VEHICLE ASSEMBLY HAVING A CAPACITIVE SENSOR

• US 20150267455A1
• Filed: 06/04/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Uusi LLC (Nartron Corporation)
• Inventors: Washeleski, John, Newman, Todd R., Blank, Andrew E., Shank, David W., Cox, Edward J. II, Warnke, Douglas M., Taylor, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,797,179 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/40 Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/46 responsive to changes in electrical capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates

Abstract

An illustrative assembly includes a panel and a capacitive sensor. The panel is movable between an opened position and a closed position relative to a closure of a vehicle body. The sensor is positioned on the panel such that at least a portion of the sensor is perpendicular to the closure of the vehicle body as the panel moves between the opened and closed positions. The sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the closure of the vehicle body such that capacitance of the sensor changes.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body;

a capacitive sensor;

an intermediate bracket mounting the capacitive sensor on a portion of the vehicle body;

wherein the capacitive sensor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the portion of the vehicle body such that the capacitance of the sensor changes;

a controller configured to control a vehicle function based on the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to control movement of the portion of the vehicle body based on a comparison of a proximity profile gesture with the capacitance of the capacitive sensor;

wherein the controller is configured to adjust an acceptable comparison based on a change in temperature; and

a vehicle key fob mechanism for detecting user presence to activate entry.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the controller adapts a predefined signal profile responsive to changes in a detected user gesture, if the changes are within an acceptable range.

3. A sensor assembly comprising:

at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the at least one capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to a predetermined, intentional movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element; and

a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile; and

wherein the controller is configured to control movement of a vehicle panel which is movable between opened and closed position with respect to vehicle body.

4. A sensor assembly comprising:

at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element;

a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile; and

wherein the controller is configured to adjust how the controller determines whether the profile of the output of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to the predefined profile based on at least one of an ambient temperature and a temperature of the at least one capacitive element.

5. A sensor assembly comprising:

at least one capacitive element situated relative to a portion of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the at least one capacitive element couples with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive element, the at least one capacitive element providing an output that has a profile corresponding to movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive element;

a controller that determines whether the profile of the at least one capacitive element corresponds to a predefined profile and instigates an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the profile of the at least one capacitive element sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile;

wherein the controller creates a new profile based on the controller being in a teach mode; and

wherein the profile resulting from teach mode becomes a predefined profile that the controller uses with a corresponding operation.

6. A system for a vehicle having a vehicle body comprising:

a sensor assembly adapted to be mounted to the vehicle body and including at least one capacitive sensor to couple with an electrically conductive object near the at least one capacitive sensor, the at least one capacitive sensor having a predetermined profile corresponding to a predetermined intentional movement of the electrically conductive object relative to the at least one capacitive sensor; and

a controller cooperating with the sensor assembly to determine whether the predetermined profile of the at least one capacitive sensor corresponds to the predetermined intentional movement of the electrically conductive object and to activate at least one of a vehicle function and an operation of at least one component associated with the vehicle if the predetermined profile of the at least one capacitive sensor sufficiently corresponds to the predefined profile.

7. The system of claim 6 including an intermediate bracket cooperating with the sensor assembly and adapted to mount on a portion of the vehicle body.

8. The system of claim 7 including a trim panel cooperating with the intermediate bracket and adapted to mount to the vehicle body.

9. The system of claim 6 including a vehicle key fob mechanism adapted to act as the electrically conductive object.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein the sensor assembly includes a plurality of capacitive sensors.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein each of the capacitive sensors has an activation sequence and threshold for either one of to allow activation and to prevent activation.