Apparatus and method for detecting deformations on a vehicle component

US8239089B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Thorsten Andres · Paderborn, DE
• Björn Richter · Paderborn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 2009
• Grant date: Aug 7, 2012
• Expiry date: Sep 9, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R21/0136
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for detecting deformations of a vehicle component on a motor vehicle are disclosed, which are capable of unambiguously determining the location and temporal progression of the deformation, as well as the severity of the deformation, within a very short time after the deformation of the vehicle component begins. A grid module having a grid, an emitter component with a light emitter; and a detector with at least one sensor unit are hereby provided on the vehicle component. A beam path of a light beam between the light emitter and the detector is alternatingly interrupted when the grid is displaced relative to the emitter component due to a deformation of the vehicle component. The detector detects a signal in form of light pulses generated by the interruption of the light beam and the light pulses are transmitted as a time-modulated signal to an evaluation unit.