Collision detection system for vehicle

• US 7,347,464 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Tanabe, Takatoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder; Dennis H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLACK, MELISSA ANN
• Application Number:
  US11/248,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20060087132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 293/117, 293/1, 293/2, 293/4, 293/120, 293/121, 180271-289
• US Class Current: 293/4
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• 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 collision detection system for a vehicle has two collision load sensors, which are respectively positioned between a rear end surface of a bumper reinforce member and front end surfaces of two side members of the vehicle. Thus, a collision load at any position in a vehicle-width direction of a bumper of the vehicle can be appropriately detected.

Claims

1. A collision detection system for a vehicle, which has a pair of side members and a bumper reinforce member facing front end surfaces of the side members and extending in a vehicle-width direction, the side members being spaced from each other at a predetermined distance in the vehicle-width direction and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, the collision detection system comprising:

at least one collision load detection unit for outputting signals corresponding to a collision load exerted at a bumper of the vehicle when an obstacle collides with the bumper, the bumper being positioned at a vehicle front side of the bumper reinforce member;

a control unit for processing the signals from the collision load detection unit; and

at least one collision load bypass member, which is arranged between the rear end surface of the bumper reinforce member and the front end surface of the side member and positioned parallel to the collision load detection unit, wherein

the collision load detection unit is disposed between a rear end surface of the bumper reinforce member and the front end surface of the side member, so that the collision load which is transmitted from the bumper sequentially to the bumper reinforce member and the collision load detection unit is detected, and

a part of the collision load transmitted from the bumper to the bumper reinforce member is transmitted to the side member through the collision load bypass member, to bypass the collision load detection unit.

2. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein

a gap having a predetermined length in the vehicle front-rear direction is arranged between the collision load bypass member and at least one of the bumper reinforce member and the side member, to admit a position variation of the bumper reinforce member toward a vehicle rear side due to the collision load.

3. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of the collision load bypass members are arranged between the rear end surface of the bumper reinforce member and the front end surface of the side member; and

a gap baying a predetermined length in the vehicle front-rear direction is arranged between the adjacent collision load bypass members, to admit a position variation of the bumper reinforce member toward a vehicle rear side due to the collision load.

4. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the two collision load detection units are respectively positioned between the rear end surface of the bumper reinforce member and the front end surfaces of the two side members; and

the control unit sort and distinguishes the obstacle based on a sum of the signals from the two collision load detection units.

5. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the collision load bypass member includes a concave portion having an opening facing the vehicle front side, the collision load detection unit being arranged in the concave portion.

6. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein the collision load bypass member is made of one of a metal, a resin and a hard rubber.

7. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the collision load bypass member is one part of a front end of the side member, the one part protruding toward the vehicle front side with respect to other part of the front end of the side member.

8. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein

the collision load bypass member is one part of a rear end of the bumper reinforce member, the one part protruding toward the vehicle rear side with respect to other part of the rear end of the bumper reinforce member.

9. The collision detection system according to claim 1, wherein the collision load detection unit is integrated with the collision load bypass member.