Peter R Hohlfeld

Title: Peter R. Hohlfeld: Inventor of a User-Proximity Sensor for Electrical Appliances

Introduction

Peter R. Hohlfeld is an inventor associated with Oxford, Connecticut, and Black & Decker Inc. His patent work includes an electrical appliance safety feature that detects when a user is near an appliance handle.

Latest Patents

Hohlfeld is credited with 1 patent: “Electrical Appliance Having User Proximity Sensor.” The invention describes a pressing iron with an antenna inside its handle. When a user holds or approaches the handle, the user’s body capacitively couples with the antenna, producing a displacement current at the frequency of the AC power supply. Circuitry detects and amplifies this current, then generates a signal indicating that the user is near the iron. That signal disables a time-out circuit. If the user moves away, the signal stops, and after a predetermined period, the appliance automatically cuts power to its heating element.

Career Highlights

The patent addresses appliance safety by combining proximity detection with automatic power shutoff. Its design uses the handle’s dielectric material to sense a user without requiring direct electrical contact.

Collaborations

Hohlfeld’s listed coworkers include Leonard I. Horey and Luis O. Cavada. His patent is associated with Black & Decker Inc.

Conclusion

Peter R. Hohlfeld’s patented proximity-sensing system illustrates how an appliance can detect user presence and automatically remove power when the user is no longer nearby.