Multi-directional momentum-change sensor and methods of use
First Claim
1. A multi-directional momentum-change sensor, comprising:
- a base member adapted to be able to be fixedly mounted to a surface;
a column member, having a first end and a second end,wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said base member;
a substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of electrical-contact surfaces disposed radially about the outer surface of the substantially discoid assembly,wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said second end of said column member; and
an inertial switching assembly, comprising;
a pivotable boom member, having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being the end closest to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, and having a longitudinally disposed channel,an electrical contact fixedly disposed at said proximal end of said boom member,an spring member configured to resist extension, having a first end and a second end, fixedly coupled on its first end at or near said proximal end of said pivotable boom member, said spring member adapted to be able to be extendable to a length of at least approximately equal to that of said longitudinally disposed channel when predetermined stretching force is applied,a weighted, sliding electrical contact, fixedly coupled to said second end of said spring member, adapted to be movable along said longitudinal channel, and electrically in continuous communication with said proximal-end electrical contact, anda distal-end electrical contact fixedly disposed at the end of said longitudinally disposed channel, at said distal end of said boom member, said distal-end electrical contact positioned such that said weighted, sliding electrical contact can electricallycouple with said distal-end contact when said spring member is extended;
wherein said inertial switching assembly is adapted to be pivotably coupled about the longitudinal axis of said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly; and
wherein said inertial switching assembly'"'"'s proximal-end electrical contact on said boom member is adapted to make surface-to-surface electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electrical-contact surfaces, depending on the pivoted position of said boom member relative to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
What is disclosed is a multi-directional momentum-change sensor, adaptable to a variety of practical applications, including, but not limited to, its use as a collision-detector for automatic passenger-safety airbag deployment systems in a motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor is an electro-mechanical switch having a pivotable boom assembly that is responsive to sudden changes to forward and lateral momentum that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The pivotable boom assembly is able to close electrical circuits to external circuitry that pertain to the position of the boom member in order to allow for the sensing of collisions along different vectors and facilitate safety responses, such as the deployment of automobile passenger-safety airbags.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-directional momentum-change sensor, comprising:
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a base member adapted to be able to be fixedly mounted to a surface; a column member, having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said base member; a substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of electrical-contact surfaces disposed radially about the outer surface of the substantially discoid assembly, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said second end of said column member; and an inertial switching assembly, comprising; a pivotable boom member, having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being the end closest to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, and having a longitudinally disposed channel, an electrical contact fixedly disposed at said proximal end of said boom member, an spring member configured to resist extension, having a first end and a second end, fixedly coupled on its first end at or near said proximal end of said pivotable boom member, said spring member adapted to be able to be extendable to a length of at least approximately equal to that of said longitudinally disposed channel when predetermined stretching force is applied, a weighted, sliding electrical contact, fixedly coupled to said second end of said spring member, adapted to be movable along said longitudinal channel, and electrically in continuous communication with said proximal-end electrical contact, and a distal-end electrical contact fixedly disposed at the end of said longitudinally disposed channel, at said distal end of said boom member, said distal-end electrical contact positioned such that said weighted, sliding electrical contact can electrically couple with said distal-end contact when said spring member is extended; wherein said inertial switching assembly is adapted to be pivotably coupled about the longitudinal axis of said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly; and wherein said inertial switching assembly'"'"'s proximal-end electrical contact on said boom member is adapted to make surface-to-surface electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electrical-contact surfaces, depending on the pivoted position of said boom member relative to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of making a multi-directional momentum-change sensor, comprising:
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providing a base member adapted to be able to be fixedly mounted to a surface; providing a column member, having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said base member; providing a substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of electrical-contact surfaces disposed radially about the outer surface of the substantially discoid assembly, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said second end of said column member; and providing an inertial switching assembly, comprising; a pivotable boom member, having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being the end closest to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, and having a longitudinally disposed channel, an electrical contact fixedly disposed at said proximal end of said boom member, an spring member configured to resist extension, having a first end and a second end, fixedly coupled on its first end at or near said proximal end of said pivotable boom member, said spring member adapted to be able to be extendable to a length of at least approximately equal to that of said longitudinally disposed channel when predetermined stretching force is applied, a weighted, sliding electrical contact, fixedly coupled to said second end of said spring member, adapted to be movable along said longitudinal channel, and electrically in continuous communication with said proximal-end electrical contact, and a distal-end electrical contact fixedly disposed at the end of said longitudinally disposed channel, at said distal end of said boom member, said distal-end electrical contact positioned such that said weighted, sliding electrical contact can electrically couple with said distal-end contact when said spring member is extended; wherein said inertial switching assembly is adapted to be pivotably coupled about the longitudinal axis of said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly; and wherein said inertial switching assembly'"'"'s proximal-end electrical contact on said boom member is adapted to make surface-to-surface electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electrical-contact surfaces, depending on the pivoted position of said boom member relative to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A motor vehicle equipped with at least one passenger-safety inflatable air bag system, said air bag system configured to deploy upon a collision with said motor vehicle that exceeds a predetermined direction and force, the motor vehicle comprising:
multi-directional momentum-change sensor, comprising; a base member adapted to be able to be fixedly mounted to a surface; a column member, having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said base member; a substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, having a first end and a second end, and having a plurality of electrical-contact surfaces disposed radially about the outer surface of the substantially discoid assembly, wherein said first end is fixedly coupled to said second end of said column member; and an inertial switching assembly, comprising; a pivotable boom member, having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being the end closest to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly, and having a longitudinally disposed channel, an electrical contact fixedly disposed at said proximal end of said boom member, an spring member configured to resist extension, having a first end and a second end, fixedly coupled on its one end at or near said proximal end of said pivotable boom member, said spring member adapted to be able to be extendable to a length of at least approximately equal to that of said longitudinally disposed channel when predetermined stretching force is applied, a weighted, sliding electrical contact, fixedly coupled to said distal end of said spring member, adapted to be movable along said longitudinal channel, and electrically in continuous communication with said proximal-end electrical contact, and a distal-end electrical contact fixedly disposed at the end of said longitudinally disposed channel, at said distal end of said boom member, said distal-end electrical contact positioned such that said weighted, sliding electrical contact can electrically couple with said distal-end contact when said spring member is extended; wherein said inertial switching assembly is adapted to be pivotably coupled about the longitudinal axis of said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly; and wherein said inertial switching assembly'"'"'s proximal-end electrical contact on said boom member is adapted to make surface-to-surface electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electrical-contact surfaces, depending on the pivoted position of said boom member relative to said substantially discoid electrical-contact-array assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification