US5281780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact detector
Assignee: General Engineering (Netherlands) BV
•
Filing: 1992-01-21
•
Granted: 1994-01-25
•
Expires: 2012-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle is provided with a system for detecting a side impact on the vehicle. The system comprises a reinforcing element located adjacent or engaging the interior of the outer skin of the vehicle in the region of the side of the vehicle. A sensor element is arranged to provide an output signal, in response to a side impact of the vehicle, when or after the reinforcing element is deformed.
Inventors
- 👤 Yngve Haland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/013; B60R21/0136; B60J; B60J5/00; B60J5/04; B60J5/042; B60J5/0422; B60J5/0437; G; G01; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/0052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for detecting a side impact in a motor vehicle, said system comprising: at least one reinforcing bar located adjacent to or engaging with the interior of an outer skin of the vehicle in the region of a side of the vehicle, and a sensor element for providing an output signal in response to a side impact of the vehicle whenever the reinforcing bar is deformed, the sensor element being located relative to the outer skin of the vehicle, inward of a vertical plane which includes the part of the reinforcing bar located closest to or engaging with the outer skin of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for detecting a side impact in a motor vehicle, said system comprising: at least one reinforcing bar located adjacent to or engaging with the interior of an outer skin of the vehicle in the region of a side of the vehicle, and a sensor element for providing an output signal in response to a side impact of the vehicle whenever the reinforcing bar is deformed, the sensor element being located relative to the outer skin of the vehicle, inward of a vertical plane which includes the part of the reinforcing bar located closest to or engaging with the outer skin of the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the reinforcing bar is spaced from the outer skin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to the distance or deformation of the reinforcing bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to the acceleration of the deformation of the reinforcing bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to the speed of deformation of the reinforcing bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is mounted adjacent that part of the reinforcing bar which is remote from the outer skin of the vehicle and response to movement of the reinforcing bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the sensor element is a pressure sensitive sensor element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein the sensor element is a Piezo electric sensor element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor element is mounted on the reinforcing bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor element is mounted on a bracket, the bracket being mounted on the outer skin but engaging the reinforcing bar so that the sensor will not move until the reinforcing bar has moved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor element comprises an inertial sensor having an inertia mass held in position by means of a spring within a housing, movement of the mass relative to the housing operating to one of make or break an electrical circuit and thereby provide an output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises an electric coil and a magnetized armature adapted to be mounted on the part of the reinforcing bar facing away from the outer skin and on an element fixed in position so that movement of the reinforcing bar causes the coil and the armature to move relative to each other to generate a current.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 1 provided within a door of a motor vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
An impact detection apparatus for detecting an impact on an outer surface of a body shell, comprising: a rigid reinforcing member disposed inside the body shell adjacent to an inner surface of the body shell; and sensor means, disposed in close proximity with the reinforcing member inside the body shell, for sensing deformation of the reinforcing member and providing an output indicative thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
An impact detection apparatus for detecting an impact on an outer surface of a body shell, comprising: a rigid reinforcing member disposed inside the body shell adjacent to an inner surface of the body shell; and sensor means, disposed in close proximity with the reinforcing member inside the body shell, for sensing deformation of the reinforcing member and providing an output indicative thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2997557A
Cited
US3794136A
Cited
GB1276467A
Cited
GB1457549A
Cited
GB1437575A
Cited
DE3716168A1
Cited
EP0305655A2
Cited
US4977388A
Cited
GB2220620A
Cited
GB2225660A
Cited
US4966388A
Cited
GB2232936A
Cited
US5112079A
Cited
US5072966A
Cited
US5179256A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |