Proximity switch having lockout control for controlling movable panel
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsStuart C. Salter, Anna Hill, Jeffrey Singer, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Beatriz Esthela Padilla
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Abstract
A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having lockout control for controlling a movable panel on a vehicle. The switch includes a proximity sensor such, as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry for processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the switch and controls functionality when one or more lockout sensors are activated.
Claims20
A proximity switch for controlling a movable panel, comprising:
- a proximity sensor sensing an object in a sense activation field;
- one or more lockout sensors proximate the proximity sensor for sensing an object;
- and
- control circuitry controlling movement of a movable panel based on the sensed object in the activation field and the one or more lockout sensors.
A vehicle capacitive switch for controlling a movable panel on a vehicle, comprising:
- a capacitive sensor installed in a vehicle for sensing an object in a sense activation field;
- one or more lockout sensors proximate the capacitive sensor for sensing an object;
- and
- control circuitry controlling movement of the movable panel based on the sensed object in the activation field and the one or more lockout sensors, and preventing movement of the movable panel when the one or more lockout sensors sense an object.
A method of controlling a movable panel, said method comprising;
- providing a sense activation field with a proximity sensor;
- processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the proximity sensor;
- detecting an activation of one or more lockout sensors proximate to the proximity sensor;
- and
- preventing at least some movement of the movable panel when actuation of the one or more lockout sensors is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.