阅读说明：本技术 传感器装置 (Sensor device ) 是由 丹尼尔·施塔尔 于 2020-08-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种尤其用于车辆的传感器装置(100),具有电容式传感器单元(10)和优选在几何上至少部分包围电容式传感器单元(10)的线圈单元(20)。为此,本发明规定,电容式传感器单元(10)具有至少一个第一尤其是线状的传感器元件(11),其基本上沿着线圈单元(20)的第一测地线(G1)来取向。(The invention relates to a sensor device (100), in particular for a vehicle, having a capacitive sensor cell (10) and a coil cell (20), which preferably at least partially geometrically surrounds the capacitive sensor cell (10). For this purpose, the invention provides that the capacitive sensor cell (10) has at least one first, in particular linear, sensor element (11) which is oriented substantially along a first geodetic line (G1) of the coil unit (20).)

1. Sensor device (100), in particular for a vehicle, having:

-a capacitive sensor cell (10), and

a coil unit (20), which at least partially surrounds the capacitive sensor unit (10), preferably geometrically,

the capacitive sensor cell (10) is characterized by at least one first, in particular linear, sensor element (11), the at least one first sensor element (11) being oriented substantially along a first geodetic line (G1) of the coil cell (20).

2. Sensor device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (100) is arranged on a circuit board (101) and/or

The capacitive sensor unit (10) and the coil unit (20) are arranged on one side of a circuit board (101) and/or within a circuit board conductor layer.

3. Sensor device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the capacitive sensor cell (10) is at least partially, in particular predominantly, preferably completely, surrounded by the coil cell (20) and/or

The coil unit (20) is at least partially designed to shield and/or form a capacitive field of the capacitive sensor unit (10), and/or

The capacitive sensor cell (10) is interrupted when the coil cell (20) is operated in a sensor mode, and the coil cell (20) is interrupted when the capacitive sensor cell (10) is operated in a sensor mode.

4. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coil unit (20) has a winding (21) and/or a loop antenna, in particular only one winding and/or loop antenna, wherein in particular the coil unit (20) has at least one LDC coil or at least one NFC coil.

5. Sensor device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the winding (21) is designed substantially in the form of a loop and/or a circle and/or

The windings (21) are oriented along the outer edge of the circuit board (101), and/or

The winding (21) defines a plane, within which the capacitive sensor unit (10) is arranged, in particular, flat.

6. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitive sensor cell (10) and/or the coil cell (20) has a linear and/or strip-shaped sensor element (11,12,21), and/or

The sensor elements (11,12,21) of the capacitive sensor cell (10) and/or of the coil cell (20) are produced by means of photolithography.

7. The sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor element (11) is designed as a supply line for the capacitive sensor cell (10).

8. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor cell (10) has at least one second sensor element (12) for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings and/or the capacitive sensor cell (10) has a plurality of second sensor elements (12) for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings.

9. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor elements (12) are arranged in a star, rib, ridge and/or comb shape.

10. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second sensor element (12) and/or the plurality of second sensor elements (12) are oriented substantially along the geodetic line (G1, G2) of the coil unit (20).

11. Sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second sensor element (12) and/or the plurality of second sensor elements (12) protrude from an end (E1) or a section (a1) of the first sensor element (11), in particular arranged inside the coil unit (20).

12. Electronic unit (1) for operating a movable part (T) of a vehicle (F), such as for example a door, hood or cover, wherein the electronic unit (1) has at least one sensor device (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Electronic unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the capacitive sensor unit (10) is designed for detecting the approach of a user to the sensor device (100) and in that

The coil unit (20) is designed to communicate with a vehicle-side safety system (2) and/or a user-side mobile handheld device (3) in order to, inter alia, verify the identity of the user under test.

14. A door handle (G) for a vehicle (F), wherein the door handle (G) has at least one electronic unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and wherein the electronic unit (1) is arranged in a recess (a) in the door handle (G).

15. A method for producing a sensor device (100), in particular for a vehicle, the sensor device (100) having a capacitive sensor cell (10) and a coil cell (20) which at least partially surrounds the capacitive sensor cell (10), characterized in that the capacitive sensor cell (10) is designed with at least one first sensor element (11) and the at least one first sensor element (11) is oriented substantially along a first geodesic line (G1) of the coil cell (20).

16. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the capacitive sensor cell (10) and/or the coil cell (20) is designed with a linear and/or strip-shaped sensor element (11,12,21), and/or

The sensor elements (11,12,21) of the capacitive sensor cell (10) and/or of the coil cell (20) are produced by means of photolithography.

17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive sensor cell (10) is designed with at least one second sensor element (12) for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings and/or that the capacitive sensor cell (10) is designed with a plurality of second sensor elements (12) for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor elements (12) are oriented in a star, rib, ridge and/or comb shape.

19. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second sensor element (12) and/or the plurality of second sensor elements (12) are oriented substantially along the geodetic line (G1, G2) of the coil unit (20).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, according to the preamble of the independent device claim. The invention also relates to an electronic unit, in particular for operating a movable part of a vehicle, such as for example a door, a hood or a cover, with a corresponding sensor device, according to the preambles of the other independent device claims. The invention also relates to a door handle for a vehicle with a corresponding electronic unit according to the preamble of the appended independent device claim. The invention further relates to a method for producing a corresponding sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, according to the preamble of the independent method claim.

Background

Sensor devices are known from the prior art for detecting the presence of a user in the vicinity of a vehicle and for communicating with a vehicle-side safety system and/or a user-side mobile handheld device. Such a sensor device may form part of an electronic unit, which is designed for operating a movable part of the vehicle, such as for example a door, hood or cover. In order to detect the presence of a user, the sensor device has, for example, a capacitive sensor cell. For communication with the vehicle-side security system and/or the user-side mobile handheld device, coil units are usually used, such as, for example, LDC coils or NFC coils. For this purpose, the coil unit has, for example, a winding or a loop antenna (also referred to as a loop).

In order to keep the vehicle sensor system as compact as possible, the capacitive sensor cells have hitherto been arranged on the circuit board as conductor tracks or conductor track structures. The coil unit is also arranged on a common circuit board, which may also be designed as a flexible conductor film. Since the coil unit is arranged close to the capacitive sensor unit, eddy currents that generate interference effects may be caused in the capacitive sensor unit. The eddy currents are generated by the magnetic field of the coil unit, which induces eddy currents in the conductor tracks or conductor track structures of the capacitive sensor unit.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of at least partially eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages in sensor devices. The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide an improved sensor arrangement in which eddy current induction is reduced even in the case of a limited surface of the circuit board. The object of the invention is also to provide an improved electronic unit for operating a movable part of a vehicle, such as for example a door, a hood or a cover, with a corresponding sensor device. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a door handle for a vehicle with a corresponding electronic unit. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a corresponding sensor device.

The object is achieved by a sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, having the features of the independent device claim and in particular the features of the characterizing portion. The object of the invention is further achieved by an electronic unit for operating a movable part of a vehicle, such as a door, a hood or a cover, having the features of the further independent device claim, which has a corresponding sensor device. The object of the invention is also achieved by a door handle for a vehicle having the features of the appended independent device claim, with a corresponding electronic unit. The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for producing a corresponding sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, having the features of the independent method claim and in particular the features of the characterizing part thereof. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective dependent claims, the description and the figures. The features and details described in connection with the individual inventive aspects are of course also applicable in connection with the other inventive aspects and vice versa, so that the disclosure with respect to these inventive aspects is always mutually referenced or can be mutually referenced.

The object is achieved, in particular, by a sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, having a capacitive sensor cell and a coil cell, which preferably at least partially surrounds the capacitive sensor cell in geometric form.

For this purpose, the invention provides that the capacitive sensor cell has at least one first linear sensor element, which is oriented substantially along a first geodesic line of the coil cell.

Capacitive sensor cells and coil cells in the sense of the present invention have linear sensor elements, which are preferably produced by means of photolithography.

A capacitive sensor cell within the scope of the invention has one or more conductor tracks as sensor elements, which may form a linear conductor track structure. The capacitive sensor unit can be designed, for example, for detecting a user approaching the sensor device.

Instead of capacitive sensor cells, other sensor cells for detecting the approach of a user to the sensor device are also conceivable within the scope of the invention, such as, for example, pressure sensors and also inductive pressure sensors, ultrasonic sensor cells or optical sensor cells.

A coil unit in the sense of the present invention can be designed as a sensitive inductive sensor unit of high resolution with at least one LDC coil, with which movements of a metal element of a few millimeters or even a few micrometers in relation to the at least one LDC coil can be detected.

Furthermore, the coil unit in the sense of the invention can be designed as an electromagnetic sensor unit with at least one NFC coil, which can be used to achieve contactless data exchange by means of electromagnetic induction from a loosely coupled coil, for example in the short range of a few centimeters. The coil unit may be designed, for example, for communication with a vehicle-side safety system and/or a user-side mobile handheld device in order to verify, in particular, the identity of a user detected by the capacitive sensor unit.

The coil unit preferably geometrically surrounds the capacitive sensor unit. Here, the coil unit and the capacitive sensor unit may be arranged on a plane. Within the scope of the invention, the sensor element of the capacitive sensor unit is located within the winding of the coil unit or within the loop antenna, i.e. surrounded or enclosed by the winding of the coil unit or the loop antenna.

A coil unit in the sense of the present invention generates a magnetic field when energized. The magnetic field lines are wound around the energized coil or loop antenna of the coil unit. The magnetic field lines may in turn induce eddy currents in the adjoining printed conductors of the sensor unit.

Preferably within the scope of the invention, the design or geometry of the capacitive sensor unit (at least the first sensor element) may be adjusted depending on the magnetic field of the coil unit, such that eddy current induction is at least reduced, preferably minimized. In particular, the design of the capacitive sensor unit (at least the first sensor element) is based on a magnetic field analysis of the coil unit.

Depending on the geometry of the coil unit, the magnetic field lines around the winding may be determined or predicted. Within the windings, in turn, contours can be determined along which the magnetic field strengths of the magnetic fields have the same value as one another. The contour lines are arranged substantially concentrically with respect to the windings of the coil units. When other printed wire or loop contacts are arranged along the contour, the induced current will be optimally formed therein.

It is now within the scope of the invention that geodesic lines for the coil units or in other words for the magnetic fields of the coil units are determined or predicted. In the sense of the present invention, a geodesic line of a coil unit is a line which at any point extends perpendicularly or orthogonally to the magnetic field contour (also perpendicular to the magnetic field lines) of the coil unit, which contour in turn is oriented in a concentric manner with respect to the windings of the coil unit. In other words, a geodesic line is a line that extends in a star shape (but not necessarily linear) from the center of the windings of the coil unit (similar to a spider web) and intersects the magnetic field contour and the windings of the coil unit at any point at a perpendicular angle. Along the geodesic line, minimal eddy currents are formed within the printed conductors, since only the cross-section of the printed conductors along the geodesic line is available for the formation of induced eddy currents.

The idea of the invention is therefore to first determine a contour of the magnetic field of the coil unit, along which contour the magnetic field strength of the coil unit when energized has the same value as each other, then to determine the geodesic of the coil unit from the contour, the induced eddy currents being minimal along the geodesic, and finally to orient at least one (preferably linear) first sensor element of the capacitive sensor unit along one of the geodesic such that the eddy currents within the capacitive coil unit are minimized. The at least one first sensor element is, for example, a supply line of a capacitive sensor cell. Thus, the supply line of the capacitive sensor unit may correspond to or extend along the geodetic line. In addition, the sensor element can have a rib-like structure of the second sensor elements therein, which are arranged parallel to one another and are therefore easier to produce than curved shapes. Alternatively, the further second sensor element may also extend along a further geodesic line of the coil unit in order to reduce eddy currents within the capacitive coil unit even further.

In this way, lateral influences and/or interferences between the coil unit and the capacitive sensor unit can be minimized even with a minimum area (of the circuit board). The sensitivity, resolution and geometry of the sensor device can thereby be improved in an advantageous manner. The safety and reliability of the sensor device during operation can thus be significantly increased.

The invention can also be provided in a sensor device which is arranged on the circuit board. A compact and easily mountable sensor device can thus be provided.

The invention can also provide in the sensor device that the capacitive sensor unit and the coil unit are arranged on one side, preferably on the outer surface, of a circuit board, which is designed in particular as a multilayer circuit board or as a multilayer conductor film, and/or in a conductor layer (also referred to as a layer) of the circuit board. Therefore, the capacitive sensor unit and the coil unit can be arranged in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, the detection ranges of the capacitive sensor unit and of the coil unit can thereby be oriented in the same direction relative to the circuit board. Furthermore, the capacitive sensor cell and the coil cell can therefore be manufactured inexpensively. It is conceivable here for the capacitive sensor cells and the coil cells to be printed, preferably in a photolithographic manner, on a circuit board (in particular not wound). In this way, the manufacture of the sensor device can be significantly simplified. The manufacture of the sensor element takes place in photolithographic printing, since a film of photosensitive photolithographic lacquer is applied to the surface of the still fully metallized, for example copper-plated, plate. After the photoresist is illuminated, preferably by means of a mask according to the desired circuit layout of the capacitive sensor cells and the coil cells, depending on the photoresist used, the illuminated or non-illuminated portions of the photoresist are dissolved in a suitable developer solution and removed. If one places the circuit board thus treated in a suitable (chemical) etching solution, only the exposed parts of the metallized surface are attacked, where the parts covered by the photolithographic varnish remain unchanged. The desired conductor tracks are thus present in the conductor layer (layer film) of the circuit board.

In addition, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the capacitive sensor cell is at least partially, in particular predominantly, preferably completely, surrounded by the coil cell. In this way, not only space can be saved, but also the functionality of the coil unit can be extended, since the coil unit can be used as a shield for the capacitive sensor unit at least in the rest mode, i.e. in the unpowered state.

In addition, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the coil unit is at least partially designed to shield and/or form a capacitive field of the capacitive sensor unit at least in the rest mode, i.e. when not energized. It is thus possible to provide a purposely formed and less susceptible to interference detection zone on the capacitive sensor cell.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the capacitive sensor cell is open-circuited when the coil cell is operated in the sensor mode and that the coil cell is open-circuited when the capacitive sensor cell is operated in the sensor mode. It is thus ensured that the capacitive sensor unit cannot effectively operate in a sensor mode simultaneously with the coil unit. A reliable separation between the data transmission of the capacitive sensor cell and the data transmission of the coil cell can thereby be achieved. For switching between the capacitive sensor unit and the coil unit, virtual and/or physical switches may be provided. In this way, a capacitive measurement of the approach behavior can be achieved by means of the capacitive sensor unit over a large first range of action of, for example, several meters, and a safety-relevant or sensitive data transmission is achieved by means of the coil unit over a significantly smaller second range of action of, for example, only a few centimeters, a few millimeters or even a few micrometers.

In addition, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the coil unit has one, in particular only one, winding and/or loop antenna. Thus, the capacitive sensor cell can be surrounded or enclosed by the coil cell in a simple manner. Furthermore, an inductive and/or electromagnetic coil unit can thus be provided, which is simple, inexpensive and reliable to operate.

It is conceivable within the scope of the invention for the coil unit to have at least one LDC coil or at least one NFC coil. By means of the at least one LDC coil, a high-resolution sensitive inductive sensor unit can be provided, which can detect the slightest movements and/or slightest pressure applications of only a few millimeters and/or a few micrometers. By means of at least one NFC coil, contactless data exchange can be achieved by means of electromagnetic induction with another loosely coupled coil, in particular in a short range of only a few centimeters. Thus, the coil unit may be used for communicating with a car side security system and/or a user side mobile handheld device, in particular for verifying the identity of a user measured by the capacitive sensor unit.

In addition, the invention can provide for the sensor device to have a winding which is substantially designed in the form of a ring and/or a circle. A simple and inexpensive sensor element can thus be provided in the region of the coil unit.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the winding is oriented along an outer edge of the circuit board. The geometry of the sensor device can thus be adapted to the geometry of the circuit board in an advantageous manner and the area of the circuit board is optimally utilized.

In addition, the invention can provide that, in the sensor device, the winding defines a plane, in which the capacitive sensor cells are arranged, in particular, flat. Thus, the capacitive sensor unit and the coil unit can be arranged on the circuit board in a space-saving manner.

In addition, the invention can provide for the sensor device to have a capacitive sensor cell and/or a coil cell with a linear and/or strip-shaped sensor element. Such a sensor element requires little space and can be produced inexpensively.

It is also conceivable that the sensor elements of the capacitive sensor cell and/or of the coil cell are manufactured by means of photolithography. A flat and space-optimized sensor device can thus be produced.

In addition, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the first sensor element is designed as a supply line of the capacitive sensor cell. In this way, most disturbing influences caused by magnetically induced eddy currents in the capacitive sensor cell are avoided.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the capacitive sensor cell has at least one second sensor element for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings and/or that the capacitive sensor cell has a plurality of second sensor elements for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings. In this way, not only the capacitive field can be expanded, but the resolution of the capacitive sensor cell can be refined thereby. In this way, with the aid of the capacitive sensor unit, it is even possible to measure certain movement processes and/or movement patterns in addition to simple approaching behavior.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the second sensor elements are arranged in a star, rib, ridge and/or comb shape. In this way, the second sensor element can be produced in a simple and reliable manner in order to expand the capacitive field in an advantageous manner.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the at least one second sensor element and/or the plurality of second sensor elements are oriented substantially along the geodesic line of the coil unit. It is possible to further minimize the eddy current in the capacitive coil unit.

In addition, the invention can provide in the sensor device that the at least one second sensor element and/or the plurality of second sensor elements project from an end or a section of the first sensor element, which is located, in particular, on the inside in the coil unit. In this way, a complete conductor track structure of the capacitive sensor cell can be realized within the coil unit, which is less prone or prone to eddy currents.

The object of the invention is further achieved by an electronic unit for operating a movable part of a vehicle, such as, for example, a door, a hood or a cover, wherein the electronic unit has at least one sensor device which can be designed as described above. The same advantages as described above in relation to the sensor device of the invention are obtained by means of the electronic unit of the invention. The advantages are referred to herein in full.

It is conceivable here for the capacitive sensor unit to be designed for detecting the approach of a user to the sensor device and for the coil unit to be designed for communication with a vehicle-side safety system and/or a user-side mobile handheld device in order to verify, in particular, the identity of the user under test. In this way, the electronic unit of the invention can be part of a keyless entry system (keyless entry or keyless exit). The electronic unit according to the invention can be used to activate an electronic lock of a vehicle. The activation (unlocking and possibly opening) of the lock can be triggered, for example, by an ID transmitter (identity transmitter), which transmits a code to the sensor device by means of the coil unit in order to verify the identity. It is also possible to communicate with the ID transmitter and/or to activate the lock only when or after the user's proximity to the sensor device is detected by means of the capacitive sensor unit. The electronic unit can be arranged immediately behind a movable part of the vehicle, such as for example a door, a hood or a cover, or in a dedicated handle and/or an actuating element for the movable part.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a door handle for a vehicle, wherein the door handle has at least one electronic unit which can be designed as described above, and wherein the electronic unit is arranged in a recess in the door handle. The same advantages as described above with regard to the sensor device of the invention and/or the electronic unit of the invention are obtained with the aid of the door handle of the invention. Reference is made entirely herein to the advantages described.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method for producing a sensor device, in particular for a vehicle, having a capacitive sensor cell and a coil cell which at least partially surrounds the capacitive sensor cell. For this purpose, the invention provides that the capacitive sensor cell is designed with at least one first sensor element, and that the at least one first sensor element is oriented substantially along a first geodesic line of the coil unit. By means of the inventive method, the same advantages as described above in relation to the inventive door handle, the inventive sensor device and/or the inventive electronic unit are obtained. The advantages are referred to herein in full.

In a method in the sense of the present invention, it is also conceivable for the capacitive sensor cells and/or the coil cells to be designed with linear and/or strip-shaped sensor elements and/or for the sensor elements of the capacitive sensor cells and/or of the coil cells to be produced by means of photolithography. Here, reference is also made to the advantages already described above for the line-shaped and/or strip-shaped sensor elements and also with regard to the photolithographic production of the sensor elements.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a method for producing a sensor device that the capacitive sensor cell is designed with at least one second sensor element for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings and/or that the capacitive sensor cell is designed with a plurality of second sensor elements for sensing a change in capacitance of the surroundings.

It is conceivable here for the second sensor element to be oriented in a star shape, rib shape, ridge shape and/or comb shape.

It is also conceivable that the at least one second sensor element and/or the plurality of second sensor elements are oriented substantially along the geodesic of the coil unit.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of an embodiment of the invention described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be of importance for the invention here, individually or in any combination, where:

figure 1 shows a schematic view of a coil unit in the sense of the present invention,

figure 2 shows a schematic view of a sensor device according to the invention,

figure 3 shows a schematic view of a sensor device according to the invention,

fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a vehicle door handle according to the invention.

