Patent ID: 7190089

Claim:
A device for detecting the presence of a user in order to allow and/or prevent access to the inside of a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising at least one decorative element fastened to the bodywork ( 2 ) close to an opening leaf (O), the device comprising at least one electrode ( 1 ) for detecting the presence of a user and a processing circuit ( 5 ) connected to the detecting electrode, wherein the decorative element (DE) has at least one electrically conducting part ( 12 ) coupled at least partially to the detecting electrode ( 1 ) so as to form an active detecting surface, the decorative element (DE) has a tongue ( 14 ) and is completely covered with a surface layer ( 8 ) forming an offset electrode, the electrically conducting part ( 12 ) comprising, the detecting electrode ( 1 ) and, the offset electrode ( 8 ), and in that a insulating part ( 7 ) is inserted between the detecting electrode ( 1 ) and the offset electrode ( 8 ) in order to form a capacitor, the detecting electrode ( 1 ) and the electronic processing circuit ( 5 ) being placed inside the vehicle so that the electrical wire ( 4 ) connecting the electrical components of the detecting device is inaccessible from outside the vehicle.