Robert Boschgmbh

Ulrich Kippelt

Botho Ziegenbein

Lothar Gademann

Gunther Stecher

Bernd Maihoefer

Uwe Foell

An acceleration sensor, which is particularly adapted for use in motor vehicles, is improved by structuring it to be readily testable, to assure reliability before installation. The acceleration sensor has a piezo element (1), which consists of at least two piezo-electric plates (2) placed on top of each other, the piezo-electrical polarization of which is oriented in opposite directions. At least two electrodes (9) are placed on each of the topside (7) and the underside (8) of the piezo element (1). For testing the sensor, the piezo element is deformed by the application of an electrical voltage to electrodes (9) of a first lateral portion (11a) of the piezo element. This deformation is detected by means of a deformation-generated voltage at the electrodes (9) of a second lateral portion (11b) of the piezo element.

Acceleration sensor with oppositely-polarized piezoelectric plates

Sensor for measuring acceleration and tilt with a bubble level

A sensor (10) for measurement of acceleration and/or tilt of a movable object, particularly a motor vehicle, features an interior space (12) partially filled with fluid (15). Within that space, at least two heatable, temperature-sensitive electrical circuit elements are arranged so that, in a rest or initial position of the sensor, they are equally covered or wetted by the fluid. If the acceleration and tilt of the movable object are both zero, or the two cancel each other out, the sensor reading is zero. If this is not the case, the acceleration or tilt leads to a differing degree of coverage or wetting of the at least two circuit elements, and thus to a non-zero sensor reading.

Fluid-based acceleration and tilt sensor

Growing community of inventors

Eningen, Germany

Ulrich Kippelt