Occupant proximity sensor with horn switch
First Claim
1. A cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) comprising:
- a horn switch (26) formed by a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane, and a second conductive layer (28) for contacting one side of the first conductive layer (30); and
a proximity sensor (24) formed by a third conductive layer (32) and a fourth conductive layer (34), wherein the third and fourth conductive layers (32,
34) are electrically associated with the first conductive layer (30), the proximity sensor (24) generating an electric field (50) in response to a signal received from a driver circuit (48).
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) is provided. The cover member (20) includes a horn switch (26) formed by a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane, and a second conductive layer (28) for contacting one side of the first conductive layer (30). The cover member (20) further includes a proximity sensor (24) formed by a third conductive layer (32) and a fourth conductive layer (34). The third and fourth conductive layers (32, 34) are electrically associated with the first conductive layer (30), and the proximity sensor (24) generates an electric field (50) in response to a signal received from a driver circuit (48).
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) comprising:
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a horn switch (26) formed by a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane, and a second conductive layer (28) for contacting one side of the first conductive layer (30); and a proximity sensor (24) formed by a third conductive layer (32) and a fourth conductive layer (34), wherein the third and fourth conductive layers (32,
34) are electrically associated with the first conductive layer (30), the proximity sensor (24) generating an electric field (50) in response to a signal received from a driver circuit (48). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A flexible cover member (20) for a steering wheel mounted air bag module (14) comprising:
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a first conductive layer (30) defining a ground plane; a second conductive layer (28) disposed generally parallel to the first conductive layer (30) and positioned within the cover member (20) so that an air gap (42) exists between the first and second conductive layers (30,
28) for defining an electrical switch (36) in a normally open position;a third conductive layer (32) disposed adjacent to the first conductive layer (30) on a side opposite the second conductive layer (28); a fourth conductive layer (34) disposed adjacent to the third conductive layer (32), the third and fourth conductive layers (32,
34) defining a capacitive proximity sensor (24) within the cover member (20); anda driver circuit (48) connected to the third and fourth conductive layers (32,
34) and providing a signal to the capacitive proximity sensor (24) for generating an electric field (50) for interacting with an object (52) positioned in front of the fourth conductive layer (34). - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A cover member (20) for a steering wheel air bag module (14) for integrating a capacitive proximity sensor (24) and a horn switch (26) comprising:
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a flexible substrate (20) having a plurality of electrically active components molded therein; a ground plane conductor (30) defined by a first section and a second section which are electrically coupled by a bridge connector (56), the first and second sections being separated by a seam area (58); a frangible seam (22) formed within the flexible substrate (20), and along the seam area (58); a conductive layer (28) disposed behind the ground plane (30) and positioned within the cover member (20) so that an air gap (42) exists between the ground plane (30) and the conductive layer (28) defining a horn switch (36) for activating a vehicular horn (38); a conductive shield (32) disposed in front of the ground plane conductor (30), the shield (32) occupying an area less than the ground plane conductor (30); a conductive sensor (34) disposed in front of the conductive shield (32), the sensor (34) occupying an area less than the shield (32); and a driver circuit (48) connected to the conductive shield (32) and the conductive sensor (34) for providing a time variant signal thereto. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification