Rain sensor mount for use in a vehicle

A rain sensor module assembly for attachment to an inner surface of a vehicle windshield, said rain sensor module assembly comprising:

• a housing, said housing having a first end adapted to releasably attach to a support mounted to the inner surface of the vehicle windshield;
• a rain sensor having a detecting surface, said rain sensor contained in said housing;
• a biasing member provided in said module, said biasing member urging said detecting surface of said rain sensor to contact the inner surface of the vehicle windshield for detecting moisture on the outer surface of the vehicle windshield;
• and
• said housing having an opposing second end provided with a mirror mounting button for releasably mounting a rearview mirror assembly to said module.

A rain sensor mounting assembly comprising:

• a mounting member encompassing an opening, said mounting member being adapted to mount on an inner surface of a vehicle windshield;
• a housing having a first end adapted to releasably attach to said mounting member;
• a rain sensor having a detecting surface, said rain sensor contained in said housing;
• a biasing member provided in said housing, said biasing member applying a force to said rain sensor for urging said detecting surface of said rain sensor to contact the inner surface of the vehicle windshield for detecting moisture on an outer surface of the vehicle windshield;
• and
• said housing having an opposing second end, said second end including a mirror mounting button for releasably mounting a rearview mirror assembly to said rain sensor mounting assembly.

A rain sensor mounting assembly for mounting a rain sensor to a vehicle windshield, said rain sensor mounting comprising:

• a mounting member adapted for mounting to the inner surface of the vehicle windshield, said mounting member encompassing an opening;
• said mounting member adapted to releasably receive a rain sensor module, said rain sensor module comprising a rain sensor having a detecting surface and a housing provided with a mirror mounting button for releasably mounting a rearview mirror assembly to said module, said detecting surface of said rain sensor positioned for contacting with the inner surface of the inner surface of the vehicle windshield at said opening of said mounting member when mounted in the vehicle for detecting moisture on the outer surface of the vehicle windshield;
• said mounting member and said mirror mounting button generally aligned along a common axis when said module is received by said mounting member;
• said rearview mirror assembly comprising a rearview mirror housing including a mirror element therein, a support arm connected to said rearview mirror housing, said support arm terminating in a mirror mount adapted to provide a break-away connection to said mirror mounting button of said rain sensor module;
• and
• wherein said support arm is connected to said rearview mirror housing by a pivot joint to permit repositioning of said reflective element and wherein said support arm is connected to said mirror mounting button by a second pivot joint to permit a further range of positions for said rearview mirror reflective element.

A rain sensor assembly for attachment to a vehicle windshield, said rain sensor assembly comprising:

• a rain sensor module housing a rain sensor, said rain sensor having a detecting surface, said detecting surface being exposed at a first end of said module so as to contact the inner surface of the vehicle windshield when said module is mounted in the vehicle for detecting moisture on the outer surface of the vehicle windshield;
• a mirror mounting button positioned on said module at a second end opposing said first end;
• and
• wherein said detecting surface and said mirror mounting button are substantially aligned along a common axis when said rain sensor module is mounted in the vehicle.