Mounted shock sensor
First Claim
1. A shock sensor that actively and passively indicates the occurrence of a shock event, comprising:
- at least one shock detection contact coupled to shock detection circuitry to form an open electrical circuit; and
a movable component or substance operative to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the movable component or substance comprises conductive fluid enclosed within a reservoir when the movable component or substance is in the first position, the reservoir communicating with a chamber;
in response to a shock event, the movable component or substance moves to the second position, wherein;
the conductive fluid is released from the reservoir into the chamber when the movable component or substance is in the second position,an electrical signal indicative of shorting the electrical circuit to actively indicate the occurrence of the shock event, anda presence of the conductive fluid is observed in the second position to passively indicate the occurrence of the shock event.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This application is directed to a shock sensor mounted in an electronic device. The shock sensor includes both active and passive shock detection methods that allow a technician to determine whether the electronic device was subjected to a shock event that exceeded an impact threshold level. The shock sensor may include shock detection contacts that form an electrical circuit that remains open in the absence of a shock event that exceeds an impact threshold level. In response to a significant shock event, a movable component or substance of the shock sensor may move from a first position to a second position, thereby closing the electrical circuit formed by the shock detection contacts. The change in circuit may be detected and used to provide active indication of whether the electronic device has been subjected to a substantial shock event. In addition, the shock sensor may be observed to passively determine whether the electronic device has been subjected to a substantial shock event.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A shock sensor that actively and passively indicates the occurrence of a shock event, comprising:
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at least one shock detection contact coupled to shock detection circuitry to form an open electrical circuit; and a movable component or substance operative to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the movable component or substance comprises conductive fluid enclosed within a reservoir when the movable component or substance is in the first position, the reservoir communicating with a chamber; in response to a shock event, the movable component or substance moves to the second position, wherein; the conductive fluid is released from the reservoir into the chamber when the movable component or substance is in the second position, an electrical signal indicative of shorting the electrical circuit to actively indicate the occurrence of the shock event, and a presence of the conductive fluid is observed in the second position to passively indicate the occurrence of the shock event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for actively and passively indicating the occurrence of a shock event using a single shock sensor, comprising:
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moving a movable component or substance from a first position to a second position, wherein the movable component or substance is retained within at least one of a chamber and a reservoir enclosed within the chamber; retaining conductive fluid within the reservoir when the movable component or substance is in the first position; releasing the conductive fluid from the reservoir in response to the shock event; providing active indication of whether the shock sensor endured a shock event, wherein providing active indication further comprises further comprises providing an electrical signal indicative of the occurrence of the shock event in response to the movable component or substance being in the second position; and providing passive indication of whether the shock sensor endured the shock event, wherein providing passive indication further comprises observing the movable component or substance in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for actively and passively indicating the occurrence of a shock event, comprising:
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an electronic device; and a shock sensor implemented in the electronic device, wherein the shock sensor further comprises; at least one shock detection contact coupled to shock detection circuitry to form an open electrical circuit; and a movable component or substance configured to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the movable component or substance comprises conductive fluid enclosed within a reservoir when the movable component or substance is in the first position, the reservoir communicating with a chamber; in response to a shock event, the movable component or substance moves to the second position, wherein; the conductive fluid is released from the reservoir into the chamber when the movable component or substance is in the second chamber, an electrical signal indicative of shorting the electrical circuit to actively indicate the occurrence of the shock event; and a presence of the conductive fluid is observed in the second position to passively indicate the occurrence of the shock event. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification