PRESSURE-BASED CRASH DETECTION SYSTEM INCORPORATED IN SIDE RAIL
First Claim
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1. A crash sensing system for a vehicle having a bumper with a contoured surface and having a hollow crush can attached to the bumper, comprising:
- a bumper cap having a first end surface shaped to nest into the contoured surface of the bumper;
an elongated chamber having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is sized to be received in the crush can, wherein the outer wall has an end opening at a first end for receiving a second end of the bumper cap, and wherein the bumper cap substantially seals the end opening;
a reaction cap substantially closing a second end of the outer wall of the chamber, wherein the reaction cap or the elongated chamber include a stop surface for abutting a reaction surface that is stationary with respect to the crush can; and
a fluid sensor for detecting a change in the fluid in the chamber caused by crushing of the outer wall in response to a crash force received by the bumper and crush can and transmitted through the bumper cap, wherein the outer wall has a side opening for receiving the pressure sensor.
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Abstract
A vehicular crash sensing system includes a bumper cap for contacting a bumper. A chamber fits into a side rail attached to the bumper, the chamber being sealed by the bumper cap. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.
21 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A crash sensing system for a vehicle having a bumper with a contoured surface and having a hollow crush can attached to the bumper, comprising:
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a bumper cap having a first end surface shaped to nest into the contoured surface of the bumper; an elongated chamber having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is sized to be received in the crush can, wherein the outer wall has an end opening at a first end for receiving a second end of the bumper cap, and wherein the bumper cap substantially seals the end opening; a reaction cap substantially closing a second end of the outer wall of the chamber, wherein the reaction cap or the elongated chamber include a stop surface for abutting a reaction surface that is stationary with respect to the crush can; and a fluid sensor for detecting a change in the fluid in the chamber caused by crushing of the outer wall in response to a crash force received by the bumper and crush can and transmitted through the bumper cap, wherein the outer wall has a side opening for receiving the pressure sensor.
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Specification