Module for detecting a vehicle crash and an airbag deploying system including the same

• US 8,100,215 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Huh, Hoon, Cho, Sang Soon
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming, Faye M.
• Application Number:
  US12/238,610
• Publication Number:
  US 20090088921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/730.1, 180/274, 180/271, 296/35.2, 701/29
• US Class Current: 180/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0004 Frontal collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0006 Lateral collision
• 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

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a module for detecting a vehicle crash. The module includes a housing mounted to a vehicular frame member at one end portion thereof. The module includes first and second rods housed in the housing. The first rod is contacted to the frame member at one end thereof through the one end portion of the housing. The second rod is contacted to the opposite end of the first rod and being disposed between the first rod and the opposite end portion of the housing. The module includes first and second sensors mounted to the first and second rods respectively for detecting a crash by sequentially measuring stress wave caused by the crash. The first sensor detects a stress wave propagating through the first rod and outputting a signal. The second sensor detects a stress wave propagating through the second rod and outputting a signal. The module includes a biasing member disposed between the second rod and the opposite end portion of the housing for biasing the first and second rods toward the frame member. A magnitude of impedance of the first rod is larger than that of the second rod and the magnitude of impedance of the second rod is larger than that of the biasing member. The module can remarkably reduce the elapsed time required for detecting a crash by measuring a stress wave, which propagates very rapidly through a vehicular frame member.

Claims

1. A module for detecting a vehicle crash, comprising:

a first rod adapted to contact to a vehicular frame member at one end thereof and a second rod adapted to contact to the opposite end of the first rod at one end thereof;

first and second sensors mounted to the first and second rods, respectively, the first sensor configured to detect stress wave propagating through the first rod and to output a signal, the second sensor configured to detect stress wave propagating through the second rod and to output a signal;

a housing configured to support the first and second rods, the housing being mounted to the frame member at one end portion thereof such that the one end of the first rod is brought into contact with the frame member; and

a biasing member disposed between the opposite end of the second rod and the opposite end portion of the housing for biasing the first and second rods toward the frame member;

wherein a magnitude of impedance of the first rod is larger than that of the second rod and the magnitude of impedance of the second rod is larger than that of the biasing member.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the first rod is made from tungsten and the second rod is made from aluminum and the biasing member is made from rubber.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensors include at least one of a strain gauge sensor and a piezoelectric sensor.

4. An airbag deploying system for a vehicle, comprising:

a module configured to detect a vehicle crash according to claim 1;

an electronic control unit configured to monitor the signals from the first and second sensors of the module and outputting an actuation signal when each of the signals exceeds a predetermined threshold;

an inflator for generating gas in response to the actuation signal; and

an airbag operatively coupled to the inflator and being deployed by supply of the gas generated from the inflator.

5. The airbag deploying system of claim 4, wherein the first rod is made from tungsten and the second rod is made from aluminum and the biasing member is made from rubber.

6. The airbag deploying system of claim 4, wherein the sensors include at least one of a strain gauge sensor and a piezoelectric sensor.

7. A module for detecting a vehicle crash, comprising:

a housing mounted to a vehicular frame member at one end portion thereof;

first and second rods housed in the housing, the first rod being contacted to the frame member at one end thereof through the one end portion of the housing, the second rod being contacted to the opposite end of the first rod and being disposed between the first rod and the opposite end portion of the housing;

first and second sensors mounted to the first and second rods, respectively, the first sensor configured to detect stress wave propagating through the first rod and outputting a signal, the second sensor configured to detect stress wave propagating through the second rod and outputting a signal; and

a biasing member disposed between the second rod and the opposite end portion of the housing for biasing the first and second rods toward the frame member;

wherein a magnitude of impedance of the first rod is larger than that of the second rod and the magnitude of impedance of the second rod is larger than that of the biasing member.

8. The module of claim 7, wherein the first rod is made from tungsten and the second rod is made from aluminum and the biasing member is made from rubber.

9. The module of claim 7, wherein the first and second sensors include at least one of a strain gauge sensor and a piezoelectric sensor.

10. An airbag deploying system for a vehicle, comprising:

a module configured to detect a vehicle crash according to claim 7;

an electronic control unit configured to monitor the signals from the first and second sensors of the module and outputting an actuation signal when each of the signals exceeds a predetermined threshold;

an inflator configured to generate gas in response to the actuation signal; and

an airbag operatively coupled to the inflator and being deployed by supply of the gas generated from the inflator.

11. The airbag deploying system of claim 10, wherein the first rod is made from tungsten and the second rod is made from aluminum and the biasing member is made from rubber.

12. The airbag deploying system of claim 10, wherein the sensors include at least one of a strain gauge sensor and a piezoelectric sensor.