Device for detecting the presence of a user, and vehicle door handle comprising said device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9652916-B2
Application number	US-201414458638-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 13, 2014
Priority date	Aug 22, 2013
Publication date	May 16, 2017
Grant date	May 16, 2017

Abstract

A device (D′) for detecting the presence of a user includes: an electrode ( 12 ′), electrode control elements ( 13 ), and a low frequency antenna ( 11 ). The electrode ( 12 ′) is formed by a plurality of structural units (M A . . . M I ), each structural unit (M A . . . M I ) including: a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, e x ) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (C XY ) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I). The structural units (M A . . . M I ) are electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (C XY ). At least two consecutive structural units (M A . . . M I ) differ by: the dimensions (Lx, lx, e x ) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or the position of the conductive connection (C XY ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for detecting the presence of a user, comprising:
an electrode ( 12 ′);
electrode control means ( 13 ); and
a low frequency antenna ( 11 ) that creates eddy currents in the electrode ( 12 ),
said electrode ( 12 ′) being formed by a plurality of structural units (MA . . . MI), each structural unit (MA . . . MI) comprising:
a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (CXY) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I),

the structural units (MA . . . MI) being electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (CXY), and
at least two consecutive structural units (MA . . . MI) differ by:
the dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or
the position of the conductive connection (CXY),

wherein:
the low frequency antenna ( 11 ) is defined by a longitudinal axis (X) and by a transverse axis (Y),
at least one conductive segment (A . . . I) has a length (Lx) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and a width (lx) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X),
all the conductive segments (A . . . I) have a length (Lx) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and a width (lx) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and
the conductive connections (CXY) are rectilinear and parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

2. The device (D′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the lengths (Lx) of all the conductive segments are equal, and
the widths (lx) of all the conductive segments (A . . . I) are different.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the control means ( 13 ) comprise a printed circuit board,
the electrode ( 12 ′) consists of a copper imprint on the printed circuit board, and
a minimum width of a conductive segment (A . . . I) corresponds to a minimum width of the copper imprint.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:
the control means ( 13 ) comprise a printed circuit board,
the electrode ( 12 ′) consists of a copper imprint on the printed circuit board, and
a minimum width of a conductive segment (A . . . I) corresponds to a minimum width of the copper imprint.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a length of a conductive connection (C XY ) is between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

6. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a length of a conductive connection (C XY ) is between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

Assignees

• Fontanet Alain
• Hourne Xavier
• Robin Cyril
• Continental Automotive France
• Continental Automotive Gmbh

Inventors

• Fontanet Alain
• Hourne Xavier
• Robin Cyril

Classifications

• B60R25/24

  using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user · CPC title

• G01D5/2405

  by varying dielectric · CPC title

• G07C2009/0019

  the keyless data carrier having only one limited data transmission rangs · CPC title

• H03K2017/9602

  characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes · CPC title

• H03K2217/960705

  Safety of capacitive touch and proximity switches, e.g. increasing reliability, fail-safe · CPC title