Bumper for impact detection
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bumper for impact detection with an object, comprising:
- an electrically conductive member;
a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted adjacent said conductive member and having two ends;
means for electrically insulating said conductive member from said conductive material when said conductive material is non-compressed but allowing an electrical connection between said conductive member and said conductive material when said conductive material is compressed at a point of impact with the object; and
means for determining a position of the point of impact based on electrical measurements taken at the ends of the conductive material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bumper for impact detection with an object is disclosed. An electrically conductive member has a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted thereto. An insulator formed of mesh material is sandwiched between the electrically conductive member and the electrically conductive material for electrically insulating the member and the material when the member is in a non-compressed state and to provide electrical conduction between the member and the material when the conductive material is in a compressed state.
69 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A bumper for impact detection with an object, comprising:
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an electrically conductive member; a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted adjacent said conductive member and having two ends; means for electrically insulating said conductive member from said conductive material when said conductive material is non-compressed but allowing an electrical connection between said conductive member and said conductive material when said conductive material is compressed at a point of impact with the object; and means for determining a position of the point of impact based on electrical measurements taken at the ends of the conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A bumper for impact detection with an object, comprising:
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an electrically conductive member; a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted adjacent to said conductive member; and means for electrically insulating said conductive member from said conductive material when said conductive material is non-compressed but allowing an electrical connection between said conductive member and said conductive material when said conductive material is compressed; wherein said insulating means is sandwiched between said electrically conductive member and said compressible, electrically conductive material; and wherein said insulating means comprises a mesh material having openings sized to prevent accidental contact between said conductive member and said conductive material while allowing contact between the conductive member and material from an impact with the object. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A method useful in detecting impact of a vehicle with an object comprising:
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providing a bumper on a vehicle; providing an electrically conductive member on the bumper; providing a compressible, electrically conductive material adjacent to the conductive member; electrically insulating the conductive member from the conductive material when the conductive member is non-compressed; and allowing electrical conduction between said conductive member and said conductive material in response to compression of said conductive material resulting from impact of the vehicle with the object. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A bumper for impact detection with an object, comprising:
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an electrically non-conductive back plate; a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted to said back plate and having two ends; an electrically conductive member disposed adjacent said electrically conductive material; and means for electrically insulating said conductive member from said conductive material when said conductive material is non-compressed but allowing an electrical connection between said conductive member and said conductive material when said conductive material is compressed at a point of impact with the object; and means for determining a position of the point of impact based on electrical measurements taken at the ends of the conductive material. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A bumper for impact detection with an object, comprising:
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an electrically non-conductive back plate; a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted to said back plate; an electrically conductive member disposed adjacent said electrically conductive material; and means for electrically insulating said conductive member from said conductive material when said conductive material is non-compressed but allowing an electrical connection between said conductive member and said conductive material when said conductive material is compressed; wherein said insulating means is sandwiched between said electrically conductive member and said compressible, electrically conductive material; and wherein said insulating means comprises a mesh material having openings sized to prevent accidental contact between said conductive member and said conductive material while allowing contact between the conductive member and material from an impact with the object. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification