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:
Jan. 30, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 22, 2004
Minoru Murata, Oobu, JP;
Takaaki Kawai, Oobu, JP;
Minoru Murata, Oobu, JP;
Takaaki Kawai, Oobu, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A physical quantity (e.g., acceleration) sensing unit is provided. In this unit, a capacitive sensor has first and second fixed electrodes and a physical-quantity-sensitive movable electrode disposed between the first and second fixed electrodes. An adjusting circuit first adjusts a first bias voltage applied between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second voltage applied between the movable electrode and the second fixed electrode so that the movable electrode is brought into contact with either the first or second fixed electrode. The adjusting circuit then adjusts the first and second bias voltages to return the movable electrode to its original position. A detecting circuit detects an output on a capacitance relationship among the first and second fixed electrodes and the movable electrode. The output is subjected to determination of whether or not the output is out of order, when tested.