Exterior temperature sensor on antenna finial
US5813765A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K1/14
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A temperature sensing system for sensing ambient temperature around a vehicle. The sensing system includes a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor or thermocouple, positioned within the antenna finial of a fixed-mast antenna of the vehicle. A sensor signal from the sensor is applied to a sensor circuit that includes suitable filtering components. The filtered sensor signal is then applied to a microcontroller where the signal is processed to display the exterior temperature on display within the vehicle passenger compartment. A sensor lead and a return lead are wrapped around the mast antenna to transfer the sensor signal from the sensor to the sensor circuit. The mast antenna is wrapped with a shrink-type tubing or covered with an epoxy-type coating to cover the sensor lead and return lead. The presence of the wires provides the added benefit of reducing wind noise traditionally associated with the antenna mast.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.