JP2014123434A - Proximity sensor and door device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a proximity sensor capable of being operated with switches from both sides of a door, suppressing reduction in sensitivity, and preventing a malfunction.SOLUTION: The proximity sensor is configured to apply pulse voltages of mutually opposite phases to a first input electrode 11a of a first sensor part 11 and to a second input electrode 12a of a second sensor part 12, and switch over a phase of a pulse voltage applied to an auxiliary electrode 13 disposed between the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a according to a sensor part that is desired to be activated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a proximity sensor capable of detecting a proximity object on both surfaces of an object to be operated such as a door and a door knob, and various door devices including such a proximity sensor.

Patent Document 1 discloses a door switch including a proximity sensor (non-contact switch) operated from both sides of the door.
The non-contact switch includes a circuit board, a capacitance sensor mounted on the circuit board, a signal processing circuit that outputs a switching signal based on a signal change from the capacitance sensor, a power supply circuit, and the like. Yes.
According to this door switch, indoor lighting or the like can be switched by simply bringing a hand or the like closer to the door switch from either side of the door.

Patent Document 2 discloses an input device that can input from the front surface side and the back surface side of a capacitance sensor that detects a change in capacitance.
This input device is disposed on both the front and back sides of the capacitance sensor, a clock signal generation unit for transmitting a clock signal, a delay unit having a capacitance sensor with electrodes formed on a substrate. A protective sheet made of a dielectric, logical product means for transmitting an output signal based on a clock signal obtained from the clock signal generating means and a delayed signal obtained from the delay means, and an output signal obtained based on the logical product means And a control unit that executes a predetermined program accordingly.

JP 2004-204628 A JP 2006-178590 A

  However, in the door switch described in Patent Document 1, it cannot be determined whether the door switch is operated from the front side of the door or the back side of the door, and different programs can be executed depending on the operated side. There is a problem that you can not.

On the other hand, according to the input device described in Patent Document 2, the thicknesses of the protective sheets arranged on the front surface side and the back surface side of the capacitance sensor are made different, so that By making the time constant of the RC circuit formed by the delay means different, it is possible to determine which side is operated from the front side or the back side of the capacitance sensor.
However, the time constant of the RC circuit greatly depends on the capacitance C of the capacitance sensor. The capacitance C of this capacitance sensor varies not only with the dielectric constant ε of the protective sheet, but also with the area of the finger or the like that contacts the protective sheet and the facing distance between the capacitive sensor and the finger.
For this reason, the time constant of the RC circuit formed by the delay means changes depending on the size of the finger of the operator and the pressing state of the finger against the protective sheet, and either the front side or the back side of the capacitance sensor. There is a possibility that the input device may malfunction because it is mistaken for the operation from the side.

  Also, if one capacitance sensor is provided on each side of the door, etc., the switch can be operated from both sides of the door, etc., but in this case, the electric lines of force of the two capacitance sensors are mixed. , Sensitivity will decrease and may malfunction.

  Therefore, the present invention can individually detect a proximity object on both sides of an object to be operated, can suppress a decrease in sensitivity, and can prevent a malfunction, and a door device including the proximity sensor Is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the first proximity sensor of the present invention includes:
A proximity sensor comprising: a first sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on one side of the operated body; a second sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on the other side of the operated body; and an auxiliary electrode. There,
The first sensor unit includes a first input electrode disposed on the same plane so as to be close to each other, and a first output electrode that is electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode,
The second sensor unit has a second input electrode disposed on the same plane in close proximity to each other, and a second output electrode electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode,
The auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face each other,
Pulse voltages having opposite phases to each other are applied to the first input electrode and the second input electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the first output electrode, a pulse voltage in phase with the first input electrode is applied to the auxiliary electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the second output electrode, a pulse voltage in phase with the second input electrode is applied to the auxiliary electrode.
It is characterized by that.

  In the first proximity sensor of the present invention, the first sensor unit is formed in an upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit is formed in a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is an intermediate layer of the multilayer substrate. It is preferable to be formed.

