Pressure-based crash detection system incorporated in side rail
First Claim
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1. A crash sensing system for a vehicle having a bumper with a contoured surface and having a hollow crush can attached to the bumper, comprising:
- a bumper cap having a first end surface shaped to nest into the contoured surface of the bumper;
an elongated chamber having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is sized to be received in the crush can, wherein the outer wall has an end opening at a first end for receiving a second end of the bumper cap, and wherein the bumper cap substantially seals the end opening;
a reaction cap substantially closing a second end of the outer wall of the chamber, wherein the reaction cap or the elongated chamber include a stop surface for abutting a reaction surface that is stationary with respect to the crush can; and
a fluid sensor for detecting a change in the fluid in the chamber caused by crushing of the outer wall in response to a crash force received by the bumper and crush can and transmitted through the bumper cap, wherein the outer wall has a side opening for receiving the pressure sensor.
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Abstract
A vehicular crash sensing system includes a bumper cap for contacting a bumper. A chamber fits into a side rail attached to the bumper, the chamber being sealed by the bumper cap. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.
30 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A crash sensing system for a vehicle having a bumper with a contoured surface and having a hollow crush can attached to the bumper, comprising:
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a bumper cap having a first end surface shaped to nest into the contoured surface of the bumper; an elongated chamber having an outer wall, at least a portion of which is sized to be received in the crush can, wherein the outer wall has an end opening at a first end for receiving a second end of the bumper cap, and wherein the bumper cap substantially seals the end opening; a reaction cap substantially closing a second end of the outer wall of the chamber, wherein the reaction cap or the elongated chamber include a stop surface for abutting a reaction surface that is stationary with respect to the crush can; and a fluid sensor for detecting a change in the fluid in the chamber caused by crushing of the outer wall in response to a crash force received by the bumper and crush can and transmitted through the bumper cap, wherein the outer wall has a side opening for receiving the pressure sensor.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
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Original AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
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InventorsGhannam, Mahmoud Y., Clark, Todd N., Stratten, Eric L., Carremm, Swadad A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Patel, Kiran B
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Application NumberUS14/183,741Publication NumberTime in Patent Office370 DaysField of Search296/65.05, 296/65.01, 296/65.03, 296/65.09, 297/378.12, 297/15, 297/322, 297/342, 297/344.15, 297/331, 297/334, 297/341, 297/366, 248/421, 248/429US Class Current293/133CPC Class CodesB60R 19/34 destroyed upon impact, e.g....B60R 19/48 combined with, or convertib...B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of el...
