Energy harvesting vehicle condition sensing system
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- an electrical sensor for sensing a condition of a vehicle;
an energy harvesting device for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment, said electrical energy being provided to said electrical sensor; and
a device on the vehicle actuatable in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by said sensor, said device comprising an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, a seat belt pretensioner, a vehicle chassis control device, a steering power assist device, an indicator light, a gauge, a vehicle security system, a vehicle HVAC system, a rear view mirror anti-glare system, a wiper control system, or an engine condition indication system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system (10) includes an electrical sensor (14) for sensing a condition of a vehicle (12). The system (10) also includes an energy harvesting device (50) for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment. The electrical energy is provided to the electrical sensor (14). The system (10) further includes a device (34) on the vehicle (12) actuatable in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by the sensor (14). The device (34) is an inflator (132, 142, 152) for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (130, 140, 150), a seat belt pretensioner (112), a vehicle chassis control device (430, 432), a steering power assist device (410), indicator lights (424), gauges (426), a vehicle security system (610), a vehicle HVAC system (620), a rear view mirror anti-glare system (630), or a wiper control system (602).
80 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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an electrical sensor for sensing a condition of a vehicle;
an energy harvesting device for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment, said electrical energy being provided to said electrical sensor; and
a device on the vehicle actuatable in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by said sensor, said device comprising an inflator for an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, a seat belt pretensioner, a vehicle chassis control device, a steering power assist device, an indicator light, a gauge, a vehicle security system, a vehicle HVAC system, a rear view mirror anti-glare system, a wiper control system, or an engine condition indication system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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an electrical sensor for sensing a condition of a vehicle;
an energy harvesting device for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment, said electrical energy being provided to said electrical sensor; and
a device on the vehicle actuatable in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by said sensor, said energy harvesting device responding to solar or thermal energy of the vehicle environment. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, said system comprising:
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an actuatable vehicle occupant protection device;
an electrical sensor for sensing a condition of the vehicle;
control means for controlling actuation of said vehicle occupant protection device in response to the condition of the vehicle sensed by said sensor;
an energy harvesting device for providing electrical energy in response to the vehicle environment, said electrical energy being provided to said electrical sensor to power said electrical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification