Control system for operating a window wiper in response to water moisture
First Claim
1. An automatic control system for operating an electrically actuated device in response to the presence of water moisture, said control system comprising, in combination:
- (a) a voltage source;
(b) a moisture sensor comprising a plurality of spaced apart, exposed conductive strips;
(c) current detection means, having at least one input and at least one output, for producing a signal at an output when the current flow at an input exceeds a first prescribed threshold;
(d) first means for connecting a first plurality of said conductive strips to said voltage source;
(e) second means for connecting a second plurality of said conductive strips to said current detection means, each one of said second plurality being adjacent one of said first plurality of strips thereby defining adjacent pairs of sensor strips;
(f) means, coupled to said current detection means, for switching on said device when the number of pairs of adjacent sensor strips, for which the current flow through each respective pair exceeds said first prescribed threshold, exceeds a second prescribed threshold;
whereby a determination is made by said control system to operate said device, or to terminate its operation, in dependence upon the amount of moisture detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic control system for operating an electrically actuated device, such as a windshield wiper, power window, sun roof or convertible top of a motor vehicle, in response to the presence of water moisture. The control system includes a moisture sensor having a plurality of spaced apart, exposed conductive strips, the strips being arranged in adjacent pairs; a voltage source coupled to one strip of each pair; a current detector coupled to the other strip of each pair to discriminate between the presence or absence of moisture droplets on each pair; a drop accumulation detector, coupled to the current detector, for determining the number of pairs of sensor strips which are contacted by moisture droplets; and an electrical switch, coupled to the droplet detector, for switching on the electrical device in response to the number of droplets present on the moisture sensor.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An automatic control system for operating an electrically actuated device in response to the presence of water moisture, said control system comprising, in combination:
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(a) a voltage source; (b) a moisture sensor comprising a plurality of spaced apart, exposed conductive strips; (c) current detection means, having at least one input and at least one output, for producing a signal at an output when the current flow at an input exceeds a first prescribed threshold; (d) first means for connecting a first plurality of said conductive strips to said voltage source; (e) second means for connecting a second plurality of said conductive strips to said current detection means, each one of said second plurality being adjacent one of said first plurality of strips thereby defining adjacent pairs of sensor strips; (f) means, coupled to said current detection means, for switching on said device when the number of pairs of adjacent sensor strips, for which the current flow through each respective pair exceeds said first prescribed threshold, exceeds a second prescribed threshold; whereby a determination is made by said control system to operate said device, or to terminate its operation, in dependence upon the amount of moisture detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification