Abstract:
The invention relates to a control device (10) for a vehicle, and to a method for operating said control device, in particular a control device (10) for controlling safety-relevant functions. The control device (10) comprises at least one control interface (12) with at least one control panel (18) for a control input and a sensor system for detecting a control input in the region of the control panel (18). The sensor system comprises at least one first, capacitive sensor device (14a) with a first, electrically conductive sensor structure and a second, capacitive sensor device (14b) with a second electrically conductive sensor structure, the sensor structures being mounted below the control interface (12) in the region of the control panel (18). The first sensor structure and the second sensor structure have a comb-like and/or meandering shape in at least one section of the control panel (18) and are arranged so as to mesh with each other.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a proximity sensor (300) comprising: at least a first sensor portion, a second sensor portion and a third sensor portion, the second sensor portion being provided between the first and third sensor portions, the first and third sensor portions each comprising at least a portion of a or a respective substrate (310) having first and second opposite major faces, the first and third sensor portions each bearing on a major face of the or the respective substrate at least a portion of a substantially planar transmit electrode (320), and a substantially planar receive electrode (330A, 330B) arranged to receive a signal transmitted by the respective at least a portion of a transmit electrode, the second sensor portion comprising a first region (315), the sensor comprising a ground shield portion (340) comprising one or more substantially planar, elongate electrodes, the ground shield portion having at least one elongate portion laterally disposed between the receive electrode of the first sensor portion and the first region of the second sensor portion, and at least one elongate portion disposed between the first region of the second sensor portion and the receive electrode of the third sensor portion, the sensor (300) being configured to allow a radio frequency (RF) signal to be applied to the transmit electrode (320) to cause a corresponding RF signal to be induced in each receive electrode (330A-D), the relative strength of the RF signals induced in the receive electrode (330A-D) of the respective portions being responsive to the relative distance of a conducting object therefrom.
Abstract:
Method for performing a touch determination with a capacitive sensor by initiating a self capacitance measurement of a capacitive sensor (150), wherein at the same time a mutual capacitance measurement including the capacitive sensor is performed. Such a method can be performed such that the self capacitance measurement and the mutual capacitance measurement differentially cancel with ungrounded conductive objects approaching or touching the capacitive sensor and additively combine for grounded objects approaching or touching the capacitive sensor.
Abstract:
An electronics module proximate an exterior surface of a vehicle is disclosed. The module comprises a housing configured for mounting to an interior surface of the vehicle. An electronic circuit is enclosed in the housing. The electronic circuit comprises a proximity sensor and a sensor guard. The proximity sensor is configured to detect an object proximate the housing. The sensor guard is disposed between the interior surface and the proximity sensor and configured to limit a detection by the proximity sensor of an input originating from the exterior surface of a vehicle.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a sensor apparatus comprising a dielectric elastomer device, a power source, a sensor, and a processor. The dielectric elastomer device comprises a layer of dielectric material and a pair of conductive electrodes on opposing sides of the dielectric layer. The power source is coupled with the electrodes to apply a stimulus signal between the electrodes, the stimulus signal comprising two or more stimulus components of different frequencies. A sensor coupled with the electrodes obtains a sensing signal indicative of a frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. The processor is coupled with the sensor to receive the sensing signal, and configured to detect an external coupling with the dielectric elastomer device based at least in part upon the frequency response of the dielectric elastomer device. Also provided is a method for sensing an external coupling.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of shielding a hand sensor system in a steering wheel are disclosed herein. An exemplary hand sensor system includes a sensor mat and a heater mat that is disposed between the sensor mat and a frame of the steering wheel. A power source selectively provides a heating current to the heater mat to provide heat to the steering wheel and a shielding voltage signal to the heater mat to provide electrical shielding for the sensor mat when heating is not needed or when sensing takes priority over heating. Alternatively, the system may include a shield mat that is separate from the heater mat and is disposed between the sensor mat and the heater mat. In addition, to isolate the signal carried by individual sensor return wires, a metallic or insulating covering or conduit may be provided around the wires or portions thereof.
Abstract:
An apparatus (2) comprising: a plurality of distinct capacitive sensor electrodes (6) distributed over a sensing area (8); conductive traces (10) connected to respective ones of the plurality of distinct capacitive sensor electrodes (6); one or more first shield electrode portions (21), positioned on a first side (35) of the sensing area (8) to overlap, in the sensing area (8), at least some of the conductive traces (10), and one or more second shield electrode portions (22), positioned on the first side (35) of the sensing area (8) to overlap, in the sensing area (8), at least some of the capacitive sensor electrodes (6).