Moisture sensor having accelerated moisture formation means

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a moisture sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface;
• and
• means for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the moisture sensor, the accelerating means positioned with respect to the moisture collection surface to interpose the moisture collection surface in between the accelerating means and the moisture sensor, wherein the accelerating means includes means for directing a flow of air over the collection surface.

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a rain sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the moisture collection surface is defined by a windshield of a vehicle;
• and
• means, spaced from the rain sensor and operable independently of an interior passenger compartment climate control system, for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the rain sensor.

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a rain sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the moisture collection surface is defined by a windshield of a vehicle;
• and
• means, spaced from the rain sensor and operable independently of an interior passenger compartment climate control system, for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the rain sensor, wherein the accelerating means includes means for directing a flow of air over the collection surface.

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a rain sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the moisture collection surface is defined by a windshield of a vehicle;
• and
• means, spaced from the rain sensor, for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the rain sensor, wherein the accelerating means includes means for directing a flow of air over the collection surface, wherein the directing means includes a flexible housing having at least one wall, an inlet port and an outlet port, means for driving air flow through the housing, a first valve for closing the inlet port when air is driven out of the housing, and a second valve for closing the outlet port when air is drawn into the housing.

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a rain sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the moisture collection surface is defined by a windshield of a vehicle, wherein the rain sensor includes at least one pair of parallel conductors, and means for measuring electrical capacitance between the conductors;
• and
• means, spaced from the rain sensor and operable independently of an interior passenger compartment climate control system, for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the rain sensor.

An apparatus for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising:

• a rain sensor operably positionable with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the moisture collection surface is defined by a windshield of a vehicle, wherein the rain sensor includes at least one pair of parallel conductors, and means for measuring the electrical resistance between the conductors;
• and
• means, spaced from the rain sensor and operable independently of an interior passenger compartment climate control system, for accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the rain sensor.

A method for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising the steps of:

• operably positioning a moisture sensor with respect to the moisture collection surface defined by a windshield of a vehicle;
• and
• accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the moisture sensor, with means for accelerating positioned spaced with respect to the moisture sensor to interpose the collection surface therebetween.

A method for promoting early detection of moisture on a moisture collection surface comprising the steps of:

• operably positioning a moisture sensor with respect to the moisture collection surface, wherein the positioning step includes the step of mounting a rain sensor with respect to the collection surface defined by a windshield of a vehicle;
• and
• accelerating formation of moisture on the collection surface in proximity with the moisture sensor, with means for accelerating positioned spaced with respect to the moisture sensor to interpose the collection surface therebetween, wherein the accelerating step includes the step of directing a flow of air over the collection surface.