Track position sensor and method
First Claim
1. A sensor apparatus for detecting the position or proximity of an object or a structure movable along a defined path such as a track, said sensor apparatus comprising:
- a dielectric substrate having first and second opposing surfaces;
a first conductive electrode pad disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a substantially continuous form defining a pad surface area of conductive material;
a second conductive electrode disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a spaced, side by side relationship to said first electrode pad, and defining a surface area of conductive material; and
an integrated control circuit (ICC) disposed on said substrate proximate said first and second electrodes and electrically coupled to said first and second electrodes, such that proximity of a metal object or structure activates the ICC.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low impedance sensor includes thin conductive electrodes on a dielectric substrate and detects proximity of a target metal object or structure moving along defined path such as a track. The sensor includes a first conductive electrode pad having a closed, continuous geometric form and a second conductive electrode surrounding the first electrode and spaced from the first electrode by a channel of non-conductive dielectric. The first and second electrodes are optionally disposed on the same surface of the substrate. An integrated control circuit is located on the substrate proximate the first and second electrodes, and is electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes.
70 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sensor apparatus for detecting the position or proximity of an object or a structure movable along a defined path such as a track, said sensor apparatus comprising:
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a dielectric substrate having first and second opposing surfaces;
a first conductive electrode pad disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a substantially continuous form defining a pad surface area of conductive material;
a second conductive electrode disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a spaced, side by side relationship to said first electrode pad, and defining a surface area of conductive material; and
an integrated control circuit (ICC) disposed on said substrate proximate said first and second electrodes and electrically coupled to said first and second electrodes, such that proximity of a metal object or structure activates the ICC. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A seat track sensor apparatus for detecting the position or proximity of a movable rail configured to move along a path defined by a fixed track or rail, said seat track sensor apparatus comprising:
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a dielectric substrate;
a first conductive electrode pad disposed on said substrate in a substantially continuous form defining a pad surface area of conductive material;
a second conductive electrode disposed on said substrate in a spaced relationship to said first electrode pad, and defining a surface area of conductive material;
an integrated control circuit (ICC) disposed on said substrate proximate said first and second electrodes and electrically coupled to said first and second electrodes, such that proximity of a selected rail activates the ICC;
a dielectric housing including a support adapted to fasten said housing to either the movable rail or the fixed rail, wherein said rail fastened to said sensor is designated a sensor carrying rail and the rail not fastened to said sensor is designated a target rail; and
wherein said sensor is configured to sense the proximity of said target rail when said movable rail moves along said defined path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for sensing the position or proximity of an object or a structure movable along a defined path such as a track, comprising the method steps of:
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(a) providing a dielectric substrate having first and second opposing surfaces;
(b) providing a first conductive electrode pad disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a substantially continuous form defining a pad surface area of conductive material;
(c) providing a second conductive electrode disposed on said first surface of said substrate in a spaced, side by side relationship to said first electrode pad, and defining a surface area of conductive material;
(d) providing an integrated control circuit (ICC) disposed on said substrate proximate said first and second electrodes and electrically coupled to said first and second electrodes, such that proximity of a target object or structure activates the ICC; and
(e) moving said sensor along the track from a first position wherein said active electrical component is not activated to a second position wherein said ICC is activated. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification