Sensor for detecting condensation and use in a sensor module

• US 20030086475A1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Oenning, Guenther, Hartmann, Rudolf, Blaufuss, Martin, Schmitt, Hans-Michael, Polzer, Thomas, Bach, Juergen
• Granted Patent: US 6,809,530 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 374/159
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00785 by the detection of humidity or frost
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0825 Capacitive rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0866 including a temperature sensor heating devices for windshield B60H

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.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting condensation on a window, wherein the sensor directly attaining a temperature of the window such that a direct thermal coupling of the sensor with the window occurs.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the direct thermal coupling occurs via a metal plate, which forms a bottom of the sensor, and wherein a lower surface of the metal plate is flush with the window.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate is fixed onto the window by an adhesive with a high thermal conductivity.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising two electrodes, and a conductive, moisture-sensitive material disposed between said electrodes, wherein the direct coupling with the window occurs via one of the electrodes and an adhesive with high thermal conductivity.

5. The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the direct thermal coupling of the sensor with the window occurs via a metal plate, which is connected to one of the electrodes in a direct thermal manner.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate or the electrode is held in a plastic frame.

7. The sensor according to claim 4, wherein the moisture-sensitive material is a polymer.

15. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the window is a vehicle window.

16. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a thin film or glue.

8. A sensor module for detecting condensation on a window, said sensor module including a sensor that directly attains a temperature of the window such that a direct thermal coupling occurs.

9. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein evaluation electronics are integrated into the module.

10. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein the module is surrounded by a housing, and wherein an electrode of the sensor or a metal plate is held by the housing of the module with ends of the metal plate being flush with the housing.

11. The sensor module according to claim 10, wherein the electrode or the metal plate is held by a plastic frame of the housing.

12. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein a temperature sensor can be integrated into the module.

13. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein the module is built on a small scale and has the dimensions of being approximately 30 mm wide by 2.0 mm high by 4 mm deep.

14. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein the sensor module can be preferably integrated in or on the base of an interior mirror.

17. The sensor module according to claim 8, wherein the sensor module is positioned between the window and the base of the interior window.