Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Change of inclination or of rate of motion responsive
Patent
1998-10-23
1999-11-23
Friedhofer, Michael
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Change of inclination or of rate of motion responsive
7351436, 200 6145M, H01H 3514
Patent
active
059904275
ABSTRACT:
A micro-miniature acceleration switch (240) has a substrate (242) and an inertial mass member ("IMM" 244) fabricated upon the substrate. The substrate (242) has a planar surface (246), and the IMM (244) can slide relative to the substrate from a first position to a second position when the switch (240) is accelerated along at least one direction parallel to the planar surface by acceleration of sufficient magnitude. Electrical contacts (e.g., 268) are fabricated upon the substrate (242) with at least one contact being coupled to the IMM (244). The contacts (268) move between closed and open positions when the IMM (244) slides between the first position and the second position. In one embodiment, an electrode (e.g., 292) provides an electrostatic force that opposes the acceleration forces and holds the IMM (244) in a holding position until overcome by the predetermined acceleration force. The predetermined acceleration force necessary to trigger the switch (240) may conveniently be adjusted by adjusting the electrostatic force applied by the electrode (292). The switch (240) is particularly useful as a safing switch in a system (140) for controlling a vehicle occupant protection device.
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Lammert Michael Dean
McIver George William
Friedhofer Michael
TRW Inc.
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