Wide activation angle pinch sensor section

• US 9,417,099 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2015
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Closures Inc (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Closures Inc (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bolbocianu, Liviu, Isailovic, Rade, Pribisic, Mirko, Mellary, Thomas, Porat, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOAI AN D
• Application Number:
  US14/963,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20160084675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 251 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, 200/61.4, 200/61.41, 200/61.42, 200/61.43, 200/61.44, 200/61.71, 200/61.73, 200/511, 49/26, 49/27, 49/28
• 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 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.

2. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electrode is encased in a wall of the casing, and the second and third electrodes are positioned in an interior space provided in the casing.

3. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing has side walls between the second and third electrodes,

and wherein the second electrode has a central region that is a plateau, and left and right regions that slope downward towards the base in a direction away from the central region at a selected angle.

4. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third electrode has an engagement region which has a central region, and left and right regions that extend downward towards the first electrode relative to the central region towards the side walls.

5. A pinch sensor as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the casing is tubular,

wherein the second electrode includes an electrically-conductive tubular conduit disposed within the tubular casing,

and wherein the third electrode includes an electrically-conductive core disposed within the electrically-conductive tubular conduit and normally spaced apart from the tubular conduit.