US4831493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Windshield moisture sensor
Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Inc
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Filing: 1987-12-28
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Granted: 1989-05-16
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Expires: 2007-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A moisture sensor to sense rain on a windshield. The sensor members on the outboard surface of the windshield are uncoated and directly exposed to any moisture accumulation on the sensor. Leads connect the sensor to an electrical signal generator and receiver and are insulated from each other to prevent direct electrical interconnection therebetween and subsequent shorting of the sensor circuitry. When moisture is on the sensor, the nature of a monitorable electrical signal passing through the sensor changes and is detected. In response to the altered signal, the windshield wipers are actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Wilson
- 👤 Harry S. Koontz
- 👤 William E. Wagner
- 👤 John J. Everhart
- 👤 Glen E. Freeman
- 👤 Harold E. Donley, deceased
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/1055; B32B17/10761; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10036; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60S1/0818; B60S1/0822; B60S1/0825; B60S1/0874; B60S1/0877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A sensor for detecting moisture comprising: a dielectric substrate; first and second electronconductive members positioned in an adjacent spaced apart relationship relative to each other on a first major surface of said substrate, wherein adjacent portions of said first and second members have exposed, uncoated electroconductive surfaces; first and second electroconductive leads extending from said first and second electroconductive members, respectively; means to electrically insulate said leads from each other; means to permit electrical connection of said first lead to an electrical signal generator capable of inputting a reference signal into said sensor; and means to permit electrical connection of said second lead to an electrical signal receiver capable to monitoring variations in the output signal from said sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A sensor for detecting moisture comprising: a dielectric substrate; first and second electronconductive members positioned in an adjacent spaced apart relationship relative to each other on a first major surface of said substrate, wherein adjacent portions of said first and second members have exposed, uncoated electroconductive surfaces; first and second electroconductive leads extending from said first and second electroconductive members, respectively; means to electrically insulate said leads from each other; means to permit electrical connection of said first lead to an electrical signal generator capable of inputting a reference signal into said sensor; and means to permit electrical connection of said second lead to an electrical signal receiver capable to monitoring variations in the output signal from said sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sensor a in claim 1 wherein at least said substrate and said electroconductive members are transparent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor as in claim 2 wherein said electroconductive members are metallic film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The sensor as in claim 2 wherein said substrate includes a Portion with an aperture extending from said first major surface of said substrate to the opposing major surface and further wherein a lead portion of at least one of said leads is positioned along said opposing major surface and further including means to connect said lead with said lead portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sensor as in claim 4 wherein said lead portion of said at least one of said leads is secured to a flexible carrier positioned adjacent to said opposing major surface of said substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor as in claim 2 wherein said insulating means includes a moisture resistant coating overlaying at least one of said leads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor as in claim 6 wherein said coating is a ceramic enamel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor as in claim 6 wherein said coating is a silica containing film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor as in claim 6 wherein said coating is a transparent titanium containing film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor as in claim 6 wherein said coating, substrate, and electroconductive members are transparent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor as in claim 6 further including means to overcoat said coating wherein said overcoat seals any moisture penetrable openings in said coating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor as in claim 11 wherein said overcoat is an silane coating.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor as in claim 11 wherein said overcoat is a urethane coating.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sensor as in claim 11 wherein said coating and said overcoat electroconductive members and substrate are transparent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
The sensor as in claim 2 wherein said substrate is the outer ply of a vehicle windshield and said first major surface of said substrate is the outboard surface of said windshield and further wherein said first electroconductive member includes a first set of projections and said second electroconductive member includes a second set of projections wherein said first projections are positioned between and spaced from said second projections such that said projections function as a plurality of capacitors when said sensor is dry, and as a plurality of resistors when water accumulates between said spaced apart projections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sensor for detecting moisture comprising: a dielectric substrate; first and second electroconductive members positioned in an adjacent spaced apart relationship relative to each other on a first major surface of said substrate, wherein adjacent portions of said first and second members have exposed, uncoated electroconductive surfaces; a third electroconductive member spaced from said first and second electronconductive members and having said substrate therebetween wherein said second electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said third electroconductive member; means to permit electrical connection of said sensor to an electrical signal generator capable of inputting a reference signal into said sensor and an electrical signal receiver capable of monitoring variations in the output signal form said sensor; and means to electrically insulate said electrical connection means from each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sensor for detecting moisture comprising: a dielectric substrate; first and second electroconductive members positioned in an adjacent spaced apart relationship relative to each other on a first major surface of said substrate, wherein adjacent portions of said first and second members have exposed, uncoated electroconductive surfaces; a third electroconductive member spaced from said first and second electronconductive members and having said substrate therebetween wherein said second electroconductive member overlays at least a portion of said third electroconductive member; means to permit electrical connection of said sensor to an electrical signal generator capable of inputting a reference signal into said sensor and an electrical signal receiver capable of monitoring variations in the output signal form said sensor; and means to electrically insulate said electrical connection means from each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sensor as in claim 16 wherein said electrical connection means includes first and second electroconductive leads extending from said first and third members, respectively, to permit electrical connection to said generator and receiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor as in claim 17 wherein said substrate and said electroconductive members are transparent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
The sensor as in claim 18 wherein said electroconductive members are metallic coatings and said first electroconductive member includes a first set of projections and said second electroconductive member includes a second set of projections, wherein said first projections are positioned between and spaced from said second projections such that said projections function as a plurality of capacitors when said sensor in dry and as a set of resistors when water accumulates between said spaced apart projections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sensor as in claim 18 wherein said substrate is a first substrate and further including additional substrates secured to said second major surface of said first substrate to form a composite assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The sensor as in claim 20 wherein said additional substrates include a second substrate secured to said second major surface of said first substrate with an interlayer material positioned therebetween and further wherein said third electroconductive member is positioned between said interlayer and said second substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
The sensor as in claim 21 wherein said first electroconductive member includes a first set of projections and said second electroconductive member includes a second set of projections wherein said first projections are positioned between and spaced from said second projections such that said projections function as a plurality capacitor when said sensor is dry, and as a plurality of resistors when water accumulates between said spaced apart projections.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sensor as in claim 22 wherein said third electroconductive members is secured to a flexible carrier positioned between said interlayer and second substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sensor as in claim 23 wherein said composite assembly is a vehicle windshield and said first major surface of said first substrate is the outboard surface of said windshield.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-15 | 1992-11-14 | 1993-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-15 | 1996-11-14 | 1997-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-15 | 2000-11-14 | 2001-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |