Temperature sensor system for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A temperature sensor system for a vehicle, the temperature sensor system comprising:
- a first temperature sensor assembly comprising a thermally insulating body, a first temperature sensing element thermally insulated within the body, and a thermally conductive contacting element exposed externally of the body and in thermal communication with the first temperature sensing element;
wherein the thermally conductive contacting element is urged into contact with an interior cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the temperature sensor system for sensing the temperature of the windshield of the equipped vehicle;
wherein the first temperature sensor assembly is supported at a mirror support bracket of an interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when the mirror support bracket mounts at an interior cabin side of a vehicle windshield, the thermally conductive contacting element of the first temperature sensor assembly is biased toward and into contact with the interior cabin side of the vehicle windshield so as to enhance maintaining thermal contact therewith;
a humidity sensing element disposed in the equipped vehicle away from the first temperature sensor assembly and from the windshield;
a second temperature sensor assembly having a second temperature sensing element mounted on, or in direct contact with, the humidity sensing element and sensing temperature at the humidity sensing element;
wherein the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element are mounted within a mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly; and
wherein the mirror head has ventilation openings to allow ambient air to reach the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element within the mirror head;
a controller; and
wherein the controller, responsive to the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element and the humidity sensing element, is operable to calculate an ambient dew point and to control a cabin climate control system of the equipped vehicle responsive to the calculated ambient dew point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature sensor system for a vehicle includes a temperature sensor assembly having a thermally insulating body, a temperature sensing element thermally insulated within the body, and a thermally conductive contacting element exposed externally of the body and in thermal communication with the temperature sensing element. The thermally conductive contacting element is urged into contact with an interior cabin side of a windshield of the vehicle for sensing the temperature of the vehicle windshield. A controller, responsive to the temperature sensing element and another temperature sensing element and a humidity sensing element of the vehicle, is operable to calculate an ambient dew point and to control a cabin climate control system of the vehicle responsive to the calculated ambient dew point. The other temperature sensing element is mounted in the vehicle away from the vehicle windshield.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A temperature sensor system for a vehicle, the temperature sensor system comprising:
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a first temperature sensor assembly comprising a thermally insulating body, a first temperature sensing element thermally insulated within the body, and a thermally conductive contacting element exposed externally of the body and in thermal communication with the first temperature sensing element; wherein the thermally conductive contacting element is urged into contact with an interior cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle equipped with the temperature sensor system for sensing the temperature of the windshield of the equipped vehicle; wherein the first temperature sensor assembly is supported at a mirror support bracket of an interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when the mirror support bracket mounts at an interior cabin side of a vehicle windshield, the thermally conductive contacting element of the first temperature sensor assembly is biased toward and into contact with the interior cabin side of the vehicle windshield so as to enhance maintaining thermal contact therewith; a humidity sensing element disposed in the equipped vehicle away from the first temperature sensor assembly and from the windshield; a second temperature sensor assembly having a second temperature sensing element mounted on, or in direct contact with, the humidity sensing element and sensing temperature at the humidity sensing element; wherein the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element are mounted within a mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly; and wherein the mirror head has ventilation openings to allow ambient air to reach the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element within the mirror head; a controller; and wherein the controller, responsive to the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element and the humidity sensing element, is operable to calculate an ambient dew point and to control a cabin climate control system of the equipped vehicle responsive to the calculated ambient dew point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A temperature sensor system for a vehicle comprising:
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a mounting bracket adapted for releasable connection to an interior cabin side of a vehicle window; a first temperature sensor assembly resiliently mounted to the bracket at a position such that, when the bracket is connected to the interior cabin side of the vehicle window, a thermally conductive contacting element of the first temperature sensor assembly is urged against the interior cabin side of the vehicle window and into contact with the interior cabin side of the vehicle window for sensing the temperature of the vehicle window; wherein the mounting bracket comprises a mirror mounting bracket for mounting an interior rearview mirror assembly at the interior cabin side of the vehicle window; a humidity sensing element disposed in the equipped vehicle away from the first temperature sensor assembly and from the windshield; a second temperature sensor assembly having a second temperature sensing element mounted on, or in direct contact with, the humidity sensing element and sensing temperature at the humidity sensing element; wherein the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element are mounted within a mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly; and wherein the mirror head has ventilation openings to allow ambient air to reach the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element within the mirror head; a controller; wherein the controller receives an input from the first temperature sensor assembly and an input from the second temperature sensor assembly; and wherein the controller, responsive to the first temperature sensor assembly and the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensor assembly, is operable to calculate an ambient dew point and to control a cabin climate control system of the equipped vehicle responsive to the calculated ambient dew point. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A temperature sensor system for a vehicle, the temperature sensor system comprising:
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a mounting bracket adapted for releasable connection to an interior cabin side of a vehicle window; a first temperature sensor assembly comprising a thermally insulating body, a first temperature sensing element thermally insulated within the body, and a thermally conductive contacting element exposed externally of the body and in thermal communication with the first temperature sensing element; wherein the first temperature sensing element comprises a thermistor; wherein the first temperature sensor assembly is resiliently mounted to the bracket at a position such that, when the bracket is connected to the interior cabin side of the vehicle window, the thermally conductive contacting element is urged against the interior cabin side of the vehicle window and into contact with the interior cabin side of the vehicle window for sensing the temperature of the vehicle window; wherein the thermally conductive contacting element of the first temperature sensor assembly is urged into contact with the interior cabin side of the vehicle windshield simultaneous with the attachment of the mounting bracket at the interior cabin side of the vehicle windshield; a humidity sensing element disposed in the equipped vehicle away from the first temperature sensor assembly and from the windshield; a second temperature sensor assembly having a second temperature sensing element mounted on, or in direct contact with, the humidity sensing element and sensing temperature at the humidity sensing element; wherein the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element are mounted within a mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly; and wherein the mirror head has ventilation openings to allow ambient air to reach the second temperature sensor assembly and the humidity sensing element within the mirror head; a controller; wherein the controller, responsive to the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element and the humidity sensing element, is operable to calculate an ambient dew point and to control a cabin climate control system of the equipped vehicle responsive to the calculated ambient dew point. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification