Impact sensing system

• US 5,754,115 A
• Filed: 06/03/1996
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jin H.O. Woo
• Original Assignee: Jin H.O. Woo
• Inventors: Woo, Jin Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/656,917
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 340/665, 340/669, 340/566, 340/429, 73/654, 73/650, 73/658
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/023 for acceleration measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/08 with conversion into electric or magnetic values
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/11 by inductive pick-up
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1436 with motion detection

Abstract

An impact sensing system senses an impact or acceleration applied and provides an external alarm indicative of the impact or acceleration applied. An envelope detector detects an envelope of an output signal of said sensor unit. An amplifier amplifies the output signal of said envelope detector, a direct current component being eliminated therefrom. A first low pass filter filters a first level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, the first level signal being indicative of a first level of impact or acceleration. A second low pass filter filters a second level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, the second level signal being indicative of a second level of impact or acceleration. A first timing pulse generator generates a first timing pulse with a first time duration in response to the output signal of said first low pass filter, the first time duration being indicative of said first level signal. A second timing pulse generator generates a second timing pulse with a second time duration in response to the output of said second low pass filter, the second time duration being indicative of said second level signal. An alarm drive circuit drives an external alarm in response to the first timing pulse and the second timing pulse. A power supply is coupled to said envelope detector, said amplifier, said first timing pulse generator, said second timing pulse generator and said alarm drive circuit for supplying a stable electric power source.

Claims

1. An impact sensing system comprising:

a sensor unit for sensing an impact or acceleration applied;

a envelope detector for detecting an envelope of an output signal of said sensor unit;

an amplifier for amplifying the output signal of said envelope detector, a direct current component being eliminated therefrom;

a first low pass filter for filtering a first level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, said first level signal being indicative of a first level of impact or acceleration;

a second low pass filter for filtering a second level signal from the output signal of said amplifier, said second level signal being indicative of a second level of impact or acceleration;

a first timing pulse generator for generating a first timing pulse with a first time duration in response to the output signal of said first low pass filter, said first time duration being indicative of said first level signal;

a second timing pulse generator for generating a second timing pulse with a second time duration in response to the output of said second low pass filter, said second time duration being indicative of said second level signal;

an alarm drive circuit for driving an external alarm in response to the first timing pulse and the second timing pulse; and

a power supply coupled to said envelope detector, said amplifier, said first timing pulse generator, said second timing pulse generator and said alarm drive circuit, for supplying a stable electric power source.

2. An impact sensing system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor unit comprises a weight mass suspended by means of projections formed on a printed circuit board with a given space, a coil enclosed in said weight mass with a loop projected out of the upper end of said weight mass, and a ferro-magnetic core inserted onto said loop for generating an electromotive force in said loop by relative motion between them.

3. An impact sensing system as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said first timing pulse generator includes a first half-wave rectifier with a time constant for providing said first time duration; and

said second timing pulse generator includes a second rectifier with a time constant for providing said second time duration.