Example proximity sensors are described. The proximity sensor can include a transceiver unit, and a leaky coaxial cable operably coupled to the transceiver unit. The proximity sensor described herein can be used with a steering wheel. For example, the leaky coaxial cable can be embedded in the steering wheel.

A hand-held machine tool (1) including a drive device (4) by which a tool that can be brought into operative connection with the machine tool (1) can be actuated, with a control device (8) for actuating the drive device (4) and at least one capacitive sensor element (30, 35) operatively connected to the control device (8) being provided. The at least one element (2, 75) of the machine tool that is arranged in the region of the capacitive sensor element (30, 35) is grounded.

The invention relates to a sensor unit (10) for actuating an actuating element (102), in particular a hatch (101) or similar of a vehicle (100), without contact, comprising at least one capacitive sensor element (11, 12), wherein the sensor element (11, 12) has a wire (13), which is arranged on a support element (14). The support element (14) has at least one electrically conductive core (18). The invention also relates to a security system (100), in particular, for opening and/or closing a hatch (101) of a vehicle or similar without contact, comprising at least one such sensor unit (10). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a sensor unit (10).

A vehicular operation detecting apparatus includes: sensors provided side by side in a vehicle, and individually outputting detection signals that change when a detection target comes into contact with or approaches the sensors; a computing unit computing a ratio value which is a value of a ratio of a first detection signal to a second detection signal, which are detection signals of a first sensor and a second sensor that are one and another one of the sensors, respectively; an operational direction detection unit detecting a direction of movement of the detection target from the first sensor toward the second sensor if the computed ratio value decreases, and detecting the direction of movement from the second sensor toward the first sensor if the computed ratio value increases; and a drive control unit controlling the driving of an opening and closing body in accordance with the detected direction of movement.

A sensor device is provided to detect a filling status of a consumable in a dispenser, the consumable being web material, and the filling status relating to a spatial extension of the consumable in the dispenser. The sensor device includes a capacitive sensor having an elongated and planar sensor area; and a first measurement section configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser. The capacitive sensor includes a first channel and a second channel. The first measurement section is configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser based on changes in capacitance detected by the first channel and the second channel.

A surgical device including a surgical generator configured to provide energy for an energy based surgical instrument; a functional device configured to provide a function in its activated state; a switch for activating and deactivating the surgical generator a capacitive sensor including at least one measuring electrode that is arranged at the switch, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to measure a capacity change or a capacity at the measuring electrode and activate or deactivate the functional device as a function of a measured capacity change or capacity.

A detector includes a plurality of sensors and is configured to detect a user in preliminarily set detection areas. The sensors are arrayed horizontally at a rear portion of a vehicle such that the detection areas of the adjacent sensors overlap with each other. If any one of the sensors detects the user and outputs a detection signal (first detection signal), a threshold for a detection signal of one of the sensors adjacent to the sensor (second detection signal) is raised and the first and second detection signals are converted to first and second binary signals, respectively. A rear door is opened if the second binary signal has an output period that is contained in an output period of the first binary signal.

Embodiments of the present invention provide robust capacitive grip sensors that may be used in a variety of applications, including single-handed and double-handed grips, such as but not limited to barbells. Apparatus as disclosed herein and efficiently measure the presence of a human grip without requiring deformation of a gripped surface area.

A capacitive sensor device for use with a steering wheel is provided. The steering wheel includes a rim and a spoke that is connected to the inner side of the rim, and the sensor device is provided on the spoke. The sensor device includes an electrode configured to be capacitively coupleable to an object to be detected, and includes a controller configured to detect a change in capacitance of the electrode, and determine whether the object is in proximity to the rim or the spoke based on the change in the capacitance of the electrode. The change in the capacitance occurs in response to the object being in proximity to the rim or the spoke.

A motion detection device includes an attached member on a vehicle body side, a sensor electrode configured to detect capacitance, and a sensor bracket. The sensor bracket has a sensor holding portion holding the sensor electrode and is attached to an inner surface of the attached member. The sensor holding portion includes a holding piece that extends from a side away from an inner surface of the attached member to a side approaching the inner surface and holds the sensor electrode, and the holding piece holds the sensor electrode at a position at which an axis of the sensor electrode is separated from the inner surface of the attached member by at least 15 mm or more.