Capacitive Proximity Sensor Electrode Configuration for Curved Vehicle Bumpers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors placed in the corner areas of vehicle bumpers, which have complex curvature, are prone to detection errors due to varying horizontal distances between sensor electrodes, leading to unreliable contactless actuation of vehicle parts.
Innovation Solution
The sensor electrodes are arranged on a curved mounting surface with a constant horizontal distance and varying vertical distance, ensuring that the horizontal distance between them remains approximately constant, reducing detection errors by maintaining a consistent actuation direction despite irregular curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If proximity sensors are placed in corner areas of the bumper to achieve contactless actuation, then the actuation function is enabled, but detection errors increase due to complex curvature and varying horizontal distances between sensor electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the sensor electrodes have different lengths rather than being equal length. The first sensor electrode extends further than the second sensor electrode, creating an asymmetric configuration that compensates for the varying distances caused by the bumper's complex curvature in corner areas. This local modification to the electrode structure maintains reliable detection despite the challenging mounting location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor electrodes are arranged to conform to the spatial contour of the bumper, then the sensor can be mounted on curved surfaces, but the horizontal distance between electrodes varies causing detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the sensor electrodes with different lengths. The first sensor electrode has a different length than the second sensor electrode, creating an asymmetric arrangement that compensates for the varying horizontal distances caused by mounting on the bumper's curved contour. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the effective sensing distance remains relatively constant across the curved surface, maintaining measurement precision while preserving adaptability to curved mounting surfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly improves the reliability of proximity sensors by minimizing detection errors, ensuring fail-proof contactless actuation of vehicle parts, such as trunk lids, even on irregularly curved surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitively operating proximity sensors are often used as sensors for detecting an actuation command
Data Source
AI summary
A device for contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part. The device has a capacitive proximity sensor having a first elongated sensor electrode and a second elongated sensor electrode, as well as a carrier component for fastening the proximity sensor. The carrier component has a curved mounting surface on which the sensor electrodes are placed in such a way that the horizontal distance between the two sensor electrodes over the length of the sensor electrodes is exactly or at least approximately constant, the vertical distance between the sensor electrodes varying over the length of the sensor electrodes.