Detector with capacitance sensor for detecting object being caught by door

• US 20060186900A1
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company), Mitsuba Corporation, Omron Automotive Electronics Company Limited (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Omron Corporation
• Inventors: Nagayama, Keiichi, Sueyasu, Hiroyuki, Okushima, Akihiro, Shoji, Shinichi, Kurumado, Yukinori
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/679
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/40 Protection E05Y2400/50, E05Y2400/52 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960725 Charge-transfer

Abstract

A detector for detecting an object that may be feared to or about to be caught by a closing door such as a slide door of a vehicle incorporates a capacitance sensor with a directionality characteristic in the direction of its detection surface. The detector has a main body enclosing detection electrodes, an insulating material placed in between and a shield electrode serving to provide the directionality. A protective cover may cover the shield electrode and the detection electrodes. A water-repellant finish may be provided at least on a portion of the outer surface of the main body including the detection surface for preventing water drops from remaining or becoming larger. A plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions may be formed on the protective cover with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion for making it difficult for water drops to remain.

Claims

1. A detector for detecting an object being caught by a door, said detector comprising:

detection electrodes;

an insulating material insulating said detection electrodes from each other;

a main body provided on an open end part of said door, said main body containing said detection electrodes and said insulating material;

a sensor circuit which, together with said main body, forms a capacitance sensor having specified directionality, said main body including a detection surface defined by said directionality; and

a protective cover covering said detection electrodes and having a plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion.

2. The detector of claim 1 wherein a water-repellant finish is provided over at least a portion of said protective cover and over said detection surface.

3. The detector of claim 1 further comprising a shield electrode inside said main body, said shield electrode being open towards said detection surface, said detection electrodes being disposed inside said shield electrode, said protective cover also covering said shield electrode.

4. The detector of claim 2 further comprising a shield electrode inside said main body, said shield electrode being open towards said detection surface, said detection electrodes being disposed inside said shield electrode, said protective cover also covering said shield electrode.

5. A detector for detecting an object being caught by a door, said detector comprising:

detection electrodes;

an insulating material insulating said detection electrodes from each other;

a main body provided on an open end part of said door, said main body containing said detection electrodes and said insulating material;

a sensor circuit which, together with said main body, forms a capacitance sensor having specified directionality; and

means for grounding said door;

wherein said main body includes a detection surface defined by said directionality and said detector further comprised means for grounding said door.

6. The detector of claim 5 further comprising:

a shield electrode inside said main body, said shield electrode being open toward said detection surface, said detection electrodes being disposed inside said shield electrode; and

a protective cover covering said shield electrode and said detection electrodes.

7. The detector of claim 6 wherein said protective cover has a plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion.

8. The detector of claim 6 wherein a water-repellant finish is provided over at least a portion of said protective cover and over said detection surface.

9. The detector of claim 7 wherein a water-repellant finish is provided over at least a portion of said protective cover and over said detection surface.

10. A detector for detecting an object being caught by a door, said detector comprising:

detection electrodes;

an insulating material insulating said detection electrodes from each other;

a main body provided on an open end part of said door, said main body containing said detection electrodes and said insulating material;

a sensor circuit which, together with said main body, forms a capacitance sensor having specified directionality;

wherein said main body includes a detection surface defined by said directionality, said detection surface being at a position farther protruding from the open end part of said door.

11. The detector of claim 10 further comprising:

a shield electrode inside said main body, said shield electrode being open toward said detection surface, said detection electrodes being disposed inside said shield electrode; and

a protective cover covering said shield electrode and said detection electrodes.

12. The detector of claim 11 wherein said protective cover has a plurality of mutually adjacent protrusions with thickness decreasing in the direction of protrusion.

13. The detector of claim 11 wherein a water-repellant finish is provided over at least a portion of said protective cover and over said detection surface.

14. The detector of claim 12 wherein a water-repellant finish is provided over at least a portion of said protective cover and over said detection surface.