Ultrasonic sensor
US12352856B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N30/704
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic sensor includes an adhesion sensor detecting adhesion of a foreign substance to a first surface of a bottom of a microphone housing. The adhesion sensor includes: a plurality of variable capacitances defined between a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed on the first surface of the bottom, each of the variable capacitances having a capacitance value which changes in response to adhesion of a foreign substance to the first surface; and an adhesion detection unit configured to measure an individual capacitance value which is a capacitance value of each of the variable capacitances and a total capacitance value which is a total of capacitance values of all the variable capacitances to determine, based on the individual capacitance value and the total capacitance value, whether a foreign substance adheres to the first surface, and, when it is determined that a foreign substance adheres, specify a type of the foreign substance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.