Pedestrian impact sensing apparatus for a vehicle bumper
US7331415B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R21/0136
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An impact sensing apparatus includes a laterally extending air channel within a block of foam or other crushable medium disposed between a bumper fascia and a rigid bumper frame element, and one or more airflow sensors for detecting airflow within the air channel. The air channel may be defined by a flexible hollow tube embedded within the crushable medium or by a molded-in air cavity in cases where the crushable medium is formed by molding. The measured airflow provides a measure of crush rate, and two or more airflow sensors may be distributed within the air channel to optimize impact detection response time and to identify the impact location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.