Adaptive collision load path modification system for vehicle collision compatibility
First Claim
1. An adaptive collision load path modification system for a vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of object detection sensors generating object detection signals in response to at least one object external to the vehicle;
at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device coupled within a frame rail of the vehicle; and
a controller coupled to said plurality of object detection sensors and said structural stiffness-adjusting device and activating said at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device in response to said object detection signals;
wherein said at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device comprises an outer body at least partially filled with a magneto-rheological material that stiffens said frame rail when activated to increase alteration resistance of said frame rail as a result of colliding with said at least one object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adaptive collision load path modification system (10) for a vehicle (12) includes multiple object detection sensors (14) that generate object detection signals. The system (10) may include a structural stiffness-adjusting device (46), which is coupled within a frame rail (58, 62) of the vehicle (12), and in addition or alternatively a tire deflation apparatus (48). A controller (18) is coupled to the object detection sensors (14) and through use of the structural stiffness-adjusting device (46) or the tire deflation apparatus (48) adjusts collision load paths of the vehicle (12) in response to the object detection signals. In so doing, the controller (18) may activate the structural stiffness-adjusting device (46) and deflate a tire (76) of the vehicle (12).
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An adaptive collision load path modification system for a vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of object detection sensors generating object detection signals in response to at least one object external to the vehicle; at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device coupled within a frame rail of the vehicle; and a controller coupled to said plurality of object detection sensors and said structural stiffness-adjusting device and activating said at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device in response to said object detection signals; wherein said at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device comprises an outer body at least partially filled with a magneto-rheological material that stiffens said frame rail when activated to increase alteration resistance of said frame rail as a result of colliding with said at least one object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An adaptive collision load path modification system for a vehicle comprising:
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a plurality of object detection sensors generating object detection signals; at least one tire deflation apparatus; and an electronic controller coupled to said plurality of object detection sensors and said tire deflation apparatus and activating said at least one tire deflation apparatus to at least partially deflate at least one tire on the vehicle in response to said object detection signals in order to modify load paths of a collision. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 20)
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16. A method of modifying collision load paths of a vehicle comprising:
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generating object detection signals in response to at least one object extemal from the vehicle; determining at least one object parameter comprising at least one of object size and object weight in response to said object detection signals; and activating at least one structural stiffness-adjusting device within a frame rail of the vehicle to increase resistance of said frame rail in response to said at least one object parameter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification