US3875434A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure-sensitive sensor/logic assembly
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1973-10-31
•
Granted: 1975-04-01
•
Expires: 1993-10-31
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is a sensor/logic assembly useful, inter alia, for actuating a vehicular safety device for passenger restraint, the assembly comprising, in cooperation, a non-ohmic pressuresensitive sensor of selected conductive particles in an elastomeric matrix and a logic means for discriminating between electrical resistance or current values above and below a selectable threshold value.
Inventors
- 👤 John Charles Harden
- 👤 Jr John Lawrence Knupp
- 👤 Sebastian Vito Roc Mastrangelo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01L; G01L9/00; G01L9/02; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An electrically operated sensor/logic assembly for actuating a device, the assembly comprising, in cooperation, i. as sensor, a pressure-sensitive, non-ohmic elastic resistor comprising a continuous, elastomeric material having metallicconductive particles distributed therein in sufficient volume ratio to impart to said resistor a monitorable standby resistance above a threshold value and a capability for resistance reduction below a threshold value upon application of a preselected degree of pressure, the monitorable standby resistance value being between 50,000 ohms and 10 megohms, said threshold resistance value being discriminated by ii. a logic means connected thereto and adapted to provide a device-actuating signal upon reduction of sensor resistance below the threshold value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An electrically operated sensor/logic assembly for actuating a device, the assembly comprising, in cooperation, i. as sensor, a pressure-sensitive, non-ohmic elastic resistor comprising a continuous, elastomeric material having metallicconductive particles distributed therein in sufficient volume ratio to impart to said resistor a monitorable standby resistance above a threshold value and a capability for resistance reduction below a threshold value upon application of a preselected degree of pressure, the monitorable standby resistance value being between 50,000 ohms and 10 megohms, said threshold resistance value being discriminated by ii. a logic means connected thereto and adapted to provide a device-actuating signal upon reduction of sensor resistance below the threshold value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are selected from at least one member of the group consisting of the electrically conductive borides, carbides, nitrides and silicides of a transition metal selected from Periodic Groups IV, V and VI, and a three-component alloy of metal A, metal B, and silicon, metal A being cobalt or nickel present as 50 to 77 atomic percent, metal B being molybdenum or tungsten present as 18 to 33 atomic percent, and Si being present as 4 to 22 atomic percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are selected from at least one member of the group titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, niobium carbide, tAntalum carbide, tungsten carbide, hafnium carbide, titanium disilicide, and a three-component alloy containing, by atomic percent, about 56.5% cobalt, 22% molybdenum and 21.5% silicon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are titanium carbide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are titanium disilicide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are of a three-component alloy containing, by atomic percent, about 56.5% cobalt, 22% molybdenum and 21.5% silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group hydrocarbon rubber, polyurethane rubber, and silicone rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric material is hydrocarbon rubber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric material is polyurethane rubber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the elastomeric material is silicone rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the sensor contains metallic-conductive particles in a volume ratio to elastomeric material of between about 2:3 to 2:1, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the metallic-conductive particles are not wetted by the elastomeric material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the logic means is transistor-transistor logic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly according to claim 1 having serially connected to the sensor a voltage supply and an indicator for discriminating the monitorable resistance of the sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the indicator is a continuity-indicating lamp and the voltage supply is capable of supplying rated lamp current.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 1 containing additionally a current-buildup delay means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the device is a crash sensor and wherein the assembly contains, additionally, an inertial mass in crash-alignment with the sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly according to claim 18 containing additionally a current-buildup delay means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly according to claim 19, for actuating a passenger restraint device in a crash situation, wherein the delay means comprises at least one capacitor having sufficient capacitance to insure a time constant shorter than the duration of the crash, but sufficiently long to avoid unwanted actuation of the restraint device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 20 wherein the logic means is transistor-transistor logic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2951817A
Cited
US3556556A
Cited
US3701903A
Cited
US3750100A
Cited
US3742858A
Cited
US3774151A
Cited
US3774714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |