Crash sensing switch with suspended mass
First Claim
1. A crash sensor comprising a sensing mass movable in a chamber,flexible suspension means suspending said sensing mass and dividing said chamber into two compartments,said chamber being filled with a viscous fluid,said flexible suspension means blocking movement of said viscous fluid between said compartments,and a first flow control means for viscously conducting said viscous fluid between said compartments.
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Abstract
A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a sensing mass movable in a closed chamber against pressure resulting from viscous flow has a disk shaped sensing mass suspended by one or two webs like those used to suspend the moving elements of audio speakers. The web suspending the sensing mass allows the sensing mass free axial motion while resisting radial motion. Movement of the sensing mass is resisted by air pressure resulting from viscous flow of air through conduits. Compensation for variation of air viscosity with temperature is achieved by varying the travel of the sensing mass. The sensor design enables accurate automatic calibration. The unit is compact and is made from a small number of inexpensive parts. The combination of these elements provides a crash sensor that is insensitive to cross axis vibrations and costs much less than current production sensors.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A crash sensor comprising a sensing mass movable in a chamber,
flexible suspension means suspending said sensing mass and dividing said chamber into two compartments, said chamber being filled with a viscous fluid, said flexible suspension means blocking movement of said viscous fluid between said compartments, and a first flow control means for viscously conducting said viscous fluid between said compartments.
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11. A crash sensor comprising a sensing mass movable in a chamber wherein:
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flexible suspension means for said sensing mass, said sensing mass is movable between a normal resting position at one extreme of its travel and a second position attained during a crash, and including resilient means urging said sensing mass toward said normal resting position, and said resilient means comprises a ring having inwardly extending elements for applying force to said sensing mass.
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16. A crash sensor comprising a sensing mass movable in a chamber, said chamber being divided into two compartments,
said chamber being and filled with a viscous fluid and said sensing mass being adapted to displace said viscous fluid from one of said compartments to the other of said compartments during its movement, and channels for viscously conducting said viscous fluid between said compartments.
Specification