Patent US4855544A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4855544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple level miniature electromechanical accelerometer switch
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
•
Filing: 1988-09-01
•
Granted: 1989-08-08
•
Expires: 2008-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An accelerometer switch which has cantilever beams carrying integral end masses formed in a silicon die which is sandwiched between a contact plate and a support plate. Each beam provides switching at a different threshold acceleration level. The fixed contact face of the contact plate is configured with a relief space to permit accelerometer switch operation even though the input acceleration is off-normal and there is twisting of the accelerometer beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Max C. Glenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/0802; G01P15/135; H01H1/00; H01H1/0036; G01P2015/0805; G01P2015/0822; G01P2015/0825; G01P2015/0828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
An accelerometer switch, comprising: a contact plate; a backplate; an accelerometer die formed from a single piece of semiconductor material, said accelerometer die sandwiched between said contact plate and said backplate, said accelerometer die having a plurality of cantilever beams, each said cantilever beam having a fixed end and a free end, each said free end carrying an integral end mass, each said cantilever beam further having a first contact face; a first electrical contact located on said first face; a second contact face located on said contact plate and spaced from said first contact face, said second face having a raised portion located to be complementary to said first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact located on said raised portion such that a threshold acceleration normal to said first contact face will cause bending of said cantilever beam thereby carrying said first electrical contact into engagement with said second electrical contact; said raised portion allowing said first contact to engage said second contact when said first contact face is tilted due to an offnormal acceleration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
An accelerometer switch, comprising: a contact plate; a backplate; an accelerometer die formed from a single piece of semiconductor material, said accelerometer die sandwiched between said contact plate and said backplate, said accelerometer die having a plurality of cantilever beams, each said cantilever beam having a fixed end and a free end, each said free end carrying an integral end mass, each said cantilever beam further having a first contact face; a first electrical contact located on said first face; a second contact face located on said contact plate and spaced from said first contact face, said second face having a raised portion located to be complementary to said first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact located on said raised portion such that a threshold acceleration normal to said first contact face will cause bending of said cantilever beam thereby carrying said first electrical contact into engagement with said second electrical contact; said raised portion allowing said first contact to engage said second contact when said first contact face is tilted due to an offnormal acceleration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch of claim 1 including electrical connecting means between said first contact and a switch terminal associated with said first contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch of claim 2 including electrical connecting means between said second contact and a common switch terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch of claim 3, further comprising: a pedestal located on said backplate directly below each said end mass for biasing each said first contact more closely toward engagement with each said second contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3389236A
Cited
US3764820A
Cited
US4138604A
Cited
US4356730A
Cited
US4543457A
Cited
US4673777A
Cited
US4737660A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |