Acceleration sensor with magnetic flux directing device

• US 5,372,041 A
• Filed: 03/03/1993
• Issued: 12/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Takata Corporation (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yoshida, Ryouichi, Miyauchi, Kiyotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Chilcot, Jr., Richard E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FELBER, JOSEPH LEON
• Application Number:
  US08/027,321
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 73/517 R, 324/207.21, 324/162, 324/165
• US Class Current: 73/514.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/11 by inductive pick-up

Abstract

An acceleration sensor is formed of a coil and a magnet which is capable of moving forward and back relative to the coil in the axial direction thereof. A change in speed applied to the acceleration sensor is detected through a magnitude of voltage generated in the coil due to the movement of the magnet.

Claims

1. An acceleration sensor comprising:

a cylindrical coil holder provided in a housing;

a coil wound around said coil holder;

a circular hole-like guide section provided coaxially with said coil holder in said housing;

a main magnet slidably held by said guide section;

a cylindrical yoke assembled coaxially and integrally with said main magnet and surrounding a periphery of the coil;

a front yoke provided at a front end of the main magnet, said front yoke directing magnetic flux from the main magnet in the direction orthogonal to the windings of the coil; and

means for attracting the main magnet provided within said housing to attract said main magnet in the direction opposite said coil.

2. An acceleration sensor of claim 1, wherein said front end of the main magnet is located in the coil when no acceleration is applied to the acceleration sensor, and said means for attracting the return magnet is at least one of an iron piece and a return magnet.

3. An acceleration sensor of claim 2, further comprising at least one adjuster bolt formed in the housing, said bolt limiting forward movement of the main magnet.

4. An acceleration sensor comprising:

a cylindrical coil holder provided in a housing;

a coil wound around said coil holder;

a guide shaft provided coaxially with said coil holder within said housing;

a main magnet slidably held by said guide shaft; and

a cylindrical yoke assembled coaxially and integrally with said main magnet and surrounding a periphery of the coil;

a front yoke provided at a front end of the main magnet, said front yoke directing magnetic flux from the main magnet in the direction orthogonal to the windings of the coil; and

means for attracting the main magnet provided within said housing to attract said main magnet in the direction opposite said coil.

5. An acceleration sensor of claim 4, wherein said front end of the main magnet is located in the coil when no acceleration is applied to the acceleration sensor, and said means for attracting the return magnet is at least one of an iron piece and a return magnet.

6. An acceleration sensor of claim 5, further comprising at least one adjuster bolt formed in the housing, said bolt limiting forward movement of the main magnet.