Acceleration sensor method for operating an acceleration sensor
First Claim
1. An acceleration sensor comprising:
- a housing;
a first seismic mass which is in the form of a first antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one first spring in such a way that the first seismic mass is adjustable around a torsion axis of the at least one first spring in relation to the housing;
a second seismic mass which is in the form of a second antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one second spring in such a way that the second seismic mass is adjustable around a torsion axis of the at least one second spring in relation to the housing; and
a sensor and evaluation unit configured to (a) ascertain information regarding corresponding rotational movements of the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass in relation to the housing, and (b) determine acceleration information with respect to an acceleration of the acceleration sensor, taking the ascertained information into account;
wherein the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass are formed in such a way and, in at least one position, are positioned relative to each other such that at least one end section of the first seismic mass directed away from the torsion axis of the at least one first spring extends into at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass; and
wherein a maximum width of the at least one end section of the first seismic mass extending into the at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass is less than a maximum width of the second seismic mass defining the at least one interspace, the respective maximum widths being defined in a direction perpendicular to the torsion axes of the first and second springs and being measured from the respective torsion axes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An acceleration sensor includes a housing, a first seismic mass which is formed as a first asymmetrical rocker and is disposed in the housing via at least one first spring, a second seismic mass which is formed as a second asymmetrical rocker and is disposed in the housing via at least one second spring, and a sensor and evaluation unit which is designed to ascertain information regarding corresponding rotational movements of the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass in relation to the housing and to determine acceleration information with respect to an acceleration of the acceleration sensor, taking the ascertained information into account. In addition, a method for operating an acceleration sensor is disclosed. The rockers execute opposite rotational movements in response to the presence of an acceleration. A differential evaluation of the signals makes it possible to free the measuring signal of any existing interference signals.
13 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An acceleration sensor comprising:
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a housing; a first seismic mass which is in the form of a first antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one first spring in such a way that the first seismic mass is adjustable around a torsion axis of the at least one first spring in relation to the housing; a second seismic mass which is in the form of a second antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one second spring in such a way that the second seismic mass is adjustable around a torsion axis of the at least one second spring in relation to the housing; and a sensor and evaluation unit configured to (a) ascertain information regarding corresponding rotational movements of the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass in relation to the housing, and (b) determine acceleration information with respect to an acceleration of the acceleration sensor, taking the ascertained information into account; wherein the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass are formed in such a way and, in at least one position, are positioned relative to each other such that at least one end section of the first seismic mass directed away from the torsion axis of the at least one first spring extends into at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass; and wherein a maximum width of the at least one end section of the first seismic mass extending into the at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass is less than a maximum width of the second seismic mass defining the at least one interspace, the respective maximum widths being defined in a direction perpendicular to the torsion axes of the first and second springs and being measured from the respective torsion axes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for operating an acceleration sensor having a housing, a first seismic mass which is formed as a first antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one first spring in such a way that the first seismic mass is adjustable about a torsion axis of the at least one first spring in relation to the housing, and a second seismic mass which is formed as a second antisymmetric rocker and is supported in the housing via at least one second spring in such a way that the second seismic mass is adjustable about a torsion axis of the at least one second spring in relation to the housing, the method comprising:
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ascertaining information regarding corresponding rotational movements of the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass in relation to the housing; and determining acceleration information with respect to an acceleration of the acceleration sensor, taking the ascertained information into account; wherein the first seismic mass and the second seismic mass are formed in such a way and, in at least one position, are positioned relative to each other such that at least one end section of the first seismic mass directed away from the torsion axis of the at least one first spring extends into at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass; and wherein a maximum width of the at least one end section of the first seismic mass extending into the at least one interspace defined by the second seismic mass is less than a maximum width of the second seismic mass defining the at least one interspace, the respective maximum widths being defined in a direction perpendicular to the torsion axes of the first and second springs and being measured from the respective torsion axes.
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Specification