CAPACITIVE DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20100079283A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: SATZ, Armin, WERTH, Tobias, HAMMERSCHMIDT, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 8,058,993 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/562
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2405 by varying dielectric
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector

Abstract

The invention is related to capacitive sensing and detection systems and methods. In one embodiment, a capacitive sensor system comprises a first electrode and a second electrode forming a first capacitive sensor mounted to a vehicle and configured to create a first electric field directed outward from the vehicle, and a control unit coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to measure a change in the first electric field. In another embodiment, a method comprises capacitively sensing an object relative to a vehicle and communicating information related to the object. In yet another embodiment, a method comprises configuring a capacitive sensor to sense an object relative to a vehicle, and providing a path to communicate information from the capacitive sensor.

Claims

1. A capacitive sensor system comprising:

a first electrode and a second electrode forming a first capacitive sensor and configured to create a first electric field directed outward from a vehicle; and

a control unit coupled to the first and second electrodes and configured to measure a change in the first electric field.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third electrode configured to form a second capacitive sensor and create a second electric field with at least one of the first and second electrodes, wherein the control unit is coupled to the third electrode and configured to measure a change in the second electric field.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

at least one additional electrode configured to form a capacitive sensor with at least one of the first, second, third, and at least one other additional electrode and coupled to the control unit.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a switching mechanism coupled to the first, second, third and at least one additional electrode and configured to selectively couple at least two of the first, second, third and at least one additional electrode to form a capacitive sensor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the control unit comprises the switching mechanism.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are mounted to a body portion of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second electrodes are mounted to a bumper of the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of additional electrodes mounted in the bumper, forming at least one additional capacitive sensor and configured to create at least one additional electric field directed toward a chassis of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one further capacitive sensor configured to detect a change in a shock absorber of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are mounted within a door of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising at least one additional electrode coupled to the control unit and configured in an array with the first and second electrodes.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a pressure sensor mounted within the door and coupled to the control unit.

13. A method comprising:

capacitively sensing an object relative to a vehicle; and

communicating information related to the object.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising mounting a plurality of capacitive sensors to a vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising mounting the plurality of capacitive sensors to a side portion of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein capacitively sensing further comprising detecting the object pre-crash.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising mounting the plurality of capacitive sensors to a bumper portion of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising capacitively sensing a change in the bumper.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein capacitively sensing further comprises obtaining information related to at least one of a size and a distance of the object.

20. A method comprising:

configuring a capacitive sensor to capacitively sense a physical change in a door of a vehicle;

configuring a pressure sensor to sense a pressure change within the door of the vehicle; and

providing a path to communicate information from the capacitive sensor and the pressure sensor.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein configuring a capacitive sensor further comprises configuring the capacitive sensor to detect a change in a relative spacing of a first portion of the door and a second portion of the door.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein configuring a capacitive sensor further comprises mounting at least one electrode to the door.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein configuring a pressure sensor further comprises mounting at least one pressure sensor to the door.

24. A method comprising:

configuring a capacitive sensor to sense an object relative to a vehicle;

providing a path to communicate information from the capacitive sensor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein configuring a capacitive sensor further comprises configuring a plurality of electrodes selectively switchable to form a plurality of capacitive sensors.