Method and sensor assembly for detecting aerosols in the ambient air of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a sensor device for detecting aerosols in the ambient air of a motor vehicle, wherein the probability of occurrence of aerosols in the ambient air of the vehicle is determined, wherein a control signal is sent to at least one radiation emitter when the determined probability of occurrence exceeds a defined probability value, wherein a radiation signal is emitted by the radiation emitter, wherein a possible response signal to the emitted radiation signal is captured by at least one radiation receiver, wherein the response signal is detected from at least two directions, wherein the electrical capacitance of a field around the vehicle is captured by at least one capacitive sensor, wherein the occurrence of aerosols is deduced upon detection of the response signal from two directions and detection of a change of capacitance in the surrounding area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.