JPH0125348Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a vehicle sensor in which an optical sensor such as an auto wiper sensor is attached to the outside of the vehicle.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 1, a sensor such as a vehicle auto wiper has a light emitting element 1 such as an infrared light emitting diode and a light receiving element 2 such as a photodiode installed facing each other. Light receiving surface 4
The wiper motor is driven by detecting changes in the amount of infrared rays input to the light receiving surface 4 due to raindrops or the like.

However, in the conventional sensor described above, one or both of the light-emitting surface 3 and the light-receiving surface 4 are attached to the outside of the vehicle, so rainwater or muddy water may enter the transparent parts of the light-emitting surface 3 and the light-receiving surface 4, or they may get dirty. This has resulted in drawbacks such as a decline in detection ability and the wiper motor malfunctioning or not operating at all.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.In order to prevent the light emitting surface and light receiving surface of the light sensor attached to the outside of the vehicle from getting dirty, the light sensor part is mounted inside the case, and infrared light is emitted. To provide a vehicle sensor in which a light-transmitting hole is provided in a passageway to prevent rainwater or muddy water from directly coming into contact with the light-emitting surface or light-receiving surface of the optical sensor.

Embodiments according to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 2 to 7 below.
This will be explained in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the basic structure of an embodiment of the optical sensor according to the present invention, in which a light-emitting surface 3 having a light-emitting element 1 and a light-receiving surface 4 having a light-receiving element 2 are located inside cases 5 and 6, respectively. It will be installed.

In the cases 5 and 6, holes 5a and 6a are bored on the opposing surfaces of the infrared light path, and water droplets adhere to the holes 5a and 6a, forming a water film due to surface tension. It's large enough so you don't have to worry about it.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the optical sensor according to the present invention is incorporated into fender mirrors 7 and 8 installed outside the vehicle, and shows a light emitting surface 3 and a light receiving surface 4.
The holes 7a and 8a through which infrared light passes between the holes 7a and 8a are formed by a line connecting the centers of the light emitting element 1 and the light receiving element 2 on the opposing surfaces of the fender mirrors 7 and 8, respectively, which are provided facing the outside of the vehicle. It is drilled in the center,
Although the machining range of the holes 7a and 8a varies depending on the thickness of the fender mirror case, it is preferable that the holes 7a and 8a be as small in diameter as possible so as not to be blocked by the surface tension of water.

As shown in Figure 4 A, if the plate thickness t of the member is 2.0 mm or more, it is sufficient that it is 8φ or more.As shown in Figure 4 B, if the diameter of the hole 7a is less than 8φ, surface tension This is not preferable because a water film is formed.

In addition, when the thickness t of the fender mirror case exceeds a certain level, water droplets will be deposited on the plate thickness t as shown in Figure 5 (a), so an inclination angle θ is set as shown in Figure 5 (b). This prevents water droplets from accumulating on the plate in the hole 7a. The above inclination angle θ is
If the angle is 10° or more, water droplets will not accumulate on the case thickness.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts when the optical sensor according to the present invention is attached to the fender mirrors 7 and 8, and the optical sensor mounting jig 9 is fixed to the fender mirror case. A light emitting element, a light receiving element, etc. is mounted in the mounting hole 9a of the fixture 9, and the mounting position is between the line connecting the center part 1a of the light emitting element 1 and the edge A of the hole 7a and the center part 1a of the light emitting element 1. The central portion 1a is installed at a position where the angle δ formed by the line connecting the two is 10 degrees or less. Further, the mounting position of the light receiving element 2 is also determined in the same manner as the light emitting element 1. Preferably, the plate thickness t of the fender mirror case is approximately 2.0 mm, and θ≧10 degrees.
It is preferable to set δ≦10 degrees.

On the other hand, the sensor mounting jig 9 has a drain hole on the bottom surface to quickly drain out rainwater or muddy water that has entered through the hole, or has the bottom surface tilted to one side.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the center portion may be lifted upward, curved upward, or the center portion may be removed while leaving both sides of the bottom surface, as appropriate.

As explained in detail above, the vehicle optical sensor according to the present invention has a simple structure in which the sensor part is mounted inside the case to prevent dirt on the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface. Rainwater or muddy water does not enter through the holes, and even if it does, it will not directly hit the light emitting surface or light receiving surface of the sensor. Therefore, there is an effect that the detection ability is not deteriorated due to dirt.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional optical sensor, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the main parts showing the configuration of the optical sensor according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 shows a case where the optical sensor according to the present invention is incorporated into a fender mirror. Explanatory drawings, FIGS. 4A and 4B and 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views explaining the main parts according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the mounting part of the optical sensor according to the present invention, and FIG. Figures A, B, and C are perspective views showing embodiments of the mounting jig according to the present invention. 1... Light emitting element, 1a... Center, 2... Light receiving element, 3... Light emitting surface, 4... Light receiving surface, 5, 6...
Case, 5a, 6a...hole, 7, 8...fender mirror, 7a, 8a...hole, 9...photo sensor mounting jig, A...edge, δ...angle.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A light emitting element is housed in one of a pair of cases facing each other at an appropriate distance from each other outside the vehicle, and a light receiving element is housed in the other, and the center portions of the two elements are housed on each opposing surface of the two cases. The diameter of each hole is set to a size that will not cause blockage due to the surface tension of water, and the center of each of the above elements and the above An optical sensor for a vehicle, characterized in that both of the above-mentioned elements are disposed at positions where the angle formed by the line connecting the edges of each hole and the line connecting the centers of the two elements is 10 degrees or less.