Preh-werke Gmbh Co. Kg

Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf Gmbh & Co.

Rudolf Hartmann

Hans-Michael Schmitt

Juergen Bach

Thomas Polzer

Martin Blaufuss

Guenther Oennig

Christian Schuberth

The invention relates to a sensor unit for detecting the wetting of a window. Signals from the condensation sensor are used to control an air conditioning, heating, and/or ventilation unit. The signals of the rain sensor, on the contrary, are used to control a windshield wiper or washing unit for vehicles. A sensor unit, which comprises two sensors, is placed on the interior of the window. In a preferred variant, both are coupled to a common switchable evaluation unit, so that through mutual evaluation of the two sensors or their signals, both incipient condensation on the interior of a vehicle window and the wetting of the exterior, e.g., by rain, is detected. In an improvement of the invention, both sensors are integrated into a sensor module.

Sensor unit for detecting the wetting of a window

As is well known, the influencing variables most important for a sense of comfort are considered during regulation in controlled heating and air conditioning units. Incipient condensation on the windshield or other windows in particular is to be prevented thereby. Sensor modules, inter alia, are employed for this purpose, which have, for example, a capacitative thin-layer sensor. An additional thermopile is provided for determining the window temperature. The present idea eliminates the determination of the window temperature, for which purpose a sensor working capacitatively in the exemplary embodiment is brought directly to the window temperature and a direct thermal coupling of the sensor with the window occurs via a metal plate connected directly to the sensor and a thin adhesive film. The metal plate can thereby form one of the electrodes of the sensor itself or be connected to said electrode in a direct thermal manner. The use of the sensor in the sensor module is a further preferred embodiment.

Sensor for detecting condensation and use in a sensor module

A variable electromechanical device, such as a rotary potentiometer, incls a housing with a sleeve having a bore through which an actuation shaft extends. The shaft is provided with an annular groove. A portion of the sleeve is displaced by stamping so that it extends into the annular groove of the shaft to prevent axial movement of the latter. A projection formed on the shaft within the annular groove cooperates with the displaced portion of the sleeve for limiting the rotation of the shaft. A lubricating and braking liquid of high viscosity is filled in the groove, and one or more passages are formed on the projection so that the liquid can pass from one side of the projection to the other side thereof when the shaft is rotated.

Variable electromechanical device

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Salz, Germany

Rudolf Hartmann