In order to achieve the above object, the second proximity sensor of the present invention includes:
A first sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on one side of the operated body, a second sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on the other side of the operated body, a first auxiliary electrode, and a second A proximity sensor comprising an auxiliary electrode,
The first sensor unit includes a first input electrode disposed on the same plane so as to be close to each other, and a first output electrode that is electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode,
The second sensor unit has a second input electrode disposed on the same plane in close proximity to each other, and a second output electrode electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode,
The first auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face the first input electrode,
The second auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face the second input electrode,
An in-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first input electrode and the second input electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the first output electrode, a pulse voltage having the same phase as the first input electrode is applied to the first auxiliary electrode, and the second auxiliary electrode is supplied with the second voltage. A pulse voltage in reverse phase to the input electrode is applied,
When the proximity object is detected from the output signal of the second output electrode, a pulse voltage having a phase opposite to that of the first input electrode is applied to the first auxiliary electrode, and the second auxiliary electrode has the first voltage. A pulse voltage in phase with the two input electrodes is applied,
It is characterized by that.

  In the second proximity sensor of the present invention, the first sensor unit is formed on an upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit is formed on a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the first auxiliary electrode is formed on the multilayer substrate. Preferably, the second auxiliary electrode is formed in a second intermediate layer near the lower layer of the multilayer substrate.

  Further, the door device of the present invention controls the first proximity sensor or the second proximity sensor of the present invention and a predetermined program according to an output signal of the first output electrode or the second output electrode. It has a part.

  According to the proximity sensor of the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent the interference of the electric lines of force in the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, and it is operated from the inside of the operated body or operated from the outside. Therefore, a predetermined program (for example, door unlocking control or locking control) can be executed without malfunction according to the operated side.

It is a block diagram of a door device concerning the 1st example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a mimetic diagram explaining each electrode of a proximity sensor concerning the 1st example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing about the object detection by the proximity sensor which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention, (a) is a circuit diagram, (b) is an operation | movement logic diagram. It is explanatory drawing about the object detection by the proximity sensor which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention, (a) is a circuit diagram, (b) is an operation | movement logic diagram. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the door apparatus which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of a door device concerning the 1st example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining each electrode of the proximity sensor which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing about the object detection by the proximity sensor which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention, (a) is a circuit diagram, (b) is an operation | movement logic diagram. It is explanatory drawing about the object detection by the proximity sensor which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention, (a) is a circuit diagram, (b) is an operation | movement logic diagram. It is a schematic diagram explaining each electrode of another proximity sensor of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention (first and second embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a door device 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The door device 1A of this example relates to a door device for a vehicle, and includes a proximity sensor for unlocking / locking a door in a so-called smart entry system.

The door device 1A of this example mainly includes a proximity sensor 10A and a control device 20.
The proximity sensor 10A is provided inside a door handle (not shown) as an object to be operated, and the control device 20 is provided inside an outer panel (not shown) of the door. The door handle is attached so as to protrude outward from the outer panel of the door.
The proximity sensor 10A includes a first sensor unit 11, a second sensor unit 12, and an auxiliary electrode 13, which are formed on a single multilayer substrate, and the first sensor unit 11 is included in the door handle. It is arranged in the door handle such that the second sensor portion 12 on the front side is on the outer surface side of the door handle.

The first sensor unit 11 is for detecting a proximity object (for example, a human finger) on one side (inner surface side) of the door handle, and is a first input arranged close to each other on the upper layer of the multilayer substrate. It has the electrode 11a and the 1st output electrode 11b.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first input electrode 11a is formed in a square loop shape, and the first output electrode 11b is formed in a square shape and is arranged inside the first input electrode 11a. ing.

The second sensor unit 12 is for detecting a proximity object (for example, a human finger) on the other surface side (outer surface side) of the door handle. It has an input electrode 12a and a second output electrode 12b.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the second input electrode 12a is formed in a square loop shape having the same size as the first input electrode 11a, and the second output electrode 12b is the first output electrode 11b. Are formed in a square of the same size as that of the second input electrode 12a.

The auxiliary electrode 13 is formed on the intermediate layer of the multilayer substrate so as to face the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the auxiliary electrode 13 is formed in a square loop shape having the same size as the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.

The circuit constituting the proximity sensor 10A is provided with two phase inverting circuits 14 and 15 and a switch SW1.
The phase inverting circuits 14 and 15 are general inverting amplifier circuits using operational amplifiers.
The phase inversion circuit 14 is provided to apply pulse voltages having opposite phases to the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.
The phase inversion circuit 15 and the switch SW1 are provided to invert the phase of the pulse voltage applied to the auxiliary electrode 13 at a predetermined timing by switching the connection line of the switch SW1.

The control device 20 includes a signal generation unit 21, a signal switching unit 22, a detection unit 23, and a control unit 24.
The signal generation unit 21 outputs a rectangular pulse signal (for example, a pulse voltage of about 100 kHz to several MHz and several Vpp) to the proximity sensor 10A, and the signal switching unit 22 switches the switch SW1 at a predetermined timing. It is.
The detection unit 23 detects the proximity of an object to the first sensor unit 11 or the second sensor unit 12 from the output signal of the first output electrode 11b or the second output electrode 12b. Specifically, the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b of the first sensor unit 11 are electrostatically coupled, and when a human hand approaches the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b, , And the detection unit 23 can detect the change in the capacitance using the output signal of the first output electrode 11b. Similarly, the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b of the second sensor unit 12 are electrostatically coupled, and when a human hand approaches them, the static electricity between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b is obtained. The capacitance decreases, and the detection unit 23 can detect this change in capacitance using the output signal of the second output electrode 12b.
In addition, said signal generation part 21, the signal switching part 22, and the detection part 23 can be comprised using a well-known technique.
The control unit 24 is composed of a microcomputer and sends control signals to the signal generation unit 21 and the signal switching unit 22 to control them, and a door lock mechanism provided in the outer panel based on the detection signal of the detection unit 23. Control. This point will be described in detail later.

  Next, object detection by the proximity sensor 10A in the door device 1A of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the electric lines of force between the electrodes are indicated by broken lines.

FIG. 3 shows a state where the first sensor unit 11 is activated and the second sensor unit 12 is deactivated. When the switch SW1 is connected to the terminal A side as shown in FIG. 3A, a positive-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first input electrode 11a and the auxiliary electrode 13 as shown in FIG. A reverse-phase pulse voltage is applied to the electrode 12a.
In the state of FIG. 3, a lot of electric charges are distributed between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b that are electrostatically coupled. For this reason, when an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the first sensor unit 11, a capacitor is formed between the first input electrode 11a and the object. Since this capacitor functions as a bypass capacitor to the ground, the capacitance between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b is smaller than when no object is present, and the first output electrode 11b The proximity object can be detected from the change in the output signal.
Further, in the state of FIG. 3, a large amount of charge is distributed between the second input electrode 12a and the auxiliary electrode 13, and a slight leakage electric field is generated between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b. Only charge is distributed. For this reason, even if an object having a large earth-to-ground capacitance such as a human body approaches the second sensor unit 12, the change in capacitance between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b is extremely large. There are few, and a proximity | contact object is not detected from the output signal of the 2nd output electrode 12b.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the second sensor unit 12 is activated and the first sensor unit 11 is inactivated. When the switch SW1 is connected to the terminal B side as shown in FIG. 4A, a positive-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first input electrode 11a as shown in FIG. A reverse phase pulse voltage is applied to the electrode 13.
In the state of FIG. 4, a large amount of charge is distributed between the first input electrode 11a and the auxiliary electrode 13, and only a charge due to a very slight leakage electric field is present between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b. Not distributed. For this reason, even if an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the first sensor unit 11, the change in capacitance between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b is extremely large. There are few, and a proximity | contact object is not detected from the output signal of the 1st output electrode 11b.
Further, in the state of FIG. 4, a large amount of electric charge is distributed between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b that are electrostatically coupled. For this reason, when an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the second sensor unit 12, a capacitor is formed between the second input electrode 12a and the object. Since this capacitor functions as a bypass capacitor to the ground, the capacitance between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b will be smaller than when no object is present, and the second output electrode 12b The proximity object can be detected from the change in the output signal.

  As described above, in the proximity sensor 10A of this example, the first sensor unit 11 is activated and the second sensor unit 12 is deactivated in the switching state of FIG. 3, and the proximity sensor can be detected only by the first sensor unit 11. Further, in the switching state of FIG. 4, the second sensor unit 12 is activated and the first sensor unit 11 is deactivated, and only the second sensor unit 12 can detect a proximity object.

  Next, the operation of the door device 1A of this example will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S1)
First, when a user carrying an electronic key approaches the vehicle, wireless communication is performed between the in-vehicle authentication system and the electronic key, and authentication that the vehicle is a regular electronic key is performed. This authentication can be performed by a known authentication method in the smart entry system.

(Step S2)
When the authorized electronic key is authenticated, the control unit 24 sends a control signal to the signal generation unit 21 and the signal switching unit 22, and as shown in FIG. 3, the switch SW1 is set to the terminal A side for a predetermined period (for example, 10 msec to 100 msec). And so on, a positive-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first input electrode 11a and the auxiliary electrode 13, and a reverse-phase pulse voltage is applied to the second input electrode 12a.

(Step S3)
If the first sensor unit 11 detects an object (for example, a user's finger) within the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S4. If the object is not detected, the process proceeds to step S5.
In the detection of the object by the first sensor unit 11, the detection unit 23 detects a change in the capacitance between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b, that is, a change in the output signal of the first output electrode 11b. Is done. For this detection, a known detection method of a capacitance sensor can be used.

(Step S4)
When a human hand is inserted between the door handle and the outer panel and the first sensor unit 11 located on the inner surface side of the door handle detects an object, the control unit 24 outputs an unlock control signal to the door lock mechanism. After unlocking the door lock mechanism, the process returns to step S1.

(Step S5)
The control unit 24 sends a control signal to the signal generation unit 21 and the signal switching unit 22, and connects the switch SW1 to the terminal B side for a predetermined period (eg, about 10 msec to 100 msec) as shown in FIG. A positive-phase pulse voltage is applied to 11a, and a negative-phase pulse voltage is applied to the second input electrode 12a and the auxiliary electrode 13.

(Step S6)
If the second sensor unit 12 detects an object within the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S7. If the object is not detected, the process proceeds to step S8.
In the detection of the object by the second sensor unit 12, the detection unit 23 detects a change in capacitance between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b, that is, a change in the output signal of the second output electrode 12b. Is done. For this detection, a known detection method of a capacitance sensor can be used.

(Step S7)
When a human hand touches the outer surface of the door handle and the second sensor unit 12 located on the outer surface side of the door handle detects an object, the control unit 24 outputs a lock control signal to the door lock mechanism to lock the door. After locking the mechanism, the process returns to step S1.

(Step S8)
If a predetermined period (for example, several seconds) has not elapsed since the proximity sensor 10A has entered the object detection mode, the process returns to step S1 to continue authentication and object detection.

As described above, the door device 1A of the present example is a first sensor that is authenticated that the electronic key carried by the user is an authorized electronic key of the vehicle and that is located on the inner surface side of the door handle. When the unit 11 detects the user's finger or the like, the door is unlocked.
In addition, the door device 1A of the present example performs authentication that the electronic key carried by the user is an authorized electronic key of the vehicle, and the second sensor unit 12 located on the outer surface side of the door handle. Detects the user's finger or the like, the door is locked.

As described above, the proximity sensor 10A of the present example includes the first sensor unit 11 that detects a proximity object on one surface side (inner surface side) of the operated body (door handle), and the other surface side of the operated body ( A second sensor unit 12 for detecting a proximity object on the outer surface side) and an auxiliary electrode 13 are provided.
The first sensor unit 11 includes a first input electrode 11a and a first output electrode 11b that are electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode 11a disposed on the same plane in proximity to each other, and the second sensor unit 12 is adjacent to each other. The second input electrode 12a disposed on the same plane and the second output electrode 12b electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode 12a. The first auxiliary electrode 13 has the first input so as to face the first input electrode 11a. It is arranged between the electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.
In addition, pulse voltages having opposite phases are applied to the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the first output electrode 11b, a pulse voltage having the same phase as that of the first input electrode 11a is applied to the auxiliary electrode 13 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the second output electrode 12b, a pulse voltage in phase with the second input electrode 12a is applied to the auxiliary electrode 13 as shown in FIG.
For this reason, according to the proximity sensor 10A of this example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, unnecessary interference of lines of electric force can be prevented in the first sensor unit 11 and the second sensor unit 12. It is possible to accurately determine whether the operation is performed from the inside of the operating body or from the outside of the operated body, and a predetermined different program (in this example, unlocking the door) Control and locking control) can be executed without malfunction.

  Further, in the proximity sensor 10A of this example, the first sensor unit 11 is formed in the upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit 12 is formed in the lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the auxiliary electrode 13 is formed in the middle of the multilayer substrate. Yes. For this reason, it is possible to form a proximity sensor that can detect a proximity object on both the front and back surfaces of a door, etc., on a single substrate, and the proximity sensor can be integrated and thinned, and even thinner objects can be placed inside it. Can do.

  Further, in the proximity sensor 10A of this example, the activation and deactivation of the two sensor units can be controlled by switching the phase of the pulse voltage applied to one auxiliary electrode 13, so that the electrodes and wiring are greatly simplified. And cost reduction can be achieved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a door apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The configuration of the proximity sensor is mainly different between the present embodiment example and the first embodiment example. Specifically, the proximity sensor 10A having one auxiliary electrode is used in the first embodiment, but the proximity sensor 10B having two auxiliary electrodes is used in the present embodiment.

  The proximity sensor 10B of this example includes a first sensor unit 11, a second sensor unit 12, a first auxiliary electrode 13a, and a second auxiliary electrode 13b, which are formed on a single multilayer substrate. .

  The first sensor unit 11 includes a first input electrode 11a and a first output electrode 11b arranged close to each other on the upper layer of the multilayer substrate. As shown in FIG. 7A, the first input electrode 11a is a square. The first output electrode 11b is formed in a square shape and is arranged inside the first input electrode 11a.

  The second sensor unit 12 includes a second input electrode 12a and a second output electrode 12b arranged close to each other on the lower layer of the multilayer substrate. As shown in FIG. 7D, the second input electrode 12a is a second input electrode 12a. The second output electrode 12b is formed in a square having the same size as the first output electrode 11b and is arranged inside the second input electrode 12a. ing.

  The first auxiliary electrode 13a is formed on the first intermediate layer near the upper layer of the multilayer substrate so as to face the first input electrode 11a. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode are formed. It is formed in a rectangular loop shape having the same size as the electrode 12a.

  The second auxiliary electrode 13b is formed in the second intermediate layer near the lower layer of the multilayer substrate so as to face the second input electrode 12a. As shown in FIG. 7C, the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode are formed. It is formed in a rectangular loop shape having the same size as the electrode 12a.

  The circuit constituting the proximity sensor 10B is provided with two phase inverting circuits 16, 17 and a switch SW2.

  Next, object detection by the proximity sensor 10B in the door device 1B of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the electric lines of force between the electrodes are indicated by broken lines.

FIG. 8 shows a state where the first sensor unit 11 is activated and the second sensor unit 12 is deactivated. When the switch SW2 is connected to the terminal C side as shown in FIG. 8A, a positive-phase pulse is applied to the first input electrode 11a, the second input electrode 12a, and the first auxiliary electrode 13a as shown in FIG. 8B. A voltage is applied, and a reverse-phase pulse voltage is applied to the second auxiliary electrode 13b.
In the state of FIG. 8, a lot of electric charges are distributed between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b that are electrostatically coupled. For this reason, when an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the first sensor unit 11, a capacitor is formed between the first input electrode 11a and the object. Since this capacitor functions as a bypass capacitor to the ground, the capacitance between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b is smaller than when no object is present, and the first output electrode 11b The proximity object can be detected from the change in the output signal.
Further, in the state of FIG. 8, a large amount of charge is distributed between the first auxiliary electrode 13a and the second auxiliary electrode 13b, and between the second input electrode 12a and the second auxiliary electrode 13b. Only a slight electric charge due to a leakage electric field is distributed between the second output electrode 12b. For this reason, even if an object having a large earth-to-ground capacitance such as a human body approaches the second sensor unit 12, the change in capacitance between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b is extremely large. There are few, and a proximity | contact object is not detected from the output signal of the 2nd output electrode 12b.

