IP Library Granted Patent US 12,365,313
Granted Patent B2
US 12,365,313 · App. 18/447,305 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Support structure for rain sensor

Inventors: Yoshinori Uozumi (Toyota, JP); Shiroh Chiba (Nisshin, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B60S1/0881B60S1/0833
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,365,313
App. No.
18/447,305
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mounting bracket is fastened to a roof header panel. The mounting bracket has an extending portion extended to a position facing a windshield. A rain sensor is engaged with the extending portion so that the rain sensor can move back and forth with respect to the windshield. A coil spring is interposed between the extending portion and the rain sensor, and a light emitting/receiving surface of the rain sensor is pushed toward the inner surface of the windshield through a silicone sheet by a biasing force from the coil spring. Since there is no need to use adhesion as a means of supporting the rain sensor, there is no need to control or inspect the quality of the adhesion.

Claims (8)

1. A support structure for a rain sensor positioned in contact with or facing an interior surface of a windshield glass of a vehicle, wherein

a mounting bracket is fastened to a ceiling member located near the windshield glass, and the mounting bracket has an extending portion extending from a position where the mounting bracket is fastened to the ceiling member, to a position where the mounting bracket faces the windshield glass,

the rain sensor is engaged with the extending portion of the mounting bracket so that the rain sensor can move back and forth with respect to the windshield glass, and a coil spring is interposed between the extending portion and the rain sensor so that a light emitting/receiving surface of the rain sensor is pressed against the interior surface of the windshield glass by a biasing force from the coil spring.

2. The support structure of a rain sensor according to claim 1 , wherein

a temporary support claw is protruded on a surface of the rain sensor opposite to the light emitting/receiving surface, and

the extending portion of the mounting bracket is provided with an engagement hole in which the temporary support claw of the rain sensor is engaged.

3. The support structure for a rain sensor according to claim 1 , wherein

the extending portion of the mounting bracket comprises: a sloping portion that slopes away from the windshield glass, sloping from the position where the mounting bracket is fastened to the ceiling member, toward a position where the rain sensor is installed; and a sensor support portion that extends from a tip of the sloping portion, extending in a direction along an extending direction of the windshield glass.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2023
From: UOZUMI, YOSHINORI; CHIBA, SHIROH
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 064543/0688 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-206178 · Dec 23, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240208466A1 · Jun 27, 2024
References Cited (6)
US 6296381B1 · Sinn et al. · 2001 [cited by applicant]
US 20200384826A1 · Sasaki · 2020 [cited by examiner]
JP 3020807U · 1996 [cited by applicant]
JP 2001517175A · 2001 [cited by applicant]
JP 2022125594A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2022176470A1 · 2022 [cited by applicant]