Quadrangular Acceleration Sensor with Diagonal Terminals for Direction Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collision sensing apparatuses in air bag systems are limited in their ability to change sensing directions without significant modifications, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for altering connector terminal shapes and positions.
Innovation Solution
A sensing apparatus with a quadrangular sensor and connector terminals arranged in diagonally opposed corners, allowing for easy reorientation of the sensor by rotating it and adjusting the leads, without requiring changes to the sensor or connector case, enabling versatile direction sensing at low costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the orientation of the G sensor in the housing is changed to sense impact from different directions, then the sensing direction is changed, but the shapes of the connector terminals or positions of contacts must be changed, requiring a change in the molding die and resulting in increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector terminal is designed with a universal structure where the signal transmission path is separated from the housing structure. The connector terminal can be oriented in different directions while maintaining the same basic shape and molding die, allowing the G sensor to sense impacts from different directions without requiring changes to the connector terminal design or manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector terminal is divided into distinct functional parts: the housing portion and the signal transmission path. This segmentation allows the signal transmission function to be maintained independently of the housing orientation, enabling the G sensor to be rotated to different sensing directions while using the same connector terminal design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple collision sensing apparatuses are provided to sense impacts from various directions, then complete coverage of impact directions is achieved, but the device complexity and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single collision sensing apparatus equipped with the universal connector terminal can be installed in different orientations to sense impacts from different directions. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensing apparatuses, reducing device complexity and the number of components required while maintaining comprehensive impact direction coverage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the G sensor is rotated to change sensing direction, then adaptability to different installation orientations is improved, but the connector terminal shape or contact positions must be modified, increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The connector terminal is designed as a universal component that maintains the same shape and contact positions regardless of the G sensor's rotation. The signal transmission path is configured to accommodate different sensor orientations without requiring modifications to the connector terminal design, thereby maintaining simple manufacturing processes and reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A collision sensing apparatus includes an acceleration sensor, first and second connector terminals, reference connector terminals and leads. The acceleration sensor is shaped into a square form. First and second contacts are provided in two diagonally opposed corner portions of the sensor. Reference contacts are arranged in the other two diagonally opposed corner portions of the sensor. The first and second connector terminals are opposed to the first and second contacts, respectively. The reference connector terminals are opposed to the reference contacts, respectively. The leads connect the first and second connector terminals and the reference connector terminals to the first and second contacts and the reference contacts.