Magna Electronics Inc.

Magna Closures Inc.

Allan Corner

Timothy Dezorzi

Mirko Pribisic

Thomas Mellary

Alex Porat

Liviu Bolbocianu

Erik Schattenmann

Cuong Tran

Earnest Lock

Anjan Nayani

A detection system for a closure panel of a vehicle and corresponding method of operation are provided. The system includes a detection module including a sensor subassembly for detecting an object in a detection zone and sensing a motion and characteristics of the object and outputting a corresponding sensor signal. The system also includes a gesture selector for accepting a user input from a user to select a valid activation gesture and a controller arrangement coupled to the sensor subassembly. The controller arrangement receives the user input from the gesture selector and adjusts a plurality of predetermined thresholds representing the valid activation gesture by the user required to move the closure panel based on the user input. The controller arrangement analyzes the sensor signal and determines whether the sensor signal is within the plurality of predetermined thresholds and then initiates movement of the closure panel accordingly.

Selectable gesture detection system and methods

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.

Combination capacitive and resistive obstacle sensor

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, Canada

Allan Corner