Back to results
US 6,724,324 B1Granted
Capacitive proximity sensor
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorDavid Kay Lambert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A capacitive sensor including a first electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal, and a second electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal for a detecting device. The sensor further includes a middle electrode that has at least one conducting surface placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, as well as being grounded to a ground. The at least one conducting surface of the middle electrode, the at least one conducting surface of the first electrode, and the at least one conducting surface of the second electrode are contained within a holding material holding within itself the first electrode, the second electrode and the middle electrode.
Claims18
A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a first electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal;
- a second electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal for a detecting device;
- a middle electrode having at least one conducting surface placed between said first electrode and said second electrode, said middle electrode being connected to a ground;
- and
- a holding material containing said at least one conducting surface of said middle electrode, said at least one conducting surface of said first electrode, and said at least one conducting surface of said second electrode;
- a grounded metal surface greater in area then said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode and positioned on a first side of said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode;
- said input signal varying in response to an object positioned proximate a second side of said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode;
- wherein said object comprises part of a human body.
5 more elements
A capacitive sensor comprising:
- a first electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal;
- a second electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal for a detecting device;
- a middle electrode having at least one conducting surface placed between said first electrode and said second electrode, said middle electrode being connected to a ground;
- and
- a holding material containing said at least one conducting surface of said middle electrode, said at least one conducting surface of said first electrode, and said at least one conducting surface of said second electrode wherein:
- said first electrode generating a flux of electric field, said flux comprising a first portion flux and a second portion flux;
- said middle electrode disposed to receive said second position flux, said second portion flux passing substantially through said holding material;
- said second electrode disposed to receive said first portion flux.
5 more elements
A capacitive proximity sensing system, comprising:
- a first electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal;
- a second electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal;
- a middle electrode having at least one conducting surface placed between said first electrode and said second electrode, said middle electrode being connected to a ground;
- and
- a holding material containing said at least one conducting surface of said middle electrode, said at least one conducting surface of said first electrode, and said at least one conducting surface of said second electrode;
- an oscillator coupled to said first electrode generating said alternating current signal;
- and
- a detector receiving said input signal whereby an output of said detector being representative of a capacitance between said first electrode and said second electrode;
- a grounded metal surface greater in area then said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode and positioned on a first side of said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode;
- said input signal varying in response to an object positioned proximate a second side of said first electrode, said middle electrode and said second electrode;
- wherein said object comprises part of a human body.
8 more elements
A capacitive proximity sensing system, comprising:
- a first electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal;
- a second electrode having at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal;
- a middle electrode having at least one conducting surface placed between said first electrode and said second electrode, said middle electrode being connected to a ground;
- and
- a holding material containing said at least one conducting surface of said middle electrode, said at least one conducting surface of said first electrode, and said at least one conducting surface of said second electrode;
- an oscillator coupled to said first electrode generating said alternating current signal;
- and
- a detector receiving said input signal whereby an output of said detector being representative of a capacitance between said first electrode and said second electrode wherein:
- said first electrode generates a flux of electric field, said flux comprising a first portion flux and a second portion flux;
- said middle electrode disposed to receive said second portion flux, said second portion flux passing substantially through said holding material;
- said second electrode disposed to receive said first portion flux.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.