Velocity change sensor with spring bias
First Claim
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1. An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes of a motor vehicle, said accelerometer comprising:
- a housing having a side wall, a first end and a second end;
tubular path means for defining a path extending between said first and second ends substantially coextensively with the length of the housing;
a first blade disposed at a first preselected distance from said first end and extending into said path;
a second blade disposed at a second preselected distance from said first end smaller than said first blade and extending into said path; and
an inertial mass disposed in and guided by said tubular path, said inertial mass being biased toward said first end by a biasing force generated by said first blade;
said inertial mass being adapted to move in said tubular path in response to an acceleration toward said first end bending said first blade to contact said second blade.
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Abstract
An accelerometer for a passenger restrain system in a motor vehicle includes a housing with a path for an inertial element, and spring members for urging the inertial element toward a preselected position. When the vehicle decelerates at a rate higher than a preset rate, the ball moves away from the preselected position and closes an electrical contact. A closed chamber may be used as a dampening element for the inertial element.
22 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An accelerometer for sensing velocity changes of a motor vehicle, said accelerometer comprising:
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a housing having a side wall, a first end and a second end; tubular path means for defining a path extending between said first and second ends substantially coextensively with the length of the housing; a first blade disposed at a first preselected distance from said first end and extending into said path; a second blade disposed at a second preselected distance from said first end smaller than said first blade and extending into said path; and an inertial mass disposed in and guided by said tubular path, said inertial mass being biased toward said first end by a biasing force generated by said first blade; said inertial mass being adapted to move in said tubular path in response to an acceleration toward said first end bending said first blade to contact said second blade. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A passenger restraint system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a. an air bag arranged and disposed for restraining a passenger when the motor vehicle experiences a deceleration; b. air bag inflating means for inflating said air bag; and c. an accelerometer for sensing said deceleration for activating said air bag inflating means, said accelerometer comprising; i. a housing having a side wall, a first end and a second end; ii. tubular path means for defining a path extending between said first and second ends substantially coextensively with the length of the housing; iii. a first blade disposed at a a first preselected distance from said first end and extending into said path; iv. a second blade disposed at a second preselected distance from said first end smaller than said first blade and extending into said path; and v. an inertial mass disposed in and guided by said tubular path, said inertial mass being biased toward said first end by a biasing force generated by said first blade; said inertial mass being adapted to move in said tubular path in response to an acceleration toward said first end bending said first blade to contact said second blade. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification