CA1145436A - Pendulum type acceleration sensor module - Google Patents
Pendulum type acceleration sensor moduleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1145436A CA1145436A CA000345836A CA345836A CA1145436A CA 1145436 A CA1145436 A CA 1145436A CA 000345836 A CA000345836 A CA 000345836A CA 345836 A CA345836 A CA 345836A CA 1145436 A CA1145436 A CA 1145436A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mass
- assembly
- contact
- hanger
- fingers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
- H01H35/14—Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
Abstract
C-3,109 PENDULUM TYPE ACCELERATION SENSOR MODULE
Abstract of the Disclosure A pendulum type sensor includes a housing having a plurality of recesses, each receiving a sensor module. The sensor module includes a mass assembly, a spacer assembly and a contact assembly sandwiched together and secured to each other. Each assembly includes a support defining an enclosure, with the mass assembly enclosure receiving a sector shaped recess of the spacer assembly to locate the mass and deflectable wire of the mass assembly in an unactuated preload position. The contact assembly includes a plurality of contact fingers engaged by the mass upon movement to actuated position and an ultimate stop which prevents turning moments on the mass upon engagement of the contact fingers with the ultimate stop under the force of the mass.
Abstract of the Disclosure A pendulum type sensor includes a housing having a plurality of recesses, each receiving a sensor module. The sensor module includes a mass assembly, a spacer assembly and a contact assembly sandwiched together and secured to each other. Each assembly includes a support defining an enclosure, with the mass assembly enclosure receiving a sector shaped recess of the spacer assembly to locate the mass and deflectable wire of the mass assembly in an unactuated preload position. The contact assembly includes a plurality of contact fingers engaged by the mass upon movement to actuated position and an ultimate stop which prevents turning moments on the mass upon engagement of the contact fingers with the ultimate stop under the force of the mass.
Description
- ~L45436 D-3,495 C-3,109 PENDULUM TYPE ACCELER~TION SENSOR MODULE
Field of Invention This invention relates generally to acceIera-tion responsive sensors and more particularly to pendulum type accQleration responsive sensors.
Background of the Invention Pendulum type sensors of the general type disclosed herein are shown in United States patents Porter et al 3,717,731 issued February 20, 1973; Porter 3,717,732 issued February 20, 1973; Brooks et al 3,678,763 issued July 23, 1972; Orlando 3,710,051 issued January 9, 1973; and Roth 4,221,940 issued September 9, 1980. Generally such sensors include an acceleration responsive mass which lS suspended by a deflectable wire within a sector shaped recess.
- Either a magnet or the deflection of the wire or both ;~
provides a preload bias on the mass normally locating the mass in unactuated position in engagement with the walls of the recess adjacent the proximal ends thereof. Electrical contacts located adjacent the distal end of the recess are engaged by the mass to close an electrical circuit when the mass is subjected to a pulse of predetermined amplitude and time suffi-cient to overcome the preload bias and move the mass through the recess and into engagement with the contacts.
'' ' .
Summary of the Invention A primary Eeature or this invention is that it provides a sensor module which is unit assem~led prior to being installed in a housing. Another faature 5 is that the module includes a mass assembly, a contact assembly, and a spacer assembly sandwiched therebetween and securing the assemblies to each other to assemble the module. A further feature is that the mass assembly includes a hanger supporting and ancircllng the deflect-able wire and mass to avoid changes in natural frequencyof the mass and wire due to distortion. Yet another feature is that the hanger of the mass assembly includes a generally rigid plate defining an integral enclosure, with the mass and wire belng centered laterally relative 15 to the enclosure. Yet a further feature i5 that the ~ -spacer assembly includes a sector shaped recess receiv-ing the mass and setting the preload force on the mass - as well as the travel distance of the mass to engagement wit~ contact fingers of a contact of the contact assembly. Still another feature is that the spacer assembly and the contact assemblycooperatively set the preload force on the contact fingers of the contact.
Still a furt~er feature is that the spacer assembly permits both the preload force on the mass, the spring rate of the wire and mass,and the mass travel distance to contact to be checked after assembly of the sensor module and before or after installatlon in the housing.
....
. .
~l~S436 Yet another feature is that the` contact assembly includes a hanger secured to the body portion of the contact to obviate axial shifting of the contact as well as to locate the contact fingers in a predeter-mined position relative to a contact finger engageableportion of the spacer assembly to set the contact pre-load on such fingers. Another primary feature of this ~; invention is that it provides a pendulum type sensor having means limiting movement of the mass and con-. 10 trolling deflection of mass engageable contact fingers to prevent any rotational moment on the mass tending to separate the mass from its deflectabIe~support wire and to obviate high stress levels in the contact fingers. Yet a further ~eature is that the mass engaged I5 contact fingers planar engage;~the llmiting~means~ upon engagement and deflection~of such~contact fingers by the~mass to thereby control bending of the contact fingers relative to the body~portion of the contact member and high stress levels in such fingers, wlth the mass moving along a path generally normal to the ~,: ~ : : ~; :
Iimiting means to thereby obviate any turning moments on the mass tending to separate the mass from the deflectable wire. Still another feature, in one embodi~
ment, is that the mass assembly,~contact assembly, and spacer assembly~have three common mountlng locations for mounting of th~sensor nod~le ln~a housing. St i ~L5436 a further feature is that the spacer assembly in one embodiment, loosely secures the mass assembly and the contact assembly to it prior to mounting of the : module within a housing, with such mounting providing the final alignment of the various assemblies of the module. Yet another feature, in one embodiment, is that the contact fingers are continuously backed up upon deflection of the fingers by the mass in order to control the deflected shape of the fingers : 10 and avoid high stress levels in certain areas of the fingers.
These and other features of the sensor assembly of this invention will be~readily apparent - :
~ from the following specification and:drawings wherein::
.:: ` 15 Fi~ure 1 is a partially~broken away front :~
: elevational vîew of a sensor assembly according to : this invention I ::
Flgure 2 is a sectional view taken genexally along the plane inaicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.
;~`: : : : ~ : :
: ; ~ 20Figure 3 is~ a sectional vi:ew taken generally ; ~ ~ ;
along the plane indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view taken generally along : ~ : :
the plane indicated by llne 4~-4 of Figure 1 and showing the mass in actùated position. : ~:
: 25 Figure S~is a view taken~generally along the plane indicated by line:5-S of~Figure 2. ;~
. :
~ 4 ~ :
- -~S436 4a Figure 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated hy line 6-6 of Figure 1, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of one of the sensor modules of the sensor assembly.
Figure 8 is a partially broken away front elevational view of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment of this invention.
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 10-10 o~ Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 10-10 of Figure 8 and showing the mass in actuated position.
Figure 12 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by lin~ 12-12 of Figure 10, and ~; Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view ; of one of the sensor modules of the sensor assembly.
Referring now particularly to Figures l and
Field of Invention This invention relates generally to acceIera-tion responsive sensors and more particularly to pendulum type accQleration responsive sensors.
Background of the Invention Pendulum type sensors of the general type disclosed herein are shown in United States patents Porter et al 3,717,731 issued February 20, 1973; Porter 3,717,732 issued February 20, 1973; Brooks et al 3,678,763 issued July 23, 1972; Orlando 3,710,051 issued January 9, 1973; and Roth 4,221,940 issued September 9, 1980. Generally such sensors include an acceleration responsive mass which lS suspended by a deflectable wire within a sector shaped recess.
- Either a magnet or the deflection of the wire or both ;~
provides a preload bias on the mass normally locating the mass in unactuated position in engagement with the walls of the recess adjacent the proximal ends thereof. Electrical contacts located adjacent the distal end of the recess are engaged by the mass to close an electrical circuit when the mass is subjected to a pulse of predetermined amplitude and time suffi-cient to overcome the preload bias and move the mass through the recess and into engagement with the contacts.
'' ' .
Summary of the Invention A primary Eeature or this invention is that it provides a sensor module which is unit assem~led prior to being installed in a housing. Another faature 5 is that the module includes a mass assembly, a contact assembly, and a spacer assembly sandwiched therebetween and securing the assemblies to each other to assemble the module. A further feature is that the mass assembly includes a hanger supporting and ancircllng the deflect-able wire and mass to avoid changes in natural frequencyof the mass and wire due to distortion. Yet another feature is that the hanger of the mass assembly includes a generally rigid plate defining an integral enclosure, with the mass and wire belng centered laterally relative 15 to the enclosure. Yet a further feature i5 that the ~ -spacer assembly includes a sector shaped recess receiv-ing the mass and setting the preload force on the mass - as well as the travel distance of the mass to engagement wit~ contact fingers of a contact of the contact assembly. Still another feature is that the spacer assembly and the contact assemblycooperatively set the preload force on the contact fingers of the contact.
Still a furt~er feature is that the spacer assembly permits both the preload force on the mass, the spring rate of the wire and mass,and the mass travel distance to contact to be checked after assembly of the sensor module and before or after installatlon in the housing.
....
. .
~l~S436 Yet another feature is that the` contact assembly includes a hanger secured to the body portion of the contact to obviate axial shifting of the contact as well as to locate the contact fingers in a predeter-mined position relative to a contact finger engageableportion of the spacer assembly to set the contact pre-load on such fingers. Another primary feature of this ~; invention is that it provides a pendulum type sensor having means limiting movement of the mass and con-. 10 trolling deflection of mass engageable contact fingers to prevent any rotational moment on the mass tending to separate the mass from its deflectabIe~support wire and to obviate high stress levels in the contact fingers. Yet a further ~eature is that the mass engaged I5 contact fingers planar engage;~the llmiting~means~ upon engagement and deflection~of such~contact fingers by the~mass to thereby control bending of the contact fingers relative to the body~portion of the contact member and high stress levels in such fingers, wlth the mass moving along a path generally normal to the ~,: ~ : : ~; :
Iimiting means to thereby obviate any turning moments on the mass tending to separate the mass from the deflectable wire. Still another feature, in one embodi~
ment, is that the mass assembly,~contact assembly, and spacer assembly~have three common mountlng locations for mounting of th~sensor nod~le ln~a housing. St i ~L5436 a further feature is that the spacer assembly in one embodiment, loosely secures the mass assembly and the contact assembly to it prior to mounting of the : module within a housing, with such mounting providing the final alignment of the various assemblies of the module. Yet another feature, in one embodiment, is that the contact fingers are continuously backed up upon deflection of the fingers by the mass in order to control the deflected shape of the fingers : 10 and avoid high stress levels in certain areas of the fingers.
These and other features of the sensor assembly of this invention will be~readily apparent - :
~ from the following specification and:drawings wherein::
.:: ` 15 Fi~ure 1 is a partially~broken away front :~
: elevational vîew of a sensor assembly according to : this invention I ::
Flgure 2 is a sectional view taken genexally along the plane inaicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1.
;~`: : : : ~ : :
: ; ~ 20Figure 3 is~ a sectional vi:ew taken generally ; ~ ~ ;
along the plane indicated by line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a view taken generally along : ~ : :
the plane indicated by llne 4~-4 of Figure 1 and showing the mass in actùated position. : ~:
: 25 Figure S~is a view taken~generally along the plane indicated by line:5-S of~Figure 2. ;~
. :
~ 4 ~ :
- -~S436 4a Figure 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated hy line 6-6 of Figure 1, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of one of the sensor modules of the sensor assembly.
Figure 8 is a partially broken away front elevational view of a sensor assembly according to another embodiment of this invention.
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 9-9 of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 10-10 o~ Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by line 10-10 of Figure 8 and showing the mass in actuated position.
Figure 12 is a view taken generally along the plane indicated by lin~ 12-12 of Figure 10, and ~; Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view ; of one of the sensor modules of the sensor assembly.
Referring now particularly to Figures l and
2 of the drawings, a sensor assembly 10 according to ~; ; this invention includes a housing 12 which encloses a pair of like side by side sensor modules 14. Each module is installed within a respective recess 16 of the housing 12 with these recesses being closed by a common cover 18 after assembly of the modules to the housing :L2 as will be described. Since each of the ~:
::
4a ~
sensor modules 14 is of the same construction, like numerals will be used for :Like parts and the modules will be described as right hand ~r left hand, as necessary.
As best shown in Figure 7, each sensor module 14 generally comprises a mass assembly 20, a spacer assembly 22, and a contact assembly 24. The spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and contact assembly and secures all the assemblies to each ~- 10 other as will be described.
As shown in the drawings, the mass assembly ~ 20 includes a generally rigid plate or hanger 26 of : generally rectangular shape which de~ines an integral ~:
~, : ~ opening 28. The upper leg 30 of plate 26 is provided ;~ :
; 15 with a shallow rearwardly opening~arcuate rib 32 which :~
receives the upper end portion of a wire 34. An ; ;~
integral depending: ribbed portion 36 of leg 30 is :
, ~ provided with integral tabs 38 which are bent over , . ~
:~: wire 34 so as to crimp the wire to the leg 30 and :the portion 36 thereof. After crimping, the upper end~
portion of the wire is additionally soldered to the ::
: leg 30 and the portion 36.~ The longitudinal axis of wire 34 is located in a plane parallel to the plane:of the hanger 26. The lower end portion:of the wlre 34 is secured to a t:runcated ball or mass 40. The wire : ~ ~
34 may either be soldered to the flat 42 of mass 40 ~ .
: or may extend completely or partially through the mass ~ 5 and be soldered thereto.
The upper left hand and right hand corner portions of hanger 26 are provided with respective openings 44 and 46, Figure 7, and the lower left hand and right hand corner portions are provided with respective openings 48 and 50. The lower right hand corner portion is provided with an additional opening 52 and the intermediate portion of the left hand leg 54 of hanger 26 is provided with an integral ear having an opening 56. Leg 54 further includes an integral rearwardly extending elongated ear 58 which provides an electrical connector as will be described.
Hanger 26 is formed of metal and is-of sufficient thickness so as to prevent warping or twist ~ ;
ing of the plate about various vertical and horizontal axes. By provlding the hanger of reotangular shape wlth an integral enclosure or opening 28, sufficient rigidity is imparted~to the plate while permitting the mass assembly, which comprlses~the wire 34 and ~` ; 20 mass 40, to move laterally relative to the hanger.
: ` ~ ~ : :
The spacer assembly~22, Figure 7, is formed of plastic and is muoh thicker than the~hanger 26.
This assembly is generally ~f rectangular shape and defines an integral enclosure 60 which is generally aligned with the opening 28 when the spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly as wllI be~further described. The spacer :,,. ; :
- . : - ~ , ; .
5~36 assembly includes openings 62 and 64 in its respective upper left hana and right hand corner portions which are respectively alignable with the openings 44 and 46 of plate 26. Additionally the spacer assembly includes openings 66 and 68 in its respective lower left hand and right hand corner portions which are respectively ~: alignable with the openings 48 and 50 of plate 26. An integral tab of the left hand side leg 70 of the spacer assembly includes integral oppositely extending aligned : 10 ears 72. Additionally, the right hand side leg of the spacer assembly includes integral oppositely extending aligned ears 74. The left hand leg 70 is ~; . cut away at 76 to provide clearance for ear 58. :
~:~: As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, a mass :
: 15 housing 78, formed integral with the side legs of the spacer assembly at the lower end of the opening 60, includes a pair of angularly related legs 80 which extend to opposite sides of the aperture 6n and have their forward ends interconnected by a leg 82. The 20 inner walls of the legs 80 define a sector shaped : :
~ recess 84 for receiving the mass 40, as will be described:.
: The leg 82 as best shown in Figures 1 and 7 is provided - :
with a ~,lat 86 opening upwardly thereof. As best shown~ ; -in Figure 3, the:lower leg 88 of the spacer assembly :;
25 22 is provided~with an integral resrwardly extending ~:
lip 90, the rear edge 92 of which is formed on an arG
having its point of generation coplanar with a bi-~ '~
:
31~45436 sactor of the recess 84. It will be noted with refer-ence to Figure 3 that the upper wall 94 of lip 90 is formed at an angle of approximately 10 to the horlzon-tal while the lower wall is formed at an angle of approximately 15 to the horizontal.
The contact assembly 24 includes a plate or hanger 98 of generally rectangular shape defining an : opening 100. The hanger 98 includes openings 102 and i 104 in its upper left hand and right hand corner portions respectively, with these openings being alignable respectively with the openings 44 and 62, ana 46 and 64. The hanger further includes openings 106 and 108 in its lower left hand and right hand :
corner portions respectively, which are respectively ~;
15 alignable with the openings 48 and 66 and the openings ~
50 and 68. An ear on the left hand side leg 110 of -; hanger 98 is provided with an opening 112 alignable ~ ~ with the opening 56 of hanger 26 and receiving the '~ ~ rearwardly extending ear 72 of the spacer assembly 22.
The left hand side leg 110 is cut away at 114 to provide . : clearance for the tab 58 of plate 20 and the right ~ :
hand side leg of the plate is provided with a rearwardly extending lateral tab 116 and an opening 118 alignable ; :~
with opening 52 and receiving the rearwardly extending ear 74.
An integral transverse leg 120 of arcuate shape interconnects the side legs of hanger 98. The .~.:".;.
:
, 5~36 leg 120 is angled to the vertical at approximately 8-10 as ean be seen in Figure 3. A contact 122 has its body portion provided with a plurality of integral tabs 124 whieh are hooked over the upper edge of leg 120 and soldered thereto. ~he contact 122 includes a plurality of depending fingers 126 which are slightly spaced from each other as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. The contaet 122 further ineludes an integral lateral tab 128 which follows along leg 120 and tab - 10 116.
The contaet 122 is formed in the flat. When this contact is mounted on the leg 120, the body portion of the eontaet assumes the shape of the leg 120 and tab 128 is bent to the shape of ley 120 and tab 116 and secured thereto. The fingers 126 engage the edge 92 of lip~90 and assume an arcuate eross-seetional shape under a preload. The preload oceurs ; from the angularity of leg 120 to the vertical, ;~
Figure 3, and the relationship o~ edge 92 thereto.
The upper portions of the fingers bow slightly adjaeent ~ ~ .
the body portion of the eontact.
As best shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the hanger 98 further ineludes an integral transverse leg 130 of areuate cross-sectlon and loeated angularly to the vertieal. The leg 130 is normally spaced rear-wardly of the eontaet fingers 126 and provides an ultimate stop for these fingers and for the mass 40 as ~
~ :
:~o will be further described.
A~ter the mass assembly 20, the spacer assembly 22 and the contact assembly 24 have been individually manufactured, they are assembled in a sensor module. The spacer assembly 22 is sandwiched between the mass assembly 20 and the contact assembly 24 with the apertures 44, 62 and 102; 46, 64 and 104;
48, 66 and 106; and 50, 68 and I08 respectively aligned with each other. The openings 56 and 112 are - 10 likewise aliyned with each other and each receives a ~ ;
respective ear 72 of~the spacer assembly~ Likewise the openings 52 and 118 are aligned with each other and each receives a respective ear 74 of the spacer :
assembly 22. The ears 72 and 74 are then heat staked over the hangers 26 and g8 to~thereby secure the assemblies to each other.
-When the sensor module is assembled, the~
recess 84 traverses~the enclosure 28 of hanger 26. The mass 40 is received-within the recess 84 in tangential engagement with the inner walls of the recess adiacent the proximal end thereof as shown ln Figures 2 and 6 The engagement of the mass with the walls of the recess deflects or bends the wire 34 from the vertical to thereby provide a preload on the mass locating the mass~
in its unactuated position as shown in these f1gures.
In the specific embodiment shown, the mass is located in unactuated~position by a preload of 5-1/2G and the :
::
~5436 natural frequency of the mass and the free portion o~ wire 34 is 30Hz.
It will be recalled that the leg 82 which integrally interconnects the legs 80 is provided with a slot 86. After assembly of the sensor module, this slot permits a contact probe to engage the mass 40 and check preload, spring rate, and mass travel distance to contact~ Thus the sensor module can be calibrated pxior to mounting within the housing 12 of the sensor assembly. The portion 36 of the leg 30 of hanger 26 is bent relative to the leg in order to set the preload on the mass 40.
The cutaways 76 and 114 of the spacer assembly 22 and hanger 98, respectively, provide clearance for tab 58 so that it`can project rearwardly of the module in parallel spaced~relationship to tab ~; 116.
;~ As best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, a resis~
tor 132 is connected between the tabs 58 and 116 of the ; 20 mass assemb1y and contact assembly after completion of the sensor module. This resistor is also connected across the tab 128 of the contact 122 so that it can monitor this contact. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the thickness of the hanger 98 and its integral tab 116 is much greater than that of the tab 128 of the contact 122. By supporting the tab 128 on the tab 118, it is possible for the resistor to be connected acIoss , :
~L~4L543~
the tab 128 withou-t distorting or bending this tab.
The housing 12 is ~ormed o~ molded plastic and includes a continuous integral outer wall having an upper wall portion 134, right hand and left hand wall portions 136 and 138 respectively, Figures 1 and ~: 2, and a lower wall portion 140, Figures 3 and 4. The upper and lower wall portions 134 and 140 are urther .
interconnected by an integral intermediate wall portion 142, Figure 2,~o define, with wall portions 136 and 138, : 10 the recesses 16. A stepped base or rear wall of -~:
each recess 16 includes a lower wall portion 144 and an upper wall portion 146 joined by an intermediate wall portion 148. Wall portion 136 is provided with an integral flange 150: and a continuation of this ~ -.;~
: 15 flange i9 provided on wall portions 134, 138 and 140 through an offset portion 152 respective to each o~
these wall portions. A forwardly opening gro.o.ve:154 : ~ :
is provided in this flange and in the forward edge of walI portion 142 around:each recess 16, with the groove in the wall portion 142 being common to each recess. A
continuous lip 156:is located within the groove .~ :
~: . around the right hand recess 16 and a partial lip 156 is located around the le~t hand recess 16, the lip : -~
156 provided along the wall portion 142 being common :~
to both recesses. :
Each recess 16 includes transversely arranged like integral bosses 158 at its upper left hand and : ~
12 ~ ~;
,... . , .. - . ~ .. ~ . .
lower right hand corners, with each boss including an integral cylindrical ear 160. Each cavity 16 additionally includes like integral bosses 162 at its lower left hand and upper right hand corners, each of which is provided with a bore 164, Figure 4.
A sensor module 14 is located in each of the right hand and left hand recesses 16. The alignea : openings 44, 62 and 102 of each module are received on the ear 160 of the upper left hand boss 158 and the aligned openings 50, 68 and 108 are received on the like ear 160 of the lower right hand boss in each recess, These bosses serve to locate the sensor module within the recess. After being assembled thereon, the ears are heat staked over the sensor modules as shown : ~ :
in Figures 1 and 4 to thereby secure the sensor modules in their respect~ive recesses. Bolts 166 extend through : the aligned openings 46, 64 and 104 and the aligned :~
~:: openings 48, 66 and 106 and into bores 164 of bo~sses 162 to further secure the sensor modules 14 in their :~ : 20 respective recesses. ;
- : It will ~e noted with reference to Figure 2 that the tab 58 of each sensor module extends out~
wardly of a respective wall portion 146 through an : apertured recessed wall of integral boss 168. Like~ ~
wise, the tabs 116~and 128 of each module extend ~ :
outwardly through a: similar apertured recessed wall of ~ :
an integral boss 170. The tabs 58 and 116 and 128 are :
~ : ~
- ~4543G
sealed to the recessed walls as shown in Figure 2 in a conventional manner. As shown in Figure 4, the offsetting of wall portion 144 with respect to w~ll portion 146 provides space in the cavity for the integral leg 130 of the hanger 98.
After assembly of the sensor modules 14 within their respective recesses, a suitable sealant is placed in~the groove 154 and a flanged cover 172 is then secured at a number of places I74 to the flange 150 outwardly of the sealant in the groove. The flange of the:cover engaging the sealant forces the ` :: :
sealant outwardly o~ the groove as the cover f lange ~:: seats on flange 150 to thereby provide an additional ~ :
:. ~
seal between~the cover flange and the lip 156. The ~:~ 15 cover includes an: intermediate flange 176, Figures 2 : and 6, whlch~:seats on the wall port1on 142. Apertured ;~
integral ears 178 proviae for mounting of the sensor assembly on~a structu~re to be sensed.
With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, when the 20 sensor module 14 receives an acceleration pulse ~f: :
~; predetermined amplitude and time, the mass 40 moves ; ~
~:from its unactuated position of Figure~3 rearwardly or ~ :
: ~to the r].ght relative to the walls of recess 84 and ::
into engagement with one or more of the fingers 126 of ~25 the contact 122 to complete a circuit:across a source ::
:of power and a device to be actuated which are elec- :
:
trically connected~across the tabs: 58 and 116 in a ::
~ 14~
~45436 conventional manner. Since the fingers 126 are canti-levered, the ~ingers are displacea from their Figure 3 position to their Figure 4 position and into engagement with the leg 130 which functions as an ultimate stop for the mass and the contact fingers. The engagement of the mass with the contact fingers is a wiping con-tact. With reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the movement o the mass relative to the leg 130 is in a plane P normal to the leg 130. This feature of having the mass move into engagement with leg 130 along a plane normal to the strap and through the center of the mass prevents counterclockwise turning moments on the mass which act to place the connection between the wire 34 and the mass in shear as well as providing an increased shear stress level in the remaining - - portion of the wire 34 which can result in calibration ;~ problems. Additionally, the fingers 126 of the contact 122 are not overly stressed to thereby avoid bending problems.
When the amplitude of the pulse is decreased, the bias of the wire 34 returns the mass 40 to its normal position in tangential engagement with the walls of recess 84.
Reerring now particularly to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, a sensor assembly 210 according to another embodiment of this invention includes a housing 212 which encloses a pair of like side by side sensor ~
~S4L36 modules 214. Each module is installed withln a respective recess 216 of the housin~ 212 with these recesses being closed by a common cover 218 after assembly of the modules to the housing 212 as will be described. Since each of the sensor modules 214 is of the same construction, like numerals will be used for like parts. The modules will be designated right - hand or left hand as necessary.
As best shown in ~igure 13, each sensor - 10 module 214 generally comprises a mass assembly 220, a spacer assembly 222, and a contact assembly 224. The spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly :
and contact assembly and secures all~the assemblies to each other as will be described. ;~
The mass assembly 220 includes a generally rigid plate~or hanger 226 of generally rçctangular shape which defines an integral opening 228. The upper leg 230 of hanger 226 is~provided with a shallow rearwardly opening arcuate rib 232 which receives the upper end portion of a wire 234. An integral slotted tab 236 of leg 230 is bent over wire 234 to hold the wire in rib 232. The upper end portion of the wire is soldered at 238 to the leg 230 through the slot in tab 236. The tab is soldered at 240, Figure 8, to leg 230. The longitudinal axis of wire 234 is ~: :
located in a plane parallel to the plane of hanger 226.
The lower end portion of the wir~e is secured to a ~ -16 ~ ~
- : : :
. ~ :
543~
ball or mass 242. The wire may either extend completely or partially through the mass and is soldered thereto.
As shown in Figure 13, the upper CGrner portions of hanger 226 are apertured at 244, the side legs are apertured at 246 and 248 with the right hand aperture 248 beirlg longated, and the lower leg is s otted at 250. The left hand leg is provided with a rearwardly extending slotted ear 252 and the left hand corner of the bottom leg is provided with a forwardly extending slotted ear ?54, Hanger 226 i5 formed of metal and an integral rib ?56 spans the upper tapered part of opening 228 while an integral lateral rib 258 surrounds the lower rectangular part of the opening.
The ribs ?56 and 258 impart sufficient rigidity to the hanger 226 to prevent warping or twisting of -the hanger about various vertical and horizontal axes while permitting access to the mass assembly, which comprises the wire 234 and the mass 242, through opening 228.
