Flexible capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system

• US 20030081369A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC (Strattec Security Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pasiecznik, John Jr., Haag, Ronald Helmut, Husic, Jeremy M., Deplae, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 6,723,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/302
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/40 Mounting location; Visibility of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

A flexible, capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the strip includes an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, and a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body, the longitudinal cavity being disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. The first elongated planar conductor forms a first electrode of a sensing capacitor and the longitudinal cavity defines a portion of a dielectric material of the sensing capacitor.

Claims

1. A flexible, capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system, the strip comprising:

an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of said elongated body;

a first elongated planar conductor contained within an upper section of said elongated body; and

a longitudinal cavity formed through a central portion of said elongated body, said longitudinal cavity being disposed between said planar conductor and said bottom surface;

wherein said first elongated planar conductor further comprises a first electrode of a sensing capacitor and said longitudinal cavity comprises a portion of a dielectric material of said sensing capacitor.

2. The capacitive strip of claim 1, wherein said panel comprises a second electrode of said sensing capacitor.

3. The capacitive strip of claim 1, wherein said planar conductor comprises a flexible material such that a substantially constant distance is maintained between said first elongated planar conductor and said panel.

4. The capacitive strip of claim 1, wherein said elongated body is formed by extrusion of an insulating material.

5. The capacitive strip of claim 4, wherein said insulating material further comprises santoprene rubber.

6. The capacitive strip of claim 1, wherein said first elongated planar conductor further comprises braided wire.

7. The capacitive strip of claim 6, wherein said braided wire is formed from tinned copper material.

8. The capacitive strip of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive strip affixed to said bottom surface of said elongated body.

9. The capacitive strip of claim 4, wherein said insulating material surrounds said first elongated planar conductor.

10. The capacitive strip of claim 1, further comprising:

a second elongated planar conductor, formed within said elongated body;

said second elongated planar conductor being disposed substantially parallel to said first elongated planar conductor, with said longitudinal cavity further being disposed between said first elongated planar conductor and said elongated planar conductor;

wherein said second elongated planar conductor further comprises a second electrode of said sensing capacitor.

11. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein said elongated body includes a pair of grooves therein, said grooves thereby allowing said elongated body to be slid into and mounted within a carrier.

12. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 11, wherein said insulating material surrounds said first elongated planar conductor.

13. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 5, wherein a dielectric constant of said capacitive strip is determined by both said longitudinal cavity and said santoprene rubber.