IP Library Granted Patent US 9,652,916
Granted Patent B2
US 9,652,916 · App. 14/458,638 · Granted May 16, 2017

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

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,652,916
App. No.
14/458,638
Granted
May 16, 2017
Kind
B2
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 ).

Claims (28)

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.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2023
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH; VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
Reel/Frame 063425/0149 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 25, 2023
From: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE S.A.S.; CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
To: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH; CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 062492/0737 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2014
From: FONTANET, ALAIN; HOURNE, XAVIER; ROBIN, CYRIL
To: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE; CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
Reel/Frame 033655/0125 →