Patent · US Expired

Crush sensor for use in a vehicle

US5680909A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
4References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 1995
Grant dateOct 28, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60R21/0136
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A crush sensor (10) includes a deformable first elongated member (20) having a width (W) and a length (L). A deformable second elongated member (30) has a width (W) and a length (L). The first and second members are parallel to each other and are closely spaced from one another. The first member includes an elongated contact surface (22) extending along its length. The second member includes an elongated contact surface (32) extending along its length and facing towards the elongated contact surface of the first member. The contact surface of at least one of the members includes a generally planar strip (34) and a raised electrically conductive rib (36) extending along its length and protruding from the strip toward the contact surface of the other member. The contact surfaces are normally electrically isolated from one another when the members are closely spaced from one another. The contact surfaces move into electrical contact with each other upon deformation of at least one of the first and second members.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.