Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Change of inclination or of rate of motion responsive
Patent
1993-08-06
1995-02-21
Scott, J. R.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Change of inclination or of rate of motion responsive
200 6152, 200 6145M, 335205, 338 32H, H01H 3514, G01P 1508
Patent
active
053918452
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sensor for automatic triggering of safety devices in motor vehicles.
It particular, it relates to such a sensor which has a housing with a housing recess accommodating a tilting body which serves as a seismic mass and triggers a control signal when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded. Such a sensor is known e.g. from the later publication DE-OS 40 36 224.8. In this sensor a tilting body is arranged as seismic mass in the base of a housing recess. When force or acceleration is applied, the tilting body tilts over and in so doing triggers a measurement signal in a triggering device. The base of the housing recess of the sensor as well as the support surface of the tilting body on the base are constructed so as to be flat. Penetrating moisture and a corresponding poor choice of materials for the housing and tilting body can cause the tilting body to adhere to the base. The tilting angle can accordingly be shifted in extreme cases by as much as 5 degrees and will trigger only after a delay. The operative adhesive forces between the two surfaces act as a threshold value which cannot be influenced and which prevents an accurate and reliable triggering of the sensor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sensor for automatic triggering of safety devices in motor vehicles, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a sensor having a housing with a housing recess accommodating a tilting body serving as seismic mass wherein a base of the housing recess is provided knobs at least in the region of an edge of the tilting body, and the tilting body has a base which is flat at least in the region of the knobs.
When the sensor is designed in accordance with the present invention, it has the advantage over the prior art Of a simple and robust construction. The frictional and adhesive forces are very low. Even if moisture should penetrate, no adhesive effect can take place or, if so, one which is so slight that it could not negatively influence the triggering time. Due to the lateral channels in the housing wall, dirt particles and abraded particles can fall onto the base. If the base is constructed in the shape of a funnel, these dirt particles can collect in the funnel and will not negatively influence the triggering capability of the tilting body. In particular, the sensor is free from dirt particles in the tilting area of the tilting body so as to enable a flawless tilting function. The particles located in the tilting area are forced into the funnel by the constant motion of the tilting body in that the tilting body tilts back and forth during slight accelerations not yet resulting in a triggering of the safety devices. Because of the special shape of the knobs arranged in the base, the tilting cylinder can roll on the knobs with very slight friction losses.
In accordance with further features of the present invention the knobs can have a convex shape and be arranged at regular intervals, and they also can be formed as spherically shaped members.
The base can be formed as a funnel and the knobs can be located at the edge of the opening of the funnel.
The housing recess can have a region which narrows conically toward the base, and the channels can be provided in the region which extends toward the base. The channels can have V-shaped grooves.
Finally, the tilting body can be arranged so that its longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the applied force.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the ac
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Haas Lothar
Schmidt Hans-Joerg
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Scott J. R.
Striker Michael J.
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