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US 2002/0154039 A1Published application
Capacitive proximity sensor
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid K. Lambert, Larry M. Oberdier, Ronald H. Haag, Jeremy M. Husic, Neil R. Aukland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A capacitive sensor (30) for use with a automotive vehicle (200) having a power sliding door (202) has a flexible housing (44). The housing (44) has a first set of electrodes (12) and a second set of electrodes (14) interdigitally spaced from each other and a ground electrode (15) made from a flexible metallic braid.
Claims17
A capacitive proximity sensor characterized by:
- an elongated electrically non-conductive housing;
- a first electrode positioned in said housing and constructed for receiving a voltage signal;
- a second electrode positioned in said housing and being constructed to generate an input signal to a detecting device and spaced from said first electrode;
- a ground electrode positioned in said housing and having at least a portion thereof operably disposed in relation to said first and second electrodes to normally decrease the capacitive coupling directly between the first and second electrode such that a substantial amount of electric field lines between the first and second electrodes are laterally spaced from an axis between the first and second electrodes.
1 more element
A capacitive proximity sensor device characterized by:
- a bendable elongated strip assembly having a capacitive structure mounted therein with a first electrode and a second electrode;
- an oscillator coupled to said first electrode through a proximate end of said strip assembly to provide an alternating voltage signal to said first electrode;
- a detector remotely spaced from said proximate end for receiving a capacitive signal from said second electrode;
- an amplifier connected near a proximate end of said strip assembly to said second electrode;
- a low impedance electrical connection extending between said amplifier and said detector having insignificant capacitive coupling with any connection between said oscillator and said first electrode.
2 more elements
A capacitive proximity sensor characterized by:
- a first electrode for receiving an electrical signal;
- a second electrode disposed to generate a detection signal when conductive objects is placed in a defined space relative to the first and second electrodes;
- said defined space being laterally spaced from between said first and second electrodes;
- a ground and shielding assembly in proximity to said first and second electrodes to reduce coupling of said second electrode to said first electrode in a straight direction between said first and second electrode below said defined space.
1 more element
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a power operated panel;
- a flexible capacitive proximity sensor operating on low frequencies mounted on one of the power operated panel and an opening in said vehicle for said power sliding panel;
- said capacitive proximity sensor operably connected through a control to a motor which closes said power operated panel to reverse said motor when said capacitive proximity sensor senses a foreign object that changes the capacitive level of said sensor within a defined space near said sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.