Patent · US Active

Capacitive sensor for detecting the movement of an object

US9638587B2 · kind B2 · utility

72Cited by

2References

9Claims

0Family size

Assignee

BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH · DE

Inventors

Karsten Marquas · Arnsberg, DE
Michael Steinkamp · Lippstadt, DE
Dirk Schluter · Lippstadt, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 12, 2013
Grant date	May 2, 2017
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 12, 2033

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH03K17/975
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A capacitive sensor for detecting the movement of an object, such as actuation of a key of an operating unit, includes first and second electrodes that are provided for connection or mechanical coupling to or arrangement on the object, the distance of which second electrode from the first electrode changes when the object moves. The electrodes form a first capacitor with a volume between the electrodes, the size of which changes when the object moves. An evaluation unit determines a change of capacitance between the two electrodes resulting from a change of their spacing and volume. A deformable, non-gaseous first dielectric is arranged between the electrodes and defines at least one gas volume that is filled by a gaseous second dielectric that can escape from the gas volume when the two electrodes approach one another.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.