Pressure sensor device, control device, and pressure sensor unit
AssigneeRenesas Electronics Corporation
InventorsMasato HIRAI, Takeshi YOSHIZAWA, Takeshi KUWANO
Life of this patent
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Abstract
To improve the efficiency of pressure detection, a driver applies a positive-phase signal to a capacitance element from an opposite side to a coupling point in a control device. Another driver applies a reverse-phase signal to another capacitance element from an opposite side to the coupling point. A control unit detects pressures applied to the capacitance elements based on a potential fluctuation at the coupling point.
Claims18
A pressure sensor device comprising:
- a first capacitance element;
- a second capacitance element coupled to the first capacitance element in series thereto;
- a first driver applying a positive-phase signal to the first capacitance element from an opposite side to a coupling point between the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element;
- a second driver applying a reverse-phase signal to the second capacitance element from an opposite side to the coupling point, and
- a control unit detecting pressures applied to the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element based on a potential fluctuation at the coupling point.
A control device detecting pressures applied to a first capacitance element and a second capacitance element coupled in series to each other, comprising:
- a first driver and a second driver outputting a positive-phase signal and a reverse-phase signal, respectively;
- a first output terminal for being coupled to the first capacitance element from an opposite side to a coupling point between the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element, the first output terminal outputting the positive-phase signal output from the first driver to the first capacitance element;
- a second output terminal for being coupled to the second capacitance element from an opposite side to the coupling point, the second output terminal outputting the reverse-phase signal output from the second driver to the second capacitance element;
- an input terminal for being coupled to the coupling point, the input terminal inputting a potential fluctuation at the coupling point, and
- a control unit detecting the pressures applied to the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element based on the potential fluctuation input from the input terminal.
A pressure sensor unit comprising:
- a first capacitance element and a second capacitance element coupled in series to each other, a positive-phase signal and a reverse-phase signal being applied to the first capacitance element and the second capacitance element from an opposite side to a coupling point, and
- an output terminal outputting a potential fluctuation at the coupling point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.