JP2011102781A - Temperature/humidity detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact temperature/humidity detector of good responsiveness provided with static electricity measures. <P>SOLUTION: This temperature/humidity detector includes an opening 20 for taking air into a case 14, a collecting member 21 is arranged outside the opening 20 so as to cross it, and the discharge current of the static electricity collected by the collecting member 21 is made to drop on a ground line of a substrate installed in the case 14 via a retainer 17 and a conductive member 22 that are formed integrally with the collecting member 21. A temperature/humidity sensor for detecting the temperature and humidity of the air via the filter 15 is arranged directly under the opening 20, and the distance from the opening 20 to the temperature/humidity sensor is made the shortest, so that the size is reduced and the responsiveness is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature / humidity detection device, and more particularly to a temperature / humidity detection device that can be used for controlling a vehicle air conditioner by detecting window fogging in a state where the inner surface of a window glass of a vehicle is fogged and visibility is deteriorated.

  When the humidity in the vehicle interior of the vehicle increases and the outside air temperature is lower than the vehicle interior temperature, fogging is likely to occur on the inner surface of the window glass. In general, an occupant individually responds to the occurrence of window fogging due to such an increase in humidity by operating a switch or the like. For example, air is blown out toward the window glass which is cloudy in the window, indoor circulation is switched to outside air circulation, or a vehicle air conditioner is activated to dehumidify.

  Such an operation is particularly troublesome to perform during driving, and therefore it is desired to perform it automatically. For this purpose, a temperature / humidity detection device that detects whether or not window fogging is occurring or whether or not window fogging is likely to occur is required. The temperature / humidity detection device is installed on the inner surface of the window glass and has a function of detecting the temperature and relative humidity of air in the vicinity of the inner surface of the window glass and the temperature of the window glass (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  Window fogging is determined by calculating the dew point of the air near the inner surface of the window glass from the air temperature and relative humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detector and comparing the dew point temperature with the glass temperature of the window glass. can do. That is, if the glass temperature is lower than the calculated dew point temperature, water vapor contained in the air in the passenger compartment is condensed and water droplets are attached to the inner surface of the wind glass, so that it can be determined that there is window fogging.

  Since the temperature / humidity detection device needs to promptly take in the air in the passenger compartment and make the sensors that detect the temperature and humidity sense, the semiconductor circuit that electrically processes these sensors and the sensor output is exposed to the air. ing. Therefore, when a charged human body or the like touches the temperature / humidity detection device and discharge occurs due to static electricity between the sensor and the semiconductor circuit, the temperature / humidity detection device may be broken. Since discharge due to static electricity is less likely to occur as the distance between the charged body and the sensor connected to the ground line and the semiconductor circuit increases, the sensor is installed at a position away from the opening for taking in air.

JP 2008-94380 A

  However, if the sensor and the opening for taking in air are arranged apart from each other for countermeasures against static electricity, the temperature / humidity detection device cannot be made compact, and the introduced air reaches the sensor. It takes a long time, and there is a problem that responsiveness deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized and responsive temperature / humidity detection device in which measures against static electricity are taken.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the present invention, an air temperature sensor that detects the temperature of air near the inner surface of the window glass, a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of air near the inner surface of the window glass, A temperature / humidity detection device including a glass temperature sensor that is in contact with a window glass and detects the temperature thereof, and has an opening for taking in air, and the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are accommodated near the inside of the opening. A conductive current collecting member disposed close to the outside so as to cross the opening, and an electric path for guiding the discharge current collected by the current collecting member to the ground. Is provided.

  According to such a temperature / humidity detection device, since the current collecting member is arranged close to the outside of the opening, even if an object charged with static electricity approaches the opening, the discharge is performed at a distance from the object. Since the process is performed with a short current collecting member, the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor can be protected from damage due to static electricity. Since the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor can be arranged directly under the opening, the case can be made small and the responsiveness can be improved.

  In the temperature / humidity detection device having the above-described configuration, discharge due to static electricity is generated between the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor disposed behind the opening by arranging the current collecting member outside the opening that takes in air. Therefore, the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor can be surely prevented from electrostatic breakdown. In addition, since the air temperature sensor and humidity sensor can be placed closest to the opening, the case can be made smaller, and the response can be improved by detecting changes in temperature and humidity quickly. Can do.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the temperature / humidity detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the components structure of a temperature / humidity detection apparatus. It is the perspective view which looked at the temperature / humidity detection apparatus from the bottom face side. It is a top view which shows the temperature / humidity detection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is AA arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is a BB arrow sectional view of Drawing 4. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the temperature / humidity detection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where the present invention is applied to a device that is installed on a window glass of a vehicle and detects window fogging for controlling a vehicle air conditioner.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a temperature / humidity detection device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing components of the temperature / humidity detection device, and FIG. 3 is a view of the temperature / humidity detection device from the bottom side. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature / humidity detection apparatus includes a temperature / humidity sensor 11 that detects the temperature and relative humidity of air, and a temperature sensor 12 that detects the glass temperature of the window glass. The temperature / humidity sensor 11 is mounted on the substrate 13 and accommodated in a case 14 constituted by a lower case 14 a and an upper case 14 b, and is protected by a filter 15 in the case 14. The temperature / humidity sensor 11 is a sensor module in which a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are formed on the same chip so that the temperature and relative humidity of the air can be detected under the same environmental conditions, and preferably on the chip. A circuit for outputting signals from the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor is also formed together. As shown in FIG. 1, the case 14 containing the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is placed on a bracket 16 and fixed to the bracket 16 by a retainer 17.

  The temperature sensor 12 extends outward from the substrate 13 via the lower case 14a and the bracket 16, and the thermistor 12a is provided on the outer surface on the tip side as shown in FIG. The thermistor 12a is brought into close contact with the window glass by the elastic heat insulating member 18 fitted and arranged on the lower surface of the lower case 14a when the temperature / humidity detecting device is installed on the window glass.

  In the upper case 14b, the housing of the connector 19 is integrally formed. The connector 19 is electrically connected to the control device of the vehicle air conditioner by a harness so that the detected values of the temperature / humidity sensor 11 and the temperature sensor 12 can be transmitted to the control device.

  In this temperature / humidity detection device, the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is disposed immediately below the opening 20 formed in the upper case 14 b, and a bar-like shape integrally formed with the conductive retainer 17 is provided outside the opening 20. A current collecting member 21 is straddled. The retainer 17 is also integrally formed with a conductive member 22 that constitutes the electrical path of the discharge current, and its tip is disposed at a minute interval so as to face the pad of the ground line formed on the substrate 13. Yes. As a result, when a charged body charged with static electricity approaches near the opening 20, the static electricity is discharged between the current collecting member 21, and the discharge current is passed through the conductive member 22 to the ground of the substrate 13. It begins to flow into the line. Next, details of the configuration of the temperature and humidity detection device will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 is a plan view showing the temperature and humidity detection device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. These are CC sectional views taken on the line of FIG.
When assembling the case 14, first, the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is mounted in advance, and the substrate 13 to which the temperature sensor 12 is connected is mounted on the upper case 14 b in which the filter 15 is previously attached inside the opening 20. . The mounting of the substrate 13 to the upper case 14 b is performed by soldering the conductive pins 19 a inserted when the connector 19 is molded to the substrate 13. The case 14 is easily formed by pressing down the latching portions 14d suspended from the both side surfaces of the upper case 14b from above the latching portions 14c projecting on both side surfaces of the lower case 14a. Can be configured. That is, when the latching portion 14d gets over the latching portion 14c, as shown in FIG. 5, the latching portion 14c and the latching portion 14d are latched with each other, whereby the lower case 14a and the upper case 14b are , Constructed integrally.

  A retainer 17 that fixes the case 14 to the bracket 16 is attached to the case 14 assembled in this manner. The retainer 17 is formed of a conductive spring material, and has a circular hole and a claw 17a extending inward from four directions on the circumference thereof at the center. The diameter of the circumscribed circle passing through the tips of the claws 17a is smaller than the outer diameter of the boss 14e protruding from the top surface of the upper case 14b. Accordingly, when the retainer 17 is pushed down with the boss 14e positioned in the space inside the tip of the claw 17a, as shown in FIG. 5, the claw 17a is fixed with the boss 14e engaged, and the retainer 17 is fixed. It does not come off the upper case 14b.

  In a state in which the retainer 17 is fixed to the upper case 14b, the conductive member 22 integral with the retainer 17 is disposed so as to penetrate the upper case 14b as shown in FIGS. It is made to approach 13 predetermined positions. A pad of a ground line is formed at a predetermined position of the substrate 13, so that the discharge current flowing through the conductive member 22 flies through the gap between the tip of the conductive member 22 and the pad, Flow through to the ground. Here, preferably, the conductive member 22 is electrically connected to the pad on the substrate 13, but in order to avoid unnecessary stress from being applied to the conductive member 22 due to variations in component dimensions, A gap is provided between the conductive member 22 and the pad. Further, the through hole of the upper case 14b through which the conductive member 22 is passed can be sealed with a filler as necessary, and liquid or the like can be prevented from entering the case 14.

  Further, in a state where the retainer 17 is fixed to the upper case 14b, the current collecting member 21 integrated with the retainer 17 is positioned at the center of the opening 20 formed in the upper case 14b as shown in FIGS. It is located so as to cross. Since the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is mounted on the substrate 13 immediately below the opening 20, the current collecting member 21 is disposed at a position closest to the temperature / humidity sensor 11. For this reason, when static electricity is discharged near the temperature / humidity detection device, the discharge current is collected by the current collecting member 21 closer to the distance than the temperature / humidity sensor 11 and flows to the ground. Can be reliably protected from discharge current due to static electricity.

  The filter 15 that protects the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is formed of a waterproof and moisture-permeable material that allows air to pass through but does not allow liquid to pass through. As shown in FIG. 7, the filter 15 covers the opening 20 from the inside. The peripheral portion is attached to the upper case 14b by, for example, heat welding.

  As described above, the case 14 to which the retainer 17 is fixed is placed on the central portion of the bracket 16 and fixed to the bracket 16 by the retainer 17. That is, when the case 14 is placed on the bracket 16, the latching portions 17 b formed at both ends of the retainer 17 are positioned above the latching portions 16 a formed on the side surfaces of the bracket 16. Here, when the curved portion of the retainer 17 is deformed so as to be pushed down, the latching portion 17b of the retainer 17 gets over the latching portion 16a of the bracket 16 and is latched on the lower end surface of the latching portion 16a. Next, when the latching portion 17b of the retainer 17 is moved to the groove formed in the base portion of the latching portion 16a, the latching portion 17b of the retainer 17 is lifted by its spring property as shown in FIG. And get into the groove. As a result, the retainer 17 is not detached from the bracket 16, and the case 14 is fixed to the bracket 16.

  Finally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the elastic heat insulating member 18 is disposed in the fitting portion formed on the lower surface of the lower case 14 a to constitute the temperature and humidity detection device. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the elastic heat insulating member 18 has a size that protrudes beyond the attachment surface to the window glass that is the bottom surface of the bracket 16, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, The portion having the thermistor 12a of the temperature sensor 12 is located on the lower surface. Accordingly, when the temperature / humidity detection device is installed on the window glass, the elastic heat insulating member 18 is compressed and deformed to bring the thermistor 12a of the temperature sensor 12 into close contact with the window glass.

  When the temperature / humidity detection apparatus configured as described above is attached to a windshield of a vehicle, the opening 20 where the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is located faces the vehicle interior side. For this reason, when the charged object or human body approaches the opening 20 of the temperature / humidity detection device, the distance from the current collecting member 21 in front of the opening 20 relative to the temperature / humidity sensor 11 in the back of the opening 20 Is short, a discharge is generated between the current collecting member 21 and the current collecting member 21. Accordingly, since no discharge occurs between the charged body and the temperature / humidity sensor 11, the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is protected against destruction due to static electricity. The discharge current collected by the current collecting member 21 is guided to the conductive member 22 and dropped to the ground through the ground line of the substrate 13.

  Moreover, according to this temperature / humidity detection device, the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is located directly below the opening 20 formed in the upper case 14b, so that it is easy to take in air in the vehicle interior, Responsiveness is faster.

  Further, since the filter 15 protecting the temperature / humidity sensor 11 is provided in the case 14, it is possible to prevent adhesion of dust, chemicals, liquid, and the like to the components disposed in the case 14. it can.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a temperature / humidity detection apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same or equivalent components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Compared with the temperature / humidity detection device according to the first embodiment, the temperature / humidity detection device according to the second embodiment causes the discharge current collected by the current collecting member 21 to be applied to the ground line of the substrate 13. The electrical path that leads is changed. That is, in this temperature and humidity detection device, the retainer 17 in which the current collecting member 21 is integrated is formed of a conductive spring material, the lower case 14a is formed of a conductive resin, and the bracket 16 is a conductive metal. Is formed by. Further, the lower case 14 a is integrally formed with a conductive member 22 a so as to face the ground line formed on the lower surface of the substrate 13. In addition, since this temperature / humidity detection device does not have the conductive member 22 extended from the retainer 17, there is no need for a hole penetrating the upper case 14b other than the opening 20 for taking in air.

  According to this temperature / humidity detection device, the discharge current collected by the current collecting member 21 flows to the ground line of the substrate 13 through a path including the retainer 17, the bracket 16, the lower case 14a, and the conductive member 22a. Become.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the housing of the connector 19 has been described as an example of being integrally formed with the upper case 14b, but may be formed integrally with the lower case 14a. In this case, the upper case 14b can be formed from a conductive resin. By using the upper case 14b as a conductive resin, first, the current collecting member 21 disposed close to the opening 20 so as to cross the opening 20 can be formed integrally with the upper case 14b. In addition, an electrical path for guiding the discharge current collected by the current collecting member 21 to the ground line of the substrate 13 can be formed integrally with the upper case 14b. This eliminates the need for the retainer 17 to be disposed through the upper case 14b, such as the conductive member 22, and the case 14 also eliminates the need for a through hole, thereby improving the dustproof and waterproof performance. become able to.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Temperature / humidity sensor 12 Temperature sensor 12a Thermistor 13 Board | substrate 14 Case 14a Lower case 14b Upper case 14c, 14d Hook part 14e Boss 15 Filter 16 Bracket 16a Hook part 17 Retainer 17a Claw 17b Hook part 18 Elastic heat insulation member 19 Connector 19a Conductive pin 20 Opening 21 Current collecting member 22, 22a Conductive member

Claims (9)

An air temperature sensor that detects the temperature of air near the inner surface of the window glass, a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of air near the inner surface of the window glass, and a glass that is in contact with the window glass and detects its temperature In the temperature and humidity detection device equipped with a temperature sensor,
A case having an opening for taking in air, and housing the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor in the vicinity of the inside of the opening;
A conductive current collecting member disposed close to the opening so as to cross the opening;
An electrical path for guiding the discharge current collected by the current collecting member to the ground;
A temperature / humidity detection device comprising: A bracket attached to the window glass, and a conductive retainer for fixing the case to the bracket;
The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 1, wherein the current collecting member is formed integrally with the retainer.   One end of the electrical path is electrically connected to the current collecting member, the middle is disposed through the case, and the other end is disposed close to the ground line of the substrate on which the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are mounted. The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature / humidity detection device is a conductive member. A bracket attached to the window glass, and a conductive retainer for fixing the case to the bracket;
The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 3, wherein the conductive member is formed integrally with the retainer. A bracket attached to the window glass; a retainer that fixes the case to the bracket; and a connector that outputs detection values of the air temperature sensor, the humidity sensor, and the glass temperature sensor,
The case includes a first case that holds the retainer and a second case that is held in contact with the bracket.
The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed integrally with the first case or the second case. A conductive bracket attached to the window glass, and a conductive retainer for fixing the case to the bracket;
The case includes a first case that holds the retainer and a conductive second case that is held in contact with the bracket.
The current collecting member is formed integrally with the retainer,
The electrical path is connected from the current collecting member to the retainer, the second case, and one end to the second case, and the other end to a ground line of a substrate on which the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are mounted. The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature / humidity detection device is constituted by conductive members arranged close to each other.   The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 1, wherein a filter is fixed to the inside of the case so as to cover the opening.   The temperature / humidity detection device according to claim 7, wherein the filter is made of a waterproof and moisture-permeable material.   2. The temperature according to claim 1, wherein the air temperature sensor and the humidity sensor are sensor modules formed on the same chip so that the temperature of the air and the relative humidity can be detected under substantially the same environmental conditions. Humidity detection device.

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