Abstract: The invention is a capacitive sensor system for preventing the pinching or trapping of a human body part or foreign object by a power-closing panel. The body part or object is sensed either before contact or at the time of contact with the sensor electrode by a change in capacitance. When the object or body part is detected, the power closing panels can be reversed or stopped to prevent the trapping of the object. The sensing electrodes consist of multiple segments. Each segment detects the capacitance of the sensed object (with respect to ground or between adjacent or nearby elements) and the adjacent environment. The capacitance values for each of the segments are analyzed in real time and compared against the average of the highest value obtained from a certain number of segments. When the capacitance of one or more segments is less than the average of the capacitance of all or some of the segments minus a predetermined constant, the sensor system is triggered.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided which is useful for detecting impact, pressure or other forces, and has particular application in detecting the presence of a foreign object in an electronically operated vehicle window including a motor, a frame and a window pane movable in the frame between an open and a closed position. The sensor comprises a fiber optic having one end connected to a light source, with the other end being connected to a detector. In the fiber optic, there is located a sensing portion fiber which is preferably located in the frame of the window so as to modulate light traveling in an optical path in the fibre optic in response to detection of the foreign object which comes into contact therewith. The sensor further comprises a signal propagating means for transmitting a signal to the motor when the optical path is modulated so as to stop or reverse the motor.