VEHICLE ASSEMBLY HAVING A CAPACITIVE SENSOR
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a vehicle body;
a capacitive sensor;
an intermediate bracket mounting the capacitive sensor on a portion of the vehicle body;
wherein the capacitive sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the sensor changes;
a controller configured to control a vehicle function based on the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to control movement of the portion of the vehicle body based on a comparison of a proximity profile gesture with the capacitance of the capacitive sensor;
wherein the controller is configured to adjust an acceptable comparison based on a change in temperature; and
a vehicle key fob mechanism for detecting user presence to activate entry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a vehicle body; a capacitive sensor; an intermediate bracket mounting the capacitive sensor on a portion of the vehicle body; wherein the capacitive sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the sensor changes; a controller configured to control a vehicle function based on the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to control movement of the portion of the vehicle body based on a comparison of a proximity profile gesture with the capacitance of the capacitive sensor; wherein the controller is configured to adjust an acceptable comparison based on a change in temperature; and a vehicle key fob mechanism for detecting user presence to activate entry. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A sensor assembly comprising:
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at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the at least one capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to a predetermined, intentional movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element; and a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile; and wherein the controller is configured to control movement of a vehicle panel which is movable between opened and closed position with respect to vehicle body.
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4. A sensor assembly comprising:
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at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element; a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile; and wherein the controller is configured to adjust how the controller determines whether the profile of the output of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to the predefined profile based on at least one of an ambient temperature and a temperature of the at least one capacitive element.
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5. A sensor assembly comprising:
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at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the at least one capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element; a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile; wherein the controller creates a new profile based on the controller being in a teach mode; and wherein the profile resulting from teach mode becomes a predefined profile that the controller uses with a corresponding operation.
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6. A system for a vehicle having a vehicle body comprising:
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a sensor assembly adapted to be mounted to the vehicle body and including at least one capacitive sensor to couple with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive sensor, the at least one capacitive sensor having a predetermined profile corresponding to a predetermined intentional movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive sensor; and a controller cooperating with the sensor assembly to determine whether the predetermined profile of the at least one capacitive sensor corresponds to the predetermined intentional movement of the electrically conductive object and to activate at least one of a vehicle function and an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the predetermined profile of the at least one capacitive sensor sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification