Anti-entrapment system
First Claim
1. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
- a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having a flexible conductor separated from a frame by a separation distance, the frame having conductivity means which make the frame conductive in the region of the conductor, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible, non-conductive elastomer encasing the conductor and resting on the frame, the conductor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;
wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the elastomer compressing in response to a first object touching the elastomer;
wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with the conductor; and
a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned in a jamb portion of the translating device, on the translating device, or adjacent to the translating device. The sensor has first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance. The capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor, and changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors. A controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
117 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having a flexible conductor separated from a frame by a separation distance, the frame having conductivity means which make the frame conductive in the region of the conductor, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible, non-conductive elastomer encasing the conductor and resting on the frame, the conductor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the elastomer compressing in response to a first object touching the elastomer; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with the conductor; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having a flexible conductor separated from a metal frame by a separation distance, the capacitance sensor further having a flexible, non-conductive elastomer encasing the conductor and in near proximity to the metal frame, the conductor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the elastomer bending in response to a first object touching the elastomer; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with the conductor; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
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5. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance, the capacitance sensor further having a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance; the capacitance sensor further having coupling means to receive electrical power and communication means to communicate signals to a system independent from the translating device; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the conductivity of the conductors, and the dielectric properties of the dielectric element; wherein the capacitance changes in response to changes in the conductivity of the conductors and in response to changes in the dielectric properties of the dielectric element as a result of a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a flexible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent upon the shape of the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to at least one of the conductors flexing so as to change the shape of the capacitance sensor in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
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19. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
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20. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance; wherein at least one of the conductors is one of a conductive wire mesh, a conductive film, and a conductive aerogel; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned in a jamb portion of a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:
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a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors, the conductors having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance; wherein the capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor; wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and a signal communication means to provide a sensor signal indicative of either entrapment or normal operation of the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
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33. The system of claim 33 wherein:
the signal communication means includes filtering means to provide a filtered variant of the sensor signal.
Specification