Printed capacitive sensors for contactless ice detection in automotive liquid conveyor pipes

This publication focuses on the development of an innovative, low-cost sensor for the detection of ice formation in conveyor pipes of vehicles. The measurement principle is based on the contactless determination of the relative permittivity of a medium by capacitive sensors. In comparison to water, ice has a decreased relaxation frequency through crystallization below the freezing point. Capacitive sensor structures for permittivity measurement were applied on a polymer pipe by functional printing, which can be installed in the conveying systems in the area of the feed lines. Due to its low-cost and universal design, the sensor can be used in all applications where the integrability and costs of an installed sensor system play a major role.