Variable capacitance pressure sensor
First Claim
1. A pressure sensor comprising a first pole element and a second pole element spaced apart from each other and forming a capacitor, wherein said first pole element includes a substantially flat portion around which a portion of said second pole element is bent forming a bent edge portion of said second pole element, said bent edge portion located at a first distance (16) from said substantially flat portion which is greater than a second distance (d2) between said substantially flat portion and said first pole element when said pressure sensor is unloaded, a length of said first distance varying as a function of the loading state of said sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure sensor having a first pole element and a second pole element spaced apart from each other and forming a capacitor. The first pole element includes a substantially flat portion around which the second pole element is bent forming a bent edge portion of the second pole element. The bent edge portion is located at a distance from the substantially flat portion. The length of the distance and, thereby, the capacitance of the sensor, varies as a function of a loading state of the sensor. The sensor is well suited for use as an occupant detector in automotive seating applications.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A pressure sensor comprising a first pole element and a second pole element spaced apart from each other and forming a capacitor, wherein said first pole element includes a substantially flat portion around which a portion of said second pole element is bent forming a bent edge portion of said second pole element, said bent edge portion located at a first distance (16) from said substantially flat portion which is greater than a second distance (d2) between said substantially flat portion and said first pole element when said pressure sensor is unloaded, a length of said first distance varying as a function of the loading state of said sensor.
- 10. A pressure sensor having a varying capacitance from between a loaded and unloaded state comprising a first planar conductive element and a second planar conductive element spaced apart from each other by a distance (d2) and forming a capacitor, said second planar conductive element being bent around a substantially flat portion of said first planar conductive element forming a bent edge region defining a compressible space (16) between a portion of said first and second planar conductive elements, said compressible space being greater than said distance when said sensor is unloaded and said compressible space being maximized in said unloaded state and minimized in said loaded state.
- 14. A pressure sensor having a varying capacitance from between a loaded and unloaded state comprising a first planar conductive element and a second planar conductive element spaced apart from each other and forming a capacitor, said first and second planar conductive element each being bent around a substantially flat portion of the other planar conductive element forming first and second bent edge regions defining first and second compressible spaces between portions of said first and second planar conductive elements said first and second compressible spaces being greater than a distance between said first and second planar conductive elements away from said bent edge regions when said sensor is unloaded, each of said compressible spaces being maximized in said unloaded state and minimized in said loaded state.
Specification