Sensor with symmetrical limiting of a signal

• US 20050126288A1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Gahn, Christoph, Droste, Dirk
• Granted Patent: US 7,134,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/504.120
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/08 with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/125 by capacitive pick-up

Abstract

A sensor having a seismic mass and having means for detecting the deflection of the mass and converting it into an electrical signal; in at least one operating mode of the sensor, a mechanical stop asymmetrically limiting the deflection of the seismic mass with respect to a vibrational center position. Means for symmetrical limiting of the signal are provided on the sensor.

Claims

1. A sensor comprising:

a seismic mass;

at least one mechanical stop for asymmetrically limiting a deflection of the seismic mass with respect to a vibrational center position, in at least one operating mode of the sensor;

means for detecting the deflection of the seismic mass and converting it into an electrical signal; and

means for limiting at least one maximum value of the electrical signal, the limiting being provided symmetrically in relation to the vibrational center position, the maximum value of the electrical signal not being greater than a smallest value predefined by the mechanical stop.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a deviation of the vibrational center position of the seismic mass from a geometric center between the means for detecting.

3. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor has a micromechanical construction.

4. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the means for detecting the deflection includes electrodes which represent a capacitive detecting element, according to the principle of differential capacitance.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the means for limiting the maximum value of the electrical signal includes an electronic evaluation circuit which electrically limits the maximum value of the electrical signal.

6. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a further stop, at least the further stop being positioned by the means for limiting in such a way that the deflection of the seismic mass is symmetrically limited.

7. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an inertial sensor.

8. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor.

9. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a rotation-rate sensor.