Apparatus with sensor assembly for sensing a vehicle crash condition and associated method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition, the apparatus comprising:
- a transponder responsive to interrogation signals for providing response signals, the transponder being affixed to a first structure of the vehicle;
a transceiver for transmitting interrogation signals to the transponder and receiving response signals from the transponder, the transceiver being affixed to a second structure of the vehicle at a location spaced apart from the first structure, a characteristic of the response signals received at the transceiver changing in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures; and
a controller for monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) and method for sensing a vehicle crash condition includes a transponder (76a) responsive to interrogation signals for providing response signals and a transceiver (70a) for transmitting interrogation signals to the transponder (76a) and receiving response signals from the transponder (76a). The transponder (76a) is affixed to a first structure (36) of the vehicle (12) and the transceiver (70a) is affixed to a second structure (64) of the vehicle (12) at a location spaced apart from the first structure (36). A characteristic of the response signals changes in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures (36 and 64). The apparatus (10) also includes a controller (34) for monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing a vehicle crash condition, the apparatus comprising:
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a transponder responsive to interrogation signals for providing response signals, the transponder being affixed to a first structure of the vehicle;
a transceiver for transmitting interrogation signals to the transponder and receiving response signals from the transponder, the transceiver being affixed to a second structure of the vehicle at a location spaced apart from the first structure, a characteristic of the response signals received at the transceiver changing in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures; and
a controller for monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sensing a vehicle crash condition, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting interrogation signals to a transponder affixed to a first structure of the vehicle from a transceiver affixed to a second structure of the vehicle, the second structure of the vehicle being spaced apart from the first structure;
transmitting response signals from the transponder to the transceiver in response to receiving the transmitted interrogation signals;
receiving the response signals at the transceiver, a characteristic of the response signals received at the transceiver changing in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures; and
monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification