OPTICAL CRASH SENSOR
First Claim
1. A vehicle crash sensor arrangement comprising:
- a first structure of a vehicle;
a second structure of the vehicle located a distance from the first structure of the vehicle;
an optical sensor comprising a light transmitter and a photo receiver mounted to one of the first and second vehicle structures and arranged such that the light transmitter emits a light signal and the photo receiver senses irradiance, wherein a change in the irradiance is an indication of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle; and
processing circuitry for processing the sensed irradiance and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in sensed irradiance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A crash sensor is provided on a vehicle having first and second vehicle structures. The crash sensor includes a light transmitter for emitting a light signal within an opening between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure, and a photo receiver for sensing irradiance in the opening between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure. A change in irradiance or illuminance is indicative of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle. The sensor further includes processing circuitry for processing the sensed irradiance and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in sensed irradiance.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle crash sensor arrangement comprising:
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a first structure of a vehicle; a second structure of the vehicle located a distance from the first structure of the vehicle; an optical sensor comprising a light transmitter and a photo receiver mounted to one of the first and second vehicle structures and arranged such that the light transmitter emits a light signal and the photo receiver senses irradiance, wherein a change in the irradiance is an indication of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle; and processing circuitry for processing the sensed irradiance and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in sensed irradiance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle crash sensor comprising:
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a light transmitter connected to a vehicle for emitting a light signal within an opening between a first vehicle structure and a second vehicle structure; a photo receiver located on the vehicle for sensing irradiance in the opening between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure, wherein a change in the irradiance is indicative of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle; and processing circuitry for processing the sensed irradiance and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in sensed irradiance. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of sensing a change in displacement of a first vehicle structure relative to a second vehicle structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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emitting via a light transmitter on a vehicle a light signal in an area between a first vehicle structure and a second vehicle structure; sensing via a photo receiver on the vehicle irradiance between the first vehicle structure and the second vehicle structure, wherein a change in the irradiance is an indicative of a change in displacement of the first structure relative to the second structure indicative of deformity of the vehicle; processing the sensed irradiance to determine a change in irradiance; and detecting a vehicle crash based on the change in irradiance. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification