Collision detector

• US 20070227797A1
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Takahashi, Hisashi, Tanabe, Takatoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/14 having folding parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558

Abstract

A collision detector for a vehicle that defines a width direction is disclosed. The collision detector includes a back plate for coupling to the vehicle. The collision detector also includes a plurality of chamber members coupled to the back plate. Each of the chamber members defines a chamber space therein. Also, the collision detector includes a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in at least one of the chamber spaces to thereby detect collision of the vehicle. The chamber members are provided across the width of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A collision detector for a vehicle that defines a width direction, the collision detector comprising:

a back plate for coupling to the vehicle;

a plurality of chamber members coupled to the back plate, wherein each of the chamber members defines a chamber space therein; and

a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in at least one of the chamber spaces to thereby detect collision of the vehicle;

wherein the chamber members are provided across the width of the vehicle.

2. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein the chamber members abut each other.

3. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein the chamber members are provided adjacent each other such that deformation of one of the chamber members causes deformation of another one of the chamber members.

4. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the chamber members includes a plurality of face walls, and wherein at least one of the face walls facing a neighboring chamber member is more flexible than another of the face walls.

5. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein the chamber members are coupled to a coupling surface of the back plate, wherein at least one of the chamber members includes a side face wall facing a neighboring chamber member that is at least partially inclined relative to the coupling surface.

6. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the chamber members includes a front surface that is opposite to and spaced from the back plate, wherein the front surface is non-planar.

7. The collision detector according to claim 6, wherein the at least one chamber members is provided at an outboard side of the vehicle.

8. The collision detector according to claim 6, further comprising a cover that covers the chamber members on an outer portion of the vehicle, and wherein the front surface is non-planar according to the shape of the cover.

9. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle defines a horizontal plane, and wherein at least one of the chamber members includes an end face wall with a slanting-wall part that intersects the horizontal plane.

10. A collision detector according to claim 9, wherein the end face wall entirely comprises the slanting-wall part.

11. A collision detector according to claim 9 wherein the slanting wall part is at least partially planar.

12. A collision detector according to claim 9, wherein the slanting wall part is at least one of a convexity and a concavity relative to the chamber space.

13. A collision detector according to claim 9, wherein the slanting-wall part is formed in a wave shape.

14. A collision detector according to claim 1, wherein the chamber spaces are each air tight.