Kiirendusmõõtjatest

Kiirendusmõõtjatest is an Estonian term that translates to accelerometer, a sensor used to measure acceleration forces. These devices detect changes in velocity over time and are widely employed in many fields such as automotive technology, mobile devices, aerospace, construction, and medical equipment. The basic principle underlying an accelerometer is the measurement of the displacement of a mass or the strain of a sensor element when an external force is applied.

There are several major types of accelerometers. Mechanical or piezoelectric accelerometers use a proof mass suspended on springs; when the sensor experiences acceleration, the mass moves and generates a piezoelectric charge proportional to the force. Capacitive accelerometers, common in smartphones, detect changes in the capacitance between a movable plate and fixed electrodes as the plate moves. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometers are small, integrated circuits that combine sensors with electronics and are mass-produced for consumer electronics. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) combine accelerometers with gyroscopes and sometimes magnetometers to provide comprehensive motion tracking.

Historical development began in the early twentieth century, with early mechanical devices by Francis Herbert Levene and the later introduction of piezoelectric sensors in the 1960s. The advent of MEMS technology in the 1980s and 1990s revolutionized the field, enabling cheap, low-power, high-accuracy devices that can be embedded in everyday objects. The evolution of sensor software and data processing has further expanded applications to include navigation, collision detection, and biomechanics research.

In everyday life, kiirendusmõõtjatest devices are found in smartphones for screen rotation and gaming, in cars for airbag deployment and stability control, in fitness trackers to record steps, and in construction equipment for monitoring vibrations. Their ongoing development continues to push the limits of precision, power efficiency, and integration with wireless communication technologies.