Collision sensing and energy absorbing apparatus

• US 9,174,595 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2014
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ghannam, Mahmoud Yousef, Schondorf, Steven Yellin, Philip, Abraham G., Tippy, David James
• Primary Examiner(s): LYJAK, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US14/223,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20150266438A1
• Time in Patent Office: 589 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/18 characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/20 containing mainly gas or liquid, e.g. inflatable connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/483 with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2019/186 Additional energy absorbing means supported on bumber beams, e.g. cellular structures or material
• 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

An apparatus includes an enclosed body defining a chamber therein. The body includes a rearward portion, a forward portion opposite the rearward portion and a first portion extending between the rearward and forward portions. The first portion has a stiffness less than at least one remaining portion of the body. The apparatus further includes at least one pressure sensor coupled to the body and the chamber to detect deformation of the first portion of the body.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosed body defining a chamber therein, the body including a rearward portion, a forward portion opposite the rearward portion and a first portion extending between the rearward and forward portions, the first portion having a stiffness less than at least one remaining portion of the body; and

at least one pressure sensor coupled to the body and the chamber to detect deformation of the first portion of the body.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes at least one of a variation in size, thickness, shape and material composition from the at least one remaining portion of the body.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the body includes a second portion extending between the rearward and forward portions, the first and second portions being arranged in series between the rearward and forward portions, the first portion having a stiffness less than the second portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first portion has a thickness less than the second portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second portions are partially offset from one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second portions are arranged in a corrugated configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second portions are arranged in a ribbed configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rearward and forward portions of the body vary in height along the width of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first pressure sensor coupled to a first sidewall of the body, and a second pressure sensor coupled to a second sidewall of the body, the first and second sidewalls being coupled at opposing ends of the body along the width thereof.

10. An assembly comprising:

a bumper beam for a vehicle;

an enclosed body defining a chamber therein, the body including a rearward portion engaged with the bumper beam, a forward portion opposite the rearward portion and a first portion extending between the rear and forward portions, the first portion having a stiffness less than at least one remaining portion of the body, the at least one remaining portion of the body having a stiffness less than the bumper beam; and

at least one pressure sensor coupled to the body and in communication with the chamber, the at least one pressure sensor detecting deformation of the first portion of the body.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first portion includes at least one of a variation in size, thickness, shape and material composition from the at least one remaining portion of the body.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the body includes a second portion extending between the rearward and forward portions, the first and second portions being arranged in series between the rearward and forward portions, the first portion having a stiffness less than the second portion.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first portion has a thickness less than the second portion.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second portions are partially offset from one another.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second portions are arranged in a corrugated configuration.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second portions are arranged in a ribbed configuration.

17. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the rearward and forward portions of the body vary in height along the width of the body.

18. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a first pressure sensor coupled to a first sidewall of the body, and a second pressure sensor coupled to a second sidewall of the body, the first and second sidewalls being coupled at opposing ends of the body along the width thereof.