Contact device for rain sensor of a vehicle

• US 5,663,542 A
• Filed: 07/05/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Kohr, Rainer, Busch, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US08/498,239
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.04, 200/61.06, 219/501, 219/519, 324/691-724
• US Class Current: 200/61.05
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/00 Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/02 electric constitutive elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0851 Resistive rain sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0874 characterized by the position of the sensor on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0306 Inorganic insulating substrates, e.g. ceramic, glass
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0393 Flexible materials H05K1/038 takes precedence; specific organic compositions are classified in H05K1/0313 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/095 for polymer thick films, i.e. having a permanent organic polymeric binder
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10977 Encapsulated connections
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/305 Affixing by adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/321 by conductive adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/361 Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits

Abstract

A device for the electric contacting of a sensor present on the outer side of the window of a motor vehicle, which sensor has an electric conductive track which is connected to an electric connecting contact within the motor vehicles. In order to produce a device for the corrosion-free, water-tight electric contacting of a moisture sensor present on the outer side of the motor vehicle, a conductive track arranged on a flexible support is arranged on the vehicle window, gripping around its edge region, the conductive track being conductively connected to the sensor conductive track in the region outside the vehicle and to a connecting contact in the region inside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for the electric contacting of a sensor present on the outer side of the window of a motor vehicle, the sensor having a first electric conductive track which is connected by the device to an electric connecting contact within the vehicle, the device comprising:

a second conductive track, and a flexible support which is arranged on the vehicle window gripping around an edge region of the window;

wherein the second conductive track is disposed on the support; and

the second conductive track is conductively connected with the first conductive track in the region outside the vehicle and with the connecting contact in the region within the vehicle.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising

a layer of heat-setting adhesive;

and

wherein the flexible support is fastened on the vehicle window by means of the layer of heat-setting adhesive.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein

the support, the second conductive track, and the layer of heat-setting adhesive are arranged bent in form-locked manner around the edge region of the vehicle window, the layer of heat-setting adhesive being on a side of the device facing the vehicle window.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible support comprises a thermoplastic material.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the support further comprises a stabilizing metal strip.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the metal strip is disposed within the support.

7. A device according to claim 5, wherein the metal strip is disposed on the support.

8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive adhesive which serves to connect the second conductive track to the first conductive track.

9. A device according to claim 8, further comprising a conductive adhesive and a contact point;

wherein the contact point is arranged between the conductive adhesive and the second conductive track, the conductive adhesive joining the contact point with the first conductive track.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the contact point comprises carbon.

11. A device according to claim 1, further comprising

a flexible foil;

and

wherein the second conductive track is printed on the flexible foil.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein

the contact point and the connecting contact within the vehicle are arranged on opposite ends of the second conductive track.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive track comprises a thin film conductive layer.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the first conductive track is a resistance track.