Variable resistance conductive rubber sensor and method of detecting an object/human touch therewith
First Claim
1. A variable resistance conductive rubber sensor comprising:
- a sensor body made of conductive elastomer defining an outer shape and extending along an axis between a first end of the sensor body and a second end of the sensor body spaced therefrom and being longitudinally flexible relative to the axis and twistable about the axis and radially compressible;
a first wire operably connected via a first electrical connector to the first end of the sensor body; and
wherein the sensor body exhibits an increase in electrical resistance in response to external contact.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable resistance conductive rubber sensor and method of detecting an object/human touch therewith is provided. The sensor has a sensor body constructed from electrically conductive rubber. The sensor body extends between opposite first and second ends. A first wire is operably connected to the first end and a second wire may be operably connected to the second end, with the first and second wires being brought into electrical communication with one another by the intermediately extending electrically conductive rubber of the sensor body. A microcontroller is operably connected to the sensor body to detect the presence of an applied force or human touch on the sensor body.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A variable resistance conductive rubber sensor comprising:
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a sensor body made of conductive elastomer defining an outer shape and extending along an axis between a first end of the sensor body and a second end of the sensor body spaced therefrom and being longitudinally flexible relative to the axis and twistable about the axis and radially compressible; a first wire operably connected via a first electrical connector to the first end of the sensor body; and wherein the sensor body exhibits an increase in electrical resistance in response to external contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of detecting the presence of an object/human touch against a vehicle component in at least one of a vehicle window, vehicle closure member, vehicle trim panel, and vehicle seating application, comprising:
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disposing a sensor, including a sensor body constructed from electrically conductive rubber that is operably connected to a microcontroller, adjacent the vehicle component; measuring by the microcontroller electrical resistance of the sensor body; determining by the microcontroller the presence of an object/human touch by the electrical resistance of the sensor body being greater than a baseline value. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification