Motor vehicle ice sensor assembly and method of operation
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsStuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
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Abstract
A frozen accumulation detection assembly and method of operation for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a light source for emitting light on a surface of the motor vehicle, such as running board, and a sensor for measuring a reflectance level of the light off of the surface of the motor vehicle. The assembly further includes a heating element coupled to the surface of the motor vehicle. The reflectance level may be used as an indicator of frozen accumulation on the surface of the motor vehicle, and may help determine if the heating element should be energized.
Claims20
A running board assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a running board;
- a light source for emitting light on a surface of the running board;
- a light sensor for measuring a reflectance level of the emitted light off the surface of the running board;
- and
- a heating element coupled to the running board, wherein the heating element is activated when the measured reflectance level is greater than a threshold reflectance level.
A system for detecting frozen accumulation on a surface of a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a light source configured to emit light on the surface of the vehicle;
- and
- a light sensor configured to measure a reflectance level of the emitted light off of the surface of the vehicle, wherein the measured reflectance level is compared to a threshold reflectance level to detect frozen accumulation.
A method for removing frozen accumulation on a surface of a motor vehicle, comprising:
- emitting light on the surface of the motor vehicle;
- receiving a measurement of a reflectance level of the light off of the surface of the motor vehicle;
- comparing the measured reflectance level to a threshold reflectance level;
- and
- when the measured reflectance level is greater than the threshold reflectance level, energizing a heating element proximate the surface of the motor vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.