Abstract:
A method for operating a closure panel of a vehicle, comprising: using a processor, determining whether a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor located on a periphery of the vehicle have been sequentially activated to indicate an object moving across the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor; and, controlling the closure panel to open or close when the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor have been sequentially activated.
Abstract:
A method for determining a capacitance value of a capacitive sensor begins by applying a sensor signal (Vx) to the capacitive sensor. The sensor signal (Vx) includes a number of charge-discharge pulse pairs distributed over a first period of time (T/N), with each pulse pair having a different pulse period. The method then proceeds by accumulating a number (N) of samples of a reference voltage (Vs) measured across a reference capacitor (Cs) that is coupled to the capacitive sensor over a second period of time (T) to produce an accumulated capacitance value (ACCUMULATED). The accumulated capacitance value (ACCUMULATED) is then divided by the number (N) of the samples to determine the capacitance value (Cx) of the capacitive sensor.
Abstract:
An obstacle sensor for a closure panel of a vehicle includes an elongate non-conductive case which encloses a first, second, and third elongate conductive electrodes. The first and second electrodes are separated by a portion of the case, with a capacitance between the first and second electrodes changing when an obstacle approaches the first electrode. The changed capacitance of the obstacle sensor provides a proximity indication of the obstacle to the obstacle sensor. The second and third electrodes are separated by an air gap formed in the case, with a resistance between the second and third electrodes changing when the second and third electrodes come into contact upon compression of the case by the obstacle. The changed resistance of the obstacle sensor provides a contact indication of the obstacle with the obstacle sensor.