Detailed Description

In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features of different embodiments. Generally, reference numerals for the same embodiment are described only once.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary sensor arrangement 100 with a coil unit 20 in the sense of the present invention. The coil unit 20 can be used here for communication with the security system 2 of the vehicle F and/or with the user-side mobile handset 3, which is shown schematically below in fig. 4. Such a sensor device 100 may form part of an electronic unit 1, which is designed for operating a movable part T of a vehicle, such as for example a door, hood or cover. In order to detect the presence of a user, such a sensor device 100 is designed with a capacitive sensor cell 10 as is exemplarily shown in fig. 2 and 3.

The capacitive sensor cell 10 is designed with sensor elements 11,12 in the form of line-shaped and/or strip-shaped conductor tracks, which are printed on a circuit board 101. In order to save space, the coil units 20 are also arranged geometrically on a common circuit board 101 (see fig. 2 and 3) so as to surround the capacitive sensor cells 10. By arranging the coil unit 20 close to the capacitive sensor cell 10, an eddy current may occur in the capacitive sensor cell 10.

The invention proposes an improved sensor arrangement 100, in particular for a vehicle F, which is shown by way of example in fig. 2 and 3 and in this case also reduces eddy current induction in the case of an active area of a circuit board 101. The invention also proposes an improved electronic unit 1 for operating a movable part T of a vehicle F, such as for example a door, a hood or a cover, having a corresponding sensor device 100 as schematically shown in fig. 4. In addition, the invention proposes a door handle G for a vehicle F, which has a corresponding electronic unit 1, which is also schematically illustrated in fig. 4. The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a corresponding sensor device 100, in particular for a vehicle F, the process of which will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

The invention provides in the sensor device 100 that the capacitive sensor cell 10 has at least one first, in particular linear, sensor element 11, which is oriented substantially along a first geodetic line G1 of the coil cell 20, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.

The capacitive sensor cell 10 has within the scope of the invention at least one first linear sensor element 11 and at least one second linear sensor element 12, but preferably a plurality of second sensor elements 12, which can project from an end E1 (see fig. 3) or a section a1 (see fig. 2) of the first sensor element 11, which is located on the inside, in particular within the coil cell 20.

The at least one first linear sensor element 11 and the at least one second linear sensor element 12, but preferably a plurality of second sensor elements 12, form a conductor track structure within the coil unit 20.

The coil unit 20 may be designed as an inductive sensor unit with at least one LDC coil, with which movements of a few millimeters or even a few micrometers of the metal element relative to the at least one LDC coil can be detected. Furthermore, the coil unit 20 in the sense of the present invention can be designed as an electromagnetic sensor unit with at least one NFC coil, which can be used for contactless data exchange by means of electromagnetic induction caused by a coupling relaxation coil. In both cases, the coil unit 20 may have a winding 21 and/or a loop antenna, in particular only one winding 21 and/or loop antenna, as shown in fig. 1 to 3.

The coil unit 20 in the form of a winding 21 and/or a loop antenna generates a magnetic field when energized as shown in fig. 1. The magnetic field lines M are wound around the coil 21 or the loop antenna of the coil unit 20. The magnetic field lines M may in turn induce eddy currents in the built-in sensor elements 11,12 of the sensor unit 10.

In this case, the geometry of the sensor elements 11,12 of the capacitive sensor cell 10 can be adjusted in dependence on the magnetic field of the coil unit 20 in such a way that the induction of eddy currents within the capacitive sensor cell 10 is at least reduced, preferably avoided as far as possible.

The magnetic field lines M surrounding the winding 21 can be determined or predicted from the known geometry of the coil unit 20. Within the winding 21, in turn, a contour I can be determined along which the magnetic field strengths of the magnetic fields of the energized coil units 20 have mutually the same value. As also shown in fig. 1, the contour I is arranged substantially concentrically with respect to the windings 21 of the coil unit 20. When other printed conductor or loop contacts are arranged along the contour 21, a current intensity I is formed therein which is identical to one another_{Winding wire}The induced current of (2).

With the contour I known, the geodesic lines G1, G2 for the coil unit 20 or for the magnetic field of the coil unit 20 are now determined or predicted. The geodetic lines G1, G2 of the coil unit 20 are lines as shown in fig. 1, which extend at any point perpendicular or normal to the contour I of the magnetic field of the coil unit 20. In other words, the geodesic lines G1, G2 are lines that project in a star shape (like a spider web) from the center of the windings 21 of the coil unit 20 and intersect the contour line I and the windings 21 of the coil unit 20 at right angles at any point. Along the geodetic lines G1, G2, minimal eddy currents may be induced within the sensor elements 11,12 of the capacitive sensor unit 10, since only a cross section of the linear sensor elements 11,12 along the geodetic lines G1, G2 provides for the formation of induced eddy currents.

