Collision detection sensor for vehicle and collision detection device for vehicle

• US 7,304,566 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Mae, Hiroyuki, Tobaru, Shigeo, Kamei, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/996,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20050104721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/438, 340/665, 340/661, 280/734, 280/735
• US Class Current: 340/436
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/34 Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians B60R19/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A collision detection sensor for a vehicle of the present invention includes a single piezoelectric film which is flat, plural pairs of electrodes which sandwich the piezoelectric film and measure voltages between the electrodes, and spaces provided between the plural pairs of electrodes.

Claims

1. A collision detection device for a vehicle, comprising:

a collision detection sensor for the vehicle, which includes a single piezoelectric film which is flat, a plurality of pairs of electrodes which sandwich the piezoelectric film and measure voltages between the electrodes, and spaces provided between the plurality of pairs of electrodes; and

a controller which detects collision of the vehicle based on detected results by the collision detection sensor for the vehicle;

wherein the controller estimates collision forces at the spaces by calculating a line which smoothly connects measurements at the plurality of pairs of electrodes.

2. The collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the controller determines a type of collision and a magnitude of collision force based on voltages measured by the plurality of pairs of electrodes.

3. The collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

three or more pairs of electrodes are provided linearly.

4. The collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the collision detection sensor is provided in a front bumper face of the vehicle, and

wherein the collision detection sensor is provided as a sensor for detecting a collision with a pedestrian and as a sensor for controlling operation of an air bag.

5. The collision detection device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the plurality of pairs of electrodes include:

a first pair of electrodes, and

a second pair of electrodes; and

wherein in a state in which a predetermined voltage is applied to the first pair of electrodes, the controller performs at least one of temperature compensation and failure judgment based on detected results of the second pair of electrodes.