Abstract: A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.

Abstract: A camera system for use in a vehicle for simultaneously recognizing rain on its windshield and for monitoring the surroundings, includes: a camera having a camera lens and an image sensor, a mirror system having at least one first mirror and at least one second mirror which are situated in such a way that they define a beam path from a monitored area of the windshield to the first mirror, from there to the second mirror, and from there through the camera lens to a first subarea of the image sensor, the distance along the beam path between the at least one second mirror and the camera lens being smaller than the distance along the beam path between the at least one second mirror and the monitored area.

Abstract: A sensor system is described for detecting wetting of a window includes a photodetector having multiple light-sensitive elements and a light source for emitting light to a detection region of the window in such a way that a portion of the light is reflected at the window, and another portion of the light passes through the window. The light source and the light-sensitive element are situated in such a way that a portion of the light from the light source which passes through the window is reflected at the wetting and strikes a portion of the light-sensitive elements. The light source includes a lighting element which is set up to irradiate into a transparent body. The transparent body has a surface which has defined unevennesses for the diffuse radiation of the irradiated light.

Abstract: A sensor unit for automatic switching of lighting devices of motor vehicles is described. The sensor unit includes at least one light-sensitive sensor, a filter element being situated upstream from it, and the filter element filtering out infrared light. A coupling medium for improving the switching points of the sensor unit and the use of a coupling medium and a filter for improving the switching points of the sensor unit are also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatic control of illumination devices, in particular of a motor vehicle, include a brightness sensor which delivers first signals, the illumination devices are switched off after a time interval that begins at the point in time at which the first signals exceed or fall below a first threshold. The length of the time interval is modifiable, and in particular, is capable of being extended.

Abstract: In a method for the automatic control of lighting devices, particularly of a motor vehicle, and a device for implementing the method, the brightness in a specific direction being detected by at least one directional sensor which emits direction signals to a control device, the control device switching on the lighting devices after a minimum time has elapsed. The minimum time begins when the direction signals exceed or drop below a switch-on threshold. The lighting devices are only switched on when the direction signals lie above or below the switch-on threshold during the entire minimum time. To that end, the control device is connected to a timer.

Abstract: A sensor for optical detection of foreign bodies, in particular raindrops, on a window, in particular on the windshield of a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that is coupled to the inside of the window and having a fastening device, which is glued to the window, wherein the housing part has a fastening part pivotably attached to it, which can be brought into engagement with the fastening device by the clamping tension.

Abstract: A rain sensor, in particular for a motor vehicle including a window-wiper device (windshield-wiper device), including a measuring element, which has a sensitivity that is predefinable by a control device, a signal, characterizing the speed of the motor vehicle, being able to be transmitted to the control device, and the control device increasing the sensitivity of the measuring element at lower speed. Furthermore, a method for controlling a windshield-wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle. A measuring element is connected to a control device, its sensitivity being predefined by the control device. A signal characterizing a speed of the motor vehicle is transmitted to the control device and the sensitivity of the measuring element increased at lower speed.

Abstract: Light-sensitive sensor unit, especially for the automatic switching of illuminating equipment, preferably in motor vehicles, which includes at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least a first sensor and a second sensor detecting the light conditions in predetermined directions. For this purpose, all light-conducting elements allocated to the sensors are to be connected in one piece as a light-conducting member and integrated into the light-conducting member of a rain sensor.

Abstract: A rain sensor (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter (20) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver (22) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter (20), and a substantially flat light-conducting body (14) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane (12) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures (18a, 18b) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter (20), whereby the structures (18a) for directing the radiation are different from the structures (18b) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.

Abstract: A light-sensitive sensor unit, in particular for automatic switching of lighting devices, preferably in motor vehicles, including at least two light-sensitive sensors, at least one first sensor detecting the global lighting conditions, and at least one second sensor detecting the lighting conditions in predetermined directions. All light guide elements provided for the sensors are joined in one piece to form a light guide body.

Abstract: The device has a sensor device (20) and an evaluation device (30). The sensor device (20) has a global sensor (22), by which the general light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected nondirectionally, and a directional sensor (24), by which the light intensity is detected directionally in the travel direction of the vehicle. By the evaluation device (30), the signals (S1, S2) of the sensors (22, 24) of the sensor device (20) are compared with threshold values (SE), and if at least one threshold value (SE) is undershot, the lighting devices (10, 12) are switched on. A temperature measuring instrument (32) for detecting the temperature of the sensor device (20) is also provided, which supplies the evaluation device with a signal (ST) about the temperature. In the evaluation device (30), temperature-dependent basic signals (S10, S20) that the sensors (22, 24) generate without light incidence are stored in memory.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatic control of illumination devices (14), in particular of a motor vehicle, are proposed, having a brightness sensor (28) which delivers first signals (S1), the illumination devices (14) being switched off after a time interval (DeltaT) that begins at the point in time (T1) at which the first signals (S1) exceed or fall below a first threshold (SW1), the length of the time interval (DeltaT) being modifiable, in particular capable of being extended.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for detecting a wetting, in particular a precipitation and dirt accumulation, on a window (13) is proposed, with at least one transmitter (14) and at least one receiver (15) for the transmitter light (17) emitted by the transmitters (14), where the transmitters (14) and receivers (15) are disposed on the vertex points of an imaginary trapezoid. As a result, the external dimensions of the sensor are reduced, the ratio of sensitive area (19) and base area (18) of the sensor is improved, and a coherent sensitive area is produced, where there is also space available for a receiving element of an automatic light control.

Abstract: A device for automatically switching lighting equipment, in particular for a motor vehicle, having a sensor element that detects at least infrared radiation, and having a filter element, the filter element being designed in such a manner that, in essence, only infrared radiation is detectable by the sensor element.

Abstract: A sensor device, by which the light intensity in the surroundings of the vehicle is detected and which is connected to an evaluation device, by which the signals (S) of the sensor device for the light intensity are compared with at least one threshold value, and from that it is ascertained whether a change in the switching state of the lighting devices is necessary. The evaluation device evaluates signals (S) of the sensor device for the presence of at least one periodically variable signal component (Sk), and in the presence of such a signal component (Sk), the lighting devices are either turned on at a certain level, or remain turned on at that level.

Abstract: A rain sensor, in particular for a motor vehicle including a window-wiper device (windshield-wiper device), including a measuring element, which has a sensitivity that is predefinable by a control device, a signal, characterizing the speed of the motor vehicle, being able to be transmitted to the control device, and the control device increasing the sensitivity of the measuring element at lower speed. Furthermore, a method for controlling a windshield-wiper device, in particular for a motor vehicle. A measuring element is connected to a control device, its sensitivity being predefined by the control device. A signal characterizing a speed of the motor vehicle is transmitted to the control device and the sensitivity of the measuring element increased at lower speed.

Abstract: A sensor unit for automatic switching of lighting devices of motor vehicles is described. The sensor unit includes at least one light-sensitive sensor, a filter element being situated upstream from it, and the filter element filtering out infrared light. A coupling medium for improving the switching points of the sensor unit and the use of a coupling medium and a filter for improving the switching points of the sensor unit are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the automatic control of lighting devices (16), particularly of a motor vehicle, and a device for implementing the method, the brightness in a specific direction being detected by at least one directional sensor (14) which emits direction signals (SR) to a control device (10), the control device (10) switching on the lighting devices (16) after a minimum time (tb) has elapsed. The minimum time (tb) begins when the direction signals (SR) exceed or drop below a switch-on threshold (SE). The lighting devices (16) are only switched on when the direction signals (SR) lie above or below the switch-on threshold (SE) during the entire minimum time (tb). To that end, the control device (10) is connected to a timer (T).

Abstract: A rain sensor (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, is shown, having at least one transmitter (20) emitting radiation in the operating state, and at least one receiver (22) at least partially sensitive to the radiation from the transmitter (20), and a substantially flat light-conducting body (14) that is capable of being coupled nearly parallel to a surface of a wettable window pane (12) of the motor vehicle, and comprising structures (18a, 18b) for directing and catching the radiation from the transmitter (20), whereby the structures (18a) for directing the radiation are different from the structures (18b) for catching the radiation, and they have radiation-concentrating properties.