Fascia panel assembly having capacitance sensor operative for detecting objects

• US 9,575,481 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Inventors: Newman, Todd R., Washeleski, John M., Blank, Andrew E., Shank, David W., Cox, Edward J. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Girma, Fekadeselassie
• Assistant Examiner(s): EUSTAQUIO, CAL J
• Application Number:
  US13/084,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20110187492A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2013/0287 integrating other functions or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/088 operating with electric fields G01V3/082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/00 Programme-control systems
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

A fascia panel assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel, an electrically non-conductive isolator, and a capacitance sensor. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object. The isolator is sandwiched between the fascia panel and the isolator.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

an electrically non-conductive isolator mountable to a flexible fascia panel; and

a capacitance sensor attached to the isolator, wherein the sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object;

wherein the isolator is flexible such that in response to the fascia panel displacing upon an object touching the fascia panel the isolator also displaces to thereby cause the sensor to displace, wherein the capacitance of the sensor changes due to the displacement of the sensor.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and for measuring the capacitance of the sensor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the sensor.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein:

the controller is operable with a movable device to control movement of the device as a function of the capacitance of the sensor.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the sensor includes a plurality of electrically connected electrical conductors.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the sensor includes a formable electrically conductive metal.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the sensor includes at least one of an electrically conductive fabric, an electrically conductive paint, and an electrically conductive ink.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a printed circuit board having an electrical connector;

wherein the printed circuit board is soldered to the sensor.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the sensor includes metalization applied on a carrier film.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the isolator minimizes noise and vibration emanating from the sensor.

10. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a second electrically non-conductive isolator;

wherein the sensor is sandwiched between the first and second isolators.

11. A fascia panel assembly comprising:

a fascia panel;

an electrically non-conductive isolator; and

a capacitance sensor which capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the sensor while the sensor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the sensor changes due to the sensor capacitively coupling with the object;

wherein the isolator is sandwiched between the fascia panel and the sensor;

wherein the fascia panel and the isolator are flexible such that the fascia panel and the isolator displace upon an object touching the fascia panel thereby causing the sensor to displace, wherein the capacitance of the sensor changes due to the displacement of the sensor.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:

a controller for driving the sensor with the electrical charge and for measuring the capacitance of the sensor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the sensor.

13. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising:

a second electrically non-conductive isolator;

wherein the sensor is sandwiched between the isolators.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein:

the sensor is bonded to the isolators.

15. The assembly of claim 13 wherein:

the second isolator includes a compressed thick foam configured to hold the sensor in place.

16. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the fascia panel includes a stud;

wherein the isolator is heat-staked to the fascia panel via the stud.

17. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the fascia panel includes a stud;

wherein the isolator and the sensor are heat-staked to the fascia panel via the stud.

18. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the fascia panel includes a stud;

wherein the isolator includes a receiving portion for the stud;

wherein the stud extends through the receiving portion of the isolator and interacts with a fastener such that the isolator attaches to the fascia panel.

19. The assembly of claim 11 wherein:

the fascia panel includes a stud;

wherein the isolator and the sensor include corresponding receiving portions for the stud;

wherein the stud extends through the receiving portions of the isolator and the sensor and interacts with a fastener such that the isolator and the sensor attach to the fascia panel.