Switch strip, safety sensor strip and production method thereof, and also anti-trap protection

A safety sensor strip, comprising:

• a carrier profile including an attachment portion and a receiving portion, and
• a the switch strip arranged in the receiving portion,
• the switch strip comprising:
• an inner electrode to which a first electric charge is applicable;
• an outer electrode, which is deformable by a force (F) applied from the outside, to which a second electric charge is applicable and which is formed to be approximately circular in a section extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and approximately concentrically surrounds the inner electrode at a distance (D);
• a space filled with air, which is arranged between the outer electrode and the inner electrode and which is dielectric;
• and
• at least one spacer, which has a curved configuration in cross-section, which has two curved side surfaces, which are curved in the same circumferential direction as the switch strip, and is deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and which spaces and insulates the inner electrode from the outer electrode,
• wherein, when the outer electrode is deformed, the deformation is able to at least in portions bring the inner electrode and the outer electrode into contact with each other.

An apparatus for detecting an obstruction in the movement range of a closure element, in particular of an automotive vehicle, comprising:

• a safety sensor strip comprising:
• an inner electrode to which a first electric charge is applicable;
• an outer electrode, which is deformable by a force (F) applied from the outside, to which a second electric charge is applicable and which is formed to be approximately circular in a section extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and approximately concentrically surrounds the inner electrode at a distance (D);
• a space filled with air, which is arranged between the outer electrode and the inner electrode and which is dielectric;
• and
• at least one spacer, which has a curved configuration in cross-section, which has two curved side surfaces, which are curved in the same circumferential direction as the switch strip, and is deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and which spaces and insulates the inner electrode from the outer electrode,
• wherein, when the outer electrode is deformed, the deformation is able to at least in portions bring the inner electrode and the outer electrode into contact with each other, and
• a control unit, which controls an opening and closing operation of the closure element in dependence on the safety sensor strip.

A method of manufacturing a safety sensor strip of a type that includes a carrier profile including an attachment portion and a receiving portion, and a switch strip, which is arranged in the receiving portion, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing the carrier profile;
• b) providing the switch strip, wherein the switch strip is of a type comprising an inner electrode to which a first electric charge is applicable, an outer electrode, which is deformable by a force (F) applied from the outside, to which a second electric charge is applicable and which is formed to be approximately circular in a section extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and approximately concentrically surrounds the inner electrode at a distance (D), a space filled with air, which is arranged between the outer electrode and the inner electrode and which is dielectric, and at least one spacer, which has a curved configuration in cross-section, which has two curved side surfaces, which are curved in the same circumferential direction as the switch strip, and is deformable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and which spaces and insulates the inner electrode from the outer electrode, wherein, when the outer electrode is deformed, the deformation is able to at least in portions bring the inner electrode and the outer electrode into contact with each other;
• and
• c) threading the switch strip into the cavity while rotating the switch strip and/or applying pressurized air to a boundary volume between the outer surface of the switch strip and the inner surface of the receiving portion.