Anti-entrapment system

• US 20030056600A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Shank, David W., Perrin, Randall L., Washeleski, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,782,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/780
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2417 by varying separation
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to the translating device. The sensor has first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance. The conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance. The sensor has a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The capacitance of the 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 sensor. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one conductors. A controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the conductors to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.

Claims

1. 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 and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance, the first and second flexible conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible dielectric element interposed between the first and second flexible conductors;

wherein the capacitance of the first and second flexible 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 capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance of the first and second flexible conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the first and second flexible conductors; and

a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the first and second flexible conductors in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either of the first object or the second conductive object.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first flexible conductors is a center core and the second flexible conductor coaxially surrounds the dielectric element and the first flexible conductor.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the first flexible conductor is electrically grounded.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

an elastomer overcoat surrounds the second flexible conductor.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the elastomer overcoat is semi-rigid.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the dielectric element is a semi-rigid elastomer.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the dielectric element is air.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is an automobile window.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on a window body panel which receives the automobile window when the automobile window is in a fully closed position.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is formed integral with an automobile weather strip which receives the automobile window when the automobile window is in a fully closed position.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein:

the controller is operable to control an automobile function.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function includes a power mirror function.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function includes a power door lock function.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function includes a seat function.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function includes a door function.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function include a dash function.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the automobile function includes a console function.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is an automobile sliding-door.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on an automobile sliding-door body panel which receives the automobile sliding-door when the automobile sliding-door is in a fully closed position.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is an automobile sunroof.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on an automobile roof panel which receives the automobile sunroof when the automobile sunroof is in a fully closed position.

22. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is an automobile deck lid.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on an edge of an automobile trunk which receives the automobile deck lid when the automobile deck lid is in a fully closed position.

24. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is an automobile hatch.

25. The system of claim 21 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on an automobile body panel which receives the automobile hatch when the automobile hatch is in a fully closed position.

26. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is a pair of doors.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on one of the pair of doors which receives the other one of the pair of doors when the pair of doors are in a fully closed position.

28. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is a sliding door.

29. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the sliding door includes a pair of sliding doors.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein:

the pair of sliding doors is a pair of elevator doors.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on one of the pair of elevator doors.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating door is a hinged door.

33. The system of claim 32 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on the hinged door.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein:

the hinged door includes a pair of hinged doors.

35. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is a garage door.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on the garage door.

37. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is a movable press mechanism.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein:

the capacitance sensor is positioned on a press which receives the movable press mechanism.

39. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the translating device is a tonneau cover.

40. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the dielectric element includes a cell foam.

41. The system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the first and second flexible conductors includes a braided metal wire.

42. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is operable for generating an offset signal to bias the capacitance between the first and second flexible conductors.

43. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller includes a microprocessor.

44. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is operable for executing filtering software to monitor the capacitance between the first and second flexible conductors.

45. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is operable for receiving a sensor signal indicative of a sensed parameter of the translating device, wherein the controller controls the translating device as a function of the sensed parameter.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein:

the sensed parameter is indicative of motor current used by a motor operable for moving the translating device.

47. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is operable for executing an adaptive threshold detection algorithm to monitor the capacitance between the first and second flexible conductors.

48. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller performs at least one additional function in addition to controlling the translating device.

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. 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.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein:

the spanner is non-conductive.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein:

the spanner includes first and second portions, the first portion being a conductive flexible elastomer and the second portion being a non-conductive flexible material, wherein the first spanner portion holds the first conductor within the interior of the outer jacket, wherein the second spanner portion is held at each end to the outer jacket.

54. 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.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein:

the conductor has an endless configuration.