Collision detecting device and passive safety system
First Claim
1. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having adjacent portions that undergo displacement relative to each other during a vehicle collision, the collision detecting apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle portion speed detector mounted to the vehicle, the speed detector being arranged and configured to measure vehicle deformation speed during a vehicle collision with the deformation speed being the speed of the relative displacement between the adjacent portions of the vehicle;
an acceleration detector mounted to the vehicle distinct from the vehicle portion speed detector, the acceleration detector independently from the vehicle portion speed detector measuring acceleration acting on the vehicle; and
a controller configured to determine a collision occurrence with the vehicle based both on the measured vehicle deformation speed and the independently measured acceleration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A collision detecting device providing the accurate and early determination of a collision with a vehicle or the like, and a passive safety system using this collision detecting device. A low-rigid portion and a crash box are arranged ahead of a high-rigid portion in a front portion of a frame. The front end of a rod is fixed to a bumper. The rod is inserted into a magnetic detector disposed on the high-rigid portion. In the rod, a number of magnets are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the rod such that their N poles and S poles are alternatively arranged. As a vehicle collides, the crash box is first deformed so that the rod moves backward, whereby a collision can be detected before large acceleration is generated.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having adjacent portions that undergo displacement relative to each other during a vehicle collision, the collision detecting apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle portion speed detector mounted to the vehicle, the speed detector being arranged and configured to measure vehicle deformation speed during a vehicle collision with the deformation speed being the speed of the relative displacement between the adjacent portions of the vehicle; an acceleration detector mounted to the vehicle distinct from the vehicle portion speed detector, the acceleration detector independently from the vehicle portion speed detector measuring acceleration acting on the vehicle; and a controller configured to determine a collision occurrence with the vehicle based both on the measured vehicle deformation speed and the independently measured acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle comprising a speed detector mounted in a vehicle to measure a deformation speed of at least a portion around an end of a vehicle and a collision occurrence being detected from the deformation speed, a work detector to determine the work required for deformation of at least a portion around an end of a vehicle from the deformation speed and a known deformation stress of the at least a portion around an end of the vehicle, and a controller to determine a collision occurrence based on the work determined by the work detector.
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24. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having adjacent portions, the collision detecting apparatus comprising a vehicle portion speed detector mounted in a vehicle to measure a vehicle deformation speed based on the rate at which a distance between the adjacent vehicle portions changes with a collision occurrence being detected based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises a rod carrying magnets and fixed to one of the adjacent vehicle portions, and a magnetic detector fixed to another one of the adjacent vehicle portions with a collision occurrence causing the rod magnets to move relative to the magnetic detector for being sensed thereby.
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25. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having adjacent portions, the collision detecting apparatus comprising a vehicle portion speed detector mounted in a vehicle to measure a vehicle deformation speed based on the rate at which a distance between the adjacent vehicle portions changes with a collision occurrence being detected based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises an energy emitter fixed to one of the adjacent vehicle portions for directing energy toward another one of the adjacent vehicle portions.
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26. A collision detecting apparatus for a vehicle having adjacent portions, the collision detecting apparatus comprising a vehicle portion speed detector mounted in a vehicle to measure a vehicle deformation speed based on the rate at which a distance between the adjacent vehicle portions changes with a collision occurrence being detected based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises a switch carried on the vehicle for generating a signal upon displacement of one of the adjacent vehicle portions, and an acceleration sensor fixed to another one of the adjacent vehicle portions.
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27. A passive safety system for a vehicle comprising:
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an occupant restraint system; a controller for actuating the occupant restraint system; and a collision detector mounted in a vehicle and having a vehicle deformation speed detector to measure a vehicle deformation speed of a portion around an end or side of a vehicle with a collision occurrence being determined by the controller based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises a rod carrying magnets and fixed to the vehicle portion, and a magnetic detector fixed to another adjacent vehicle portion with a collision occurrence causing the rod magnets to move relative to the magnetic detector for being sensed thereby.
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28. A passive safety system for a vehicle comprising:
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an occupant restraint system; a controller for actuating the occupant restraint system; and a collision detector mounted in a vehicle and having a vehicle deformation speed detector to measure a vehicle deformation speed of a portion around an end or side of a vehicle with a collision occurrence being determined by the controller based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises an energy emitter fixed to a vehicle portion adjacent to the end or side vehicle portion for directing energy toward the end or side vehicle portion.
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29. A passive safety system for a vehicle comprising:
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an occupant restraint system; a controller for actuating the occupant restraint system; and a collision detector mounted in a vehicle and having a vehicle deformation speed detector to measure a vehicle deformation speed of a portion around an end or side of a vehicle with a collision occurrence being determined by the controller based on the vehicle deformation speed, wherein the vehicle deformation speed detector comprises a switch carried on the vehicle for generating a signal upon displacement of the vehicle portion, and an acceleration sensor fixed to another adjacent vehicle portion.
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30. A collision detecting system for a vehicle comprising:
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a collision sensor device having a variable threshold value that corresponds to a collision detection for activating a passive safety device of the vehicle; and a vehicle deformation sensor distinct from the collision sensor device for independently sensing a degree of a predetermined vehicle deformation characteristic; and a controller operable to vary the threshold value of the collision sensor device based on the degree of the sensed predetermined vehicle deformation characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification