초록 ▼

A compressible variable capacitance sensor for determining the presence, size, position, and type of an object such as a human body part includes two flexible conductor elements separated by a non-conductive compressible element. The capacitance of the capacitance sensor changes as a function of for

A compressible variable capacitance sensor for determining the presence, size, position, and type of an object such as a human body part includes two flexible conductor elements separated by a non-conductive compressible element. The capacitance of the capacitance sensor changes as a function of force applied by an object on the capacitance sensor. A controller senses the capacitance of the capacitance sensor and controls a device accordingly. The device may be a movable closed opening such as a window in which the controller controls the window as a function of the monitored capacitance to prevent pinching of the object. The device may also be a seat in which the controller determines the characteristics of the seat occupant based on the monitored capacitance.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pinch sensor for preventing an object within an opening defined by a closed opening device from being pinched by the closed opening device, the sensor comprising:first and second flexible conductor elements separated by a separation distance and having a capacitance dependent on the separation

1. A pinch sensor for preventing an object within an opening defined by a closed opening device from being pinched by the closed opening device, the sensor comprising:first and second flexible conductor elements separated by a separation distance and having a capacitance dependent on the separation distance, the first and second flexible conductor elements fixedly positioned adjacent to an opening defined by a closed opening device; and a non-conductive compressible element interposed between the first and second flexible conductor elements, wherein the non-conductive compressible element compresses in response to an object within the opening applying a force to at least one of the first and second flexible conductor elements such that the separation distance between the first and second flexible conductor elements decreases, wherein the capacitance of the first and second flexible conductor elements changes in response to the separation distance between the first and second flexible conductor elements decreasing.