What is a rain sensor?

In the modern world, a person tries to make his life as comfortable and functional as possible. In this he is helped by all kinds of devices and gadgets that automate many processes at work and at home.

In the car market you can find various devices designed to help you navigate the road and reduce the risk of getting into emergencies. One such device is a rain sensor.

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

In addition, the rain sensor with your own hands can also be installed by taking into account some features. It must be remembered that a similar device should be installed on the windshield next to the rear view mirror from the side of the car. This placement is not chosen by chance: the rain sensor installed there does not reduce the visibility, and therefore does not interfere with the orientation on the road.

Consider the principle of this gadget, but first we'll find out what the rain sensor is.

This device is an optoelectronic device that reacts to the degree of moistening of the windshield. His work is as follows: a beam of infrared radiation is emitted onto the glass, part of the light is scattered, and a part is reflected and returned back, where it is captured by a special high-sensitivity 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 information received and, if necessary, switches on the wiper system.

The advantages of this device are:

1. Weather control overboard 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 speed of the car.
4. Optimal cleaning of the windscreen.
5. Prevent the movement of the wiper blades on the dry surface of the windshield.
6. The wiper system is controlled automatically.

The only drawback is that there is a chance that the rain sensor will work on a random drop of moisture, a fingerprint or even a bubble of air. In such a case, the sensor can be continuously activated and, consequently, the inclusion of the windshield wipers. To prevent false positives, you must carefully wash the glass, and also try not to touch it with your fingers.

Interesting is the fact that the rain sensor will not work on the dirt that has fallen. This is due to the fact that the properties of the mud mixture differ from those that are recognized by the device.

To summarize: 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, extends the service life of both the windscreen and the windscreen wiper.