Detecting sensitivity faults in capacitive sensors by using pull-in functionality
US11927645B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/2829
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A capacitive sensor includes a first electrode structure; a second electrode structure that is counter to the first electrode structure, wherein the second electrode structure is movable relative to the first electrode structure and is capacitively coupled to the first electrode structure to form a capacitor having a capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first electrode structure and second electrode structure; a signal generator configured to apply an electrical signal at an input or at an output of the capacitor to induce a voltage transient response at the output of capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the time constant and based on whether the first electrical signal is the pull-in signal or the non-pull-in signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.