Automotive impact sensing system
First Claim
1. An impact sensing system for a motor vehicle comprising:
- a deformable vessel enclosing a volume that deforms during an impact event, the deformable vessel comprising at least one vent normalizing the pressure of the vessel with ambient prior to an impact event and tuning pressure venting characteristics of the deformable vessel during the impact event, the deformable vessel located between first and second portions of the motor vehicle, and the deformable vessel controllably vented during deformation during an impact event producing non-rupturing deformation of the deformable vessel during the impact event;
a pressure sensor operatively connected to the deformable vessel that outputs a signal indicative of a pressure of air or gas in the volume enclosed by the deformable vessel;
an acceleration detector; and
a controller configured to (a) receive a signal from the acceleration detector, (b) receive a signal from the pressure sensor and determine a rate of change in relative position of the first portion of the motor vehicle relative to the second portion of the motor vehicle based on a rate of change of a pressure of air or gas in the deformable vessel, and (c) lower a threshold in the signal from the acceleration detector used in determining whether to deploy an airbag, perform engine control, perform drivetrain control, alter suspension performance, or alter steering performance based on the rate of change of pressure in the deformable vessel when the pressure in the deformable vessel increases during an impact event.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle impact sensing system for a vehicle that includes a controller that is connected to a pressure sensor that cooperates with a discrete deformable vessel. The pressure sensor is operatively positioned relative to the deformable vessel such that changes in the vessel generate a signal indicative of a pressure change. The signal associated with the pressure change is communicated from the pressure sensor to the controller. If the signal exceeds a threshold, such as where there is a rapid pressure increase in the vessel, the controller initiates one or more safety measures, such as deploying airbags or the like, to reduce the effects of an undesired impact. The deformable vessel and pressure sensor form a sensor assembly that can be located in one or more of various locations throughout the vehicle including its front end, its doors, quarter panels, side panels, and/or its rear end.
37 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An impact sensing system for a motor vehicle comprising:
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a deformable vessel enclosing a volume that deforms during an impact event, the deformable vessel comprising at least one vent normalizing the pressure of the vessel with ambient prior to an impact event and tuning pressure venting characteristics of the deformable vessel during the impact event, the deformable vessel located between first and second portions of the motor vehicle, and the deformable vessel controllably vented during deformation during an impact event producing non-rupturing deformation of the deformable vessel during the impact event; a pressure sensor operatively connected to the deformable vessel that outputs a signal indicative of a pressure of air or gas in the volume enclosed by the deformable vessel; an acceleration detector; and a controller configured to (a) receive a signal from the acceleration detector, (b) receive a signal from the pressure sensor and determine a rate of change in relative position of the first portion of the motor vehicle relative to the second portion of the motor vehicle based on a rate of change of a pressure of air or gas in the deformable vessel, and (c) lower a threshold in the signal from the acceleration detector used in determining whether to deploy an airbag, perform engine control, perform drivetrain control, alter suspension performance, or alter steering performance based on the rate of change of pressure in the deformable vessel when the pressure in the deformable vessel increases during an impact event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A vehicle comprising:
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a vessel located between a bumper and a longitudinally extending frame rail of the vehicle, the vessel mounted to the frame rail and shaped such that altering a shape of the vessel changes a pressure associated therewith, and the vessel controllably vented during deformation during an impact event producing non-rupturing deformation of the vessel during the impact event; a pressure sensor attached to the vessel that outputs a signal indicative of a pressure of air or gas in the vessel; an accelerometer; and a controller connected to the vehicle and configured to (a) receive a signal from the pressure sensor indicative of the air or gas pressure of the vessel, (b) receive a signal from the accelerometer indicative of vehicle acceleration, (c) monitor changes in vessel pressure and relative rates of vessel pressure changes, and (d) deploy an airbag, apply brakes, cause restraint interaction, alter engine performance, alter drive train performance, or alter suspension performance when a signal indicative of a high vessel pressure is received while a signal indicative of a high acceleration is received. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification