The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 21, 2002
Michiko Endo, Shinagawa, JP;
Katsuya Funakoshi, Shinagawa, JP;
Takashi Arita, Shinagawa, JP;
Masayuki Kato, Shinagawa, JP;
Shinichiro Akieda, Shinagawa, JP;
Nagano Fujitsu Component Limited, Nagano, JP;
Abstract
A sensor unit includes a support body having a concave surface, a spherical body formed of a magnetic material and placed on the concave surface of the support body so as to roll freely thereon, a permanent magnet producing a magnetic field affecting the magnetic spherical body, and a magnetic sensor detecting a change in the magnetic field caused by the movement of said magnetic spherical body. The magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet are provided to oppose each other with a given distance therebetween in a vertical direction. The magnetic sensor is provided between the magnetic spherical body and the permanent magnet. An output is produced in accordance with the detection by the magnetic sensor.