Impact sensor

• US 6,053,045 A
• Filed: 09/15/1997
• Issued: 04/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Nakamura, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US08/929,735
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 73/514.16, 73/514.29, 73/514.31, 73/514.32, 73/514.33, 73/514.34, 73/514.38, 310/329, 280/735
• US Class Current: 73/514.34
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/0922 of the bending or flexing mode type
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions

Abstract

A nondirectional impact sensor capable of detecting impacts in any direction with only a single sensor. The impact sensor includes a board, a sensor for detecting deformation of the board, a mass and a connector. The connector is secured to a central portion of the board and the mass is disposed on a normal line which traverses the central portion of the board.

Claims

1. An impact sensor comprising:

a board;

a mass connected to a central portion of said board by a flexible connector such that said board is deformed when an impact is applied to said mass in substantially any direction; and

a detector for detecting the deformation of said board.

2. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said connector is a flexible linear material.

3. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said connector is a rigid bar-shaped material having elastic properties.

4. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said detector is a piezoelectric element.

5. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said detector is a detection element using a ferroelectric thin film.

6. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said detector is a detection element using a resistance thin film.

7. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said detector is a detection element using a magnetic thin film.

8. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said board is a piezoelectric member, and wherein electrodes are located on opposite main surfaces of said board such that said board and said electrodes cooperate to define said detector.

9. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said board is rotationally symmetrical in shape.

10. An impact sensor according to claim 9, wherein said board is circular in shape.

11. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said board is planar in shape and an imaginary line passing through the center of gravity of said mass in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said board, passes through the center of said board.

12. An impact sensor according to claim 1, wherein said connector is a flexible string which is connected between a center portion of said board and a support surface, and said mass is coupled to said string at a location between said board and said support surface.

13. An impact sensor according to claim 12, further including a housing for housing said impact sensor, said housing defining said support surface.

14. An impact sensor according to claim 1, further including openings formed in said board for increasing the flexibility of said board.