Wide activation angle pinch sensor section

• US 9,234,979 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Closures Company Limited (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Closures Company Limited (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bolbocianu, Liviu, Isailovic, Rade, Pribisic, Mirko, Mellary, Thomas, Porat, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hoai-An D
• Application Number:
  US13/949,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20130307567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 324/705, 324/691, 324/649, 324/600, 738/49, 738/623.81, 738/623.91, 738/624.6, 738/624.71, 738/626.21, 738/626.8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0493 Appurtenances
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/107 constructional details, e.g. about door frame, panels, materials used, reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/443 specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/02 for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/022 repositionable
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/30 Supports specially adapted for an instrument; Supports specially adapted for a set of instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/16 by varying resistance
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/205 using distributed sensing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/225 Measuring circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/02 Measuring real or complex resistance, reactance, impedance, or other two-pole characteristics derived therefrom, e.g. time constant by measuring phase angle only G01R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 27/14 Measuring resistance by measuring current or voltage obtained from a reference source G01R27/16, G01R27/20, G01R27/22 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/02 operating with propagation of electric current

Abstract

In an aspect, a pinch sensor is provided, comprising: an elongate non-conductive casing enclosing first, second, and third elongate conductive electrodes; the first and second electrodes being separated by a portion of the casing, a capacitance between the first and second electrodes changing when an obstacle approaches the first electrode to provide a proximity indication of the obstacle to the pinch sensor; and, the second and third electrodes being separated by an air gap formed in the casing, a resistance between the second and third electrodes changing when the second and third electrodes come into contact upon compression of the casing by the obstacle to provide a contact indication of the obstacle with the pinch sensor.

Claims

1. A pinch sensor, comprising:

an elongate non-conductive casing having a base;

a first wire and a first conductive material around the first wire, positioned inside of the casing proximate the base; and

a second wire and a second conductive material around the second wire, positioned inside the casing away from the base,

wherein the casing has side walls between the first and second conductive materials,

wherein the first conductive material has a central region that is a plateau, and left and right regions that slope downward towards the base from the central region towards the side walls.

2. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls have bend points therein to initiate bending of the side walls when the sensor incurs a force in a downward direction towards the base.

3. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing has lateral maxima and the bend points are between the lateral maxima and the base.

4. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the left and right regions that slope downward towards the base at an angle that permits the activation of the pinch sensor by an activation force acting at an angle of less than about 37.5 degrees from a normal plane to the base.