Methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorsTakayasu Otagaki, Kensuke Goto
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a capacitive sensor configured to detect rain. The capacitive sensor may be integrated within an interior surface of a laminated glass structure comprising an adhesive interlayer disposed between two glass layers. The capacitive sensor electrodes may be arranged in a variety of configurations between the two glass layers. The capacitive sensor may be used with a printed circuit board that is configured to electrically couple to the capacitive sensor electrodes.
Claims20
An embedded capacitive sensor, comprising:
- a laminated glass structure comprising:
- a first glass layer comprising a first surface and a second surface;
- a second glass layer in parallel with the first glass layer, comprising a third surface and a fourth surface;
- and
- an interlayer interposed between the second surface of the first glass layer and the fourth surface of the second glass layer;
- and
- a capacitive sensor disposed within the interlayer and comprising:
- a first electrode;
- and
- a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes form a capacitance;
- and
- a companion sensor positioned on the third surface of the second glass layer and aligned with the capacitive sensor, wherein the companion sensor is electrically coupled to the capacitive sensor.
A method for detecting rain with an embedded capacitive sensor, comprising:
- forming an embedded capacitive sensor, wherein the embedded capacitive sensor comprises:
- a laminated glass structure comprising:
- a first glass layer;
- a second glass layer in parallel with the first glass layer;
- and
- an interlayer interposed between the first glass layer and the second glass layer;
- a capacitive sensor disposed within the interlayer and comprising:
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode;
- wherein the first and second electrode form a sensing capacitor;
- a companion sensor positioned on the second glass layer, wherein the companion sensor has a same pattern as the capacitive sensor, and the companion sensor is electrically coupled to the capacitive sensor;
- and
- measuring a capacitance of the sensing capacitor;
- and
- determining a presence of rain according to the measured capacitance.
A system, comprising:
- a windshield;
- a capacitive sensor embedded within the windshield and comprising:
- a first electrode;
- and
- a second electrode in communication with the first electrode;
- wherein the first and second electrode form a sensing capacitor;
- a companion sensor positioned on an outer surface of the windshield, wherein the companion sensor is aligned with the capacitive sensor and electrically coupled to the capacitive sensor;
- a sensing circuit connected to the capacitive sensor and configured to:
- measure a capacitance of the sensing capacitor;
- and
- determine a presence of rain based on the measured capacitance;
- and
- a control circuit connected to the sensing circuit and configured to generate a wiper signal, wherein the wiper signal controls an operation of a wiper blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.