Patent ID: 11886669
Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC G  B  H | IPC B  G  H

Claim 13:
14. A sensor system, comprising:
a primary electrode positioned within an accessible object;
a controller comprising a charging source that charges the primary electrode, wherein, upon the charging, the controller is configured to receive an electrical signal back from the primary electrode;
a connected circuit between the first electrode and the controller, wherein the controller receives the electrical signal back from the primary electrode via the connected circuit;
a floating electrode that is mechanically disconnected from outside charging sources, wherein at least a portion of the floating electrode is aligned with the primary electrode within the accessible object such that upon the charging of the primary electrode, the floating electrode exhibits an induced current thereon;
wherein, proximity of a conductive material to either the primary electrode or the floating electrode induces capacitive coupling between the conductive material and the respective primary or floating electrode that alters the electrical signal received by the controller from the primary electrode; and
wherein the controller is configured to track a response of the electrical signal to the capacitive coupling;
wherein the primary electrode is a heating element and the floating electrode is a capacitive sensing element;
wherein the controller uses the electrical signal to identify changes in an electrical field strength about the primary electrode due to the proximity of the conductive material;
wherein changes in a corresponding electrical field strength about the floating electrode cause a detectable change in an electrical field strength about the primary electrode; and
wherein the portion of the floating electrode aligned with the primary electrode is also spaced apart from the primary electrode, such that when the conductive material is proximate the aligned portion of the floating electrode, the capacitive coupling changes a baseline capacitance at the aligned portion present upon charging the primary electrode.