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Differential anti-pinch capacitive sensor

  • US 7,319,301 B2
  • Filed: 12/17/2004
  • Issued: 01/15/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A proximity sensor mountable adjacent to an aperture of a metallic motor vehicle for determining the presence of an object in the path of or proximate to a closure panel that moves between a fully open position and a closed position, the sensor comprising:

  • first and second electrodes encased in a non-conductive casing mountable on the vehicle, the two electrodes defining a capacitance CE1/2 therebetween;

    a reference capacitor (C1);

    a first switch for selectively connecting the first electrode to the reference capacitor or to chassis ground;

    a second switch for selectively connecting the second electrode to a first voltage reference source (Vref1) or to chassis ground;

    a controller for controlling the first and second switches in order to periodically charge the capacitance CE1/2 and transfer the charge stored thereon to the reference capacitor.

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