Anti-entrapment system

• US 7,513,166 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2007
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nartron Corporation
• Inventors: Washeleski, John, Shank, David W., Perrin, Randall L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MASOUD H
• Application Number:
  US11/901,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20080011093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 73760-780
• US Class Current: 73/780
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0154 in combination with seat heating
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/22 using change in capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2417 by varying separation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/2605 Measuring capacitance capacitive sensors G01D5/24
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/975 using a capacitive movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to the translating device and a controller. The sensor has first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The conductors have a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a geometry of the sensor changing as a result of either conductor or the dielectric element deforming in response to a first object touching the sensor. The capacitance of the conductors changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with either conductor. The controller receives a signal from the sensor indicative of the capacitance of the conductors, and controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance of the conductors to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.

Claims

1. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric element and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller for controlling the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

analysis means for generating an indication upon either the first object touching the capacitance sensor or the second conductive object being in the proximity of the capacitance sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the conductors is sufficiently flexible so as to allow local deformation of the at least one of the conductors and the dielectric element in a region of the capacitance sensor being touched by the first object.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the conductors includes a conductive film.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the conductors includes a conductive paint.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the dielectric element interposed between the conductors is wider than the conductors such that the conductors are unable to contact one another.

8. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric element and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors;

wherein an electric polarity of the capacitance sensor is alternated;

the system further comprising analysis means to compare signals of the capacitance sensor at each polarity so as to distinguish between the second conductive object being proximally detected from the first object being touch detected.

9. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric element and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and

a controller for receiving a signal from the capacitance sensor indicative of the Capacitance, wherein the controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object;

wherein the dielectric element interposed between the conductors is wider than the conductors to prevent electrical shorting of the conductors.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the controller generates an electrical charge on the conductors.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the controller varies an amount of electrical charge generated across the conductors.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the controller executes software to monitor position of the translating device.

12. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric elements and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and

a controller for receiving a signal from the capacitance sensor indicative of the capacitance, wherein the controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object;

wherein the controller executes software that determines stall of a motor that is being used to move the translating device.

13. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric element and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and

a controller for receiving a signal from the capacitance sensor indicative of the capacitance, wherein the controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object;

wherein the controller executes software to monitor motor commutator pulses of a motor that is being used to move the translating device.

15. An anti-entrapment system for preventing objects from being entrapped by a translating device, the system comprising:

a capacitance sensor positioned adjacent to or on a translating device, the capacitance sensor having first and second conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between and in touching contact with the conductors, the capacitance sensor having a capacitance dependent upon the separation distance;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a geometry of the capacitance sensor changing as a result of the compressible dielectric element and at least one of the conductors deforming in response to a first object other than the translating device touching the capacitance sensor;

wherein the capacitance changes in response to a second conductive object other than the translating device coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors; and

a controller for receiving a signal from the capacitance sensor indicative of the capacitance, wherein the controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object;

wherein the controller controls the translating device by controlling a motor which powers the translating device.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein:

the controller uses motor drive current to calculate motor load and determine whether the motor has stalled.