Simplified capacitive sensor unit

• US 9,787,306 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Muzzetto, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): Koval, Melissa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maini, Rahul
• Application Number:
  US14/767,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20160049932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 324686
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/24 by varying capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9455 constructional details of proximity switches using a magnetic detector H03K17/9505
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96078 Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor unit (10) for actuating an actuating element (102), in particular a hatch (101) or similar of a vehicle (100), without contact, comprising at least one capacitive sensor element (11, 12), wherein the sensor element (11, 12) has a wire (13), which is arranged on a support element (14). The support element (14) has at least one electrically conductive core (18). The invention also relates to a security system (100), in particular, for opening and/or closing a hatch (101) of a vehicle or similar without contact, comprising at least one such sensor unit (10). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a sensor unit (10).

Claims

1. A sensor unit for actuating an actuating element of a vehicle without contact, comprising:

at least one capacitive sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises a wire which is assembled at a support element, wherein the support element comprises at least one electrically conducting core, wherein the wire is assembled in a U-form at the support element, and wherein the electrically conducting core is configured flatly, wherein the electrically conducting core is capacitively coupled to the wire of the support element.

2. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the wire proceeds mainly in parallel to a longitudinal direction of the support element.

3. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the wire is assembled continuously at the support element.

4. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the wire is provided with an electrical insulation at least in the area of the support element.

5. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the wire is arranged mainly in a single plane relative to the support element.

6. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein a part of the wire which is assembled directly at the support element at least comprises a length which is mainly twice as long as the length of the support element.

7. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting core of the support element or the support element itself is mainly covered by a protective cover.

8. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting core is at least configured extensively or that the electrically conducting core itself configures the support element.

9. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting core extends at least mainly about the length of the support element or that the electrically conducting core or the support element comprises joints or predetermined breaking points.

10. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting core is configured comb-like.

11. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conducting core comprises stainless steel, copper, brass or conductive polymers.

12. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein fastening means are assembled at the support element through which the wire is fixed to the support element.

13. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means mainly encompass the wire so that the wire is assembled at the support element.

14. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at the support element fastening means are provided to serve for guidance of the wire.

15. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the support element covers at least partially or completely the wire, wherein particularly the support element comprises an outer circular or rectangular cross section area.

16. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least one edge of the support element is enclosed by a cap, wherein at the cap a strain relief is provided.

17. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the support element comprises at least one base plate from which fastening means extend for fixing the wire.

18. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is configured flexibly in total with its support element and the wire.

19. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the support element is configured as an injection moulding element from stable plastic wherein at least one joint with at least one bond bridge is assembled in order to achieve a flexibility.

20. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at the support element support means are assembled with which the sensor can be assembled at the vehicle.

21. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least two capacitive sensor elements form a sensor unit with a common plug.

22. A security system at least for opening or closing a hatch of a vehicle without contact, comprising:

at least one sensor unit according to claim 1.

23. The sensor unit according to claim 4, wherein the electrical insulation extends to a plug of the sensor unit.

24. The senor unit according to claim 17, wherein the at least one base plate and the wire is at least partially covered by at least one lid element, wherein the lid element is connected with the base plate in a material locking manner.

25. A method for producing a sensor unit for actuating an actuating element of a vehicle without contact, comprising the steps of:

forming a capacitive sensor element comprising an electrically conducting core, a support element, and a wire continuously fixed to the support element,

wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one capacitive sensor element, wherein the wire is assembled in a U-form at the support element, and wherein the electrically conducting core is configured flatly, wherein the electrically conducting, core is capacitively coupled to the wire of the support element.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the support element is electrically insulating.