Patent · US Expired

Capacitive inclination and acceleration sensor

US5627316A · kind A · utility

92Cited by

22References

14Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Sigma-Delta N.V. · BE

Inventors

Rudi De Winter · Heusden-Zolder, BE
Roger Diels · Steenokkerzeel, BE

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 24, 1995
Grant date	May 6, 1997
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Mar 24, 2015

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH05K1/16
WIPO fieldMeasurement
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A capacitive position sensor employs conventional printed circuit board (PCB) technology to detect capacitive changes caused by the movement of a ball along conductive tracks. A recessed region (or through hole) is stamped on the PCB with well controlled dimensions. Electrically conductive tracks are laid around the region and connect to a capacitance detection circuit on the PCB. As the PCB experiences inclination or acceleration the ball moves along the axis of the recessed region causing variations in the measured capacitance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.