Capacitive coupled moisture sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor for detecting moisture comprising:
- a dielectric substrate;
first and second electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, spaced apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent a first major surface of said substrate;
third and fourth electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, space apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent an opposing, second major service of said substrate wherein said first electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said third electroconductive member and said second electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said fourth electroconductive member; and
means to provide electrical connection to only said third and fourth electroconductive members.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rain sensor for a windshield having two sets of electroconductive coatings on opposing major surfaces of the outer glass ply of a windshield. The first set of coatings on the outer major surface of the ply are electrically insulated from but in close proximity to each other. The second set of electroconductive coatings are positioned within the windshield between the glass plies and are electrically connected to a signal generator and receiver. Water contacting the outer surface of the glass ply changes the nature of an electrical signal passing through the first pair of electroconductive coatings. In response to the altered signal, a controller actuates a windshield wiper arrangement to clear the viewing area of the windshield.
64 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A sensor for detecting moisture comprising:
-
a dielectric substrate; first and second electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, spaced apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent a first major surface of said substrate; third and fourth electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, space apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent an opposing, second major service of said substrate wherein said first electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said third electroconductive member and said second electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said fourth electroconductive member; and means to provide electrical connection to only said third and fourth electroconductive members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A sensor for detecting moisture comprising:
-
a dielectric substrate; first and second electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, spaced apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent a first major surface of said substrate; third and fourth electroconductive members positioned in a fixed, spaced apart relationship relative to each other and adjacent an opposing, second major surface of said substrate, wherein said first electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said third electroconductive member and said second electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said fourth electroconductive member; and at least one additional substrate secured in a fixed relationship to said second major surface of said substrate to form a composite assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification