Velocity change sensor with double pole sensor
First Claim
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1. An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes comprising:
- a housing with a first end and a second end opposite said first end;
first and second contact means disposed at said first end, at least one of said contact means being flexible for displacement toward the other of said contact means;
a sensing element movably disposed in said housing; and
biasing means for generating a biasing force on said sensing means for urging said sensing element toward a first position, said sensing element being arranged and constructed to move toward a second position away from said first position in response to a deceleration force exceeding said biasing force, said sensing element displacing said first contact means to contact said contact means by moving toward said second position with said second contact being initially stationary as said first contact is being displaced by said sensor element.
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Abstract
An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes particularly suited for passenger restraint systems in a motor vehicle for the deployment of an air bag includes a housing with contact blades and a magnetically biased contacting element. The contacting element is arranged to move toward the contact blades when a deceleration exceeding a threshold level is sensed. The contact blades are spaced away from each other so that one is bent toward the other by the contacting element to form a direct electrical path, thereby deploying the restraint system.
29 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes comprising:
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a housing with a first end and a second end opposite said first end; first and second contact means disposed at said first end, at least one of said contact means being flexible for displacement toward the other of said contact means; a sensing element movably disposed in said housing; and biasing means for generating a biasing force on said sensing means for urging said sensing element toward a first position, said sensing element being arranged and constructed to move toward a second position away from said first position in response to a deceleration force exceeding said biasing force, said sensing element displacing said first contact means to contact said contact means by moving toward said second position with said second contact being initially stationary as said first contact is being displaced by said sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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an air bag disposed in the motor vehicle; a control unit for selectively deploying said air bag in said motor vehicle for protecting a passenger in a crash; and an accelerometer for sensing a velocity change of said motor vehicle coupled to said control unit and comprising; a cylindrical housing disposed in said motor vehicle; a pair of contact blades axially disposed in said housing; and contact closing means arranged in said housing for making direct electrical contact between said contact blades when said motor vehicle decelerates at a level exceeding a threshold level by displacing one contact blade of said pair toward the other contact blade while said other contact blade initially remains stationary until it is touched by said one contact blade. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification