Sensor for detecting condensation and use in a sensor module

US6809530B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Hans-Michael Schmitt · Münnerstadt, DE
• Juergen Bach · Bad Neustadt an der Saale, DE
• Guenther Oennig · Freiensteinau, DE
• Thomas Polzer · Graben-Neudorf, DE
• Martin Blaufuss · Eppingen, DE
• Rudolf Hartmann · Waldbronn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 2002
• Grant date: Oct 26, 2004
• Expiry date: Nov 29, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60S1/0866
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

As is well known, the influencing variables most important for a sense of comfort are considered during regulation in controlled heating and air conditioning units. Incipient condensation on the windshield or other windows in particular is to be prevented thereby. Sensor modules, inter alia, are employed for this purpose, which have, for example, a capacitative thin-layer sensor. An additional thermopile is provided for determining the window temperature. The present idea eliminates the determination of the window temperature, for which purpose a sensor working capacitatively in the exemplary embodiment is brought directly to the window temperature and a direct thermal coupling of the sensor with the window occurs via a metal plate connected directly to the sensor and a thin adhesive film. The metal plate can thereby form one of the electrodes of the sensor itself or be connected to said electrode in a direct thermal manner. The use of the sensor in the sensor module is a further preferred embodiment.