US 12,587,193 B2Granted

Proximity sensor with integrated control features and method of operation thereof

AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited

InventorShane Morse Rowell

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A proximity sensor with integrated control features includes a sensing circuit that detects a target feature in proximity thereto and generates a sensor signal responsive to detection of the target feature, an interface circuit that receives inputs from an external device and conditions the inputs to provide digital logic outputs, output electronics that selectively provide actuation signals for driving a load operatively connected to the proximity sensor, and a microcontroller unit in communication with the sensing circuit, the interface circuit, and the output electronics. The microcontroller unit receives sensor signals and digital logic outputs from the sensing circuit and the interface circuit, samples the sensor signals and digital logic outputs, and selectively provides activation signals to the output electronics based on the state of the digital logic outputs and/or the sensor signals, wherein the activation signals cause the output electronics to output the actuation signals to drive the load.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A proximity sensor comprising:

a sensing circuit configured to detect a presence of a target feature comprising a physical object, the sensing circuit generating a sensor signal responsive to detection of the target feature comprising the physical object in proximity to the sensing circuit;
an interface circuit operable to receive inputs from an external device and condition the inputs to provide digital logic outputs;
output electronics configured to selectively provide actuation signals for driving a load operatively connected to the proximity sensor;
and
a microcontroller unit in communication with each of the sensing circuit, the interface circuit, and the output electronics, the microcontroller unit programmed to:
receive sensor signals and digital logic outputs from the sensing circuit and the interface circuit, respectively;
identify a state of the inputs received at the interface circuit from the external device based on the digital logic outputs, wherein the identified state is any one of a plurality of possible states of the inputs;
monitor the sensor signal to determine if a target feature comprising a physical object is detected in proximity to the sensing circuit;
determine if the identified state of the inputs received at the interface circuit from the external device has changed relative to a previous state of the inputs received at the interface circuit from the external device;
and
if the target feature comprising the physical object is detected in proximity to the sensing circuit and if the identified state of the inputs received at the interface circuit from the external device has changed relative to a previous state of the inputs received at the interface circuit from the external device, store the identified state of the inputs and provide activation signals to the output electronics;
wherein the activation signals cause the output electronics to output the actuation signals to the load to drive the load, and the load comprises one of a rotary solenoid or a brushed DC motor, and wherein the microcontroller unit is further configured to:
receive feedback from the rotary solenoid or brushed DC motor;
and
determine one or more of a position and a speed of the rotary solenoid or brushed DC motor based on the feedback.

12 more elements

A method for driving a load via a proximity sensor with integrated control features, the method comprising:

receiving, at the proximity sensor, inputs from an external logic device, the inputs having a state associated therewith identified by the proximity sensor;
detecting, via the proximity sensor, a presence of a target feature in proximity to the proximity sensor, the target feature comprising a physical object;
upon identification of a change in state of the inputs from the external logic device from one state to any other state and a subsequent detection of the target feature in proximity to the proximity sensor, determining that a change event has occurred and outputting actuation signals from the proximity sensor to a load to control operation thereof, wherein the load comprises one of a rotary solenoid and a brushed DC motor;
outputting actuation signals from the proximity sensor comprises controlling an electrical polarity of a voltage applied to the load in the actuation signals, so as to apply a voltage having a positive electrical polarity or a negative electrical polarity;
and a direction of rotation of the load is controlled via the electrical polarity of the voltage applied thereto;
receiving feedback from the load;
and
determining one or more of a position and a speed of the load based on the feedback;
wherein the actuation signals are generated from output electronics included in the proximity sensor.

6 more elements

A system comprising:

an electrically actuated load;
a proximity sensor with integrated control features, the proximity sensor operably connected to the load to selectively provide actuation signals thereto to drive the electrically actuated load;
and
a logic device external to the proximity sensor and in operable communication with the proximity sensor to provide inputs thereto;
wherein the proximity sensor comprises:
a sensing circuit configured to detect a presence of a target feature in proximity thereto, the target feature comprising a physical object and the sensing circuit generating a sensor signal responsive to detection of the target feature in proximity to the sensing circuit;
an interface circuit operable to receive the inputs from the logic device and condition the inputs to provide digital logic outputs;
output electronics configured to selectively provide the actuation signals to the load;
and
a microcontroller unit in communication with each of the sensing circuit, the interface circuit, and the output electronics, the microcontroller unit programmed to:
receive sensor signals and digital logic outputs from the sensing circuit and the interface circuit, respectively;
identify a state of the inputs, wherein the identified state is any one of a plurality of possible states of the inputs;
monitor the sensor signal to determine if a target feature is detected in proximity to the sensing circuit, the target feature comprising a physical object;
and
if the target feature is detected in proximity to the sensing circuit and if the identified state of the inputs has changed relative to a previous state of the inputs, store the identified state of the inputs and provide activation signals to the output electronics, the activation signals causing the output electronics to output the actuation signals to the electrically actuated load to drive the electrically actuated load responsive thereto.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.