Tilt-sensor

• US 5,684,456 A
• Filed: 11/18/1996
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Walter, Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US08/746,955
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 340/440, 340/689, 200/61.47, 200/61.48, 200/61.49, 200/61.52, 73/514.23, 73/514.28, 73/514.34, 180/282, 180/283
• US Class Current: 340/440
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels

Abstract

A tilt-sensor for detection of a tilt angle is proposed, in particular for use as a roll-over sensor in a car for activation of an occupant protection device, comprising a massive body and an associated receptacle and having the following features: the receptacle is V-shaped in form, an inflection arm is disposed at each inner side of each of the two legs of the V-shaped receptacle, the massive body is configured in such a fashion that it seats, flush with the surface, on the inflection arms at the inner side of the V-shaped receptacle, and extension measurement elements are provided for the production of a tilt-angle dependent measuring signal to measure the deformation caused by the massive body during a rotation or deflection of the tilt-sensor through the tilt angle.

Claims

1. Tilt-sensor for detection of a tilt angle and adapted for use as a roll-over sensor in a car to activate an occupant protection device, the tilt-sensor comprising:

V-shaped receptacle means having a first leg with a first inner side and a second leg with a second inner side, said first leg having a first inflection arm disposed at said first inner side, said inflection arm having a first surface and said second leg having a second inflection arm disposed at said second inner side said second inflection arm having a second surface;

a massive body having a first area and a second area, said first area seating flush with said first surface and said second area seating flush with said second surface;

first extension measurement means for measuring distortions of said first inflection arm caused by said massive body during displacement of the tilt-sensor and for issuing a signal in dependence on the tilt angle; and

second extension measurement means for measuring distortions of said second inflection arm caused by said massive body during displacement of the tilt-sensor and for issuing a signal in dependence on the tilt angle.

2. The tilt-sensor of claim 1, wherein said first leg is disposed at an angle of 90°

with respect to said second leg.

3. The tilt-sensor of claim 2, wherein said massive body is cube-shaped.

4. The tilt-sensor of claim 1, wherein said massive body has a density greater than an average density of solids.

5. The tilt-sensor of claim 1, further comprising a base plate upon which said receptacle is movably disposed.

6. The tilt-sensor of claim 5, wherein said base plate has a first border at a first side thereof and a second border at a second side thereof.

7. The tilt-sensor of claim 6, further comprising damping means disposed between said receptacle and at least one of said first border and said second border.

8. The tilt-sensor of claim 1, wherein said receptacle consists essentially of silicon.

9. The tilt-sensor of claim 1, wherein said first and said second inflection arms are manufactured using micromechanical technology.