# US 10,369,947 B2 · Bumper collision sensor for an automotive vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,947 B2 - Document ID: US10369947B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/684,976 - Filed: 2017-08-24 - Published: 2019-02-28 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-24 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operation LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Christopher A. Stanek - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369947B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/48: combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds - B60R 19/22: containing {mainly} cellular material, e.g. solid foam - B60R 19/24: Arrangements for mounting bumpers on vehicles - B60R 19/483: {with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type} - B60R 21/0136: responsive to actual contact with an obstacle {, e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle (monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558)} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and a fascia coupled to the vehicle body. The vehicle also includes a rigid backer plate coupled to the body. The backer plate is disposed between the body and the fascia, and is spaced from the fascia. The vehicle further includes a compressible layer disposed between the fascia and the backer plate. The compressible layer has a first face proximate the fascia and a second face proximate the backer plate. The second face is provided with a recess to define a cavity between the compressible layer and the bumper plate. A pressure sensor is disposed in the cavity. The rigid backer plate has a backer plate face proximate the compressible layer and a rib member projecting from the backer plate face. The rib member is disposed at least partially in the cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automotive vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a width direction; a fascia coupled to the vehicle body, the fascia having a long dimension oriented in the width direction; a rigid backer plate coupled to the body, the backer plate being disposed between the body and the fascia and being spaced from the fascia; a compressible layer disposed between the fascia and the backer plate, the compressible layer having a first face proximate the fascia and a second face proximate the backer plate, the second face being provided with a recess to define a cavity between the compressible layer and the backer plate, the recess having a long dimension oriented in the width direction; and a pressure sensor disposed in the cavity; wherein the rigid backer plate has a backer plate face proximate the compressible layer and a rib member projecting from the backer plate face, the rib member being disposed at least partially in the cavity, the rib member having a length extending generally parallel to the width direction and having, along the length, a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein at the first portion the rib member projects a first distance from the backer plate face, and at the central portion the rib member projects a second distance from the backer plate face, the second distance being different from the first distance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rib member has a first end, a second end, the first portion is disposed at the first end, and the second portion is disposed at the second end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rib member has a generally rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rib member is provided with a concave tip proximate the pressure sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rib member is provided with a convex tip proximate the pressure sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automotive vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressure tube extending along the width direction. ### Claim 7 A bumper assembly comprising: a fascia; a rigid backer plate spaced from the fascia; a compressible layer disposed between the fascia and the backer plate, the compressible layer having a first face proximate the fascia and a second face proximate the backer plate, the second face being provided with a recess to define a cavity between the compressible layer and the backer plate; and a pressure sensor disposed in the cavity; wherein the rigid backer plate has a backer plate face proximate the compressible layer and a rib member projecting from the backer plate face, the rib member being disposed at least partially in the cavity, the rib member having a length extending generally parallel to the width direction and having, along the length, a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein at the first portion the rib member projects a first distance from the backer plate face, and at the central portion the rib member projects a second distance from the backer plate face, the second distance being different from the first distance. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The bumper assembly of claim 7, wherein the rib member has a first end, a second end, the first portion is disposed at the first end, and the second portion is disposed at the second end. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The bumper assembly of claim 7, wherein the rib member has a generally rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The bumper assembly of claim 7, wherein the rib member is provided with a concave tip proximate the pressure sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The bumper assembly of claim 7, wherein the rib member is provided with a convex tip proximate the pressure sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The bumper assembly of claim 7, wherein the pressure sensor includes a pressure tube. ### Claim 13 A sensor assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body; a bumper assembly coupled to the vehicle body, the bumper assembly including a fascia and a compressible layer disposed between the fascia and the vehicle body; a rigid backer plate disposed between the body and the compressible layer, wherein the compressible layer is provided with a recess to define a cavity between the compressible layer and the backer plate, and wherein the backer plate is provided with a backer plate face and a rib member projecting from the backer plate face, the rib member being disposed at least partially in the cavity, the rib member having a length extending generally parallel to the width direction and having, along the length, a first portion, a second portion, and a central portion between the first portion and the second portion, wherein at the first portion the rib member projects a first distance from the backer plate face, and at the central portion the rib member projects a second distance from the backer plate face, the second distance being different from the first distance; and a pressure sensor comprising a pressure tube disposed at least partially in the cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein the rib member has a first end, a second end, the first portion is disposed at the first end, and the second portion is disposed at the second end. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein the rib member has a generally rectangular cross-section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein the rib member is provided with a concave tip proximate the pressure sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The sensor assembly of claim 13, wherein the rib member is provided with a convex tip proximate the pressure sensor.