Compressive sensor packaging techniques

摘要

A sensor assembly for a motor vehicle adapted for sensing impacts including pedestrian impacts. The sensor assembly includes first and second energy absorbing elements formed of differing materials which couple an applied force to the vehicle to a compressive force acting on a compressive sensor element. The first and second energy absorbers are combined in a manner to tune the response between the applied force and forces acting on the compressive sensor to provide desired response characteristics. The first and second energy absorbers can be configured to produce force flow paths which further aid in response tuning. Another embodiment utilizes an energy absorber having a shaped cross section which focuses and balances impact force is applied to the compressive sensor.

主权项

1. A low-energy impact sensor assembly for mounting to the front end of a motor vehicle and behind a front fascia for detecting a low energy impact for deploying an impact countermeasure, comprising;
a first energy absorber formed of a material having a first compressive characteristic, a second energy absorber formed by a material having a second compressive characteristic differing from the first compressive characteristic, and a compressive sensor element coupled to a vehicle structural element of the vehicle in a manner that force resulting from the low-energy impact acts on the compressive sensor element in and is influenced by both the first and the second energy absorbing materials, the compressive sensor element being encased by at least one energy absorber out of the first energy absorber and second energy absorber, the at least one energy absorber being shaped to be in direct contact with a front surface the vehicle structural element above and below the compressive sensor element.