A sensor element of an inductive proximity sensor or distance sensor contains a coil arrangement with at least one excitation coil and at least one receiving coil and includes an electrically conductive shielding which contains a shielding cup that surrounds the coil arrangement laterally and on the rear face. A method operates the sensor element. The shielding of the sensor element further contains a flange which is provided on the front face of the sensor element, is connected to the shielding cup in an electrically conductive manner, and completely surrounds the coil arrangement.

A target detection system may include a power supply and an inductor capacitor (LC) tank circuit. The LC tank circuit may include a sensing coil, a first tank capacitor, and a second tank capacitor. Further, the LC tank circuit may alternate between the first tank capacitor and the second tank capacitor, and the power supply may power the LC tank circuit. The target detection system may further include measurement circuitry to measure a first decay characteristic of a first set of free oscillations from the first tank capacitor and a second decay characteristic of a second set of free oscillations from the second tank capacitor. Additionally, the target detection system may also include processing circuitry to compare the first decay characteristic to the second decay characteristic to determine a presence and a distance of a target.

Self-testing proximity testing systems and corresponding methods are discussed herein and can include a proximity probe and controller in electrical communication via a cable. A self-testing subsystem can be in communication with the controller and configured to determine whether proximity probes and cables assembled with a controller are compatible or incompatible. The self-testing subsystem can place a known impedance in electrical communication with the controller, modifying a proximity signal output by the controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by greater than or equal to a threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a first indication indicating that incompatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by less than the threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a second indication indicating that compatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller.

A method of measuring target proximity comprising the steps of transmitting a magnetic field signal by a controller of a proximity sensor at a target, measuring impedance of an inductor of a proximity sensor, calculating a relative position of the target in relation to a sensor face, and providing a near/far output status of the target at a predetermined rate.

A device for detecting a user's intention to lock or unlock a motor vehicle opening element, this device being integrated into a handle, including: an inductive sensor that includes an LC resonant circuit consisting at least of a coil and a main capacitor; a handle target; a microcontroller equipped with a unit for measuring the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit; an adjustment device for adjusting the value of the total capacitance of the LC resonant circuit, this adjustment device providing at least two different total capacitance values for the LC resonant circuit.

A device for detecting a user's intention to lock or unlock a motor vehicle opening element, this device being integrated into a handle, including: an inductive sensor that includes an LC resonant circuit consisting at least of a coil and a main capacitor; a handle target; a microcontroller equipped with a unit for measuring the resonant frequency of the LC resonant circuit; an adjustment device for adjusting the value of the total capacitance of the LC resonant circuit, this adjustment device providing at least two different total capacitance values for the LC resonant circuit.

The present disclosure relates to an input device of a vehicle user interface with a housing, with a detection device assigned to the housing, with an evaluation unit connected to the detection device in an electrically conductive manner, and with an actuating member movably mounted on the housing, wherein the actuating member cooperates with the detection device via a magnetic measuring field, e.g. a static magnetic field or an alternating magnetic field, in order to transmit to the evaluation unit at least one position parameter related to a position and/or a change of position of the actuating member relative to the housing, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to carry out a switching or controlling function of a vehicle component depending on the position parameter.

Self-testing proximity testing systems and corresponding methods are discussed herein and can include a proximity probe and controller in electrical communication via a cable. A self-testing subsystem can be in communication with the controller and configured to determine whether proximity probes and cables assembled with a controller are compatible or incompatible. The self-testing subsystem can place a known impedance in electrical communication with the controller, modifying a proximity signal output by the controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by greater than or equal to a threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a first indication indicating that incompatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by less than the threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a second indication indicating that compatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller.

The present disclosure relates to an input device of a vehicle user interface with a housing, with a detection device assigned to the housing, with an evaluation unit connected to the detection device in an electrically conductive manner, and with an actuating member movably mounted on the housing, wherein the actuating member cooperates with the detection device via a magnetic measuring field, e.g. a static magnetic field or an alternating magnetic field, in order to transmit to the evaluation unit at least one position parameter related to a position and/or a change of position of the actuating member relative to the housing, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to carry out a switching or controlling function of a vehicle component depending on the position parameter.

Self-testing proximity testing systems and corresponding methods are discussed herein and can include a proximity probe and controller in electrical communication via a cable. A self-testing subsystem can be in communication with the controller and configured to determine whether proximity probes and cables assembled with a controller are compatible or incompatible. The self-testing subsystem can place a known impedance in electrical communication with the controller, modifying a proximity signal output by the controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by greater than or equal to a threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a first indication indicating that incompatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller. When the modified proximity signal differs from a predicted proximity signal by less than the threshold amount, the self-testing subsystem can output a second indication indicating that compatible proximity probes and cables are assembled with a controller.