SENSOR MODULE

• US 20110012624A1
• Filed: 07/15/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: GASTEL, PETER VAN, LINDIC, IKO
• Application Number:
  US12/837,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20110012624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/686
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/48 combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector

Abstract

A capacitive sensor module with a sensor electrode which is used to detect the entry of an object into a space ahead of the sensor electrode, wherein the sensor electrode is formed from a wire. Parallel to the sensor electrode, auxiliary electrodes extend within a plastic carrier that possesses recesses to receive the sensor electrode and the auxiliary electrodes and partially surrounds them along their circumference. The sensor electrodes can be pressed into the plastic carrier by overcoming an elastic forming force and are held within their recesses by the elastic reshaping process.

Claims

1. Capacitive sensor module with

a sensor electrode which is used to detect the entry of an object into a space ahead of the sensor electrode, wherein the sensor electrode is formed from a segment of a first cable or wire,

at least one auxiliary electrode which extends parallel to the sensor electrode, wherein the auxiliary electrode is formed from a segment of a second cable or wire,

a plastic carrier which has recesses to receive and guide the sensor electrode and auxiliary electrodes, wherein the recesses are formed so that they at least partially surround the electrodes along their circumference and hold them within the recess,

wherein the plastic carrier and the sensor electrode as well as the auxiliary electrodes are matched to each other in their dimensions and materials so that the electrodes can be pressed into the applicable recesses by overcoming an elastic forming force and are held in their recesses by the elastic reshaping process.

2. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 1, also with a second auxiliary electrode extending parallel to the first auxiliary electrode and sensor electrode, wherein the sensor electrode, first auxiliary electrode and second auxiliary electrode are arranged in this order and in a straight line.

3. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first, outer recess is provided to receive the sensor electrode and this has a distance to the adjacent recess for the first auxiliary electrode which is greater than the distance between the recess for the first auxiliary electrode and the recess for the second auxiliary electrode.

4. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is formed from a mantled cable, wherein the mantle is formed from an elastic soft plastic.

5. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the carrier possesses a holding segment and an integrally connected fastening segment, wherein the recesses for the electrodes are arrayed in the holding segment.

6. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 5, wherein a clamp that is provided for fastening grasps around the fastening segment, wherein the fastening segment can be detachably clipped into the clamp.

7. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 1, wherein the carrier is integrally formed with a component of a bumper for a motor vehicle.

8. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 1, wherein

a control and evaluation circuit is linked to the sensor electrode and detects a capacity change in the capacity of the sensor electrode as compared to a reference potential by periodically charging and discharging the sensor electrode with a predetermined frequency and evaluating at least one parameter of a current or voltage progression that is dependent on the periodic charging and discharging of the sensor electrode in order to detect the capacity change.

9. Capacitive sensor module in accordance with claim 8, wherein the first auxiliary electrode is connected to the sensor electrode via the control and evaluation circuit so that its potential largely follows the potential of the sensor electrode.