US5153393A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crash sensor for a passive motor vehicle occupant restraint system
Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC
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Filing: 1991-10-07
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2011-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A crash sensor for a passive motor vehicle occupant restraint system, such as an inflatable air bag or seat belt tensioner. The crash sensor comprises a tubular passageway having a central, longitudinal axis; a sensing mass arranged to move within the passageway in the direction of the longitudinal axis between a first location and a second location; a device for biasing the sensing mass toward the first location in the passageway; and a device for closing an electrical circuit when the sensing mass moves to the second location in the passageway. The invention provides methods for reducing the motion of the sensing mass and the tubular passageway in a direction perpendicular to the longitude, and/or methods for reducing the angular momentum of the sensing mass, during motion of the sensing mass in the longitudinal direction.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Breed
- 👤 Vittorio Castelli
- 👤 Anthony S. Pruzsenski, Jr.
- 👤 William T. Sanders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:33
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B49/00; B24B49/10; B24B49/105; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/14; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/052; H01H35/141; H01H35/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle, the center of mass of said vehicle defining an inertial frame of reference; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a sensing mass arranged tomove within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; and (g) means for substantially reducing the vibrations of said sensing mass with respect to said inertial frame of reference in directions perpendicular to the longitude during motion of said sensing mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle, the center of mass of said vehicle defining an inertial frame of reference; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a sensing mass arranged tomove within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; and (g) means for substantially reducing the vibrations of said sensing mass with respect to said inertial frame of reference in directions perpendicular to the longitude during motion of said sensing mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, wherein said resilient mounting means is designed such that the natural frequency of vibration, with respect to said inertial frame of reference, of said wall and said sensing mass does not exceed 200 Hertz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes a mechanical spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, wherein the movement of said sensing mass with respect to said passageway is damped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, wherein said biasing means includes a mechanical spring, and wherein said spring forms one electrical contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, wherein the motion of said sensing mass is magnetically damped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, further comprising means for reducing the angular momentum imparted to said sensing mass during motion of said sensing mass within said passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 7, wherein said angular momentum reducing means includes a low friction coating on the inner surface of said passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 8, wherein said low friction coming is Teflon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 8, wherein said low friction coating is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 8, wherein said low friction coating is molybdenum disulfide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 7, wherein said angular momentum reducing means includes a low friction coating on the outer surface of said sensing mass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 12, wherein said low friction coating is Teflon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 12, wherein said low friction coating is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 1, wherein said vibration reducing means include resilient means disposed mechanically between said vehicle and said wall for resiliently mounting said wall with respect to said vehicle, thereby to isolate said wall and said sensing mass from vibrations perpendicular to the longitude.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 15, wherein said resilient mounting means comprises resilient material disposed between said housing and said wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 16, wherein said resilient material comprises silicone rubber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 16, wherein said resilient material comprises closed-cell foam rubber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 16, wherein said resilient material has an elastic modulus which varies less than 4 to 1 over a temperature range from -40 to 160 degrees F.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 16, wherein said resilient material is Hytrel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 15, wherein said resilient mounting means comprises a a plurality of hollow tubes made of elastomeric material and disposed between said housing and said wall.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 21, wherein said tubes are mounted with their respective axes substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of said passageway.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 21, wherein said resilient mounting means comprises four hollow tubes disposed equilaterally around said passageway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 15, wherein said resilient mounting means permits motion of said passageway with respect to said vehicle, in a direction perpendicular to the longitude, of at least 0.020 inches.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 24, wherein said resilient mounting means permits motion of said passageway with respect to said vehicle, in a direction perpendicular to the longitude, of at least 0.050 inches.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 15, wherein said vibration reducing means includes means for pivotally mounting said member at one end, and means for resiliently mounting said member at the other end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 26, wherein said pivot mounting means includes a projection and a corresponding recess.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 26, wherein said resilient mounting means imparts an axially directed force to said member in the direction of one end.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 26, wherein said resilient mounting means include spring means disposed between said member and said housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 29, wherein said spring means comprises at least one flat spring.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 30, wherein said spring means includes two U-shaped flat springs.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
119 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a spherical sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; and (g) means for reducing the angular momentum imparted to said sensing mass during motion of said sensing mass within said passageway in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
119 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a spherical sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; and (g) means for reducing the angular momentum imparted to said sensing mass during motion of said sensing mass within said passageway in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The crash defined in claim 32, wherein said angular momentum reducing means includes a low friction coating on the inner surface of said passageway.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 33, wherein said low friction coating is Teflon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 33, wherein said low friction coating is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 32, wherein said angular momentum reducing means includes a low friction coating on the outer surface of said sensing mass.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 36, wherein said low friction coating is Teflon.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 36, wherein said low friction coating is tungsten disulfide.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; and (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a ribbon spring member having two ends rigidly mounted with respect to one of said vehicle and said wall.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) means for mounting said housing on a motor vehicle; (c) a longitudinal tubular wall defining a passageway within said housing; (d) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (e) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; and (f) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway for detecting a motor vehicle crash; the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises a ribbon spring member having two ends rigidly mounted with respect to one of said vehicle and said wall.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein said two ends of said ribbon spring member are attached to said passageway.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein said two ends of said ribbon spring member are attached to said housing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein the position of at least one end of said ribbon spring member is adjustable.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein the movement of said sensing mass with respect to said passageway is damped.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, further comprising means for adjusting the location of said first position in said passageway relative to said second position.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein said ribbon spring member exerts a substantially constant nearly constant biasing force on said sensing mass.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 39, wherein said response means comprises first and second electrical contacts and said ribbon spring member forms said first electrical contact.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 46, wherein a rigid member forms said second electrical contact.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 47, wherein the position of said second electrical contact is adjustable.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 47, wherein a second spring member forms said second electrical contact.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 49, wherein said second spring member is a second ribbon spring member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 50, wherein said first and second ribbon spring members each contain a section which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The crash sensor defined in claim 51, wherein said transverse sections of said first and second ribbon spring members are substantially transverse to each other.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
108 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a longitudinal tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; and (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises means for exerting a biasing force on said sensing mass which is substantially constant as said sensing mass moves from said first position to said second position.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
108 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a longitudinal tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; and (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; the improvement wherein said biasing means comprises means for exerting a biasing force on said sensing mass which is substantially constant as said sensing mass moves from said first position to said second position.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
114 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a spherical sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first positon in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; (f) means for dampening the motion of said sensing mass, said means utilizing the flow of a gas through a tight clearance between said sensing mass and said tubular passageway; and (g) means for testing that said sensor is operational after installation on the vehicle.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
114 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a spherical sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first positon in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; (f) means for dampening the motion of said sensing mass, said means utilizing the flow of a gas through a tight clearance between said sensing mass and said tubular passageway; and (g) means for testing that said sensor is operational after installation on the vehicle.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway between a first position and a second position, said sensing mass being susceptible to cross axis vibrations during such motion; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; (f) means for dampening the motion of said sensing mass, said means utilizing the flow of a gas through a tight clearance between said sensing mass and said tubular passageway; and (g) means for substantially reducing the effects of said cross axis vibrations on the operation of said sensor.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a tubular passageway within said housing; (c) a sensing mass arranged to move within said passageway between a first position and a second position, said sensing mass being susceptible to cross axis vibrations during such motion; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; (f) means for dampening the motion of said sensing mass, said means utilizing the flow of a gas through a tight clearance between said sensing mass and said tubular passageway; and (g) means for substantially reducing the effects of said cross axis vibrations on the operation of said sensor.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
126 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a longitudinal tubular passageway within said housing having an internal sliding surface; (c) a sensing mass having an external sliding surface and arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; and (f) a tungsten disulfide coating disposed on at least one of said internal and external sliding surfaces, thereby to reduce the angular momentum imparted to said sensing mass during motion of said sensing mass within said passageway in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
126 words
A sensor for detecting a motor vehicle crash, comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a longitudinal tubular passageway within said housing having an internal sliding surface; (c) a sensing mass having an external sliding surface and arranged to move within said passageway in the longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position; (d) means for biasing said sensing mass toward said first position in said passageway; (e) means responsive to the motion of said sensing mass to said second position in said passageway; and (f) a tungsten disulfide coating disposed on at least one of said internal and external sliding surfaces, thereby to reduce the angular momentum imparted to said sensing mass during motion of said sensing mass within said passageway in the longitudinal direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |