MAGNETIC CRASH SENSOR

• US 20080211646A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, LLC
• Original Assignee: TK Holdings Incorporated (Ningbo Junsheng Investment Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: AOKI, Hiroshi, CECH, Leonard S., WATSON, William Todd
• Granted Patent: US 7,839,143 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• 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

At least one time-varying signal is applied to a plurality of coil elements in cooperative relationship with and spanning different portions of a vehicle. The coil elements generate an associated plurality of magnetic field components that interact with the vehicle. At least one detection circuit generates a detected signal responsive to signal components from the coil elements so as to provide for detecting a change in a magnetic condition of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a change in a magnetic condition of a vehicle, comprising:

a. generating a first time-varying magnetic field component proximate to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location;

b. generating at least a second time-varying magnetic field component proximate to at least one second portion of said vehicle at least one corresponding second location, wherein said at least one second location is separated from said first location, and said first portion of said vehicle and said at least one second portion of said vehicle are at least partially conductive so that said first time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding first eddy current component in said first portion of said vehicle, and said at least one second time-varying magnetic field component generates a corresponding at least one second eddy current component in said at least one second portion of said vehicle; and

c. detecting a change in the magnetic condition of said vehicle responsive to a first signal responsive to said first eddy current component, and responsive to at least one second signal responsive to said corresponding at least one second eddy current component.