Capacitor sensors and system and methods for non-contact object detection
AssigneeFlextronics Automotive Inc.
InventorsReginald C. Grills, Wasim Tahir, Yarko Matkiwsky, Gary Warren, Allan Chun, Steve Gary Steane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-contact object detection system includes a capacitor sensor and a control system, the control system providing a AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) to the capacitor sensor, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured according to an environment in which the capacitor sensor is deployed, the AES (Adaptive Excitation Signal) configured to produce a threshold voltage from the capacitor sensor to the control system in the environment when an object is not in a detection area of the capacitor sensor.
Claims12
A non-contact object detection system comprising:
- (a) a capacitor sensor;
- and
- (b) a control system, the control system providing an Adaptive Excitation Signal (AES) to the capacitor sensor, the AES configured according to a power closure system including a proximity based speed control algorithm in which the capacitor sensor is deployed;
- wherein the capacitor sensor provides a detection voltage to the control system when an object is in the detection area and the AES configured to produce a threshold voltage from the capacitor sensor to the control system in the power closure system when an object is not in a detection area of the capacitor sensor;
- wherein the control system is configured to execute instructions for automatically configuring the AES, the instructions including a module for determining whether the threshold voltage is within an upper baseline limit and a lower baseline limit of the capacitor sensor and adjusting the AES according to the power closure system to achieve a desired base line profile to be within upper and lower limits.
A method of detecting an object in a detection area of a capacitor sensor deployed in a closure, the method comprising:
- providing an Adaptive Excitation Signal (AES) to the capacitor sensor from a control system in a power closure system including a proximity based speed control algorithm;
- configuring the AES according to a power closure system including a proximity based speed control algorithm in which the capacitor sensor is deployed, wherein the AES is automatically configured to produce a threshold voltage from the capacitor sensor to the control system in the power closure system when an object is not in a detection area of the capacitor sensor;
- sensing a detection voltage produced from the capacitor sensor;
- comparing the detection voltage to a threshold voltage;
- and
- determining whether the object is in the detection area based on the comparing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.