Vehicular deformation sensor system
First Claim
1. A vehicle sensor assembly for detecting structural deformation of members of a vehicle, the sensor assembly comprising:
- a coaxial piezoelectric cable for detecting strain applied thereto;
a tube housing having a cavity extending along its length with the piezoelectric cable contained within the cavity;
means adapted for mounting the tube housing adjacent to one of the structural members of the vehicle and extending generally along the member; and
a controller in communication with the piezoelectric cable for receiving strain related signals therefrom, wherein said strain related signals correspond to an amount of said vehicle structural deformation, and wherein said controller compares said strain related signals to a threshold to sense a predetermined deformation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, allowing for actuation decisions of passive restraint devices. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (44) contained within a tube housing (54), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (36, 38) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (40) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42). Further, the sensor system may include diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (42) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (42).
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vehicle sensor assembly for detecting structural deformation of members of a vehicle, the sensor assembly comprising:
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a coaxial piezoelectric cable for detecting strain applied thereto;
a tube housing having a cavity extending along its length with the piezoelectric cable contained within the cavity;
means adapted for mounting the tube housing adjacent to one of the structural members of the vehicle and extending generally along the member; and
a controller in communication with the piezoelectric cable for receiving strain related signals therefrom, wherein said strain related signals correspond to an amount of said vehicle structural deformation, and wherein said controller compares said strain related signals to a threshold to sense a predetermined deformation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
a second coaxial piezoelectric cable, for detecting strain applied to thereto, and in communication with the controller;
a second tube housing having a cavity extending along its length with the second piezoelectric cable contained within the cavity; and
means adapted for mounting the second tube housing adjacent to a different one of the structural members of the vehicle.
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11. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric cable includes a generally cylindrical center conductor surrounded by a piezo-polymer, with the piezo-polymer surrounded by a copper shield and a jacket.
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12. The vehicle sensor assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
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a second coaxial piezoelectric cable, for detecting strain applied to thereto, and in communication with the controller;
a second tube housing having a cavity extending along its length with the second piezoelectric cable contained within the cavity; and
means adapted for mounting the second tube housing adjacent to a different one of the structural members of the vehicle.
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13. A passive restraint system in a vehicle having structural members, the passive restraint system comprising;
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a coaxial piezoelectric cable for detecting strain applied thereto;
a tube housing having a cavity extending along its length with the piezoelectric cable contained within the cavity;
means for mounting the tube housing adjacent to one of the structural members of the vehicle, and extending generally along the member;
a controller in communication with the piezoelectric cable for receiving strain related signals; and
a passive restraint mounted within the vehicle and actuable by the controller, wherein said strain related signals correspond to an amount of said vehicle structural deformation and wherein said controller activates said passive restraint in response to a comparison of said strain related signals to a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting impacts with a vehicle having structural members that deform in an impact and at least one passive restraint, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing an impact induced strain in the vehicle structural member with a coaxial piezoelectric cable and producing a corresponding strain signal;
sensing the acceleration of the vehicle and producing a corresponding acceleration signal;
determining the severity of the impact from the strain signal and the acceleration signal;
comparing the severity of impact to a threshold value; and
actuating the at least one passive restraint if the threshold is exceeded by the severity of impact.
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Specification