Method and apparatus for preventing fogging on the windows of a motor vehicle

US6971584B2 · 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

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 26, 2004
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 26, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60H1/00785
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The regulated heating and air conditioning installations normally enable, when controlled, integration of the main factors affecting the comfort of passengers, in particular preventing the windscreen and the other windows from getting clouded. In order to detect incipient mist formation, condensation and moisture sensors generate detection signals, which initiate steps for preventing mist formation when a threshold value is exceeded. Measures are taken for preventing mist formation based on requirements and in a manner adapted to the changing moisture conditions of the glass panes, for example, by using points of intervention stored in a processor. Steps are therefore taken to prevent mist formation, based on moisture variation gradients of the glass panes. Depending on the moisture of the glass panes varying in time and in terms of values, each point of intervention is generally set on as soon as possible, but the latest possible, the local conditions and local meteorological elements being taken into consideration when the method is applied.