.:
The spacer assembly 222, Figure 13, is ~o formed of plastic and is much thicker than the hanger 226. This assembly is of generally rectangular shape and defines an integral opening 26Q which is generally aligned with the opening 228 when the spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly as will be further described. The spacer assembly includesopenings262 in its upper left hand and right hand corner portions which are alignable .,`
~
~ ' .
~5436 with the openings 244 of plate 226. The side legs of the spacer assembly include integral oppositely extending pairs of ears 264 and 266, with the forwardly extending ~ars 264 and 266 being respectively received in openings 246 and 248 of hanger 226. The upper leg of the assembly is notched at 268 to provide clearance for tab 236 and the lower leg is slotted at 270, with this slot being alignable with slot 250 of hanger 226.
As best shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13, a mass housing 272, formed integral with the s-de legs o the spacer assembly at the lower end of the opening 260, includes a pair of angularly~rela~ed legs 27 ` which extend to opposite sides of the opening 260 and have their forward ends interconnected by a leg 276.
The inner walls of the legs 274; define a sector~ shaped ~` recess 278 for receiving the mass 242, as will be described. The leg 276 as best shown in Figures 8 and 13 is provided with a slot 280 opening upwardly thereof.
As best shown in Figure 10, the lower leg of the spacer assembly is provided with an lntegral rearwardly extending lip 282, the rear edge 284 of which lS formed~
on an a:rc having its point of generation coplanar with~
a bisector of the~recess 278. It will be noted with reference to Figure 10 that the upper wall 286 of lip 25 282 is formed at an angle of approximately 10 to the horizontal while the lower wall is formed at an angle of approximately 15Q to the horizontal.
:~ :
:
` ~ :
- , ~5~36 . The contact assembly 224 includes a plate or hanger 288 of generally rectangular shape defining an opening 290. The hanger 288 includes opening~292 in its upper left hand and right hand corner por-tions which are alignable with the openings 262 of the - spacer assembly and the openings 244 of hanger 226. The ~: hanger 288 further includes openings 294 and 296 in its left hand and right hand side legs respectively, which respèctively receive the rearwardly extending . 10 ears 264 and 266 and are alignable with the openings 246 and 248 of hanger 226. The left hand side leg is cut away at 298 and is generally alignable with a ;: cutaway 300 of the left hand leg of the-spacer assembly :: 222 to provide clearance for the slotted ear 252 of hanger 226. The right hand side leg of the plate is ;
~: provided with a rearwardly extending slotted ear 302 : ~ :
and theright hand corner portion is provided with a . forwardly extending slotted ear 304, with ear 302 being complementary to ear 252 and ear 304 being ~:20 complementary to ear 254.
; An integral transverse~arcuate leg 306 ntercon:nects the side le:gs of~hanger 226. The upper :~
:portion 308 of the leg is angled to the vertical at approximately 8-10 as can be seen in Figures 10 ~and 11~
25 and provided with a closed rectangular slot 310. A ~ ~ :
pair of integral lateral ears 312 extend from the ~ :
upper and lower sides of the slot. A contact 314 has ~5436 its body portion provided with a pair oE slots 316 which receive ears 312. The ears are bent over the contact after assem~ly to secure the contact to the hanger. The contact 314 further includes a plurality 5 of depending fingers 318 which are slightly spaced from each other as clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13.
The contact 314 is formed in the flat. When this contact is mounted on the leg 306 hy the bent ears 312, the body portion of the contact assumes 10 the arcuate cross-sectional shape of the upper portion -~ 308 of leg 306. The fingers 318 engage the edge 284 of lip 282, Figure 10, and assume an arcuàte cross-sectional shape under a preload. The preload occurs from the angularity of the upper portion 308 of leg ~ ~ ;
15 306 to the vertical. The upper portions of the fingers bow slightly adjacent the body portion of the~
contact, Figure 10.
;~ ~ As best shown in Figure 10, the leg 306 ~: :
further includes a lower portion 320 integral with the 20 upper portion 308, of arcuate cross-section, and located angularly to the ~Tertical. The lower portion 320 is normally spaced rearwardly of the contact - fingers 318 and provides an ultimate stop for these ` `~
fingers and for the mass 242 as will be further ~:
25 described. The lower leg of the hanger 288 is slotted at 322.
After the~ mass assembly 220, the spacer .~ 20 ~
.: : : :
assembly 222and the contact assembly 224 ha~e been individually manufactured, they are assembled in a sensor module. The spacer assembly 222 is sandwiched between the mass assembly 220 and the contact assembly 224 with the apertures 244, 262 and 292; and the slots 250, 270 and 322; respectively aligned with each other.
The cutaways 300 and 298 of the spacer assembly 222 and hanger 288, respectively, provide clearance for ear 252 so that it can project rearwardly of the module in parallel spaced relationship to ear 302. The openings 246 and 294 are likewise aligned with each other and each receives a respective ear 264 of the spacer assembly. Likewise the elongated openings 248 and 296 are aligned with each other and 15 each receives a respective ear 266 of the spacer ~ ~;
assembly. The ears 264 and 266 are then loosely staked over the hangers 226 and 288 to thereby loosely secure the assemblies to each other in modular form.
The staking generally secures the assemblies against lateral movement relative to each other while permitting some parallel shifting movement.
When the sensor module is assembled, the recess 278 of the mass housing 272 traverses the opening 228 of hanger 226. The mass 242 is received within the recess 278 in tangential engagement with the inner walls of the recess adjacent the proximal end thereof as shown in Figure 9. The engagement of the .:
~5436 mass.with the walls of the recess deflects or bends the wire 234 from the vert:ical to thereby provide a preload on the mass locating the mass in its unactuated position as shown. In this embodiment, the mass is located in unactuated position by a preload of 5-1/2G
- - and the natural frequency of the mass and the free portion of wire 234 is 30Hz.
As best shown in Figure 9, a resistor 324 is connected between the slotted ends of ears 252 and 302 by crimplng the slotted ends about the resistor leads and then soldering the leads to~the slotted ends.
The housing 212 is formed of: molded plastic and includes a continuous integral outer wall 326, a base wall 328, and an intermediate wall 330 formed integrally with the base and outer walls and defining ~:~ therewith the recesses 216. ~:An integral offset`flange 332 of wall~326 defines therewit~h a continuous shoulder~
334 which seats the peripheral edge of the cover 21a;
.~ Figures 8 and 9. The corner portions of flange 332 :
20 are provided with integral triangular posts 338, and ~:
semicircular posts 340 are provided at the junction of :
wall 330 and the flange 332. Three~generally circular posts 342, 344 and 346 extend:outwardly from the base wall 328 within each~of the recesses 216. These posts 25 are formed integral with the base wall, with posts :~ :
342 and 344 of each recess being connected to the :
upper portion of wall 326 and to wall 328 by integral :: :
~ ` 22 -.
webs 348. Posts 342 are further connected by integral ~ebs 350 to walls 330 and 328, and the posts 344 are connected Dy integral webs 352 to wall 328 and to the side portions o~ wall 326. The posts 342 and 344 are connected to each other and wall 328 by web 353. The posts 346 are connected to the lower portion of wall 326 Dy integral webs 354, are connected by integral webs 356 to the wall 330 ! and are connec:ted by webs 358 to thè side portions of wall 326.
A sensor module 214 is located in each of the recesses 216 as shown in Figure 8. The aligned groups of openings 244, 262 and 292 receive therethrough - bolts 360 which are seIf-tapped within openings provided in the posts 342 and 344. The aligned slots 250, 270 and 322 receive therethrough a similar bolt 362 which is self-ta~pped within an opening in the post 346. Thus each module 214 is secured in place within its respective recess 216.
It will be recalled that ears 264 and 266 are sia~ed over the hangers 225 and 288 in order to loosely assemble each of the modules. When the bolts 360 and 362 are driven in place~ the mass assembly 220, the spacer assembly 222 and the contact assembly 224 are securely clamped to each other and to the housing 212.
By providing a three point mounting of the sensor module 214 in this embodiment, rather than a four point mounting as in the first embodiment, possible `~:
distortion of the sensor module by being clamped to the housing is prevented.
It will also be recalled that the leg 276, which integrally connects the legs 274, is provided with a slot 280. After assembly of the sensor module 214 within the housing 212, the slot 280 permits a contact probe to engage the mass 242 and check both preload, spring rate, and mass travel distance to contact. The preloaa on the mass 242 can be easily calibrated after assemby by bending the upper leg 230 of hanger 226 together with the slotted tab 236 and the upper end of wire 234 as a unit about an axis designated A-A in Figure 8.
The cover 218 is notched at its corner por~
tions and along its upper and lower edges to receive the posts 338 and 340 therethrough. Once the peripheral edge of the cover is seated on shoulder 334, these posts are each staked over ths peripheral edge of the :, cover as shown in Figure 8 to tightly secure the cover to the housing and seal the housing against ambient conditions. The cover includes elongated sealed openings 364 which permit passage of the slotted ears ~ ;
254 and 304 outwardly therethrough. These ears are connected to a suitable wiring harness, not shown, which connects the sensor assembly 210 to various actuation and monitor circuits across a source of power.
The right hand side portion of flange 332 i5 provided : ~ ~
with an ear 366 which is apertured at 368 and provided with a grooved passage 370 which receives the wiring harness. A generally flat co~er plate, not shown, extends across the ear and is secured thereto by suitable fasteners extending through the openings 368 in order to secure the harness against movement relative to the sensor assembly 210.
~ s shown in Figures 8 and lO, the upper portion 372 of flange 332 extends outwardly beyond the lower portion of the flange and is apertured at 374 - in order to provide for mounting of the sensor assembly on a device to be sensed. The upper portions 376 of the side portions of the flange are angled outwardly as shown in Figure 10 in order to support the portion ~ ;
372 of the flange. Further, as shown in Figure 10, a rearwardly extending apertured~flange 378 of the housing 212 is connected to the base wall by angular ~; flanges 380 and provides for further mounting of the ~. :
;` ;~ sensor assembly on the~device to be sensed.
The movement of the mass 242 from its un-~ actuated position shown in Figures`8 and 10 to its ;~ actuated position shown in Figure 11 is the same as that previously described in ccnjunction with the first embodiment, except that the c~ircuit is completed across the source of power and the device to be actuated through the slotted ears 254 and 304. The lower portion 320 of the arcuate leg 306 functions in ` 25 ~:
: - ~ :
.. . .
:: ~ .: . : . , .
~5i436 the same manner as the leg 130 in providing an ultimate stop for the mass 242 and the engaged contact fingers 318. However, by forming the lower portion 320 integral with the upper portion 308 rather than forming these portions separate as in the first embodiment, the arcuate leg 306 continuously backs up the contact fingers 318 upon engagement of these fingers by the mass 242 and displacement of the fingers .from their Figure 10 position to their Figure 11 . 10 position. This continuous backing up avoids any undue stress levels in the general area of the juncture of the fingers 318 with the body portion of the contact :
;~ 314, and particularly immediately adjacent the lower ~ :
bent ear 312.
:: lS - Thus this invention provides an improved ~ :
~ sensor assembly~
: ~ ;
':~ . . . ,, ~:
::
4a ~
sensor modules 14 is of the same construction, like numerals will be used for :Like parts and the modules will be described as right hand ~r left hand, as necessary.
As best shown in Figure 7, each sensor module 14 generally comprises a mass assembly 20, a spacer assembly 22, and a contact assembly 24. The spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and contact assembly and secures all the assemblies to each ~- 10 other as will be described.
As shown in the drawings, the mass assembly ~ 20 includes a generally rigid plate or hanger 26 of : generally rectangular shape which de~ines an integral ~:
~, : ~ opening 28. The upper leg 30 of plate 26 is provided ;~ :
; 15 with a shallow rearwardly opening~arcuate rib 32 which :~
receives the upper end portion of a wire 34. An ; ;~
integral depending: ribbed portion 36 of leg 30 is :
, ~ provided with integral tabs 38 which are bent over , . ~
:~: wire 34 so as to crimp the wire to the leg 30 and :the portion 36 thereof. After crimping, the upper end~
portion of the wire is additionally soldered to the ::
: leg 30 and the portion 36.~ The longitudinal axis of wire 34 is located in a plane parallel to the plane:of the hanger 26. The lower end portion:of the wlre 34 is secured to a t:runcated ball or mass 40. The wire : ~ ~
34 may either be soldered to the flat 42 of mass 40 ~ .
: or may extend completely or partially through the mass ~ 5 and be soldered thereto.
The upper left hand and right hand corner portions of hanger 26 are provided with respective openings 44 and 46, Figure 7, and the lower left hand and right hand corner portions are provided with respective openings 48 and 50. The lower right hand corner portion is provided with an additional opening 52 and the intermediate portion of the left hand leg 54 of hanger 26 is provided with an integral ear having an opening 56. Leg 54 further includes an integral rearwardly extending elongated ear 58 which provides an electrical connector as will be described.
Hanger 26 is formed of metal and is-of sufficient thickness so as to prevent warping or twist ~ ;
ing of the plate about various vertical and horizontal axes. By provlding the hanger of reotangular shape wlth an integral enclosure or opening 28, sufficient rigidity is imparted~to the plate while permitting the mass assembly, which comprlses~the wire 34 and ~` ; 20 mass 40, to move laterally relative to the hanger.
: ` ~ ~ : :
The spacer assembly~22, Figure 7, is formed of plastic and is muoh thicker than the~hanger 26.
This assembly is generally ~f rectangular shape and defines an integral enclosure 60 which is generally aligned with the opening 28 when the spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly as wllI be~further described. The spacer :,,. ; :
- . : - ~ , ; .
5~36 assembly includes openings 62 and 64 in its respective upper left hana and right hand corner portions which are respectively alignable with the openings 44 and 46 of plate 26. Additionally the spacer assembly includes openings 66 and 68 in its respective lower left hand and right hand corner portions which are respectively ~: alignable with the openings 48 and 50 of plate 26. An integral tab of the left hand side leg 70 of the spacer assembly includes integral oppositely extending aligned : 10 ears 72. Additionally, the right hand side leg of the spacer assembly includes integral oppositely extending aligned ears 74. The left hand leg 70 is ~; . cut away at 76 to provide clearance for ear 58. :
~:~: As best shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, a mass :
: 15 housing 78, formed integral with the side legs of the spacer assembly at the lower end of the opening 60, includes a pair of angularly related legs 80 which extend to opposite sides of the aperture 6n and have their forward ends interconnected by a leg 82. The 20 inner walls of the legs 80 define a sector shaped : :
~ recess 84 for receiving the mass 40, as will be described:.
: The leg 82 as best shown in Figures 1 and 7 is provided - :
with a ~,lat 86 opening upwardly thereof. As best shown~ ; -in Figure 3, the:lower leg 88 of the spacer assembly :;
25 22 is provided~with an integral resrwardly extending ~:
lip 90, the rear edge 92 of which is formed on an arG
having its point of generation coplanar with a bi-~ '~
:
31~45436 sactor of the recess 84. It will be noted with refer-ence to Figure 3 that the upper wall 94 of lip 90 is formed at an angle of approximately 10 to the horlzon-tal while the lower wall is formed at an angle of approximately 15 to the horizontal.
The contact assembly 24 includes a plate or hanger 98 of generally rectangular shape defining an : opening 100. The hanger 98 includes openings 102 and i 104 in its upper left hand and right hand corner portions respectively, with these openings being alignable respectively with the openings 44 and 62, ana 46 and 64. The hanger further includes openings 106 and 108 in its lower left hand and right hand :
corner portions respectively, which are respectively ~;
15 alignable with the openings 48 and 66 and the openings ~
50 and 68. An ear on the left hand side leg 110 of -; hanger 98 is provided with an opening 112 alignable ~ ~ with the opening 56 of hanger 26 and receiving the '~ ~ rearwardly extending ear 72 of the spacer assembly 22.
The left hand side leg 110 is cut away at 114 to provide . : clearance for the tab 58 of plate 20 and the right ~ :
hand side leg of the plate is provided with a rearwardly extending lateral tab 116 and an opening 118 alignable ; :~
with opening 52 and receiving the rearwardly extending ear 74.
An integral transverse leg 120 of arcuate shape interconnects the side legs of hanger 98. The .~.:".;.
:
, 5~36 leg 120 is angled to the vertical at approximately 8-10 as ean be seen in Figure 3. A contact 122 has its body portion provided with a plurality of integral tabs 124 whieh are hooked over the upper edge of leg 120 and soldered thereto. ~he contact 122 includes a plurality of depending fingers 126 which are slightly spaced from each other as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. The contaet 122 further ineludes an integral lateral tab 128 which follows along leg 120 and tab - 10 116.
The contaet 122 is formed in the flat. When this contact is mounted on the leg 120, the body portion of the eontaet assumes the shape of the leg 120 and tab 128 is bent to the shape of ley 120 and tab 116 and secured thereto. The fingers 126 engage the edge 92 of lip~90 and assume an arcuate eross-seetional shape under a preload. The preload oceurs ; from the angularity of leg 120 to the vertical, ;~
Figure 3, and the relationship o~ edge 92 thereto.
The upper portions of the fingers bow slightly adjaeent ~ ~ .
the body portion of the eontact.
As best shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the hanger 98 further ineludes an integral transverse leg 130 of areuate cross-sectlon and loeated angularly to the vertieal. The leg 130 is normally spaced rear-wardly of the eontaet fingers 126 and provides an ultimate stop for these fingers and for the mass 40 as ~
~ :
:~o will be further described.
A~ter the mass assembly 20, the spacer assembly 22 and the contact assembly 24 have been individually manufactured, they are assembled in a sensor module. The spacer assembly 22 is sandwiched between the mass assembly 20 and the contact assembly 24 with the apertures 44, 62 and 102; 46, 64 and 104;
48, 66 and 106; and 50, 68 and I08 respectively aligned with each other. The openings 56 and 112 are - 10 likewise aliyned with each other and each receives a ~ ;
respective ear 72 of~the spacer assembly~ Likewise the openings 52 and 118 are aligned with each other and each receives a respective ear 74 of the spacer :
assembly 22. The ears 72 and 74 are then heat staked over the hangers 26 and g8 to~thereby secure the assemblies to each other.
-When the sensor module is assembled, the~
recess 84 traverses~the enclosure 28 of hanger 26. The mass 40 is received-within the recess 84 in tangential engagement with the inner walls of the recess adiacent the proximal end thereof as shown ln Figures 2 and 6 The engagement of the mass with the walls of the recess deflects or bends the wire 34 from the vertical to thereby provide a preload on the mass locating the mass~
in its unactuated position as shown in these f1gures.
In the specific embodiment shown, the mass is located in unactuated~position by a preload of 5-1/2G and the :
::
~5436 natural frequency of the mass and the free portion o~ wire 34 is 30Hz.
It will be recalled that the leg 82 which integrally interconnects the legs 80 is provided with a slot 86. After assembly of the sensor module, this slot permits a contact probe to engage the mass 40 and check preload, spring rate, and mass travel distance to contact~ Thus the sensor module can be calibrated pxior to mounting within the housing 12 of the sensor assembly. The portion 36 of the leg 30 of hanger 26 is bent relative to the leg in order to set the preload on the mass 40.
The cutaways 76 and 114 of the spacer assembly 22 and hanger 98, respectively, provide clearance for tab 58 so that it`can project rearwardly of the module in parallel spaced~relationship to tab ~; 116.
;~ As best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, a resis~
tor 132 is connected between the tabs 58 and 116 of the ; 20 mass assemb1y and contact assembly after completion of the sensor module. This resistor is also connected across the tab 128 of the contact 122 so that it can monitor this contact. As shown in Figures 2 and 7, the thickness of the hanger 98 and its integral tab 116 is much greater than that of the tab 128 of the contact 122. By supporting the tab 128 on the tab 118, it is possible for the resistor to be connected acIoss , :
~L~4L543~
the tab 128 withou-t distorting or bending this tab.
The housing 12 is ~ormed o~ molded plastic and includes a continuous integral outer wall having an upper wall portion 134, right hand and left hand wall portions 136 and 138 respectively, Figures 1 and ~: 2, and a lower wall portion 140, Figures 3 and 4. The upper and lower wall portions 134 and 140 are urther .
interconnected by an integral intermediate wall portion 142, Figure 2,~o define, with wall portions 136 and 138, : 10 the recesses 16. A stepped base or rear wall of -~:
each recess 16 includes a lower wall portion 144 and an upper wall portion 146 joined by an intermediate wall portion 148. Wall portion 136 is provided with an integral flange 150: and a continuation of this ~ -.;~
: 15 flange i9 provided on wall portions 134, 138 and 140 through an offset portion 152 respective to each o~
these wall portions. A forwardly opening gro.o.ve:154 : ~ :
is provided in this flange and in the forward edge of walI portion 142 around:each recess 16, with the groove in the wall portion 142 being common to each recess. A
continuous lip 156:is located within the groove .~ :
~: . around the right hand recess 16 and a partial lip 156 is located around the le~t hand recess 16, the lip : -~
156 provided along the wall portion 142 being common :~
to both recesses. :
Each recess 16 includes transversely arranged like integral bosses 158 at its upper left hand and : ~
12 ~ ~;
,... . , .. - . ~ .. ~ . .
lower right hand corners, with each boss including an integral cylindrical ear 160. Each cavity 16 additionally includes like integral bosses 162 at its lower left hand and upper right hand corners, each of which is provided with a bore 164, Figure 4.
A sensor module 14 is located in each of the right hand and left hand recesses 16. The alignea : openings 44, 62 and 102 of each module are received on the ear 160 of the upper left hand boss 158 and the aligned openings 50, 68 and 108 are received on the like ear 160 of the lower right hand boss in each recess, These bosses serve to locate the sensor module within the recess. After being assembled thereon, the ears are heat staked over the sensor modules as shown : ~ :
in Figures 1 and 4 to thereby secure the sensor modules in their respect~ive recesses. Bolts 166 extend through : the aligned openings 46, 64 and 104 and the aligned :~
~:: openings 48, 66 and 106 and into bores 164 of bo~sses 162 to further secure the sensor modules 14 in their :~ : 20 respective recesses. ;
- : It will ~e noted with reference to Figure 2 that the tab 58 of each sensor module extends out~
wardly of a respective wall portion 146 through an : apertured recessed wall of integral boss 168. Like~ ~
wise, the tabs 116~and 128 of each module extend ~ :
outwardly through a: similar apertured recessed wall of ~ :
an integral boss 170. The tabs 58 and 116 and 128 are :
~ : ~
- ~4543G
sealed to the recessed walls as shown in Figure 2 in a conventional manner. As shown in Figure 4, the offsetting of wall portion 144 with respect to w~ll portion 146 provides space in the cavity for the integral leg 130 of the hanger 98.
After assembly of the sensor modules 14 within their respective recesses, a suitable sealant is placed in~the groove 154 and a flanged cover 172 is then secured at a number of places I74 to the flange 150 outwardly of the sealant in the groove. The flange of the:cover engaging the sealant forces the ` :: :
sealant outwardly o~ the groove as the cover f lange ~:: seats on flange 150 to thereby provide an additional ~ :
:. ~
seal between~the cover flange and the lip 156. The ~:~ 15 cover includes an: intermediate flange 176, Figures 2 : and 6, whlch~:seats on the wall port1on 142. Apertured ;~
integral ears 178 proviae for mounting of the sensor assembly on~a structu~re to be sensed.
With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, when the 20 sensor module 14 receives an acceleration pulse ~f: :
~; predetermined amplitude and time, the mass 40 moves ; ~
~:from its unactuated position of Figure~3 rearwardly or ~ :
: ~to the r].ght relative to the walls of recess 84 and ::
into engagement with one or more of the fingers 126 of ~25 the contact 122 to complete a circuit:across a source ::
:of power and a device to be actuated which are elec- :
:
trically connected~across the tabs: 58 and 116 in a ::
~ 14~
~45436 conventional manner. Since the fingers 126 are canti-levered, the ~ingers are displacea from their Figure 3 position to their Figure 4 position and into engagement with the leg 130 which functions as an ultimate stop for the mass and the contact fingers. The engagement of the mass with the contact fingers is a wiping con-tact. With reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the movement o the mass relative to the leg 130 is in a plane P normal to the leg 130. This feature of having the mass move into engagement with leg 130 along a plane normal to the strap and through the center of the mass prevents counterclockwise turning moments on the mass which act to place the connection between the wire 34 and the mass in shear as well as providing an increased shear stress level in the remaining - - portion of the wire 34 which can result in calibration ;~ problems. Additionally, the fingers 126 of the contact 122 are not overly stressed to thereby avoid bending problems.
When the amplitude of the pulse is decreased, the bias of the wire 34 returns the mass 40 to its normal position in tangential engagement with the walls of recess 84.
Reerring now particularly to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, a sensor assembly 210 according to another embodiment of this invention includes a housing 212 which encloses a pair of like side by side sensor ~
~S4L36 modules 214. Each module is installed withln a respective recess 216 of the housin~ 212 with these recesses being closed by a common cover 218 after assembly of the modules to the housing 212 as will be described. Since each of the sensor modules 214 is of the same construction, like numerals will be used for like parts. The modules will be designated right - hand or left hand as necessary.
As best shown in ~igure 13, each sensor - 10 module 214 generally comprises a mass assembly 220, a spacer assembly 222, and a contact assembly 224. The spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly :
and contact assembly and secures all~the assemblies to each other as will be described. ;~
The mass assembly 220 includes a generally rigid plate~or hanger 226 of generally rçctangular shape which defines an integral opening 228. The upper leg 230 of hanger 226 is~provided with a shallow rearwardly opening arcuate rib 232 which receives the upper end portion of a wire 234. An integral slotted tab 236 of leg 230 is bent over wire 234 to hold the wire in rib 232. The upper end portion of the wire is soldered at 238 to the leg 230 through the slot in tab 236. The tab is soldered at 240, Figure 8, to leg 230. The longitudinal axis of wire 234 is ~: :
located in a plane parallel to the plane of hanger 226.
The lower end portion of the wir~e is secured to a ~ -16 ~ ~
- : : :
. ~ :
543~
ball or mass 242. The wire may either extend completely or partially through the mass and is soldered thereto.
As shown in Figure 13, the upper CGrner portions of hanger 226 are apertured at 244, the side legs are apertured at 246 and 248 with the right hand aperture 248 beirlg longated, and the lower leg is s otted at 250. The left hand leg is provided with a rearwardly extending slotted ear 252 and the left hand corner of the bottom leg is provided with a forwardly extending slotted ear ?54, Hanger 226 i5 formed of metal and an integral rib ?56 spans the upper tapered part of opening 228 while an integral lateral rib 258 surrounds the lower rectangular part of the opening.
The ribs ?56 and 258 impart sufficient rigidity to the hanger 226 to prevent warping or twisting of -the hanger about various vertical and horizontal axes while permitting access to the mass assembly, which comprises the wire 234 and the mass 242, through opening 228.
.:
The spacer assembly 222, Figure 13, is ~o formed of plastic and is much thicker than the hanger 226. This assembly is of generally rectangular shape and defines an integral opening 26Q which is generally aligned with the opening 228 when the spacer assembly is sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly as will be further described. The spacer assembly includesopenings262 in its upper left hand and right hand corner portions which are alignable .,`
~
~ ' .
~5436 with the openings 244 of plate 226. The side legs of the spacer assembly include integral oppositely extending pairs of ears 264 and 266, with the forwardly extending ~ars 264 and 266 being respectively received in openings 246 and 248 of hanger 226. The upper leg of the assembly is notched at 268 to provide clearance for tab 236 and the lower leg is slotted at 270, with this slot being alignable with slot 250 of hanger 226.
As best shown in Figures 9, 10 and 13, a mass housing 272, formed integral with the s-de legs o the spacer assembly at the lower end of the opening 260, includes a pair of angularly~rela~ed legs 27 ` which extend to opposite sides of the opening 260 and have their forward ends interconnected by a leg 276.
The inner walls of the legs 274; define a sector~ shaped ~` recess 278 for receiving the mass 242, as will be described. The leg 276 as best shown in Figures 8 and 13 is provided with a slot 280 opening upwardly thereof.
As best shown in Figure 10, the lower leg of the spacer assembly is provided with an lntegral rearwardly extending lip 282, the rear edge 284 of which lS formed~
on an a:rc having its point of generation coplanar with~
a bisector of the~recess 278. It will be noted with reference to Figure 10 that the upper wall 286 of lip 25 282 is formed at an angle of approximately 10 to the horizontal while the lower wall is formed at an angle of approximately 15Q to the horizontal.
:~ :
:
` ~ :
- , ~5~36 . The contact assembly 224 includes a plate or hanger 288 of generally rectangular shape defining an opening 290. The hanger 288 includes opening~292 in its upper left hand and right hand corner por-tions which are alignable with the openings 262 of the - spacer assembly and the openings 244 of hanger 226. The ~: hanger 288 further includes openings 294 and 296 in its left hand and right hand side legs respectively, which respèctively receive the rearwardly extending . 10 ears 264 and 266 and are alignable with the openings 246 and 248 of hanger 226. The left hand side leg is cut away at 298 and is generally alignable with a ;: cutaway 300 of the left hand leg of the-spacer assembly :: 222 to provide clearance for the slotted ear 252 of hanger 226. The right hand side leg of the plate is ;
~: provided with a rearwardly extending slotted ear 302 : ~ :
and theright hand corner portion is provided with a . forwardly extending slotted ear 304, with ear 302 being complementary to ear 252 and ear 304 being ~:20 complementary to ear 254.
; An integral transverse~arcuate leg 306 ntercon:nects the side le:gs of~hanger 226. The upper :~
:portion 308 of the leg is angled to the vertical at approximately 8-10 as can be seen in Figures 10 ~and 11~
25 and provided with a closed rectangular slot 310. A ~ ~ :
pair of integral lateral ears 312 extend from the ~ :
upper and lower sides of the slot. A contact 314 has ~5436 its body portion provided with a pair oE slots 316 which receive ears 312. The ears are bent over the contact after assem~ly to secure the contact to the hanger. The contact 314 further includes a plurality 5 of depending fingers 318 which are slightly spaced from each other as clearly shown in Figures 12 and 13.
The contact 314 is formed in the flat. When this contact is mounted on the leg 306 hy the bent ears 312, the body portion of the contact assumes 10 the arcuate cross-sectional shape of the upper portion -~ 308 of leg 306. The fingers 318 engage the edge 284 of lip 282, Figure 10, and assume an arcuàte cross-sectional shape under a preload. The preload occurs from the angularity of the upper portion 308 of leg ~ ~ ;
15 306 to the vertical. The upper portions of the fingers bow slightly adjacent the body portion of the~
contact, Figure 10.
;~ ~ As best shown in Figure 10, the leg 306 ~: :
further includes a lower portion 320 integral with the 20 upper portion 308, of arcuate cross-section, and located angularly to the ~Tertical. The lower portion 320 is normally spaced rearwardly of the contact - fingers 318 and provides an ultimate stop for these ` `~
fingers and for the mass 242 as will be further ~:
25 described. The lower leg of the hanger 288 is slotted at 322.
After the~ mass assembly 220, the spacer .~ 20 ~
.: : : :
assembly 222and the contact assembly 224 ha~e been individually manufactured, they are assembled in a sensor module. The spacer assembly 222 is sandwiched between the mass assembly 220 and the contact assembly 224 with the apertures 244, 262 and 292; and the slots 250, 270 and 322; respectively aligned with each other.
The cutaways 300 and 298 of the spacer assembly 222 and hanger 288, respectively, provide clearance for ear 252 so that it can project rearwardly of the module in parallel spaced relationship to ear 302. The openings 246 and 294 are likewise aligned with each other and each receives a respective ear 264 of the spacer assembly. Likewise the elongated openings 248 and 296 are aligned with each other and 15 each receives a respective ear 266 of the spacer ~ ~;
assembly. The ears 264 and 266 are then loosely staked over the hangers 226 and 288 to thereby loosely secure the assemblies to each other in modular form.
The staking generally secures the assemblies against lateral movement relative to each other while permitting some parallel shifting movement.
When the sensor module is assembled, the recess 278 of the mass housing 272 traverses the opening 228 of hanger 226. The mass 242 is received within the recess 278 in tangential engagement with the inner walls of the recess adjacent the proximal end thereof as shown in Figure 9. The engagement of the .:
~5436 mass.with the walls of the recess deflects or bends the wire 234 from the vert:ical to thereby provide a preload on the mass locating the mass in its unactuated position as shown. In this embodiment, the mass is located in unactuated position by a preload of 5-1/2G
- - and the natural frequency of the mass and the free portion of wire 234 is 30Hz.
As best shown in Figure 9, a resistor 324 is connected between the slotted ends of ears 252 and 302 by crimplng the slotted ends about the resistor leads and then soldering the leads to~the slotted ends.
The housing 212 is formed of: molded plastic and includes a continuous integral outer wall 326, a base wall 328, and an intermediate wall 330 formed integrally with the base and outer walls and defining ~:~ therewith the recesses 216. ~:An integral offset`flange 332 of wall~326 defines therewit~h a continuous shoulder~
334 which seats the peripheral edge of the cover 21a;
.~ Figures 8 and 9. The corner portions of flange 332 :
20 are provided with integral triangular posts 338, and ~:
semicircular posts 340 are provided at the junction of :
wall 330 and the flange 332. Three~generally circular posts 342, 344 and 346 extend:outwardly from the base wall 328 within each~of the recesses 216. These posts 25 are formed integral with the base wall, with posts :~ :
342 and 344 of each recess being connected to the :
upper portion of wall 326 and to wall 328 by integral :: :
~ ` 22 -.
webs 348. Posts 342 are further connected by integral ~ebs 350 to walls 330 and 328, and the posts 344 are connected Dy integral webs 352 to wall 328 and to the side portions o~ wall 326. The posts 342 and 344 are connected to each other and wall 328 by web 353. The posts 346 are connected to the lower portion of wall 326 Dy integral webs 354, are connected by integral webs 356 to the wall 330 ! and are connec:ted by webs 358 to thè side portions of wall 326.
A sensor module 214 is located in each of the recesses 216 as shown in Figure 8. The aligned groups of openings 244, 262 and 292 receive therethrough - bolts 360 which are seIf-tapped within openings provided in the posts 342 and 344. The aligned slots 250, 270 and 322 receive therethrough a similar bolt 362 which is self-ta~pped within an opening in the post 346. Thus each module 214 is secured in place within its respective recess 216.
It will be recalled that ears 264 and 266 are sia~ed over the hangers 225 and 288 in order to loosely assemble each of the modules. When the bolts 360 and 362 are driven in place~ the mass assembly 220, the spacer assembly 222 and the contact assembly 224 are securely clamped to each other and to the housing 212.
By providing a three point mounting of the sensor module 214 in this embodiment, rather than a four point mounting as in the first embodiment, possible `~:
distortion of the sensor module by being clamped to the housing is prevented.
It will also be recalled that the leg 276, which integrally connects the legs 274, is provided with a slot 280. After assembly of the sensor module 214 within the housing 212, the slot 280 permits a contact probe to engage the mass 242 and check both preload, spring rate, and mass travel distance to contact. The preloaa on the mass 242 can be easily calibrated after assemby by bending the upper leg 230 of hanger 226 together with the slotted tab 236 and the upper end of wire 234 as a unit about an axis designated A-A in Figure 8.
The cover 218 is notched at its corner por~
tions and along its upper and lower edges to receive the posts 338 and 340 therethrough. Once the peripheral edge of the cover is seated on shoulder 334, these posts are each staked over ths peripheral edge of the :, cover as shown in Figure 8 to tightly secure the cover to the housing and seal the housing against ambient conditions. The cover includes elongated sealed openings 364 which permit passage of the slotted ears ~ ;
254 and 304 outwardly therethrough. These ears are connected to a suitable wiring harness, not shown, which connects the sensor assembly 210 to various actuation and monitor circuits across a source of power.
The right hand side portion of flange 332 i5 provided : ~ ~
with an ear 366 which is apertured at 368 and provided with a grooved passage 370 which receives the wiring harness. A generally flat co~er plate, not shown, extends across the ear and is secured thereto by suitable fasteners extending through the openings 368 in order to secure the harness against movement relative to the sensor assembly 210.
~ s shown in Figures 8 and lO, the upper portion 372 of flange 332 extends outwardly beyond the lower portion of the flange and is apertured at 374 - in order to provide for mounting of the sensor assembly on a device to be sensed. The upper portions 376 of the side portions of the flange are angled outwardly as shown in Figure 10 in order to support the portion ~ ;
372 of the flange. Further, as shown in Figure 10, a rearwardly extending apertured~flange 378 of the housing 212 is connected to the base wall by angular ~; flanges 380 and provides for further mounting of the ~. :
;` ;~ sensor assembly on the~device to be sensed.
