Roof-mounted energy absorbing countermeasure
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an impact detection module configured to;
detect whether a vehicle has experienced an impact; and
in response to detecting that the vehicle has experienced an impact, generate an impact detection signal; and
a countermeasure disposed between an outer roof panel of the vehicle and an inner roof panel of the vehicle, wherein the outer roof panel and the inner roof panel are separated by a first distance in a pre-impact state, and wherein the countermeasure is configured to;
deploy, in response to generation of the impact detection signal, so as to cause at least a portion of the outer roof panel and at least a portion of the inner roof panel to be separated by a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance,wherein the countermeasure comprises;
an outer cup having an opening facing the inner roof panel;
an inner cup disposed at least partially within the opening of the outer cup; and
an actuator disposed at least partially within the inner cup, wherein the actuator is configured to deploy in response to generation of the impact detection signal so as to cause the inner cup to exert a force on the inner roof panel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A roof-mounted energy absorbing countermeasure system for use in a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system may include an impact detection module configured to detect whether a vehicle has experienced an impact and generate an impact detection signal in response thereto. The system may also include a countermeasure disposed between an outer roof panel of the vehicle and an inner roof panel of the vehicle. The outer roof panel and the inner roof panel may be separated by a first distance in a pre-impact state. The countermeasure may be configured to deploy, in response to generation of the impact detection signal, so as to cause at least a portion of the outer roof panel and at least a portion of the inner roof panel to be separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an impact detection module configured to; detect whether a vehicle has experienced an impact; and in response to detecting that the vehicle has experienced an impact, generate an impact detection signal; and a countermeasure disposed between an outer roof panel of the vehicle and an inner roof panel of the vehicle, wherein the outer roof panel and the inner roof panel are separated by a first distance in a pre-impact state, and wherein the countermeasure is configured to; deploy, in response to generation of the impact detection signal, so as to cause at least a portion of the outer roof panel and at least a portion of the inner roof panel to be separated by a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, wherein the countermeasure comprises; an outer cup having an opening facing the inner roof panel; an inner cup disposed at least partially within the opening of the outer cup; and an actuator disposed at least partially within the inner cup, wherein the actuator is configured to deploy in response to generation of the impact detection signal so as to cause the inner cup to exert a force on the inner roof panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification