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
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
Services
Industries
Technologies
Key Figures
- 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
Our Contribution
- Concept development, feasibility analysis
- Design, calculation and optimization of optical surfaces
- Optical simulations, tolerance analysis, scattered light analyses
- Production oriented design of optics in 3D CAD
- The project was handled in several phases:
- concept development
- optical development and calculation
- adaptation of optics to new customer specifications
- industrialization
Outcome
- The sensor is produced in large volumes
- The sensor is installed in Audi and VW vehicles, among others
- A new generation is currently in development
Contact
Cases
Internationales Unternehmen der Papierindustrie – Analyse des Dampfsystems
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Cases
6-Streifenausbau Aarau Ost – Verzweigung Birrfeld – Bauherrenunterstützung
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