DUAL MODE CONTACT SENSOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE
First Claim
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1. A dual mode contact sensor for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- an impact-responsive, tubular sensing member;
a first linear contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member in the event that an impact displaces the tubular sensing member translationally by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction; and
a second linear contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member in the event that an impact deforms the tubular sensing member plastically to a predetermined extent.
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Abstract
A dual mode contact sensor for an automotive vehicle includes an impact-responsive tubular sensing member, and a first linear contact which is closed with the outer surface of the tubular sensing member. A second linear contact is mounted within the tubular sensing member such that a higher force impact, sufficient to cause plastic deformation of the tubular sensing member will cause a circuit to be closed with the second linear contact.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A dual mode contact sensor for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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an impact-responsive, tubular sensing member;
a first linear contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member in the event that an impact displaces the tubular sensing member translationally by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction; and
a second linear contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member in the event that an impact deforms the tubular sensing member plastically to a predetermined extent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A contact sensor system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
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a plurality of dual mode contact sensors adapted for mounting upon a common surface of a vehicle, with each of said sensors comprising;
an impact-responsive, tubular sensing member;
a first linear resistive contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member in the event that an impact displaces the tubular sensing member translationally by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction; and
a second linear resistive contact, which is closed with said tubular sensing member following contact with said first linear contact, in the further event that an impact deforms the tubular sensing member plastically to a predetermined extent; and
a controller for providing power to said plurality of dual mode contact sensors and for receiving signals from each of said linear contacts. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for determining the velocity of an impact with an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:
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providing a dual mode contact sensor having an impact-responsive, tubular sensing member mounted within a carrier;
providing a first linear contact which is closed with the tubular sensing member following impact-driven translational movement of the tubular sensing member within the carrier;
providing a second linear contact which is closed with the tubular sensing member following impact-driven plastic deformation of the tubular sensing member following contact with the first linear contact;
measuring the elapsed time between closure of the tubular sensing member with said first linear contact and said second linear contact; and
determining the velocity of an impact as a function of at least said elapsed time. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification