Sensor device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive substance in a space region, and applications thereof
A sensor device for detecting the presence of an electrically conductive substance in a space region, and applications thereof. The sensor device includes a detecting circuit, including at least first and second foils or sheets of an electrically conductive material; and a control circuit coupled with said detecting circuit and having an output connected with one of the foils for applying a first electric radiofrequency signal thereto and an input connected to other one of the foils for receiving a second radiofrequency signal induced in said other foil. The control circuit generates an information signal indicative of the strength of the second signal, which varies as a function of the presence of a body or a substance on or at said other foil.
1. A sensor device for detecting the presence of a body or substance in a spatial region, for detecting an electrically conductive liquid flow in a washing machine, comprising
a detecting circuit, including a first foil or first sheet and a second foil or second sheet, said first and second foils or said first and second sheets being of an electrically conductive material; and
a controller coupled with said detecting circuit and having an output connected with the second foil or second sheet for applying a first radiofrequency signal thereto and an input connected to the first foil or first sheet for receiving a second radiofrequency signal induced in said first foil or first sheet by radiofrequency waves radiated by the second foil or second sheet;
said controller being arranged to generate an information signal indicative of the strength of said second radiofrequency signal, which varies as a function of the presence of the body or the substance on or near said first foil or first sheet.
2. A sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein said detecting circuit comprise at least one circuit support board.
3. A sensor device according to claim 2 , wherein said first and second foils or said first and second sheets are disposed on opposite faces of said circuit support board.
4. A sensor device according to claim 3 , wherein said first and second foils or said first and second sheets are at least partially juxtaposed with each other.
5. A sensor device according to claim 1 , wherein said controller comprise a microcontroller.
6. A sensor device according to claim 5 , wherein said microcontroller is arranged to convert said second radiofrequency signal into a digital form.