Apparatus for use in association with a vehicle
AssigneeTRW Automotive U.S. LLC
InventorsThomas E. Blake, III, Robert J. Newton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield (38) includes a module (30) having an end portion which pivotally engages a bracket (40) connected with the windshield. The module (30) is pivotal relative to the bracket (40) to press a rain sensor coupler (34) connected with the module against the windshield (38) with a predetermined force. A camera assembly (72) may be disposed in the module (30). The camera assembly (72) may include an image sensor (154) and a camera lens (150). A polarizer lens (202) is disposed adjacent to the camera lens (150).
Claims27
An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield, said apparatus comprising a bracket adapted to be connected with the windshield of the vehicle, and a module adapted to be connected with said bracket to position a rain sensor disposed within said module relative to the windshield of the vehicle, said module having a first end portion which pivotally engages a first end portion of said bracket to position said module for pivotal movement relative to said bracket from a disengaged condition in which a second end portion of said module is spaced from a second end portion of said bracket and in which a rain sensor coupler connected to said module is spaced from the windshield to an engaged condition in which said second end portion of said module engages said second end portion of said bracket and in which said rain sensor coupler is pressed against the windshield with a predetermined force.
An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield, said apparatus comprising a module, a camera assembly disposed in said module, said camera assembly includes an image sensor and a camera lens, said camera lens having a first end portion disposed adjacent to said image sensor and a second end portion spaced from said image sensor, and a polarizer lens disposed adjacent to said second end portion of said camera lens, said module having a first major side which faces toward the windshield, a second major side which faces away from the windshield, and a minor side which extends between said first and second major sides, said minor side of said module having an opening through which said camera lens is optically exposed to environment adjacent to said module, further including a polarizer lens retainer, an inner seal disposed on said polarizer lens retainer, said inner seal having an inner end portion which provides a seal between said camera lens and said inner seal, said inner seal having an outer end portion which provides a seal between said polarizer lens and said inner seal, and an outer seal disposed on said polarized lens retainer, said outer seal having an inner end portion which provides a seal between said polarizer lens and said outer seal, said outer seal having an outer end portion which provides a seal between said module and said outer seal.
An apparatus for use in association with a vehicle having a windshield, said apparatus comprising a bracket adapted to be connected with the windshield of the vehicle, and a module adapted to be connected with said bracket to position a rain sensor and a camera assembly disposed within said module relative to the windshield of the vehicle, said module has a first major side which faces toward said bracket when said module is connected with said bracket, said first major side of said module includes a recess through which said camera assembly is optically exposed to environment adjacent to said module, said rain sensor having a coupler which extends from said first major side of said module and is pressed against an inner side of the windshield, said bracket having an opening which extends around an end portion of said recess in said first major side of said module and around said coupler of said rain sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.