Indicator sensor for anti-whiplash system
First Claim
1. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that a vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications for the seat system, comprising;
- a filament disposed within a vehicle seat system and placed such that activation of said vehicle seat system severs said filament, activating a warning to alert a vehicle occupant that said vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated includes a wire disposed within an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat. The wire is partially encased in a plastic plug which is easily inserted into a hole in the anti-whiplash system. At one end of the wire, a current generator is attached to provide a current therethrough. Also attached to the wire, at a location downstream of the anti-whiplash system, is a sensor that is configured to detect a change in the current flow through the wire. When the anti-whiplash system is activated, the moving parts shear the plastic plug and the wire contained inside, thus breaking the electrical circuit. The current sensor detects this change in current and then activates a warning signal indicator which provides notice to a vehicle occupant that the anti-whiplash system has been activated. The vehicle occupant is thus made aware that the anti-whiplash system needs to be professionally inspected to ensure continued anti-whiplash protection.
40 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that a vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications for the seat system, comprising;
a filament disposed within a vehicle seat system and placed such that activation of said vehicle seat system severs said filament, activating a warning to alert a vehicle occupant that said vehicle seat system has experienced stress beyond its design specifications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated, comprising;
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a current generator attached to a current-conducting wire proximal an anti-whiplash system for providing an electrical current therethrough;
said wire disposed within said anti-whiplash system such that activation of said anti-whiplash system causes a change in current flow through said wire;
a warning signal indicator connected to said wire such that a change in current flow through said wire activates said indicator which activation indicates that said anti-whiplash system has been activated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for alerting a vehicle occupant that an anti-whiplash system has been activated, comprising;
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a current-conducting wire configured such that it is capable of being placed within an anti-whiplash system in such a manner that activation of the anti-whiplash system severs said wire;
a current generator attached to said wire proximal said anti-whiplash system for providing an electrical current therethrough;
a sensor attached to said wire distal said anti-whiplash system for sensing a change in said electrical current therethrough.
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21. A method for detecting when an automobile seat'"'"'s anti-whiplash system has been activated comprising the steps of:
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providing an anti-whiplash system integrated into a vehicle seat;
providing a filament within said anti-whiplash system and configured such that activation of said anti-whiplash system severs said filament;
applying a flow through said filament;
connecting a sensor to said filament to detect said flow therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification