Indicator sensor for anti-whiplash system

• US 6,333,686 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Waltzer, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/799,998
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/457.1, 340/463, 340/426, 340/428, 340/435, 340/551, 280/804, 280/806, 701/45, 701/46, 701/47
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4228 due to impact coming from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42745 of the back-rest B60N2/433 takes precedence; higher part of the back-rest moving together with the headrest B60N2/888
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering

Abstract

A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated includes a wire disposed within an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat. The wire is partially encased in a plastic plug which is easily inserted into a hole in the anti-whiplash system. At one end of the wire, a current generator is attached to provide a current therethrough. Also attached to the wire, at a location downstream of the anti-whiplash system, is a sensor that is configured to detect a change in the current flow through the wire. When the anti-whiplash system is activated, the moving parts shear the plastic plug and the wire contained inside, thus breaking the electrical circuit. The current sensor detects this change in current and then activates a warning signal indicator which provides notice to a vehicle occupant that the anti-whiplash system has been activated. The vehicle occupant is thus made aware that the anti-whiplash system needs to be professionally inspected to ensure continued anti-whiplash protection.

Claims

1. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that a vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications for the seat system, comprising;

a filament disposed within a vehicle seat system and placed such that activation of said vehicle seat system severs said filament, activating a warning to alert a vehicle occupant that said vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plug encasing a length of said filament and configured to be installed into said vehicle seat system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said plug is a polymeric plug.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle seat system comprises an anti-whiplash system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle seat system comprises an all belts to seat system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle seat system comprises an occupant weight sensor system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said filament is a metal wire.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said filament is an optical fiber.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow generator connected to said filament proximal said vehicle seat system and configured to introduce a flow therethrough.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said flow is electricity.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said flow is light.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow sensor attached to said filament distal said vehicle seat system, and configured to detect a change in the flow through said filament, and capable of activating a warning upon such detection.

13. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated, comprising;

a current generator attached to a current-conducting wire proximal an anti-whiplash system for providing an electrical current therethrough;

said wire disposed within said anti-whiplash system such that activation of said anti-whiplash system causes a change in current flow through said wire;

a warning signal indicator connected to said wire such that a change in current flow through said wire activates said indicator which activation indicates that said anti-whiplash system has been activated.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said warning signal indicator is connected to said wire proximal said anti-whiplash system by a second wire having a resistance higher than said wire such that no current initially flows through said second wire.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a flow sensor connected to said wire distal said anti-whiplash system for sensing said current therethrough.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said flow sensor activates said warning signal indicator upon sensing a change in said flow through said wire.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said warning indicator is a visual indicator.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said warning indicator is an audible signal.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a polymeric p lug configured to carry a portion of said wire and configured to be installed into said anti-whiplash system such that activation of said anti-whiplash system shears said plug and the wire contained therein.

20. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated, comprising;

a current-conducting wire configured such that it is capable of being placed within an anti-whiplash system in such a manner that activation of the anti-whiplash system severs said wire;

a current generator attached to said wire proximal said anti-whiplash system for providing an electrical current therethrough;

a sensor attached to said wire distal said anti-whiplash system for sensing a change in said electrical current therethrough.

21. A method for detecting when an automobile seat'"'"'s anti-whiplash system has been activated comprising the steps of:

providing an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat;

providing a filament within said anti-whiplash system and configured such that activation of said anti-whiplash system severs said filament;

applying a flow through said filament;

connecting a sensor to said filament to detect said flow therethrough.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising activating a warning upon said sensor'"'"'s detection of flow change through said filament.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said filament is a metal wire.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said filament is an optical fiber.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said flow is electricity.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said flow is light.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said warning is a visual indicator.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein said warning is an audible indicator.