Shock sensor with rotating magnetorestrictive effect element
First Claim
1. A shock sensor, comprising:
- a shock-sensing member rotatably supported at a point between opposing ends by a supporting member fixed in a case, said shock-sensing member rotating about the supporting member when a shock greater than a predetermined value is applied thereto;
at least one magnet mounted to said shock-sensing member on one side of the supporting member;
at least one magnetoresistive effect element fixed in the case and arranged in a magnetic field of said magnet, said magnetoresistive effect element being exposed to a change in the magnetic field when said shock-sensing member rotates on the supporting member; and
an output circuit processing an output of said magnetoresistive effect element to output a sensor output when said magnetoresistive effect element rotates about the supporting member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shock sensor detects shocks from all directions in a plane. A shock-sensing member extends longitudinally and is housed in a case. The shock-sensing member is rotatably supported by a supporting pin at an off-center point in terms of mass of the shock-sensing member. The shock-sensing member has a magnet mounted on each of two diametrically opposing ends of the shock-sensing member. Each magnet opposes a magnetoresistive effect element fixed in the case. The magnetoresistive effect element may include four elements electrically connected in a bridge configuration. When the shock-sensing member receives a shock, the shock-sensing member rotates about the supporting member causing the magnetoresistive effect element to be subjected to a change in the magnetic field of the magnet. The output of the magnetoresistance changes with changes in the magnetic field and is processed by an output circuit which in turn outputs a sensor output accordingly.
49 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A shock sensor, comprising:
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a shock-sensing member rotatably supported at a point between opposing ends by a supporting member fixed in a case, said shock-sensing member rotating about the supporting member when a shock greater than a predetermined value is applied thereto; at least one magnet mounted to said shock-sensing member on one side of the supporting member; at least one magnetoresistive effect element fixed in the case and arranged in a magnetic field of said magnet, said magnetoresistive effect element being exposed to a change in the magnetic field when said shock-sensing member rotates on the supporting member; and an output circuit processing an output of said magnetoresistive effect element to output a sensor output when said magnetoresistive effect element rotates about the supporting member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification