Rain sensor

About: Rain sensor is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 944 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6214 citations.

Rain sensor with fog discrimination

Abstract: A vehicle rain sensor system for detecting precipitation on an exterior surface of a window (19) including an illumination sensor (36) that is decoupled from the window. The illumination sensor is preferably an imaging array sensor which communicates a signal control (42) which further determines whether rain is present on the window. The control preferably includes an edge detection (44) for detecting edges of precipitation droplets on the window and activating the windshield wipers (22) of the vehicle when the number of edges detected exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The rain sensor system may further include a polarizing filter (62) and an illumination source (55), such that rain sensor system may not only prevent false signals of rain when only fog is present on an interior surface (28) on the window, but also allows the rains sensor system to actually detect fog particles on an interior surface on the window, thereby allowing the control to further be connected to a ventilation blower within the vehicle for the purpose of activating the blower to eliminate the fog.

Vehicle interior mirror assembly adapted for containing a rain sensor

Abstract: A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing having a front end releasably attached to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield and a rear end having a ball and socket joint for a rearview mirror unit. An internal wall subdivides the interior of the housing into first and second compartments. The first compartment contains a rain sensor which is preferably biased into contact with the windshield, and the second compartment contains a further electrical component such as a compass sensor accessible through a side opening. A removable cover mates with the housing around the opening and extends along the windshield towards the vehicle header. Electrical leads for the rain sensor and the component are routed under the cover to the header.

Rain sensor mount for use in a vehicle

Abstract: A mount for mounting a rain sensor includes a housing having an access opening on first side and a port on second side for positioning adjacent an inner surface of the vehicle windshield. The second side is adapted for mounting to a vehicle windshield, for example by a layer of adhesive which is interposed between the housing and the windshield. Optionally, the housing includes an access opening and a cover, which and covers the access opening. A mirror mounting button is provided on either the housing or the cover for mounting a rearview mirror assembly to the mount. A biasing member is supported in the housing and is interposed between the first side of the housing and a rain sensor positioned in the housing, which urges a detecting surface of the rain sensor to project through the port and to optically couple the rain sensor to the vehicle windshield for detecting moisture on an outer surface of the vehicle windshield. The biasing member may comprise, for example, a helical spring or a urethane disc.

Rain sensing system and method having automatically registered and oriented rain sensor

Abstract: This invention relates to a windshield wiping system and method which utilizes a rain sensor having a housing defining a first mounting area for mounting directly onto a mirror mount which is adhered to a windshield. The rain sensor housing also defines a second mounting area that defines a generally trapezoidally-shaped mount for receiving a mirror bracket in order to support a mirror. The rain sensor housing is an integral one-piece construction that automatically registers at least one sensor in operative relationship with the windshield and in a predetermined position and orientation relative to the windshield when the rain sensor is mounted on the mirror bracket.

Vehicle rain sensor using imaging sensor

Abstract: A vehicular rain sensor which senses precipitation at a vehicle window. The rain sensor comprises an imaging array sensor and a control. The imaging array sensor is directed at the vehicle window from inside the vehicle and comprises a camera device capable of imaging precipitation at a surface of the window. The camera is operable to image the precipitation at least in response to ambient light present at the window. The control responds to an output of the imaging array sensor in order to indicate precipitation at the surface of the window. The control determines the presence of precipitation via spatial filtering of the image received by the camera device.