Sensing apparatus and electronic equipment utilizing same

Abstract

A sensing apparatus comprises a sensing unit and a supporting unit. The sensing unit detects a direction and an amount of physical quantity applied thereto. The sensing unit has a detection reference axis along which the direction and the amount of the physical quantity are detected. The supporting unit stationarily supports the sensing unit. The sensing unit is inclined relative to the supporting unit by a predetermined angle so that a difference in angle between the detection reference axis and the direction of the physical quantity actually applied to the sensing unit when detecting the direction and the amount of the physical quantity is minimized.

1 . A sensing apparatus comprising: 
 a sensing unit for detecting a direction and an amount of physical quantity applied thereto, said sensing unit having a detection reference axis along which the direction and the amount of the physical quantity are detected; and    a supporting unit for stationarily supporting said sensing unit;    wherein: 
 said sensing unit is stationarily supported in an inclined state at an angle relative to said supporting unit, said angle being predetermined so as to reduce a difference in angle between said detection reference axis and the direction of said physical quantity actually applied to said sensing unit when detecting the direction and the amount of said physical quantity.  
   
   
   
       2 . The sensing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said supporting unit comprises a base member and a mounting member secured to said base member; and    said sensing unit is mounted on said mounting member.    
   
   
       3 . Electronic equipment to be mounted on a movable body, comprising: 
 a main body; and    a sensing apparatus provided in said main body, said sensing apparatus comprising (i) a sensing unit for detecting a direction and an amount of physical quantity applied thereto, said sensing unit having a detection reference axis along which the direction and the amount of the physical quantity are detected; and (ii) a supporting unit for stationarily supporting said sensing unit;    wherein:    said sensing unit is stationarily supported in an inclined state at an angle relative to said supporting unit, said angle being predetermined so as to reduce a difference in angle between said detection reference axis and the direction of said physical quantity actually applied to said sensing unit when detecting the direction and the amount of said physical quantity.    
   
   
       4 . The electronic equipment as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said supporting unit comprises a base member and a mounting member secured to said base member; and    said sensing unit is mounted on said mounting member.    
   
   
       5 . A sensing apparatus for use in a non-horizontally mounted vehicle navigation system, the sensing apparatus comprising: 
 a supporting unit; and    a sensing unit supported by the supporting unit for detecting a direction of a vehicle based on an amount of a physical quantity applied thereto, wherein the sensing unit is supported at a predetermined fixed angle relative to the supporting unit, the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensating for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system in which the sensing apparatus is used.    
   
   
       6 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensates for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system by reducing an angle between a detection reference axis of the sensing unit and the direction of the physical quantity applied to the sensing unit that would otherwise result from the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system.  
   
   
       7 . A vehicle navigation system adapted for non-horizontal mounting in a vehicle, the navigation system comprising: 
 a position detection system for detecting a position of a vehicle in which the navigation system is mounted; and    a display for displaying navigation information, wherein    the position detecting system includes a sensing apparatus comprising a supporting unit and a sensing unit supported by the supporting unit for detecting a direction of a vehicle based on an amount of a physical quantity applied thereto, and    the sensing unit is supported at a predetermined fixed angle relative to the supporting unit, the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensating for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system.    
   
   
       8 . The vehicle navigation system according to  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensates for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system by reducing an angle between a detection reference axis of the sensing unit and the direction of the physical quantity applied to the sensing unit that would otherwise result from the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system.  
   
   
       9 . A sensing apparatus for use in a non-horizontally mounted vehicle navigation system, the sensing apparatus comprising: 
 supporting means; and    sensing means supported by the supporting means for detecting a direction of a vehicle based on an amount of a physical quantity applied thereto,    wherein the sensing means is supported at a predetermined fixed angle relative to the supporting means, the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensating for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system in which the sensing apparatus is used.    
   
   
       10 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined fixed angle at least partly compensates for the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system by reducing an angle between a detection reference axis of the sensing means and the direction of the physical quantity applied to the sensing means that would otherwise result from the non-horizontal mounting of the vehicle navigation system.