HYBRID VEHICLE/PEDESTRIAN IMPACT DETECTING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

An apparatus detects a vehicle/pedestrian impact event by sensing impact events near a forward location of a vehicle using a multi-port pressure sensor and acceleration sensors. The multi-port pressure sensor includes multiple pressure sensors in a unified housing, connected via individual pressure ports to multiple impact-sensing hoses mounted along the vehicle bumper. An acceleration sensor may also be installed in the same housing. A single electrical connector provides connection to the multiple pressure sensors and also the acceleration sensors.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting an impact of a pedestrian or other object on a bumper of a vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of closed, gas filled hoses, each said hose disposed proximal to said vehicle bumper and running generally parallel to the long dimension of said bumper, each said hose having a sensing end and a non-sensing end, with the sensing ends of all said hoses disposed in proximity to one another; and, a plurality of gas pressure sensors, each sensor operatively attached to the sensing end of an associated one of said plurality of hoses, whereby all of said plurality of gas pressure sensors are in proximity of one another.