Method of characterizing a vehicle crash event based on shear waves in the vehicle frame
US7675820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2021/0119
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle crash event is detected and characterized based on the transmission of acoustical shear waves through the vehicle frame. At least three, and preferably four or more, acoustical emission sensors longitudinally and laterally distributed on the vehicle frame produce acoustical signals that are processed to extract the shear wave energy due to impacts. Since shear waves are non-dispersive and travel through the vehicle frame at a known velocity, they can be detected in any part of the frame. The extracted shear wave signals are used not only to judge the severity of the impact, but also to characterize the type of crash and determine the direction of the impact based on when the shear wave is detected by each of the acoustical emission sensors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.