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US5446391A
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US
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Dielectric detecting device
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-21
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Granted: 1995-08-29
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Expires: 2013-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A dielectric detecting device includes an earth electrode and a sensor electrode opposed to the earth electrode which constitute a capacitor whose capacitance is varied with an existence of a dielectric object therebetween. A detecting device is provided for detecting a change in the capacitance of the capacitor and a capacitance of a circuit in the dielectric detecting device. The detecting device includes an input signal processing device disposed between an output side of the detecting device and an input side of the sensor electrode, a switching device disposed between the input signal processing device and the sensor electrode, and a judging device for judging whether the dielectric object exists or not on the basis of an output of the detecting device and judging whether an error has occurred at one or more of the earth electrode, the sensor electrode, the detecting device and input signal processing device on the basis of capacitances when the switching device is in its on and off conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Kouji Aoki
- 👤 Masanori Sugiyama
- 👤 Koichi Sugiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/08; G01V3/088; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/12; G01D5/14; G01D5/24; G01D5/2405; G07; G07B; G07B13/00; G07B13/02; G07B13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A dielectric detecting device comprising: an earth electrode; sensor electrode opposed to the earth electrode for constituting a capacitor whose capacitance varies with the existence of a dielectric object therebetween; a detecting means for detecting detected capacitance values, wherein the detecting means is capable of independently detecting a change in the capacitance of the capacitor and other detected capacitance values of a circuit; an input signal processing means disposed between the detecting means and the sensor electrode; a switching means for selectively connecting the input signal processing means and the sensor electrode; and a judging means for making a first judgment and a second judgment, wherein the first judgment determine whether the dielectric object exists between the sensor electrode and the earth electrode or not and wherein the second judgment determines whether or not a malfunction has occurred on the basis of the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A dielectric detecting device comprising: an earth electrode; sensor electrode opposed to the earth electrode for constituting a capacitor whose capacitance varies with the existence of a dielectric object therebetween; a detecting means for detecting detected capacitance values, wherein the detecting means is capable of independently detecting a change in the capacitance of the capacitor and other detected capacitance values of a circuit; an input signal processing means disposed between the detecting means and the sensor electrode; a switching means for selectively connecting the input signal processing means and the sensor electrode; and a judging means for making a first judgment and a second judgment, wherein the first judgment determine whether the dielectric object exists between the sensor electrode and the earth electrode or not and wherein the second judgment determines whether or not a malfunction has occurred on the basis of the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dielectric detecting device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the dielectric object is an occupant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 1 wherein the second judgment determines that the malfunction has occurred by evaluating the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means when the switching means is in an OFF position and by evaluating the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means when the switching means is in an ON position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 3 the malfunction occurs if the earth electrode, the sensor electrode, the detecting means, or the input signal processing means malfunctions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the dielectric object is an occupant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 3, wherein the second judgment determines that the malfunction occurs if an absolute value of an difference between a first detected capacitance value and an initial detected capacitance value is greater than a first reference value or if an absolute value of difference between the first detected capacitance value and a second detected capacitance value is less than a second reference value, wherein the first detected capacitance value is one of the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means when the switching means is in the OFF position and the second detected capacitance value is one of the detected capacitance values detected by the detecting means when the switching means is in the ON position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 6, wherein the dielectric object is an occupant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dielectric detecting device according to claim 3, wherein the dielectric object is an occupant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4796013A
Cited
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JPH03233391A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-28 | 1999-02-27 | 1999-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-28 | 2003-02-27 | 2003-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-28 | 2007-02-27 | 2007-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |