A measuring arrangement and corresponding method for determining the rotational position, speed and/or direction of rotation of a shaft, in particular of an electric motor of an electromotively adjustable device of a vehicle. The measuring arrangement comprises at least first and second electrodes which each form capacitor elements, wherein an electrical voltage can be applied to the electrodes to generate an electric field (EF); a rotatable shaft, in particular a motor shaft, having a measuring section which has an out-of-roundness, wherein the measuring section is arranged relative to the electrodes such that a rotation of the shaft changes the electric field (EF); and an evaluation unit which is conductively connected to an electrode to capacitively capture a change in the electric field (EF), in particular in the form of a change in a voltage applied to an electrode.

A measuring arrangement and corresponding method for determining the rotational position, speed and/or direction of rotation of a shaft, in particular of an electric motor of an electromotively adjustable device of a vehicle. The measuring arrangement comprises at least first and second electrodes which each form capacitor elements, wherein an electrical voltage can be applied to the electrodes to generate an electric field (EF); a rotatable shaft, in particular a motor shaft, having a measuring section which has an out-of-roundness, wherein the measuring section is arranged relative to the electrodes such that a rotation of the shaft changes the electric field (EF); and an evaluation unit which is conductively connected to an electrode to capacitively capture a change in the electric field (EF), in particular in the form of a change in a voltage applied to an electrode.

An angular velocity sensor includes an angular velocity sensor element, a drive circuit, a detection circuit, and a reference potential supply circuit. The angular velocity sensor element has a monitor electrode, a drive electrode, a sense electrode, and a weight. The reference potential supply circuit supplies a reference potential to the angular velocity sensor element. The reference potential supply circuit has a first CV converter, a second CV converter, a comparator, and a reference potential adjustment circuit. The first CV converter is connected to the monitor electrode. The second CV converter is connected to the sense electrode. The comparator compares a frequency of a signal being output from the first CV converter with a frequency of a signal being output from the second CV converter, and outputs a signal depending on a result of the comparison.

An angular velocity sensor includes an angular velocity sensor element, a drive circuit, a detection circuit, and a reference potential supply circuit. The angular velocity sensor element has a monitor electrode, a drive electrode, a sense electrode, and a weight. The reference potential supply circuit supplies a reference potential to the angular velocity sensor element. The reference potential supply circuit has a first CV converter, a second CV converter, a comparator, and a reference potential adjustment circuit. The first CV converter is connected to the monitor electrode. The second CV converter is connected to the sense electrode. The comparator compares a frequency of a signal being output from the first CV converter with a frequency of a signal being output from the second CV converter, and outputs a signal depending on a result of the comparison.

A capacitive alternator is disclosed. The capacitive alternator includes a frame with a shaft rotatably coupled to and extending through the frame. The capacitive alternator includes a stator housed within the frame. The stator includes a plurality of stator electrodes arranged in respective first and second stator assemblies. The stator electrodes in the respective stator assemblies are in electrical communication with one another. The capacitive alternator includes a rotor supported on and fixedly attached to the shaft such that a rotation of the shaft causes a corresponding rotation of the rotor. The rotor includes a dipole assembly, including a first dipole electrode, and a second dipole electrode. The first and second dipole electrodes are electrically isolated from one another, from the shaft, and from the stator electrodes. The dipole assembly is rotatable relative to one of the plurality of stator electrodes.

A vibration device includes a substrate that contains movable ions, an element unit that has a movable portion which is displaceable from the substrate, and a conductor layer that is disposed on a side of the substrate which is opposite to the element unit. When a potential of the movable portion is set to E1 and a potential of the conductor layer is set to E2, |E1E2|<|E1| is satisfied. In a plan view obtained in a direction where the conductor layer, the substrate, and the element unit are juxtaposed with one another, the conductor layer overlaps at least a portion of the movable portion.

A vibration device includes a substrate that contains movable ions, an element unit that has a movable portion which is displaceable from the substrate, and a conductor layer that is disposed on a side of the substrate which is opposite to the element unit. When a potential of the movable portion is set to E1 and a potential of the conductor layer is set to E2, |E1E2|<|E1| is satisfied. In a plan view obtained in a direction where the conductor layer, the substrate, and the element unit are juxtaposed with one another, the conductor layer overlaps at least a portion of the movable portion.

A sensor suitable for sensing the relative movement between at least part of the sensor and one or more target objects. The sensor including at least one polarised or at least partially polarised dielectric material and at least one electrode. The interaction of the one or more target objects with the static electric field of the dielectric material produces a signal or voltage change in the electrode.

A sensor suitable for sensing the relative movement between at least part of the sensor and one or more target objects. The sensor including at least one polarised or at least partially polarised dielectric material and at least one electrode. The interaction of the one or more target objects with the static electric field of the dielectric material produces a signal or voltage change in the electrode.

A sensor device includes a conductive layer. The conductive layer is interposed between a first principal surface of an IC chip and a sensor element and faces the sensor element via a resin-based adhesive layer. The sensor element includes: a moving part including a moving electrode; a fixed part including a fixed electrode forming capacitance between the moving electrode and itself; a first terminal connected to the moving electrode; and a second terminal connected to the fixed electrode. The IC chip includes: a signal processor that processes a detection signal from the second terminal; a first voltage generator that generates a first voltage as an operating voltage for the processor; and a second voltage generator that generates a second voltage corresponding to the sensor element's reference potential applied to the first terminal. The conductive layer is electrically connected to the first terminal.