Impact responsive sensor

• US 5,723,789 A
• Filed: 01/12/1994
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shannon E. Paul
• Original Assignee: Shannon E. Paul
• Inventors: Shannon, E. Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Oda, Christine K.
• Application Number:
  US08/180,288
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 73/516 R, 73/517 R, 280/735, 336/30, 200/61.45 M, 200/61.53, 335/205
• US Class Current: 73/514.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/11 by inductive pick-up

Abstract

An impact sensor comprising a non-ferrous housing having a passage therein and an end member provided at each end of the housing for enclosing the passage at opposite end thereof. At least one pair of magnetic members is mounted in spaced relation in the passage with the first of the at least one pair of magnetic members being rigidly secured in the housing. The second of the at least one pair of magnetic members is slidably positioned in the passage. Each member of the at least one pair of magnetic members has opposite magnetic poles and are positioned in the passage with a pair of poles of like polarity facing each other and with only the repelling magnetic force between the poles of like polarity serving to maintain the spaced relation between the magnetic members of the at least one pair of magnetic members. An inductance coil is circumferentially mounted about the housing. The inductance coil is positioned intermediate the magnetic members of the at least one pair of magnetic members and so disposed relative to the path of the slidable magnet so that a voltage is induced in said coil by movement of the magnet on its path responsive to an impact force acting on the housing. Conducting elements extend from the coil to transmit voltage from the coil.

Claims

1. An impact sensor comprising:

a non-ferrous housing having a passage therein and an end member provided at each end of said housing for enclosing said passage at opposite ends thereof;

a first magnetic member mounted in and being rigidly secured in said housing, a second magnetic member being slidably positioned in said passage for movement in an axial path, each of said first and second magnetic members having opposite magnetic poles and being positioned in said passage with a pair of poles of like polarity facing each other and with only the repelling magnetic force between said poles of like polarity serving to maintain said spaced relation between said first and second magnetic members;

voltage generating and pick off means comprising a single inductance coil winding circumferentially wound about said housing, said inductance coil winding having a bore and being positioned intermediate said first and second magnetic members and so disposed relative to the path of said second magnetic member so that an impulse voltage is induced in said single winding by movement of said second magnetic member in said axial path responsive to an impact force acting on said housing, said impact force being of a magnitude which causes said second magnetic member to overcome the repelling magnetic force between said first and second magnetic members so that said second magnetic member will move into said bore of said winding and thereby generate said impulse voltage;

conducting means extending from said inductance coil winding to transmit said voltage from said inductance coil winding; and

an automotive vehicle for supporting said sensor, said vehicle being provided with an air bag and means for actuating said air bag for inflation thereof, said conducting means extending from said inductance coil winding being electrically connected to said actuation means for activation thereof responsive to said impact force acting on said vehicle.