Detecting capacitive faults and sensitivity faults in capacitive sensors
US11953533B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2021 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 5, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/2843
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A capacitive sensor includes a first conductive structure; a second conductive structure that is counter to the first conductive structure, wherein the second conductive structure is movable relative to the first conductive structure in response to an external force acting thereon, wherein the second conductive structure is capacitively coupled to the first conductive structure to form a first capacitor having a first capacitance that changes with a change in a distance between the first conductive structure and second conductive structure; a signal generator configured to apply a first electrical signal step at an input or at an output of the first capacitor to induce a first voltage transient response at the output of first capacitor; and a diagnostic circuit configured to detect a fault in the capacitive sensor by measuring a first time constant of the first voltage transient response and detecting the fault based on the first time constant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.