Sensor Device

• US 20090033342A1
• Filed: 02/22/2007
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Germany GmbH (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: IDENT Technology AG (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Richter, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 7,855,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/686
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9622 using a plurality of detectors, e.g. keyboard
• 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

The invention relates to a sensor device for producing signals that provide information as to whether an object, especially the limbs of a person, are present in an area of observation. The aim of the invention is to provide a sensor device which allows generation of measuring signals that have high informative value with respect to the presence of an object in an area of observation. For this purpose, a sensor device comprises a support structure extending along an area of observation. A plurality of detection sections is configured one after the other on the support structure for detecting detection events in the zone of observation defined by the respective detection section. The invention provides a monitoring circuit which allows an area of observation, extending along a boundary zone of some length, subdivided into small sections, for example a closing edge, to be monitored in an especially precise manner.

Claims

1. A sensor system having a support that extends along an observation zone wherein a row of detection subassemblies arranged one after another are provided on the support for capturing detection events within respective observation subzones is defined by the respective detection subassemblies.

2. The sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the detection subassemblies can be controlled by addressing.

3. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies can be queried by addressing.

4. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies can be activated or queried according to a run pattern in a time-shifted manner.

5. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are formed by components of an RC or LC network.

6. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the field-electric properties within the respective observation subzone influence capacitance of a capacitor system that is at least partially formed by the electrode.

7. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies each comprise at least one electrode configured and arranged such that changes of the electric field within each observation subzone can be detected by the respective electrode.

8. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein each detection subassembly monitors the observation zone associated therewith for a defined number of oscillation cycles.

9. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection subassemblies are controlled by an alternating voltage and that the frequency of the alternating voltage forms a carrier frequency based on which a signal dialog occurs between subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones and a base circuit.

10. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein signal processing is performed in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, based on which indicative signals can be generated with respect to different approach statuses.

11. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein, in the region of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones, a connection to a base line is established.

12. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the connection is prompted by the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones.

13. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the connection of the subcircuits associated with the respective observation subzones is prompted by a reading signal sequence.

14. The sensor system according to claim 1 wherein the detection effect of the detection subassemblies can be changed in a controlled manner via the reading signal sequence.