Capacitive sensor apparatus
US6744258B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D3/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a capacitive sensor apparatus, a capacitive sensor includes a plurality of physical-quantity-detection capacitors each having a movable electrode and a fixed electrode. A conversion device operates for converting an output signal of the capacitive sensor into an apparatus output signal. Each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is selectively connected and disconnected to and from the conversion device. A determination is made as to whether or not each of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails in response to the sensor output signal. When it is determined that a first one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors fails, the first one is disconnected from the conversion device and a second one of the physical-quantity-detection capacitors is connected to the conversion device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.