CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SWITCH AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE EQUIPPED THEREWITH

摘要

The switch has an electrically conductive sensor surface (7) covered by an electrically isolated cover plate, where the sensor surface serves as a part of a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with approximation. The sensor surface has an active shielding formed by a shielding surface (11), and a clock signal (28) is applied at the shielding surface of the sensor surface. The shielding surface is connected with earth for applying measuring potential by a switch (31). An independent claim is also included for a sensing area for a household appliance with a proximity switch.