Device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element
First Claim
1. A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element, more particularly an electrically powered window pane or sunroof of a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor electrode having a first end and a second end, a base electrode having a first end and a second end and being spaced away from said sensor electrode, and a control unit connected to the first end of said sensor electrode and the first end of said base electrode, said sensor electrode and said base electrode generating an electric field in the opening range of said closure element and are spaced away from each other at a constant distance in a first operational mode, and said control unit in the first operational mode detecting a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in said electric field and providing a control signal for a drive powering said closure element, said sensor electrode and said base electrode being connected together at the second end by an electronic component, a testing voltage being applied to said sensor electrode and said base electrode which, in a second operational mode, have a changeable distance to each other, and the control unit providing in the second operational mode a control signal for said drive powering said closure element when said sensor electrode comes into electrical contact with said base electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element (13), more particularly an electrically powered window pane (13) or sunroof of a motor vehicle (10), comprises a sensor electrode (20), a base electrode (21) spaced away from the sensor electrode (20), and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21). The sensor electrode (20) and the base electrode (21) generate an electric field (F) in the opening range of the closure element (13) and are spaced away at a constant distance from each other in a first operational mode. The control unit (40) detects in the first operational mode a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in the electric field (F) and providing at least one control signal (Is, Ip) for a drive (50) powering the closure element (13). The device is characterized by high reliability in operation and availability. The reason for this is that the control unit (40) provides in a second operational mode a control signal (Is) for the drive (50) powering the closure element (13) when the sensor electrode (20) comes into electrical contact with the base electrode (21).
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Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A device for detecting an obstacle in the opening range of a movable closure element, more particularly an electrically powered window pane or sunroof of a motor vehicle, comprising a sensor electrode having a first end and a second end, a base electrode having a first end and a second end and being spaced away from said sensor electrode, and a control unit connected to the first end of said sensor electrode and the first end of said base electrode, said sensor electrode and said base electrode generating an electric field in the opening range of said closure element and are spaced away from each other at a constant distance in a first operational mode, and said control unit in the first operational mode detecting a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an obstacle in said electric field and providing a control signal for a drive powering said closure element, said sensor electrode and said base electrode being connected together at the second end by an electronic component, a testing voltage being applied to said sensor electrode and said base electrode which, in a second operational mode, have a changeable distance to each other, and the control unit providing in the second operational mode a control signal for said drive powering said closure element when said sensor electrode comes into electrical contact with said base electrode.
Specification