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Personal-care apparatus comprising a capacitive on/off switch

  • US 5,453,644 A
  • Filed: 10/13/1992
  • Issued: 09/26/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A personal-care apparatus including means for being held by a user, comprising:

  • first and second supply terminals for receiving an alternating voltage;

    a load;

    a switch coupled to the load for activating and deactivating the load by controlling the alternating voltage to the load, the load and the switch being coupled in series between the first and the second supply terminals;

    a rectifying circuit having third and fourth supply terminals, for converting the alternating voltage into a direct voltage and for supplying the direct voltage across the third and fourth supply terminals; and

    a safety circuit coupled between the third and fourth supply terminals for receiving the direct voltage, the safety circuit including (i) a capacitive sensor for detecting the presence of a human body part in proximity to the personal-care apparatus, and (ii) means for controlling the switch such that the load is activated if the capacitive sensor senses a user holding the personal-care apparatus and the load is deactivated if the capacitive sensor senses that the user is no longer holding the personal-care apparatus, regardless of the orientation of the personal-care apparatus.

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