Rolamite sensor
US4985604A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2300/052
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A rolamite sensor includes a formed sheet metal base attached to a metal chassis. One surface of the sheet metal base acts as a guide surface for a roller. A thin metal foil band is wrapped around the roller and has its ends welded to the base underneath the base. The roller is biased into a first position and is rollable on the guide surface from its first position under an applied force to cause the band to engage a firing contact. A single pin connected to the firing contact extends through the chassis and is electrically insulated from the chassis. The pin and chassis are connected to opposite electric potentials in the vehicle. When the band engages the firing contact, an electrical circuit is completed through the pin, the firing contact, the band, the base, and the chassis to activate a vehicle safety apparatus. The sheet metal base includes a calibration tab which sets the first position of the roller along the guide surface. The tab may be physically bent to select the distance through which the roller needs to travel to complete the electrical circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.