FIG. 9 shows a state where the second sensor unit 12 is activated and the first sensor unit 11 is deactivated. When the switch SW2 is connected to the terminal D side as shown in FIG. 9A, positive-phase pulses are applied to the first input electrode 11a, the second input electrode 12a, and the second auxiliary electrode 13b as shown in FIG. 9B. A voltage is applied, and a reverse-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first auxiliary electrode 13a.
In the state of FIG. 9, a lot of electric charges are distributed between the first input electrode 11a and the first auxiliary electrode 13a and between the first auxiliary electrode 13a and the second auxiliary electrode 13b, and the first input electrode 11a and the first auxiliary electrode 13b Only a slight electric charge due to a leakage electric field is distributed between the output electrode 11b. For this reason, even if an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the first sensor unit 11, the change in capacitance between the first input electrode 11a and the first output electrode 11b is extremely large. There are few, and a proximity | contact object is not detected from the output signal of the 1st output electrode 11b.
Further, in the state of FIG. 9, a lot of electric charges are distributed between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b that are electrostatically coupled. For this reason, when an object having a large earth-to-ground capacity such as a human body approaches the second sensor unit 12, a capacitor is formed between the second input electrode 12a and the object. Since this capacitor functions as a bypass capacitor to the ground, the electrostatic capacitance between the second input electrode 12a and the second output electrode 12b is smaller than when no object is present, and the second A proximity object can be detected from a change in the output signal of the output electrode 12b.

As described above, the proximity sensor 10B of this example can detect the proximity object only by the first sensor unit 11 because the first sensor unit 11 is activated and the second sensor unit 12 is deactivated in the switching state of FIG. Further, in the switching state of FIG. 9, the second sensor unit 12 is activated and the first sensor unit 11 is deactivated, and only the second sensor unit 12 can detect a proximity object.
In addition, since the operation | movement in the door apparatus 1B of this example is the same as that of the door apparatus 1A of 1st Embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

As described above, the proximity sensor 10B of this example includes the first sensor unit 11 that detects a proximity object on one surface side (inner surface side) of the operated body (door handle) and the other surface side (outside of the operated body). It has a second sensor unit 12 for detecting a proximity object on the front surface side, a first auxiliary electrode 13a, and a second auxiliary electrode 13b.
The first sensor unit 11 includes a first input electrode 11a and a first output electrode 11b that are electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode 11a disposed on the same plane in proximity to each other, and the second sensor unit 12 is adjacent to each other. The second input electrode 12a disposed on the same plane and the second output electrode 12b electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode 12a. The first auxiliary electrode 13a has the first input so as to face the first input electrode 11a. The second auxiliary electrode 13b is disposed between the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a so as to face the second input electrode 12a.
A pulse voltage having the same phase is applied to the first input electrode 11a and the second input electrode 12a.
When a proximity object is detected from the output signal of the first output electrode 11b, a pulse voltage having the same phase as that of the first input electrode 11a is applied to the first auxiliary electrode 13a as shown in FIG. A pulse voltage having a phase opposite to that of the second input electrode 12a is applied to the electrode 13b. On the other hand, when detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the second output electrode 12b, a pulse voltage having a phase opposite to that of the first input electrode 11a is applied to the first auxiliary electrode 13a as shown in FIG. A pulse voltage in phase with the second input electrode 12a is applied to the auxiliary electrode 13b.
For this reason, according to the proximity sensor 10B of this example, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, unnecessary interference of electric lines of force can be prevented in the first sensor unit 11 and the second sensor unit 12. Whether it is operated from the inside of the operating body or from the outside of the operated body can be accurately determined, and predetermined different programs (door unlocking control and locking control depending on the operated side) ) Can be executed without malfunction.

  Further, in the proximity sensor 10B of this example, the first sensor unit 11 is formed in the upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit 12 is formed in the lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the first auxiliary electrode 13a is located closer to the upper layer of the multilayer substrate. It is formed in the first intermediate layer, and the second auxiliary electrode 13b is formed in the second intermediate layer near the lower layer of the multilayer substrate. For this reason, the proximity sensor can be formed on one substrate, the thickness can be reduced, and it can be attached to a thinner object.

Further, in the proximity sensor 10A according to the first embodiment, the activation and deactivation of the two sensor units are controlled by switching the phase of the pulse voltage applied to one auxiliary electrode. It is difficult to greatly vary the size and shape of the parts.
On the other hand, in the proximity sensor 10B of the present example, the activation / deactivation of the two sensor units is controlled by switching the phase of the pulse voltage applied to the two auxiliary electrodes. For example, as shown in FIG. Each sensor unit can be designed to have a different size and shape.
In the example of FIG. 10, the first sensor unit 11 is formed in a horizontally long shape and is twice as large as the second sensor unit 12. In this case, similarly to the first input electrode 11a, the first auxiliary electrode 13a is also formed in a horizontally long shape, so that it is possible to effectively prevent interference of electric lines of force in the first sensor unit 11 and the second sensor unit 12.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is needless to say that the above embodiments can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Yes.
For example, as for the electrodes constituting each sensor unit, the shape, size, arrangement, etc. of the input electrode and the output electrode are not particularly limited as long as the input electrode and the output electrode are electrostatically coupled and it is possible to detect the proximity of an object such as a human body. .
In the above embodiment, the case where the proximity sensor is mounted on the vehicle door has been described. However, the door device of the present invention can also be applied to a door of a house or an office.
In the above embodiment, the case where the unlocking and locking of the door is controlled as a program when the proximity sensor is operated has been described. For example, various indoor and outdoor lighting and indicator lights are turned on and off. May be controlled.

1A, 1B Door device 10A, 10B Proximity sensor 11 First sensor part 11a First input electrode 11b First output electrode 12 Second sensor part 12a Second input electrode 12b Second output electrode 13 Auxiliary electrode 13a First auxiliary electrode 13b First 2 Auxiliary electrodes 14, 15, 16, 17 Phase inversion circuit 20 Control device 21 Signal generation unit 22 Signal switching unit 23 Detection unit 24 Control unit SW1, SW2 switch

Claims (5)

A proximity sensor comprising: a first sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on one side of the operated body; a second sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on the other side of the operated body; and an auxiliary electrode. There,
The first sensor unit includes a first input electrode disposed on the same plane so as to be close to each other, and a first output electrode that is electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode,
The second sensor unit has a second input electrode disposed on the same plane in close proximity to each other, and a second output electrode electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode,
The auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face each other,
Pulse voltages having opposite phases to each other are applied to the first input electrode and the second input electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the first output electrode, a pulse voltage in phase with the first input electrode is applied to the auxiliary electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the second output electrode, a pulse voltage in phase with the second input electrode is applied to the auxiliary electrode.
Proximity sensor characterized by the above.   The first sensor unit is formed in an upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit is formed in a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the auxiliary electrode is formed in an intermediate layer of the multilayer substrate. Item 2. The proximity sensor according to Item 1. A first sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on one side of the operated body, a second sensor unit for detecting a proximity object on the other side of the operated body, a first auxiliary electrode, and a second A proximity sensor comprising an auxiliary electrode,
The first sensor unit includes a first input electrode disposed on the same plane so as to be close to each other, and a first output electrode that is electrostatically coupled to the first input electrode,
The second sensor unit has a second input electrode disposed on the same plane in close proximity to each other, and a second output electrode electrostatically coupled to the second input electrode,
The first auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face the first input electrode,
The second auxiliary electrode is disposed between the first input electrode and the second input electrode so as to face the second input electrode,
An in-phase pulse voltage is applied to the first input electrode and the second input electrode,
When detecting a proximity object from the output signal of the first output electrode, a pulse voltage having the same phase as the first input electrode is applied to the first auxiliary electrode, and the second auxiliary electrode is supplied with the second voltage. A pulse voltage in reverse phase to the input electrode is applied,
When the proximity object is detected from the output signal of the second output electrode, a pulse voltage having a phase opposite to that of the first input electrode is applied to the first auxiliary electrode, and the second auxiliary electrode has the first voltage. A pulse voltage in phase with the two input electrodes is applied,
Proximity sensor characterized by the above.   The first sensor unit is formed on an upper layer of the multilayer substrate, the second sensor unit is formed on a lower layer of the multilayer substrate, and the first auxiliary electrode is formed on a first intermediate layer near the upper layer of the multilayer substrate, The proximity sensor according to claim 3, wherein the second auxiliary electrode is formed in a second intermediate layer near a lower layer of the multilayer substrate.   5. A door device comprising the proximity sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that executes a predetermined program in accordance with an output signal of the first output electrode or the second output electrode. .

Images