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Home >> Kia >> 2017 >> Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Accessories & Equipment >> Wiper/Washer Systems >> Windshield Wiper/Washer System (PHEV) >> Rain Sensor >> Description And Operation >> Functions And Operating Principles >> Basic Principle

Basic Principle

  1. Detecting the amount of rainfall

The light (beam) emitted from light emitting diodes (LED) is totally reflected on the external surface of the windshield and comes back to the photo diodes. When there is water on the external surface of the windshield, the light is optically separated and reflected partially and the remaining brightness is measured by the photo diodes. Water remaining on the windshield results in the light being not totally reflected. The loss of brightness due to this indicates how much the glass surface is wet.