Anti-entrapment system

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

• a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first, second, and third flexible conductors, the third conductor coaxially surrounding the second conductor with a first compressible dielectric element interposed therebetween, the second conductor coaxially surrounding the first conductor with a second compressible dielectric element interposed therebetween, the first and second conductors separated by a separation distance, the second conductor being electrically grounded;
• wherein the first and second conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, wherein the capacitance of the first and second conductors changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the second dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor;
• wherein the second and third conductors have a capacitance dependent on the proximity of a second conductive object with the third conductor, wherein the capacitance of the second and third conductors changes in response to the second conductive object coming into proximity with the third conductor;
• and
• a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the first and second conductors and the capacitance of the second and third conductors in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being trapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

• a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance pinch sensor and a capacitance proximity sensor positioned side-by-side and both being encased by a single elastomer outer jacket;
• wherein the capacitance pinch sensor includes first and second flexible conductors and a first compressible dielectric element interposed therebetween, the second conductor coaxially surrounding the first dielectric element and the first conductor such that the first and second conductors are separated by a separation distance, wherein the second conductor is electrically grounded, wherein the first and second conductors have a first capacitance dependent on the separation distance, wherein the first capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance pinch sensor;
• wherein the capacitance proximity sensor includes third and fourth conductors and a second compressible dielectric element interposed therebetween, the fourth conductor coaxially surrounding the second dielectric element and the third conductor, wherein the third conductor is electrically grounded, wherein the third and fourth conductors have a second capacitance which changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with the fourth conductor;
• and
• a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the first and second capacitances in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

• a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor including an elastomer outer jacket having an interior, the capacitance sensor further including a spanner held at each end by the outer jacket within the interior of the outer jacket, the spanner holding a first flexible conductor within the interior of the outer jacket and the outer jacket encasing a second flexible conductor such that the first and second conductors are separated from one another by a separation distance, wherein the first and second conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible dielectric element within the interior of the outer jacket;
• wherein the capacitance of the first and second conductors changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the outer jacket;
• wherein the capacitance of the first and second conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the first and second conductors;
• and
• a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the first and second conductors in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

• a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having a flexible conductor separated from a metal frame by a separation distance, the conductor having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible non-conductive elastomer encasing the first conductor and resting on the metal frame;
• wherein the capacitance of the conductor changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the compressible non-conductive elastomer compressing in response to a first object touching the first conductor;
• wherein the capacitance of the conductor changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with the conductor;
• and
• a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the conductor in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.