Capacitive sensor and switch assembly with decorative conductive component
A capacitive sensor and switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first electrode forming a decorative conductive component on a vehicle, and a second electrode dielectrically isolated from the first electrode and electrically coupled therewith to generate an activation field. The assembly also includes a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, and a controller for processing a signal generated from the activation field and sensing an object, wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.
1. A capacitive sensor assembly comprising:
a first electrode forming a decorative conductive component comprising a metal trim component made of chrome or aluminum, wherein the first electrode is viewable by a user;
a second electrode dielectrically isolated from the first electrode and electrically coupled therewith to generate an activation field;
a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes;
a controller for processing a signal generated from the activation field and sensing an object based on the signal; and
an electric insulation layer disposed between the first electrode and a vehicle mounting assembly, wherein the assembly is located on a vehicle.
2. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.
3. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode comprises a plurality of electrode fingers that electrically couple with the first electrode to generate the activation field.
4. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is formed on a first layer and the second electrode is formed on a second layer separated by the dielectric layer.
5. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.
6. A capacitive switch assembly comprising:
a first electrode forming a decorative conductive component on a vehicle comprising a metal trim component made of chrome or aluminum, wherein the first electrode is viewable by a user;
a second electrode dielectrically isolated from the first electrode and electrically coupled therewith to generate an activation field;
a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes;
a controller for processing a signal generated from the activation field and sensing an object, wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field; and
an electric insulation layer disposed between the first electrode and a vehicle mounting assembly.
7. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second electrode comprises a plurality of electrode fingers that electrically couple with the first electrode to generate the activation field.
8. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first electrode is formed on a first layer and the second electrode is formed on a second layer separated by the dielectric layer.
9. A method of forming a capacitive sensor assembly, comprising:
forming a first electrode on a first dielectric layer;
forming a second dielectric layer on an opposite side of the first electrode;
forming a second electrode shaped as a decorative conductive component comprising a metal trim component made of chrome or aluminum onto an opposite side of the second dielectric layer, wherein the second electrode is viewable by a user;
disposing an electric insulation layer between the second electrode and a vehicle mounting assembly, wherein the assembly is located on a vehicle;
generating an activation field with the first and second electrodes; and
processing a signal generated by the activation field to sense an object in the activation field.
10. The capacitive sensor assembly of claim 9 , wherein the controller determines activation of a switch based on the signal generated from the activation field.