Vehicular moisture sensor and mounting apparatus therefor

A moisture sensing assembly for mounting on one surface of a window to detect and indicate moisture or other matter accumulated on the opposite surface of the window, said assembly comprising:

• first and second emitter means for emitting radiant energy toward the window;
• first and second detector means for detecting and receiving radiant energy from said first and second emitter means respectively after reflection and refraction by the window and any accumulated moisture or other matter on the opposite surface of the window;
• radiant energy barrier means for preventing reflection of radiant energy from said first emitter means and the one surface of the window to said first and second detector means, and for preventing reflection of radiant energy from said second emitter means and the one surface of the window to said second detector means;
• and
• support means for supporting said first and second emitter means in spaced angular relationship to said first and second detector means and said radiant energy barrier means on the one window surface;
• said radiant energy barrier means including first and second radiant energy barriers spaced from one another, said first radiant energy barrier extending between and separating said first and second emitter means and being adapted to engage the one window surface.

A moisture sensing assembly for mounting on one surface of a window to detect and indicate moisture or other matter accumulated on the opposite surface of the window, said assembly comprising:

• first and second emitter means for emitting radiant energy toward the window;
• first and second detector means for detecting and receiving radiant energy from said first and second emitter means respectively after reflection and refraction by the window and any accumulated moisture or other matter on the opposite surface of the window;
• radiant energy barrier means for preventing reflection of radiant energy from said first emitter means and the one surface of the window to said first and second detector means, and for preventing reflection of radiant energy from said second emitter means and the one surface of the window to said second detector means;
• and
• support means for supporting said first and second emitter means in spaced angular relationship to said first and second detector means and said radiant energy barrier means on the one window surface;
• said support means including a rigid mounting block having one surface adapted to engage the one surface of the window, a first pair of apertures therein for receiving said first and second emitter means, and a second pair of apertures therein for receiving said first and second detector means.

A moisture sensing assembly for mounting on one surface of a window to detect and indicate moisture or other matter accumulated on the opposite surface of the window, said assembly comprising:

• first and second emitter means for emitting radiant energy toward the window;
• first and second detector means for detecting and receiving radiant energy from said first and second emitter means respectively after reflection and refraction by the window and any accumulated moisture or other matter on the opposite surface of the window;
• support means for supporting said first and second emitter means in spaced angular relationship to said first and second detector means on the one window surface;
• said support means including a window engaging surface;
• said first emitter means and said second detector means being closer to said window engaging surface than said second emitter means and said first detector means.

A moisture sensing assembly for mounting on one surface of a window to detect and indicate moisture or other matter accumulated on the opposite surface of the window, said assembly comprising:

• first and second emitter means for emitting radiant energy toward the window;
• first and second detector means for detecting and receiving radiant energy from said first and second emitter means respectively after reflection and refraction by the window and any accumulated moisture or other matter on the opposite surface of the window;
• support means for supporting said first and second emitter means in spaced angular relationship to said first and second detector means on the one window surface, said emitter means being positioned such that the path followed by radiant energy emitted by said first emitter means intersects the path followed by radiant energy emitted by said second emitter means at a position prior to reception by said first and second detector means;
• and
• radiant energy barrier means for engaging the one window surface to prevent reflection of radiant energy from said first emitter means and the one surface of the window to said first and second detector means, and to prevent reflection of radiant energy from said second emitter means and the one surface of the window to said second detector means.

A mounting block for supporting moisture sensing apparatus on one surface of a window for detecting and indicating moisture or other matter accumulated on the opposite surface of the window, said block comprising:

• a rigid carrier body;
• emitter mounting means for mounting emitter means for emitting radiant energy toward the window;
• detector mounting means for mounting detector means for detecting and receiving radiant energy from said emitter means after reflection and refraction by the window and any accumulated moisture or other matter on the opposite surface of the window;
• first means for removably attaching said emitter mounting means on one portion of said carrier body;
• and
• second means for removably attaching said detector mounting means on a second portion of said carrier body.

A moisture sensing assembly especially adapted for controlling vehicle accessories such as windshield wipers comprising:

• a moisture sensing unit for engaging one surface of a window to detect and indicate moisture or other particles on the opposite window surface;
• a mounting member for attachment to the one surface of the window;
• mounting means for engaging said mounting member and releasably mounting said moisture sensing unit on the one window surface, said mounting member and said mounting means including positioning means having a circular shape including means for positioning said moisture sensing unit and said mounting means as desired around said mounting member;
• and
• releasable fastening means for holding said mounting member and mounting means together until released.