A system to localize debris on an optical surface of a vehicle includes a first array along a first side of a perimeter of the optical surface and including a light source to emit light into a thickness of the optical surface. A second array is along a second side of the perimeter, opposite the first side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter in the thickness and provide a corresponding output. A third array is along a third side of the perimeter and includes a light source to emit light. A fourth array is along a fourth side of the perimeter, opposite the third side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter and provide a corresponding output. A controller identifies a presence of the debris, determines a position of the debris based on the output from the light detectors, and remediates the debris.

An optical rain sensor including a plurality of light detecting elements and a plurality of peripheral light emitting elements disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) and surrounding a central light emitting element disposed on the PCB, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the central light emitting element is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements, and wherein, in a second mode of operation, each of the peripheral light emitting elements is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements.

A system to localize debris on an optical surface of a vehicle includes a first array along a first side of a perimeter of the optical surface and including a light source to emit light into a thickness of the optical surface. A second array is along a second side of the perimeter, opposite the first side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter in the thickness and provide a corresponding output. A third array is along a third side of the perimeter and includes a light source to emit light. A fourth array is along a fourth side of the perimeter, opposite the third side, and includes a light detector to detect light scatter and provide a corresponding output. A controller identifies a presence of the debris, determines a position of the debris based on the output from the light detectors, and remediates the debris.

A rain and temperature sensing module including a housing having a cover plate formed of a transparent material, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a light emitter, a light receiver, and a temperature sensing element disposed thereon, a transparent compound disposed within the housing and covering the light emitter, the light receiver, and the temperature sensing element, the transparent compound filling a space between the printed circuit board and the cover plate, wherein the transparent compound has a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the cover plate, and wherein the transparent compound provides a thermally conductive medium between the cover plate and the temperature sensing element.

A rain and temperature sensing module including a housing having a cover plate formed of a transparent material, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a light emitter, a light receiver, and a temperature sensing element disposed thereon, a transparent compound disposed within the housing and covering the light emitter, the light receiver, and the temperature sensing element, the transparent compound filling a space between the printed circuit board and the cover plate, wherein the transparent compound has a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the cover plate, and wherein the transparent compound provides a thermally conductive medium between the cover plate and the temperature sensing element.

A sensor apparatus for coupling to a pane of glass, in particular to the windscreen of a motor vehicle, having at least one coupling layer for the optical coupling of the sensor apparatus with the windscreen. The coupling layer is constructed with multiple layers, at least two layers of the coupling layer consist of coupling materials that are different from each other, and the layer provided for placement on the pane of glass has a weaker capacity for adhesion to the glass than at least one further layer of the coupling layer.

An optical rain sensor including a plurality of light detecting elements and a plurality of peripheral light emitting elements disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) and surrounding a central light emitting element disposed on the PCB, wherein, in a first mode of operation, the central light emitting element is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements, and wherein, in a second mode of operation, each of the peripheral light emitting elements is configured to emit light beams toward the plurality of light detecting elements.

A rain and temperature sensing module including a housing having a cover plate formed of a transparent material, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a light emitter, a light receiver, and a temperature sensing element disposed thereon, a transparent compound disposed within the housing and covering the light emitter, the light receiver, and the temperature sensing element, the transparent compound filling a space between the printed circuit board and the cover plate, wherein the transparent compound has a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the cover plate, and wherein the transparent compound provides a thermally conductive medium between the cover plate and the temperature sensing element.

A sensor mounting system for mounting onto a sensor mounting bracket a sensing device and a cover that covers the sensing device. The sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket by sliding from a sensing device delivery position to a sensing device mounted position. The cover pivots relative to the sensing device from a cover delivery position to a cover locked position. When the sensing device is mounted onto the sensor mounting bracket, the cover is in the cover delivery position and contacts the sensor mounting bracket such that by pivoting the cover towards the cover locked position, the cover causes sliding of the sensing device into the sensing device mounted position.

A rain and temperature sensing module including a housing having a cover plate formed of a transparent material, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing and having a light emitter, a light receiver, and a temperature sensing element disposed thereon, a transparent compound disposed within the housing and covering the light emitter, the light receiver, and the temperature sensing element, the transparent compound filling a space between the printed circuit board and the cover plate, wherein the transparent compound has a refractive index that is substantially equal to a refractive index of the cover plate, and wherein the transparent compound provides a thermally conductive medium between the cover plate and the temperature sensing element.