How do rain-sensitive windscreen wipers work?
The latest method uses optical sensors to detect the moisture. The sensor is mounted in contact with the inside of the windshield, near the rear-view mirror. The sensor projects infrared light into the windshield at a 45-degree angle. If the glass is dry, most of this light is reflected back into the sensor by the front of the windshield. If water droplets are on the glass, they reflect the light in different directions — the wetter the glass, the less light makes it back into the sensor. The electronics and software in the sensor turn on the wipers when the amount of light reflected onto the sensor decreases to a preset level. The software sets the speed of the wipers based on how fast the moisture builds up between wipes. It can operate the wipers at any speed. The system adjusts the speed as often as necessary to match with the rate of moisture accumulation. Previous systems using equipment to detect the impact of raindrops hitting the glass seldom worked properly – continually bei