Device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle

• US 6,799,653 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Recknagel, Rolf-Jürgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US10/045,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20020112911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 180/271, 180/274, 280/735, 356/3, 356/4.01
• US Class Current: 180/271
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0119 Plausibility check
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0136 responsive to actual contact with an obstacle , e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558

Abstract

A device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle, a side impact being detected using a distance sensor. The distance sensor is preferably designed as an optical sensor, the transmitting power of the optical sensor being adjusted by an initial measuring procedure at the start of operation and by a control circuit during operation.

Claims

1. A device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a reflector situated in a side section of the motor vehicle;

a stiffening pipe connected to the reflector, the stiffening pipe being situated in the side section of the motor vehicle;

at least one sensor situated in the side section of the motor vehicle for determining a side section deformation, the at least one sensor including a distance sensor for measuring a distance to the reflector; and

a control unit for evaluating sensor signals from the at least one sensor, the control unit detecting a side impact as a function of the distance.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor is an optical sensor.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the stiffening pipe is the reflector.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening pipe is connected to a metal plate as the reflector.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance decreases in response to the side impact.

6. A device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a reflector;

a stiffening pipe connected to the reflector, the stiffening pipe being situated in a side section of the motor vehicle;

at least one sensor situated in the side section of the motor vehicle for determining a side section deformation, the at least one sensor including a distance sensor for measuring a distance to the reflector; and

a control unit for evaluating sensor signals from the at least one sensor, the control unit detecting a side impact as a function of the distance;

wherein, after a start of operation of the device, the at least one sensor carries out an initial measuring procedure to adjust a transmitting power.

7. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a control circuit, the at least one sensor being connected to the control circuit in order to adjust the transmitting power during operation.

8. A device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a reflector;

a stiffening pipe connected to the reflector, the stiffening pipe being situated in a side section of the motor vehicle;

at least one sensor situated in the side section of the motor vehicle for determining a side section deformation, the at least one sensor including a distance sensor for measuring a distance to the reflector;

a control unit for evaluating sensor signals from the at least one sensor, the control unit detecting a side impact as a function of the distance; and

a plausibility sensor situated in the side section.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the plausibility sensor includes an accelerometer.

10. A device for side impact detection for a motor vehicle, comprising:

a reflector;

a stiffening pipe connected to the reflector, the stiffening pipe being situated in a side section of the motor vehicle;

at least one sensor situated in the side section of the motor vehicle for determining a side section deformation, the at least one sensor including a distance sensor for measuring a distance to the reflector; and

a control unit for evaluating sensor signals from the at least one sensor, the control unit detecting a side impact as a function of the distance;

wherein the at least one sensor is protected from interference by outside light.