PROXIMITY SENSOR
First Claim
1. A proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, the sensor comprising a sensing element, a detection circuitry, and a housing, the sensing element being arranged in a front portion of the housing such that it is adapted to interact with the object through the front portion and the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element in order to receive a detection signal from the sensing element, wherein the detection circuitry is provided on a circuit board extending at least through a middle portion of the housing, wherein the housing comprises multiple segments that are consecutively arranged in a longitudinal direction from a rear end toward a front end of the housing, wherein neighboring segments of said segments are linked to each other via a respective pivot axis extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, such that the housing is bendable around each of said pivot axes, wherein both of said front portion and said middle portion each comprises at least one of said segments, and wherein the circuit board comprises at least one bendable section extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, said bendable section being provided inside said neighboring segments.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, the sensor including a sensing element (11), a detection circuitry (65), and a housing (5), the sensing element (11) being arranged in a front portion (21) of the housing (5) such that it is adapted to interact with the object through the front portion (21) and the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element (11) in order to receive a detection signal from the sensing element (11), wherein the detection circuitry (65) is provided on a circuit board (15, 15A, 15B, 15C) extending at least through a middle portion (22) of the housing (5).
To allow a better flexibility of the sensor along its length expansion, it is proposed that the housing (5) includes multiple segments (41, 42, 43, 44) that are consecutively arranged in a longitudinal direction (27) from a rear end (56) toward a front end (55) of the housing (5), wherein neighboring segments of said segments (41, 42, 43, 44) are linked to each other via a respective pivot axis (35, 39, 40) extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction (27), such that the housing (5) is bendable around each of said pivot axes (35, 39, 40), wherein both of said front portion (21) and said middle portion (22) each includes at least one of said segments (41, 42, 43, 44), and wherein the circuit board (15, 15A, 15B, 15C) includes at least one bendable section (61, 75, 76, 77, 85, 86) extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction (27), said bendable section (61, 75, 76, 77, 85, 86) being provided inside said neighboring segments (41, 42, 43, 44).
2 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, the sensor comprising a sensing element, a detection circuitry, and a housing, the sensing element being arranged in a front portion of the housing such that it is adapted to interact with the object through the front portion and the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element in order to receive a detection signal from the sensing element, wherein the detection circuitry is provided on a circuit board extending at least through a middle portion of the housing, wherein the housing comprises multiple segments that are consecutively arranged in a longitudinal direction from a rear end toward a front end of the housing, wherein neighboring segments of said segments are linked to each other via a respective pivot axis extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, such that the housing is bendable around each of said pivot axes, wherein both of said front portion and said middle portion each comprises at least one of said segments, and wherein the circuit board comprises at least one bendable section extending transversely with respect to said longitudinal direction, said bendable section being provided inside said neighboring segments.
Specification