Multi-axis vehicle sensor mounting
First Claim
1. A safety system for a vehicle comprising:
- at least one sensor configured to sense movement only along a first sensing axis and a second sensing axis normal to the first sensing axis, the at least one sensor sensing movement indicative of an impact along the first sensing axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the second sensing axis angled relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle, wherein movement indicative of an impact along the second sensing axis includes a first component indicative of movement along the lateral axis and a second component indicative of movement along a third vehicle axis transverse to the vehicle lateral axis and the vehicle longitudinal axis; and
an electronic control unit in communication with the at least one sensor to determine if a safety response is required based upon movement sensed by the at least one sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disclosed safety system for a vehicle is discloses and includes at least one sensor for sensing movement and forces on the vehicle indicative of an impact along a first sensing axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second sensing axis angled relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle. An electronic control unit is in communication with the at least one sensor and derives movement and force along the different axes from the information obtained relative to movement and forces along the second sensing axis. The electronic control unit uses the derived information to determine if a safety response is required based upon movement sensed by the at least one sensor and the information derived from information relating to movement along the second sensing axis.
21 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A safety system for a vehicle comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to sense movement only along a first sensing axis and a second sensing axis normal to the first sensing axis, the at least one sensor sensing movement indicative of an impact along the first sensing axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the second sensing axis angled relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle, wherein movement indicative of an impact along the second sensing axis includes a first component indicative of movement along the lateral axis and a second component indicative of movement along a third vehicle axis transverse to the vehicle lateral axis and the vehicle longitudinal axis; and an electronic control unit in communication with the at least one sensor to determine if a safety response is required based upon movement sensed by the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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4. A method of operating a vehicle safety system comprising:
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detecting a force in a direction of impact with sensor including only a first sensor portion and a second sensor portion, the first sensor portion for sensing movement along a first sensing axis and the second sensor portion for sensing along a second sensing axis normal to the first sensing axis, wherein the first sensor portion senses forces a force along a first sensing axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and second sensor portion senses forces along a second sensing axis angled relative to a lateral axis of the vehicle, wherein sensing movement indicative of an impact along the second sensing axis includes a first component indicative of movement along the lateral axis and a second component indicative of movement along a third vehicle axis transverse to the vehicle lateral axis and the vehicle longitudinal axis such that the sensor including only a first sensor portion and a second sensor portion detects forces along at least three vehicle axes; determining with an electronic control unit that a safety response is required based upon signals communicated from the sensor indicative of forces exerted on the vehicle; and generating a signal for triggering a safety response with the electronic control unit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification