Sensor for detection of acceleration and attitude within a vehicle
First Claim
1. An acceleration sensor comprising:
- a volume of compressible material, said material permitting the passage of light generally freely therethrough while substantially fully scattering light transmitted within said material;
a source of wave energy comprising light in operative communication with said volume of compressible material for transmitting light into said volume to form a region therein of substantially scattered wave energy;
support means for supporting said compressible material;
passive compression means for compressing said compressible material against said support means in response to acceleration of said sensor for causing an increase in in intensity of said wave energy within said region;
a receiver for detecting the intensity of light within said region of scattered wave energy;
signal processing means in operative communication with said receiver for detecting the intensity of wave energy within said region of compressible material and providing a selected output in response to acceleration detected by said sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle acceleration and attitude sensor is provided, having use as a vehicle collision sensor for activation of air bags and the like, and as well for detecting an unsafe angle or attitude of the vehicle. A compressible carrier medium of light or other wave energy, such as translucent foam, is coupled with a light or other wave energy source and a receiver. An inertial mass, which may consist of the carrier medium itself, is in contact with the carrier medium and operates to compress the carrier medium when the apparatus is either accelerated or tilted beyond a predetermined amount. A signal coupler and processor are associated with the energy source and receiver. The apparatus operates on the principle whereby compression of a scattering medium or an integrating cavity, within the region surrounding a light or other wave energy source, will increase the intensity of the wave energy. This increased intensity is translated into a measurement of the acceleration or tilt experienced by the sensor.
45 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An acceleration sensor comprising:
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a volume of compressible material, said material permitting the passage of light generally freely therethrough while substantially fully scattering light transmitted within said material;
a source of wave energy comprising light in operative communication with said volume of compressible material for transmitting light into said volume to form a region therein of substantially scattered wave energy;
support means for supporting said compressible material;
passive compression means for compressing said compressible material against said support means in response to acceleration of said sensor for causing an increase in in intensity of said wave energy within said region;
a receiver for detecting the intensity of light within said region of scattered wave energy;
signal processing means in operative communication with said receiver for detecting the intensity of wave energy within said region of compressible material and providing a selected output in response to acceleration detected by said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification