external light incident into the windshield from the exterior
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated sensor apparatus of a vehicle is provided that includes a light emitter that is configured to emit a light having an area of a predetermined range or greater to a first region of a windshield. A light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitter and reflected from the first region of the windshield and an external light incident from the exterior to the windshield. Further, a light guider is configured to be attached to the windshield to guide the light emitted by the light emitter to be reflected from the first region of the windshield and arrive at the light receiver. An image sensor is configured to sense a plurality of image patterns from the light reflected by the first region of the windshield and the external light incident into the windshield from the exterior.