Integrated silicon automotive accelerometer and single-point impact sensor
US5495414A · kind A · utility
27Cited by
13References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P2015/0831
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A single-point impact sensor has a fully differential capacitive sense element for providing a capacitive difference which is proportional to the acceleration of the vehicle. The capacitive difference is converted into a digital pulse train signal which is pulse density modulated with variations in the capacitance. The pulse density of the pulse train is evaluated according to a hierarchy of counters and timers to determine if it is indicative of an activation worthy event. In one embodiment, a non-volatile programmable memory is provided to control the operation of the impact sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.