Gas damped crash sensor
First Claim
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1. A crash sensor comprising:
- (a) a tubular passage;
(b) a magnetically permeable sensing mass, arranged to move in said passage between a first location and a second location;
(c) a magnet for biasing said sensing mass toward said first location in said passage;
(d) first and second electrical contacts arranged to come in contact with each other when said sensing mass is moved to said second location, both said first and said second contacts being constructed of magnetically permeable material;
(e) means for concentrating magnetic flux from said magnet through said first and second contacts in response to the presence of said sensing mass at said second location, such that said contacts are mutually attracted to each other and tend to remain in contact once closed as long as said flux is present.
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Abstract
Conventional ball-in-tube, gas-damped, crash sensors utilize a gold plated ball to bridge two contacts. When the ball senses acceleration (deceleration) in the longitudinal direction of a cylinder of sufficient magnitude and duration, it moves to where it bridges the contacts, completing the electrical circuit and initiating deployment of a safety restraint system. A switch activated by magnetic flux is combined with this type of gas-damped sensor to provide a solid and reliable contact duration and ensure the correct functioning of the sensor. The level of biasing force for crash zone crash sensors of this type has been increased to avoid late firing problems on marginal crashes.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A crash sensor comprising:
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(a) a tubular passage; (b) a magnetically permeable sensing mass, arranged to move in said passage between a first location and a second location; (c) a magnet for biasing said sensing mass toward said first location in said passage; (d) first and second electrical contacts arranged to come in contact with each other when said sensing mass is moved to said second location, both said first and said second contacts being constructed of magnetically permeable material; (e) means for concentrating magnetic flux from said magnet through said first and second contacts in response to the presence of said sensing mass at said second location, such that said contacts are mutually attracted to each other and tend to remain in contact once closed as long as said flux is present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash comprising:
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(a) a tubular passage; (b) a sensing mass arranged to move in said passage in response to a vehicle crash, there being a tight clearance between said sensing mass and said passage such that the movement of said sensing mass with respect to said passage is damped by gas flow; (c) a flexible first electrical contact; (d) a second more rigid electrical contact in proximity to said first contact; (e) means responsive to the movement of said sensing mass with respect to said passage for displacing said first contact toward said second contact causing said first and second contact to close an electrical circuit during a crash; (f) means for biasing said sensing mass so as to maintain said first and second contacts in open relationship in the absence of a vehicle crash. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification