摘要 |
A capacitive proximity sensor utilizes a laminate capacitive sense head having no active components. The sense head is connected by a coaxial cable to a remotely located capacitive sensor circuit. An ac signal on the inner conductor of the coaxial cable is monitored by the sensor circuit to detect the proximity of an object to the sense head. The outer shield conductor of the coaxial cable is driven by the sensor circuit with an ac voltage corresponding to the ac signal on the inner conductor so as to minimize capacitive loading of the signal on the inner conductor. The laminate capacitive sense head has dielectric and conductive layers. The conductive layers form conductive patterns appropriately connected to the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial cable to provide sense electrode and guard shield functions in a very thin and versatile sensing structure.
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