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US 6,282,941 B1Granted
Impact detection device, in particular for a motor vehicle
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorGerhard Mader
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An impact detection device, in particular for a motor vehicle, includes at least one micromechanical acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and a counter-contact element. A first voltage is fed to terminals of the contact elements by a monitoring circuit in order to detect an impact. A second voltage, through which the contact is closed on the basis of electrostatic forces of attraction, is fed in order to test the acceleration switch.
Claims16
An impact detection device, comprising:
- at least one micromechanical acceleration switch carrying a measurement signal, said acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and having a counter-contact element, said elements each having a respective terminal;
- a monitoring circuit electrically conductively connected to said terminal of said contact element and to said terminal of said counter-contact element, said monitoring circuit having a controllable voltage source and an evaluation device evaluating said measurement signal tapped at said acceleration switch;
- said voltage source feeding a first voltage to said terminals in a first operating state for detecting an impact, said first voltage having a first value;
- said voltage source feeding a second voltage to said terminals in a second operating state for testing said acceleration switch by deflecting said contact element with an electrostatically acting force, said second voltage having a second value greater than said first value;
- and
- a test electrode acting on said movable contact element and electrically connected to said counter-contact element.
3 more elements
An impact detection device, comprising:
- at least one micromechanical acceleration switch carrying a measurement signal, said acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and having a counter-contact element, said elements each having a respective terminal;
- a monitoring circuit electrically conductively connected to said terminal of said contact element and to said terminal of said counter-contact element, said monitoring circuit having a controllable voltage source and an evaluation device evaluating said measurement signal tapped at said acceleration switch;
- said voltage source feeding a first voltage to said terminals in a first operating state for detecting an impact, said first voltage having a first value;
- said voltage source feeding a second voltage to said terminals in a second operating state for testing said acceleration switch by deflecting said contact element with an electrostatically acting force, said second voltage having a second value greater than said first value;
- and
- a measuring resistor connected parallel to said acceleration switch.
3 more elements
An impact detection device, comprising:
- at least one micromechanical acceleration switch carrying a measurement signal, said acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and having a counter-contact element, said elements each having a respective terminal;
- a monitoring circuit electrically conductively connected to said terminal of said contact element and to said terminal of said counter-contact element, said monitoring circuit having a controllable voltage source and an evaluation device evaluating said measurement signal tapped at said acceleration switch;
- said voltage source feeding a first voltage to said terminals in a first operating state for detecting an impact, said first voltage having a first value;
- said voltage source feeding a second voltage to said terminals in a second operating state for testing said acceleration switch by deflecting said contact element with an electrostatically acting force, said second voltage having a second value greater than said first value;
- said acceleration switch is disposed spatially separate from said monitoring circuit, and a two-wire line electrically connects said acceleration switch to said monitoring circuit;
- and
- a sensor device disposed spatially separate from said monitoring circuit and having said acceleration switch, a first measuring resistor connected parallel to said acceleration switch and a second measuring resistor connected in series with said acceleration switch and said first measuring resistor.
4 more elements
An impact detection device, comprising:
- at least one micromechanical acceleration switch carrying a measurement signal, said acceleration switch having a contact element to be moved as a function of acceleration and having a counter-contact element, said elements each having a respective terminal;
- a monitoring circuit electrically conductively connected to said terminal of said contact element and to said terminal of said counter-contact element, said monitoring circuit having a controllable voltage source and an evaluation device evaluating said measurement signal tapped at said acceleration switch;
- said voltage source feeding a first voltage to said terminals in a first operating state for detecting an impact, said first voltage having a first value;
- said voltage source feeding a second voltage to said terminals in a second operating state for testing said acceleration switch by deflecting said contact element with an electrostatically acting force, said second voltage having a second value greater than said first value;
- said voltage source has a first operating resistor, a second operating resistor connected in series with said first operating resistor, a controllable switching stage connected parallel to said first operating resistor, and an operating voltage source;
- and
- said first and second operating resistors connect one of said contact elements to said operating voltage source.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.