# US 10,870,399 B2 · Sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for operating a sensor device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,399 B2 - Document ID: US10870399B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/962,942 - Filed: 2018-04-25 - Published: 2018-11-01 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-26 - Assignees: Audi AG - Applicants: Audi AG - Inventors: Tobias Brok - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870399B2 ## CPC - B60R 11/04: Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle - B60S 1/023: {including defroster or demisting means} - G01S 7/4813: {Housing arrangements} - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft - B60R 2011/0026: {Windows, e.g. windscreen} - G01S 2007/4977: {including means to prevent or remove the obstruction} - H04N 23/51: Housings - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract The invention relates to a sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a pane, a sensor housing, and an optical sensor, wherein the sensor housing is arranged on one side of the pane such that between the sensor housing and the pane, a gap is formed, in which the optical sensor is arranged. To allow for a deicing of the pane in an area of the sensor housing in a particularly simple and thus cost-effective manner, it is provided that between the sensor housing and the side of the pane, a heat conducting element is arranged to conduct heat from outside the sensor housing in between the sensor housing and the pane. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising: a pane; an optical sensor; a sensor housing disposed on an inner side of the pane such that a gap is formed between the sensor housing and the inner side of the pane, and wherein the optical sensor is disposed in the gap; and a heat conductor disposed between the sensor housing and the inner side of the pane, the heat conductor configured to conduct heat from between an outside of the sensor housing and the pane, wherein the heat conductor is disposed both inside and outside the gap, the heat conductor projecting into an interior of the motor vehicle to thereby be heated by heated air in the interior. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor comprises a material having a greater thermal conduction coefficient than a thermal conduction coefficient of the pane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sensor arrangement of claim 2, wherein the material is metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is configured to be non-transparent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is configured as a privacy screen that at least partially prevents a view through the pane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is applied to the inner side of the pane by means of thermal evaporation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the gap is a sealed gap formed by the sensor housing, the pane, and the heat conductor, wherein no air exchange between the gap and an area outside of the sensor housing takes place. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is configured to detect an optical signal that impinges through an entry surface of the pane onto the optical sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The sensor arrangement of claim 8, wherein the entry surface is formed by a recess of the heat conductor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The sensor arrangement of claim 8, wherein the entry surface is configured with a second heat conductor that is transparent. ### Claim 11 A motor vehicle with a sensor arrangement, wherein the sensor arrangement comprises: a pane; an optical sensor; a sensor housing disposed with the optical sensor on an inner side of the pane of the motor vehicle, wherein the sensor housing is further disposed to form a gap on the inner side of the pane between the sensor housing and the pane, and wherein the optical sensor is disposed within the gap; and a heat conductor disposed between the sensor housing and the inner side of the pane, the heat conductor configured to conduct heat from outside the sensor housing to an area between the sensor housing and the pane, wherein the heat conductor is disposed both inside and outside the gap, the heat conductor projecting into an interior of the motor vehicle to thereby be heated by heated air in the interior. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the pane is a windshield of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the pane is a rear window of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The motor vehicle of claim 11, wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera, a Lidar sensor, or an infrared sensor. ### Claim 15 A method for operating a sensor arrangement for a motor vehicle, the method comprising: conducting heat, by a heat conductor, from an interior of the motor vehicle to an area of a pane between a sensor housing of the sensor arrangement and the pane, wherein the sensor housing is disposed on an inner side of the pane so as to form a gap between the sensor housing and the pane, in which an optical sensor is disposed; and heating, by the heat conductor, the area of the pane, wherein the heat conductor is disposed both inside and outside the gap, the heat conductor projecting into the interior of the motor vehicle to thereby be heated by heated air in the interior. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: deicing the area of the pane by the heating of the area of the pane. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the heat conductor is a passive heat conductor that conducts heat generated from a heat source of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the pane is a windshield of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the pane is a rear window of the motor vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The sensor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is independent of power sources of the motor vehicle.