Passive structural design that improves impact signal during side impact

US9327666B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Abdelmonaam Sassi · Windsor, CA
• Matthew B. Makowski · Northville, US
• Aruna Nandadeva Tilakasiri · Billericay, GB
• Diego Santos · St Ives, GB
• Joseph E. Abramczyk · Farmington Hills, US
• Echung Su · Rochester Hills, US
• Jonathan Beaudoin · Cologne, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 2014
• Grant date: May 3, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B62D25/2036
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A vehicle includes a floor structure and one or more tubular rocker structures. Each rocker structure includes an outer cladding and/or an inner structure extending across an interior space of the rocker structure. At least one acceleration sensor is connected to a central portion of the floor structure to detect acceleration resulting from a crash event. The vehicle may also include pressure sensors that detect changes in pressure in the door cavities that result from side impacts. The cladding and/or inner structure of the rockers reduce the time required to detect acceleration due to a side impact on the rocker structures.