Circuit arrangement for evaluating an acceleration sensor signal
US5637798A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/2417
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention is a circuit arrangement for evaluating a capacitive signal from an acceleration sensor, in which an acceleration-dependent capacitance change is evaluated by measuring the voltage at the oscillator. After each voltage change, the charge of the two capacitor elements of a differential capacitor is neutralized by applying a predetermined voltage, preferably the operating voltage. When a new acceleration occurs, a voltage difference relative to the predetermined voltage is again determined. The voltage difference is converted into a pulse-width modulated signal and is used for supplying the two capacitor elements of the acceleration sensor. The circuit arrangement is preferably usable for activating an air bag in a motor vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.