What is a rain sensor?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

In the modern world, a person tries to make his life as comfortable and functional as possible. All sorts of devices and gadgets help him in this, which automate many processes in production and at home.

In the automotive market, you can find various devices designed to help you navigate the road and reduce the risk of accidents. One such device is the rain sensor.

Just a few years ago, such sensors were installed by manufacturers only on luxury cars, while now you can find a similar device on middle-class cars, or even affordable budget cars.

In addition, a do-it-yourself rain sensor can also be installed, taking into account some features. It must be remembered that such a device should be installed on the windshield next to the rear-view mirror from the inside of the car. This location was not chosen by chance: the rain sensor installed there does not reduce visibility, and therefore does not interfere with orientation on the road.

Let's consider the principle of operation of this gadget, but first, let's find out what a rain sensor is.

This applianceis an optical-electronic device that reacts to the degree of moisture in the windshield. Its work is as follows: an infrared beam is emitted onto the glass, part of the light is scattered, and part is reflected and returned back, where it is captured by a special highly sensitive sensor. Depending on the weather conditions, as well as the degree of contamination of the glass, the amount of reflected radiation will be different. The microprocessor integrated in the rain sensor processes the received information and, if necessary, the wiper system is activated.

The advantages of this device are as follows:

1. Monitoring the weather outside your car.
2. Accounting for the time of day, including the sensitivity of the human eye.
3. Change the frequency of the windshield wiper depending on the vehicle speed.
4. Optimal windshield cleaning.
5. Preventing wiper blades from moving across the dry surface of the windshield.
6. The wiper system is controlled automatically.

There is only one drawback - there is a possibility that the rain sensor will work on a random drop of moisture, a fingerprint or even an air bubble. In such a case, it is possible that the sensor is constantly triggered and, consequently, the windshield wipers are switched on. To prevent false alarms, wash the glass thoroughly and try not to touch it with your fingers.

Interesting is the fact that the rain sensor will notwork on the dirt that has fallen. This is because the properties of the mud mixture are different from those recognized by the device.

Summarizing: the rain sensor is a functional and convenient device, thanks to which the driver is not distracted from the road, which ensures a high level of safety, increases the life of both the windshield and the wiper.