Tilt sensor, acceleration sensor, gyro and inertial sensor based on patented thermodynamic principle

Heinz Ploechinger -Ploechinger PatentHinding 68 A 4785 Freinberg ploechinger@aon.at www.ploechinger.com

09.05

Content

A) B) C) D) E)

Development history, sensor principle, awards Available products, technical datas, applications Actual development, next steps Future development: Thermodynamic principle for gyro and inertial sensor Related Patents

A) Development history

the upright candle-flame

A) sensor principle candle flame

A) First prototype 1992: 3 coiled filaments

A) Acceleration sensor principle

Fluidelement
fluid element

Warmzone ("Krper")
zone of lower density

F Trgheit Fluidelement
inertia fluid element

Drift F ges Beschleunigung a

acceleration

F Trgheit (Warmzone)
inertia zone of lower density

A) First prototypes (tilt, acceleration) on silicon

1994, 3 types with metal on insulator

1999, Chip with Silicon sensor elements

A) siliconchip dual-axis (tilt, acceleration)

A) Awards

AMA-Innovation-Award 2001 Product of the year elektronik R&D-100 Award 2002

B) Available Product: Tilt- and acceleration sensor TDNS

available at: THYRACONT (owner H. Ploechinger) info@thyracont.de

B) Simple readout

Power consumption 40 mW

B) Output signal tilt

Inclination steps 0,1

Measuring range 360 degrees Resolution (inclin.) 0,007 degrees Resol. (acceleration) 120 g

B) Dual-axis output tilt

360 degrees

B) Advantages

! Dual axis power-on inclination signal ! No hysteresis ! Highest sensitivity out of zero ! Extremely rugged design ! Low cost

B) Applications
automotive
Lateral and longitudinal acceleration Dynamic suspension control Seat position Rollover detection Headlamp leveling Anti theft system Movement of dummys

consumer
Camera stabilisation Inclination GPS joystick Vibration detection toys

industrial
robotics balances Cranes construction machines Detection of window position Instruments for levelling Liquid level detection

B) Suggestion for future use: Fuel level indicator, tilt compensated

Patent DE 103 33 270.7

C) Actual Development: The newest chip

based on US 6,722,199 B2, EP 1 111 395 B1

for multiple applications: tilt, acceleration, gyro

C) Actual Development: Inclinos chip mounted in ceramic housing, available soon

C) Vertical acceleration signal based on new operation principle

1) test setup
A: Sensor S distance to axis 4545mm (a) sensorSensor S auf Achse B: on axis A: sensor auf Achsabstand mm (a) B:
a
S

C) Vertical acceleration signal based on new operation principle

2) test results
Frequenz 1
A1
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g]

Frequenz 2
A2
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

Frequenz 3
A3
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

Frequenz 4
A4
57 19 3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0 3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

A: sensor distance to axis 45 mm (a)

B1
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g]
Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g]

B2
57 19

B3
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0 3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

B4
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0 3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-8,1 -19

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

B: sensor on axis

3) Details of test result A3

A3
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0 3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

-8,1 -19

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

4) Details of test result A4

A4
57 19 Beschleunigung/Acceleration [g] 8,1 2,0 0,3 -0,3 -2,0

3,0 0,68 0,06 -0,06 -0,68 -3,0

-8,1 -19

-57 0 20 40 60 Zeit/Time [ms] 80 100

C) Next steps (1): ceramic modul Inclinos sensor 1 sensor 3 axis 3 signals

inclinos
5,00

4,50

In preparation

C) Next steps (2 + 3)

Wafer-level housing

Sensor+readout-modul Analog and/or digital output

C) New patented time-based method for sensor readout (1)

option for low power operation

C) New patented time-based method for sensor readout (2)

time-based readout circuit

D) Future development: Thermal waves and thermal oscillator (1)

Patent DE 103 48 245.8-52

D) Future development: Thermal waves and thermal oscillator (2)

readout circuit, difference of flight time

D) Future development: Thermal waves and thermal oscillator (3)

readout circuit, thermal oscillator

D) Future development: Thermal waves and thermal oscillator (4)

sample sketch:1 axis sensor with resistor heaters and thermopiles

D) Future development: Thermal waves and thermal oscillator (5)

readout circuit, thermal oscillator with thermopile

D) Future development: Inertial sensor (1)

vertical/lateral/longitudinal-acceleration, roll, pitch, yaw, tilt (tilt over 360 with full accuracy) Patent DE 10 2004 040 003.2

constant temperature principle

D) Future development: Inertial sensor (2)

sample sketch of 3-D sensor chip with cap

D) Future development: Gyro, thermodynamic principle Pat. US 6,722,199 B2; EP 1 111 395 B1

E) Related Patents
Inventor Heinz Ploechinger
(ask for license options: ploechinger@aon.at) DE 42 43 978 C1 filed 23.12.1992 inclination and acceleration sensor (thermodynamic principle) filed Dec.20, 2000 angular movement and -acceleration, tilt or acceleration filed 23.12.1999 (sensor heating elements extending in the form of circular arc or polygonal progression)

US 6,722,199 B2 EP 1 111 395 B1

DE 101 15 715 B4 filed 30.03.2001 sensor and method for detecting physical parameters EP 02 3552 WO 02/079729 A1 (method for pulsed operation and readout based on time measurement) DE 103 48 245.8-52 US 11/161,314 filed 06.12.2003 movement- and position sensor and method for operating and production (THERMAL OSCILLATOR-principle for operation and readout)

DE 10 2004 040 003.2-52 US 11/1161,322 sensor for detecting movement and acceleration and method for operating and production (INERTIAL SENSORS) DE 103 33 270 A1 fuel level indicator, tilt compensated