METHOD OF ADJUSTING AN APPARATUS COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE TUBE PRE-TENSIONED WITH A LIQUID AND CONNECTED TO A PRESSURE SENSOR

• US 20110005297A1
• Filed: 06/09/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Luca Romelli
• Original Assignee: Luca Romelli
• Inventors: GILARDI, Enrico Piero
• Granted Patent: US 8,516,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/1.57
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/01 Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 5/06 with electrical indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/02 by hydraulic or pneumatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 25/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring force, torque, work, mechanical power, or mechanical efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20256 Steering and controls assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20834 Hand wheels

Abstract

The present invention concerns a method of adjusting (taring), or re-calibrating respectively of an apparatus comprising a previously pressurized liquid-filled flexible tube, such as used in the steering mechanism of vehicles (steering wheel, handlebar) for detecting panic reactions by the driver and for activating safety measures, or for detecting the presence of a person sitting on the seat of an automobile and e.g. for measuring the weight of that person and for accordingly adapting the safety measures.

According to the present invention, in determining the differential between the external pressure exerted by a person onto the flexible tube and the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube, the variations of the pressure in the previously pressurized tube caused by variations of one or more variable ambient parameters (such as e.g. the temperature and/or the barometric air pressure) are taken into account

Owing to these measures the measuring system functions with the previously pressurized flexible tube exactly, and independent of any variations occurring in ambient conditions prevailing in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of one of adjusting (taring) or re-calibrating an apparatus that includes a liquid-filled previously pressurized flexible tube that is closed at one end and is connected to a pressure sensor at an other end, the method comprising:

activating predetermined controlling functions by establishing a differential of an external pressure exerted onto the tube by a person and a pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube; and

in establishing the differential, taking into account variations of the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube, when no external pressure is being exerted on the tube by the person, due to at least one variable external ambient parameter.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one ambient parameter is an external ambient temperature.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one ambient parameter is the atmospheric air pressure.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the external pressure exerted on the previously pressurized tube is released frequently at intervals that are shorter than a time span over which the variations in the at least one ambient parameter are felt,

wherein a base or reference value for the one of the adjustment (taring) or re-calibration of the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized flexible tube without the external pressures being exerted is provided as an average value of a predetermined number of minimum values, and

wherein the average value is continually adjusted at predetermined time intervals.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the exerted external pressure is released from the previously pressurized flexible tube,

wherein, during a time span between a release of the external pressure and a next exertion of external pressure, the variations of the at least one ambient parameter occur;

and

wherein the apparatus further includes an information technology control device with an on/off switch, and the method further comprises activating the on/off switch;

establishing a base or reference pressure value from the pressure prevailing in the previously pressured flexible tube shortly before the on/off switch is activated;

providing the base or reference pressure value as an initial value for the one of the adjusting (taring) or reference value; and

continually adjusting the one of the adjusting (taring) or reference value as a function of the variations of the at least one external ambient parameter,

wherein the at least one external ambient parameter is measured with a sensor system, and the information technology control device includes software programmed to take into account the variation of the prevailing pressure in the flexible tube without the external pressure being exerted as a function of at least one of the ambient temperature and the barometric pressure.

6. A method for one of adjusting (taring) or re-calibrating an apparatus having a liquid-filled previously pressurized flexible tube that is closed at one end and is connected to a pressure sensor at an other end, the method comprising:

monitoring a differential between an external pressure exerted on the tube by a person and a pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube to activate predetermined controlling functions; and

varying the monitored differential due to variations on the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube based upon at least one variable external ambient parameter.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube is the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized tube when the external pressure is not exerted on the tube by the person.

8. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one variable external ambient parameter is an external ambient temperature.

9. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the at least one variable external ambient parameter is the atmospheric air pressure.

10. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the external pressure exerted on the previously pressurized tube is released frequently at intervals that are shorter than a time span over which the variations in the at least one ambient parameter are felt.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising providing a base or reference value for the pressure prevailing in the previously pressurized flexible tube without the external pressures being exerted as an average value of a predetermined number of minimum values, and

continually adjusting the average value at predetermined time intervals.

12. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein, during a time span between a release of the external pressure and a next exertion of external pressure, the variations of the at least one ambient parameter occur.

13. The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the apparatus further includes an information technology control device with an on/off switch, and the method further comprises:

activating the on/off switch;

establishing a base or reference pressure value from the pressure prevailing in the previously pressured flexible tube shortly before the on/off switch is activated; and

continually adjusting the base or reference pressure value as a function of the variations of the at least one external ambient parameter.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the at least one external ambient parameter is measured with a sensor system, and the information technology control device includes software programmed to take into account the variation of the prevailing pressure in the flexible tube without the external pressure being exerted as a function of at least one of the ambient temperature and the barometric pressure.