Sensor for acceleration
US4477732A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1983 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P15/093
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor serves to detect acceleration, in particular for triggering passenger protection devices (air bags) in motor vehicles. A spring-restrained inertial mass subjected to the acceleration which is to be measured is deflected, and the deflection is detected with respect to a locally fixed reference point. Upon the exceeding of an acceleration threshold, a trigger signal is generated. A mass-restrained body has a first photoconductor, one end of which is acted upon by a light source. Depending upon whether it is in the state of rest or in a state of deflection dependent upon acceleration, the other end of the photoconductor is located opposite one of various photoconductors, which are connected to photo elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.