System and method for controlling vehicle safety device
First Claim
1. A system for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact to the vehicle generating plastic strain in a first portion of the vehicle, said system comprising:
- a ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled to the first portion of the vehicle such that said ferromagnetic element is deformed by elastic strain waves propagating away from the first portion of the vehicle as a result of the impact, whereby the ferromagnetic properties of said ferromagnetic element are altered by the strain waves;
a first means mounted on the vehicle adjacent to said ferromagnetic element for generating a first magnetic field, said first magnetic field being influenced by the ferromagnetic properties of said ferromagnetic element;
a first detecting means mounted on the vehicle adjacent to said ferromagnetic element and said first magnetic field generating means, respectively, for detecting variations in said first magnetic field;
a signal processor responsive to the first detecting means for generating a trigger signal when the detected variation in said first magnetic field exceeds a first threshold; and
an actuator responsive to the trigger signal for actuating said safety device upon receipt of the trigger signal.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for controlling actuation of a vehicle safety device in response to an impact to a first portion of the vehicle includes a ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled with the first portion of the vehicle so as to receive elastic strain waves generated as a result of plastic deformation of the first portion of the vehicle. A permanent magnet is mounted on the vehicle adjacent to the ferromagnetic element so that the ferromagnetic element itself influences the magnetic field. An induction coil is also mounted on the vehicle so as to fall within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. Upon plastic deformation of the first portion of the vehicle, the ensuing elastic strain waves elastically deform the ferromagnetic element to vary its ferromagnetic properties and, in turn, alter the magnetic field so as to induce an electromotive force voltage in the induction coil. A signal processor receives the electromotive force voltage induced in the induction coil by the varying magnetic field. The signal processor actuates the safety device when the electromotive force voltage, or an appropriate measure derived from the electromotive force voltage, exceeds a predetermined threshold.
65 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact to the vehicle generating plastic strain in a first portion of the vehicle, said system comprising:
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a ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled to the first portion of the vehicle such that said ferromagnetic element is deformed by elastic strain waves propagating away from the first portion of the vehicle as a result of the impact, whereby the ferromagnetic properties of said ferromagnetic element are altered by the strain waves; a first means mounted on the vehicle adjacent to said ferromagnetic element for generating a first magnetic field, said first magnetic field being influenced by the ferromagnetic properties of said ferromagnetic element; a first detecting means mounted on the vehicle adjacent to said ferromagnetic element and said first magnetic field generating means, respectively, for detecting variations in said first magnetic field; a signal processor responsive to the first detecting means for generating a trigger signal when the detected variation in said first magnetic field exceeds a first threshold; and an actuator responsive to the trigger signal for actuating said safety device upon receipt of the trigger signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact, wherein the impact generates plastic strain in a first portion of the vehicle and elastic strain waves propagating away from the first portion of the vehicle along a mechanical transmission path containing a ferromagnetic element, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a magnetic field adjacent to the ferromagnetic element such that a portion of the ferromagnetic element falls within said magnetic field, the ferromagnetic element influencing said magnetic field so as to vary said magnetic field upon propagation of the elastic strain waves through the ferromagnetic element; detecting variations in said magnetic field; comparing detected variations in said magnetic field with a first threshold; and actuating the safety device when the detected variation in said magnetic field exceeds the first threshold. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A method for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact, wherein the impact plastically deforms a ferromagnetic element defining a first portion of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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generating a magnetic field adjacent to the ferromagnetic element such that the ferromagnetic element falls within said magnetic field, the ferromagnetic element influencing said magnetic field so as to proportionately vary said magnetic field upon plastic deformation of the ferromagnetic element; detecting variations in said magnetic field; comparing detected variations in said magnetic field with a first threshold; and actuating the safety device when the detected variation in said magnetic field exceeds the first threshold. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification