The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 13, 2016
Filed:
May. 22, 2014
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Mahendra Somasara Dassanayake, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US);
Jeffrey Singer, Canton, MI (US);
Michael Istok, Macomb, MI (US);
Pietro Buttolo, Dearborn Heights, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. A pliable material overlays the proximity sensors. The control circuitry monitors the activation field and determines an activation of a proximity switch based on a signal generated by the sensor in relation to a threshold when a user's finger depresses the pliable material. The pliable material may further include an elevated portion and an air gap between the elevated portion and the sensor.