Simplified capacitive sensor unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9787306-B2
Application number	US-201414767196-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 12, 2014
Priority date	Feb 12, 2013
Publication date	Oct 10, 2017
Grant date	Oct 10, 2017

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor unit ( 10 ) for actuating an actuating element ( 102 ), in particular a hatch ( 101 ) or similar of a vehicle ( 100 ), without contact, comprising at least one capacitive sensor element ( 11, 12 ), wherein the sensor element ( 11, 12 ) has a wire ( 13 ), which is arranged on a support element ( 14 ). The support element ( 14 ) has at least one electrically conductive core ( 18 ). The invention also relates to a security system ( 100 ), in particular, for opening and/or closing a hatch ( 101 ) of a vehicle or similar without contact, comprising at least one such sensor unit ( 10 ). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a sensor unit ( 10 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor unit for actuating an actuating element of a vehicle without contact, comprising: at least one capacitive sensor element, wherein the sensor element comprises a wire which is assembled at a support element, wherein the support element comprises at least one electrically conducting core, wherein the wire is assembled in a U-form at the support element, and wherein the electrically conducting core is configured flatly, wherein the electrically conducting core is capacitively coupled to the wire of the support element.

2. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the wire proceeds mainly in parallel to a longitudinal direction of the support element.

3. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the wire is assembled continuously at the support element.

4. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the wire is provided with an electrical insulation at least in the area of the support element.

5. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the wire is arranged mainly in a single plane relative to the support element.

6. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein a part of the wire which is assembled directly at the support element at least comprises a length which is mainly twice as long as the length of the support element.

7. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting core of the support element or the support element itself is mainly covered by a protective cover.

8. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting core is at least configured extensively or that the electrically conducting core itself configures the support element.

9. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting core extends at least mainly about the length of the support element or that the electrically conducting core or the support element comprises joints or predetermined breaking points.

10. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting core is configured comb-like.

11. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the electrically conducting core comprises stainless steel, copper, brass or conductive polymers.

12. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein fastening means are assembled at the support element through which the wire is fixed to the support element.

13. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening means mainly encompass the wire so that the wire is assembled at the support element.

14. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at the support element fastening means are provided to serve for guidance of the wire.

15. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support element covers at least partially or completely the wire, wherein particularly the support element comprises an outer circular or rectangular cross section area.

16. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least one edge of the support element is enclosed by a cap, wherein at the cap a strain relief is provided.

17. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support element comprises at least one base plate from which fastening means extend for fixing the wire.

18. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor element is configured flexibly in total with its support element and the wire.

19. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the support element is configured as an injection moulding element from stable plastic wherein at least one joint with at least one bond bridge is assembled in order to achieve a flexibility.

20. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at the support element support means are assembled with which the sensor can be assembled at the vehicle.

21. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least two capacitive sensor elements form a sensor unit with a common plug.

22. A security system at least for opening or closing a hatch of a vehicle without contact, comprising: at least one sensor unit according to claim 1 .

23. The sensor unit according to claim 4 , wherein the electrical insulation extends to a plug of the sensor unit.

24. The senor unit according to claim 17 , wherein the at least one base plate and the wire is at least partially covered by at least one lid element, wherein the lid element is connected with the base plate in a material locking manner.

25. A method for producing a sensor unit for actuating an actuating element of a vehicle without contact, comprising the steps of:
forming a capacitive sensor element comprising an electrically conducting core, a support element, and a wire continuously fixed to the support element,
wherein the sensor unit comprises at least one capacitive sensor element, wherein the wire is assembled in a U-form at the support element, and wherein the electrically conducting core is configured flatly, wherein the electrically conducting, core is capacitively coupled to the wire of the support element.

26. The method according to claim 25 , wherein the support element is electrically insulating.

Assignees

• Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Muzzetto Mario

Classifications

• H03K2017/9455

  constructional details · CPC title

• G01D5/24

  by varying capacitance · CPC title

• H03K2217/96078

  Sensor being a wire or a strip, e.g. used in automobile door handles or bumpers · CPC title

• H03K17/955 Primary

  using a capacitive detector · CPC title