Tilt detector

• US 6,543,147 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Inventors: Akieda, Shinichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US09/897,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 333/662.4, 333/65, 333/661.1, 333/662.5, 333/74, 333/75, 333/91, 333/97, 333/98, 333/99, 333/84, 333/87, 333/88, 340/933, 340/975, 340/974, 340/976, 340/425.5, 340/440, 340/551, 340/689, 324/207.11, 324/207.13, 324/207.15, 324/207.2, 324/207.21
• US Class Current: 33/366.24
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1007 comprising associated circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/12 by using a single pendulum plumb lines G01C15/10

Abstract

A tilt detector includes a magnet, a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers, a container, and a mounting member for mounting the magnet. The mounting member is rotatably supported within the container and the plurality of magnetoelectric transducers is mounted on the container. The tilt detector detects a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the container.

Claims

1. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container; and

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the contain, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space,

the mounting member is substantially a hollow cylinder, and

the magnet is mounted on an interior surface of the cylindrical mounting member.

2. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a weight mounted on the mounting member.

3. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetoelectric transducers are Hall elements.

4. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container; and

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the contain, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially spherical space, and

the mounting member is substantially a hollow sphere, and

the magnet is mounted on an interior surface of the spherical mounting member.

5. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container; and

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers as the mounting member rotates within the contain, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space,

the mounting member is substantially rod-shaped, and

the magnet is mounted on an exterior surface of the rod-shaped mounting member.

6. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a weight mounted on the mounting member;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container, the bearing mechanism being immersed in a fluid inserted in a space between an interior surface of the container and an exterior surface of the mounting member;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container;

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers and the mounting member rotates within the container, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space,

the mounting member is substantially a hollow cylinder, and

the magnet is mounted on an interior surface of the cylindrical mounting member.

7. The tilt detector as claimed in claim 6, wherein the magnetoelectric transducers are Hall elements.

8. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a weight mounted on the mounting member;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container, the bearing mechanism being immersed in a fluid inserted in a space between an interior surface of the container and an exterior surface of the mounting member;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container;

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers and the mounting member rotates within the container, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially spherical space,

the mounting member is substantially a hollow sphere, and

the magnet is mounted on an interior surface of the spherical mounting member.

9. A tilt detector, comprising:

a container;

a magnet;

a mounting member to mount the magnet;

a weight mounted on the mounting member;

a bearing mechanism rotatably supporting the mounting member within the container, the bearing mechanism being immersed in a fluid inserted in a space between an interior surface of the container and an exterior surface of the mounting member;

a plurality of magnetoelectric transducers mounted on the container;

the tilt detector detecting a tilt condition from signals generated by the magnetoelectric transducers due to changes in a relative position of the magnet and the magnetoelectric transducers and the mounting member rotates within the container, wherein;

the container encloses a substantially cylindrical space,

the mounting member is substantially rod-shaped, and

the magnet is mounted on an exterior surface of the rod-shaped mounting member.