The movement of the mass 242 from its un-~ actuated position shown in Figures`8 and 10 to its ;~ actuated position shown in Figure 11 is the same as that previously described in ccnjunction with the first embodiment, except that the c~ircuit is completed across the source of power and the device to be actuated through the slotted ears 254 and 304. The lower portion 320 of the arcuate leg 306 functions in ` 25 ~:
: - ~ :
.. . .
:: ~ .: . : . , .
~5i436 the same manner as the leg 130 in providing an ultimate stop for the mass 242 and the engaged contact fingers 318. However, by forming the lower portion 320 integral with the upper portion 308 rather than forming these portions separate as in the first embodiment, the arcuate leg 306 continuously backs up the contact fingers 318 upon engagement of these fingers by the mass 242 and displacement of the fingers .from their Figure 10 position to their Figure 11 . 10 position. This continuous backing up avoids any undue stress levels in the general area of the juncture of the fingers 318 with the body portion of the contact :
;~ 314, and particularly immediately adjacent the lower ~ :
bent ear 312.
:: lS - Thus this invention provides an improved ~ :
~ sensor assembly~
: ~ ;
':~ . . . ,, ~:
Claims (4)
1. A sensor module comprising, in combina-tion, a generally planar mass assembly, a generally planar contact assembly, and a generally planar spacer assembly sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly, the mass assembly including a first hanger defining an enclosure, a pendulum supported mass on the first hanger movable laterally relative to the enclosure thereof, the spacer assembly defining an enclosure opening to the enclosure of the first hanger and further including a sector shaped recess defined by a pair of angularly related side walls extending generally laterally of the enclosures of the first hanger and spacer assembly, the mass being received within the recess in engage-ment with the side walls adjacent the proximal end of the recess to deflect the mass from normal position and provide a preload force, the contact assembly including a second hanger defining an enclosure opening to the spacer assembly enclosure and to the distal end of the recess, a contact mounted on the second hanger and including a plurality of deflectable contact fingers, means on the spacer assembly engage-able by the contact fingers to deflect the contact fingers from normal position and provide a preload force on the fingers, means securing the first and second hangers to the spacer assembly to provide the sensor module, the mass moving within the sector shaped recess and into engagement with one or more contact fingers upon receipt by the mass of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to deflect the engaged contact fingers against the preload force on the fingers.
2. A sensor module comprising, in combin-ation, a generally planar mass assembly, a generally planar contact assembly, and a generally planar spacer assembly sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly, the mass assembly including a first hanger defining an enclosure and including a bendable portion, a wire supported mass mounted on the bendable portion of the first hanger for movement laterally relative to the enclosure thereof, the spacer assembly defining an enclosure opening to the enclosure of the first hanger and further including a sector shaped recess defined by a pair of angularly related side walls extending generally laterally of the enclosures of the first hanger and spacer assembly, the mass being received within the recess in engagement with the side walls adjacent the proximal end of the recess to deflect the wire from normal position and provide a preload force on the mass, the deflection of the wire being set by bending of the bendable portion of the first hanger, the contact assembly including a second hanger defining an enclosure opening to the spacer assembly enclosure and to the distal end of the recess, a contact mounted on the second hanger and including a plurality of deflectable contact fingers, means on the spacer assembly located in an arc generated about a bisector of the recess and engageable by the contact fingers to deflect the contact fingers from normal position and provide a preload force on the fingers, means securing the first and second hangers to the spacer assembly to provide the sensor module, the mass moving within the sector shaped recess and into engagement with one or more contact fingers upon receipt by the mass of an acceler-ation pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to deflect the engaged contact fingers against the preload force on the fingers.
3. A sensor module comprising, in combina-tion, a generally planar mass assembly, a generally planar contact assembly, and a generally planar spacer assembly sandwiched between the mass assembly and the contact assembly, the mass assembly including a first hanger defining an enclosure, a pendulum supported mass on the hanger movable laterally relative to the enclosure thereof, the spacer assembly defining an enclosure opening to the enclosure of the first hanger and further including a sector shaped recess defined by a pair of angularly related side walls and a base wall which extend generally laterally of the enclosures of the first hanger and spacer assembly, the mass being received within the recess in engagement with the side walls adjacent the proxi-mal end of the recess to deflect the mass from normal position and provide a preload force, means providing access to the mass through the enclosure of the first hanger and between the side walls to check the pre-load force, the contact assembly including a second hanger defining an enclosure opening to the spacer assembly enclosure and to the distal end of the recess, a contact mounted on the second hanger and including a plurality of deflectable contact fingers, the base wall of the recess having an arcuate edge portion generated about a bisector of the recess and engage-able by the contact fingers to deflect the contact fingers from normal position and provide a preload force on the fingers, means securing the first and second hangers to the spacer assembly to provide the sensor module, the mass moving within the sector shaped recess and into engagement with one or more contact fingers upon receipt by the mass of an acceler-ation pulse of predetermined amplitude and time to deflect the engaged contact fingers against the preload force on the fingers.
4. A sensor module comprising, in combina-tion, a wire supported mass mounted on the module for movement relative to the distal end of a sector shaped recess upon receipt thereby of an acceleration pulse of predetermined amplitude and time, a plurality of deflectable contact fingers mounted on the module, means locating the fingers in a partially deflected position adjacent the distal end of the recess for further deflection thereof upon engagement by the mass when the mass moves relative to the distal end of the recess, and ultimate stop means mounted on the module and located generally normal to the path of movement of the mass and in laterally spaced relationship to the fingers, the ultimate stop means being engageable by the contact fingers normal to the path of movement of the mass and opposite the engagement of the mass with the fingers to obviate any rotational turning moments on the mass tending to rotate the mass relative to the wire.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US051,449 | 1979-06-25 | ||
| US06/051,449 US4262177A (en) | 1979-06-25 | 1979-06-25 | Sensor assembly |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1145436A true CA1145436A (en) | 1983-04-26 |
Family
ID=21971386
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000345836A Expired CA1145436A (en) | 1979-06-25 | 1980-02-18 | Pendulum type acceleration sensor module |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4262177A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1145436A (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5233141A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1993-08-03 | Automotive Technologies International Inc. | Spring mass passenger compartment crash sensors |
| US5155307A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1992-10-13 | David S. Breed | Passenger compartment crash sensors |
| US5231253A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1993-07-27 | Automotive Technologies, International | Side impact sensors |
| WO1990010302A1 (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1990-09-07 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Improved automobile crash sensors for use with passive restraints |
| US5153392A (en) * | 1989-10-06 | 1992-10-06 | Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. | Velocity change sensor with magnetic field concentrator and director |
| US5192838A (en) * | 1990-02-15 | 1993-03-09 | David S. Breed | Frontal impact crush zone crash sensors |
| US5012050A (en) * | 1990-02-23 | 1991-04-30 | Siemens Automotive Limited | Dual pole switch assembly for an inertia actuated switch |
| US6685218B1 (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 2004-02-03 | Automotive Technologies International, Inc. | Side impact sensors and airbag system |
| US6419265B1 (en) | 1993-09-16 | 2002-07-16 | Automotive Technologies International Inc. | Self-contained airbag system |
| US5285031A (en) * | 1992-10-13 | 1994-02-08 | Elgin Die Mold Co. | Pendulum-activated switch assembly |
| US5393944A (en) * | 1994-05-16 | 1995-02-28 | Trw Technar Inc. | Deceleration switch with a switch base supporting a flexible oscillating one piece plastic mass unit |
| US5831521A (en) * | 1997-08-26 | 1998-11-03 | Huang; Ting-Lung | Automatic emergency signal means for vehicles |
| US20040174006A1 (en) * | 2001-11-05 | 2004-09-09 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Acceleration detector and passive safety device |
| DE10256539B4 (en) * | 2002-12-04 | 2006-02-16 | Jungheinrich Ag | Four-wheel truck with pendulum axle |
| US9566377B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-02-14 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Medical fluid sensing and concentration determination in a fluid cartridge with multiple passageways, using a radio frequency device situated within a magnetic field |
| US9597439B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-03-21 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Medical fluid sensing and concentration determination using radio frequency energy and a magnetic field |
| US9772386B2 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2017-09-26 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Dialysis system with sample concentration determination device using magnet and radio frequency coil assemblies |
| US9433718B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-09-06 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Medical fluid system including radio frequency (RF) device within a magnetic assembly, and fluid cartridge body with one of multiple passageways disposed within the RF device, and specially configured cartridge gap accepting a portion of said RF device |
| US9713664B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2017-07-25 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Nuclear magnetic resonance module for a dialysis machine |
| US10286135B2 (en) | 2014-03-28 | 2019-05-14 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Measuring conductivity of a medical fluid |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3647999A (en) * | 1970-07-23 | 1972-03-07 | Ara Inc | Deceleration-responsive sensors |
| US3717732A (en) * | 1971-06-30 | 1973-02-20 | Gen Motors Corp | Acceleration responsive sensor |
| US3717731A (en) * | 1971-06-30 | 1973-02-20 | Gen Motors Corp | Acceleration responsive sensor |
| US3710051A (en) * | 1971-07-23 | 1973-01-09 | Gen Motors Corp | Acceleration responsive sensor |
| US3678763A (en) * | 1971-08-23 | 1972-07-25 | Gen Motors Corp | Acceleration sensor |
-
1979
- 1979-06-25 US US06/051,449 patent/US4262177A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1980
- 1980-02-18 CA CA000345836A patent/CA1145436A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4262177A (en) | 1981-04-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |