Impact sensor assembly and method of attaching same to a vehicle
First Claim
1. A vehicle impact sensor assembly having a longitudinal axis, and first and second ends for monitoring impact events in a vehicle, comprising:
- a first housing member,a second housing member cooperating with said first housing member to define an interior compartment having an elongated channel,an elongated impact sensor element for providing signals of impact events upon deformation of said impact sensor, said impact sensor element disposed within said channel, anda connector for electrically connecting said impact sensor element to said vehicle, andwherein said first and second housing members closeably interact to deform said impact sensor element.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Impact sensor assembly provides a modular housing for vehicle impact sensors. The assembly comprises an impact sensor, an upper housing member, a lower housing member and a connector for establishing an electrical connection between the assembly and an appropriate vehicle system. The assembly may further include electronics for processing signals received from the sensor. The lower housing member receives and retains the sensor, and closeably interacts with the upper housing member to encase the sensor. The assembly defines structural features that ensures its proper installation into a vehicle. The preferred embodiment assures proper functioning of deformation impact sensors. A method of installing the assembly provides a process for rapid and proper installation of the assembly into a vehicle.
54 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A vehicle impact sensor assembly having a longitudinal axis, and first and second ends for monitoring impact events in a vehicle, comprising:
-
a first housing member, a second housing member cooperating with said first housing member to define an interior compartment having an elongated channel, an elongated impact sensor element for providing signals of impact events upon deformation of said impact sensor, said impact sensor element disposed within said channel, and a connector for electrically connecting said impact sensor element to said vehicle, and wherein said first and second housing members closeably interact to deform said impact sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A vehicle impact sensor assembly having a longitudinal axis and an elongate channel, said assembly being situated for monitoring impact events in a vehicle, comprising:
-
an elongated deformation impact sensor element for providing signals of impact events upon deformation of said deformation impact sensor element, said deformation impact sensor element disposed within said channel, a first housing member defining a plurality of localized projections disposed adjacent said impact sensor element, whereby sufficient impact exerted upon said first housing member causes said projections to engage said impact sensor element and induce localized deformation thereof, a second housing member cooperating with said first housing member to define said channel, a layer of compressible material disposed within said channel and under said deformation impact sensor element, and a connector for electrically connecting said deformation impact sensor element to said vehicle, whereby said first and second housing members closeably interact to encase said deformation impact sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of installing an impact sensor assembly into a vehicle having at least one through opening for receiving fasteners from said impact sensor assembly, comprising the steps of:
-
providing an impact sensor assembly having an elongated longitudinal axis and first and second ends, a cross-sectional shape, an electrical connector and defining a plate disposed in a perpendicular manner to said longitudinal axis at said first end of said assembly and having at least one through passageway, providing an elongated mounting member having a surface and defining a main opening having a shape complimentary to said cross-sectional shape of said impact sensor assembly, securing said mounting member to said vehicle, placing said second end of said assembly into said main opening of said mounting member, sliding said impact sensor assembly along said longitudinal axis into said main opening of said mounting member until said plate prohibits further inward sliding, passing a fastener through said through passageway of said plate and into said through opening of said vehicle, and connecting said electrical connector of said impact sensor assembly to said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification