POSITION SENSOR

• US 20120280864A1
• Filed: 05/03/2012
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polycontact AG
• Original Assignee: Polycontact AG
• Inventors: Lanter, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US13/462,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280864A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/450
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/003 for measuring position, not involving coordinate determination coordinate measuring G01B7/004

Abstract

An exemplary position sensor can be provided that can include a transmitting arrangement for configured to generate electromagnetic waves, a receiving arrangement configured to detect electromagnetic waves, and a position arrangement. The transmitting arrangement and the receiving arrangement can be moved relative to the position arrangement. The position arrangement can influence the electromagnetic waves of the transmitting arrangement such that the presence of the position arrangement can be detected in the vicinity of the transmitting arrangement and the receiving arrangement.

Claims

1. A position sensor, comprising:

a position arrangement;

a transmitting arrangement moveable relative to the position arrangement, the transmitting arrangement being configured to transmit a signal;

a receiving arrangement moveable relative to the position arrangement, the receiving arrangement being configured to receive the signal; and

wherein the position arrangement modifies the signal when at least one of the transmitting arrangement or the receiving arrangement is within a predetermined distance from the position arrangement.

2. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting arrangement and the receiving arrangement are arranged on a movable track of a vehicle seat, and wherein the position arrangement is arranged on a stationary track.

3. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting arrangement is configured to generate at least one electromagnetic wave which comprises at least one of one frequency of a waveform, a plurality of frequencies of a waveform, a digital bit sequence, a pulse-width modulation, a pulse-period modulation, a noise signal, or a modulated radio signal.

4. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the position arrangement includes at least one of an inductance arrangement, an electrically conducting arrangement, or an arrangement having an electrically conducting coating.

5. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting arrangement comprises an inductance arrangement and a set of electronics for driving the first inductance arrangement.

6. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the receiving arrangement comprises an inductance arrangement and a set of electronics, the set of electronics including a comparator.

7. The position sensor according to claim 5, wherein the inductance arrangement is excited with a frequency between about 1 kHz and 1 MHz.

8. The position sensor according to claim 5, wherein the inductance arrangement is excited with a frequency between about 10 kHz and 220 kHz.

9. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting arrangement comprises a first inductance element or component and the receiving arrangement comprises a second inductance element or component, and the first inductance arrangement and the second inductance element or component are arranged at a distance of about 7 mm to 13 mm apart.

10. The position sensor according to claim 1, wherein the signal is an electromagnetic wave.

11. A method of determining a position comprising the steps of:

causing a transmission of a signal from a transmitting arrangement to a receiving arrangement, wherein the transmitting arrangement is moveable relative to the position arrangement, and the receiving arrangement is moveable relative to the position arrangement; and

modifying the signal when at least one of the transmitting arrangement or the receiving arrangement is within a predetermined distance from the position arrangement.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting arrangement and the receiving arrangement are arranged on a movable track of a vehicle seat and wherein the position arrangement is arranged on a stationary track.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting arrangement is configured to generate at least one electromagnetic wave which comprises at least one of one frequency of a waveform, a plurality of frequencies of a waveform, a digital bit sequence, a pulse-width modulation, a pulse-period modulation, a noise signal, or a modulated radio signal.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the position arrangement includes at least one of an inductance element or component, an electrically conducting arrangement, or an arrangement having an electrically conducting coating.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting arrangement comprises a first inductance element or component and a set of electronics for driving the inductance element or component.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the receiving arrangement comprises a second inductance element or component and a set of electronics, the set of electronics being a comparator.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first inductance element or component is excited with a frequency between about 1 kHz and 1 MHz.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first inductance element or component is excited with a frequency between about 10 kHz and 220 kHz.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting arrangement comprises a first inductance element or component and the receiving arrangement comprises a second inductance element or component, and the first inductance element or component and the second inductance element or component are arranged at a distance of about 7 mm to 13 mm apart.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the signal is an electromagnetic wave.