IP Library Granted Patent US 8,028,578
Granted Patent B2
US 8,028,578 · App. 12/281,269 · Granted Oct 4, 2011

Composite sensor

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,028,578
App. No.
12/281,269
Granted
Oct 4, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A composite sensor includes an angular velocity sensor element, an acceleration sensor element, a signal processing IC for processing signals from the angular velocity sensor element and the acceleration sensor element, an inner package for accommodating the angular velocity sensor element, the acceleration sensor element, and the signal processing IC; a coupler connected to this inner package, and a fixing member connected to this coupler for holding the inner package via this coupler. The coupler is elastically deformable. One of the acceleration sensor element and the signal processing IC is located at the right with respect to the center of the inner package, and the other of the acceleration sensor element and the signal processing IC is located at the left with respect to the center of the inner package. The composite sensor angular maintains its characteristics of the angular velocity sensor element while the angular velocity sensor element and the acceleration sensor element are accommodated in one package.

Claims (16)

1. A composite sensor comprising;

an angular velocity sensor element;

an acceleration sensor element;

a signal processing IC for processing signals from the angular velocity sensor element and the acceleration sensor element;

an inner package for accommodating the angular velocity sensor element, the acceleration sensor element, and the signal processing IC;

a coupler connected to the inner package, the coupler being elastically deformable; and

a fixing member connected to the coupler for holding the inner package via the coupler, wherein

the acceleration sensor element is located in one space in the inner package with respect to a center of the inner package,

the signal processing IC is located in another space in the inner package with respect to the center of the inner package,

the inner package has a center of gravity at a center of the inner package.

2. The composite sensor according to claim 1 , wherein

the coupler is made of elastic material,

the angular velocity sensor element is configured to vibrate to detect an angular velocity according to a Coriolis force produced thereon,

the angular velocity sensor element vibrates in a direction perpendicular to a direction along which the coupler deflects, and

a detection direction of the acceleration sensor element is parallel to the direction along which the angular velocity sensor element vibrates.

3. The composite sensor according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the angular velocity sensor element and the acceleration sensor element is inclined in the inner package.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 6, 2009
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022363/0306 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2008
From: OHKOSHI, HIDEO
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021578/0946 →