Compressible capacitance sensor for determining the presence of an object

A pinch sensor system for preventing an object within an opening defined by a closed opening device from being pinched by the closed opening device, the pinch sensor system comprising:

• a compressible capacitance pinch sensor fixedly positioned adjacent an opening defined by a closed opening device, the compressible capacitance pinch sensor having first and second flexible conductor elements separated by a separation distance, the first and second flexible conductor elements having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the compressible capacitance pinch sensor further having a non-conductive compressible element interposed between the first and second flexible conductor elements, wherein the non-conductive compressible element compresses in response to an object within the opening touching the compressible capacitance pinch sensor such that the separation distance between the first and second flexible conductor elements decreases, wherein the capacitance of the first and second flexible conductor elements changes in response to the separation distance between the first and second flexible conductor elements decreasing;
• and
• a controller for monitoring the capacitance of the first and second flexible conductor elements, wherein the controller controls the closed opening device to prevent the closed opening device from pinching the object in response to the object touching the compressible capacitance pinch sensor.

A seat occupant sensor system for determining characteristics of a seat occupant, the seat occupant sensor system comprising:

• at least one seat occupant sensor disposed within a seat, the at least one seat occupant sensor including first, second, and third flexible conductor plates, wherein the first flexible conductor plate is interposed between the second and third flexible conductor plates such that the first and third flexible conductor plates are separated by a separation distance, wherein the second and third flexible conductor plates are electrically grounded and the first, second, and third flexible conductor plates have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the at least one seat occupant sensor further including a first non-conductive compressible element interposed between the first and second flexible conductor plates and a second non-conductive compressible element interposed between the first and third flexible conductor plates, wherein the first and second non-conductive compressible elements compress in response to a seat occupant applying force to the at least one seat occupant sensor such that the separation distance between the second and third flexible conductor plates decreases, wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance decreasing;
• and
• a controller for determining characteristics of the seat occupant as a function of the capacitance of the at least one seat occupant sensor.