The at least one first sensor element 11 can be designed, for example, in the form of a supply line of the capacitive sensor cell 10, as shown in fig. 2 and 3. In addition, the capacitive sensor cell 10 may have a rib-like structure composed of a plurality of second sensor elements 12 as shown in fig. 2. Such parallel conductor tracks can be produced in a simple manner. Alternatively, the second sensor element 12 can also extend along other ground lines of the coil unit 20 as shown in fig. 3 in order to reduce eddy currents within the capacitive coil unit 10 even further.

The invention thus makes it possible to minimize the lateral influences and/or interferences between the coil unit 20 and the capacitive sensor unit 10 even in the case of minimal surface areas. This advantageously improves the sensitivity, resolution and geometry of the sensor device 100 and significantly increases the operational safety of the sensor device 100.

As also shown in fig. 2 and 3, the sensor device 100 may be arranged on a circuit board 101 to provide a compact and easy to operate sensor device 100.

Fig. 2 and 3 also show that the capacitive sensor cell 10 and the coil cell 20 can be arranged on one side of the circuit board 101, preferably in the outer surface and/or in the conductor layer. In this way, the detection areas of the capacitive sensor cell 10 and the coil cell 20 may be oriented in the same direction with respect to the circuit board, for example away from the vehicle F.

The capacitive sensor cell 10 and the coil cell 20 may be printed on the circuit board 101 by photolithography within the scope of the invention. In photolithographic printing, a thin layer of photosensitive photolithographic varnish is applied to the surface of the circuit board 101 completely metallized, for example, with a copper layer. After exposure of the photoresist with a mask according to the desired circuit layout of the capacitive sensor cell 10 and the coil cell 20, depending on the photoresist used, the irradiated or non-irradiated portions of the paint layer are dissolved in a suitable developer solution and are thus removed. The circuit board 101 thus treated is then immersed in a suitable etching solution in which only the exposed parts of the metallized surface are attacked, wherein the parts of the circuit board 101 covered by the photoresist remain unchanged.

As shown in fig. 2, the capacitive sensor cell 10 is mostly, preferably completely, surrounded by the coil cell 20. From the supply line of the capacitive sensor unit 10, only one further line leads to a schematically illustrated control unit 102, which control unit 102 is responsible for evaluating the measurement by means of the sensor device 100.

Here, the control unit 102 may be designed as a control unit 102 dedicated to the sensor device 100 or as part of a central control unit 102 within the vehicle F.

Another advantage of arranging the coil unit 20 around the capacitive sensor cell 10 may be that the coil unit 20 may be used to shield and/or form a capacitive field of the capacitive sensor cell 10, at least in a rest mode, in which it is not energized.

It is also advantageously conceivable that the capacitive sensor cell 10 is open-circuited when the coil cell 20 is operated in the sensor mode and that the coil cell 20 is open-circuited when the capacitive sensor cell 10 is operated in the sensor mode. It can thus be ensured that the capacitive sensor cell 10 does not act simultaneously with the coil cell 20, in order to strictly separate the data transmission via the capacitive sensor cell 10 from the data transmission of the coil cell 20. In order to switch between the data transmission by means of the capacitive sensor cell 10 and the data transmission by means of the coil unit 20, virtual and/or physical switches can be provided, for example, at the control unit 102.

As is also shown in fig. 1 to 3, the windings 21 of the coil unit 20 may be designed substantially in the form of a ring and/or a circle and preferably extend along the outer edge of the circuit board 101.

As fig. 2 and 3 show, the windings 21 of the coil unit 20 lie in a plane of the circuit board 101 in which the capacitive sensor units are arranged, in particular, flat.

The above description of embodiments describes the invention by way of example only. It is clear that, as far as technically meaningful, the individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another without leaving the scope of the invention.

List of reference numerals

100 sensor device

101 circuit board

102 control unit

10 sensor unit

11 first sensor element

12 second sensor element

20 coil unit

21 winding

1 electronic unit

2 safety system

3 Mobile hand-held device

G1 first geodesic line

G2 second geodesic line

I-contour line

I_{Winding wire}Intensity of current

M magnetic field lines

Section A1

E1 end

F vehicle

T movable part

G door handle

Gap A