Rain sensor

Abstract

In the rain sensor, the prism includes the first and the second lens surfaces at the light-emitting side and the light-receiving side on optical axes each differently directed. The prism also includes a first reflection wall which reflects the light injecting the first lens surface at the light-emitting side toward the first detection surfaces of the windshield panel, and a second reflection wall which reflects the light injecting from the second lens surface at the light-emitting side to be reflected on second detection surfaces of the windshield panel toward the second lens surface at the light-receiving side. The light reflected on the first detection surface is condensed to inject the light-receiving element from the first lens surfaces, and the light reflected on the second detection surfaces is condensed to inject the light-receiving element from the second lens surface through reflection on the second reflection wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a rain sensor (Embodiment 1); and

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the rain sensor (Embodiment 1).

Claims

1. A rain sensor which includes a prism adhered onto an inner surface off a windshield panel, having lens surfaces at a light-emitting side and a light-receiving side, a light-emitting side and a light-receiving side, a light-emitting element which emits light to the lens surface at the light-emitting side, and a light-receiving element which receives the light from the lens surface at the light-receiving side, comprising: a prism including first and second lens surface on optical axes each differently directed at the light-emitting side and the light-receiving side;the prism including a first reflection wall to reflect the light injecting the first lens surface at the light-emitting side toward a first detection surface of the windshield panel; andthe prism also including a second reflection wall which reflects the light injecting from the second lens surface at the light-emitting side to be reflected on a second detection surface on the windshield panel toward the second lens surface at the light-receiving side, wherein:

2. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein: each of the first and the second lens surfaces has a convex surface, andeach of the first and the second reflection walls has a flat surface.

3. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein: the first lens surface at the light-emitting side and the second lens surface at the light-emitting side and the second lens surface at the light-receiving side are disposed in an area other than a space between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, andthe second lens surface at the light-receiving side are disposed in the area between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element.

4. The rain sensor according to claim 2, wherein: the first lens surface at the light-emitting side and the second lens surface at the light-emitting side and the second lens surface at the light-receiving side are disposed in an area other than a space between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, andthe second lens surface at the light-receiving side are disposed in the area between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element.