Developing optics for a rain light sensor
Project description
The French automotive supplier Vale was looking for a partner to develop the optics for a rain light sensor. The decisive factor in choosing Helbling was the range of competences we have in this area:
- solid knowledge and experience in plastic optics for high-volume production (including concept, optics design, optical simulation, optical analyses down to advising on production questions)
- experience with cost-down projects (cost reduction)
- specific knowledge in the field of optics design
- customizing optical freeform surfaces for an extremely wide- angle sensitivity characteristic
- analysis and reduction of scattered light
- optical design with LightTools and high performance computing
- optimizing suitability for injection moulding and mass production (several million/year), reducing reject rate
- evaluation of optoelectronic components
Key data and technical details
- The rain light sensor combines the following sensor functions:
– rain sensor to identify raindrops on the windshield
– ambient light sensor to measure ambient brightness
– forward sensor to measure brightness ahead of the vehicle
– solar sensor to measure sun position - The optics of all the sensors are integrated into a single component and are implemented with a total of 27 optical surfaces: 5 freeform surfaces, 4 toroidal surfaces, 8 aspherical surfaces, 10 prisms
- The sensor is optimized for series production of several million units/year
- The sensor can be used for all standard types of windshield with a thickness of 3-6 mm
