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US 12,297,683 B2Granted
Extended coverage for a sensor along a complex contour
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorFrank A. Richards
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods for controlling an operation of a powered system by extending the coverage of a sensor along a complex contour. An apparatus comprises a structure and a safety system that includes a sensor, a hinge, and a contoured panel. The structure (e.g., a vehicle door) has a first edge in which at least a portion of the first edge has a complex contour. The sensor is attached to the structure. The hinge is attached to at least one of the sensor or the structure. The contoured panel is movably attached to the hinge and has a second edge that substantially aligns with the complex contour of the first edge of the structure. The safety system may be used to control operation of the structure based on a detection of an obstruction by the sensor of the safety system.
Claims15
An apparatus comprising:
- a structure having an edge in which at least a portion of the edge of the structure has a complex contour;
- a sensor attached to the structure, the sensor comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion comprising a sensing wire;
- a hinge directly coupled to at least the first portion of the sensor, wherein the hinge conforms to at least the first portion of the sensor;
- a contoured panel attached to the hinge in which the contoured panel has a first edge and a second edge,
- wherein the first edge of the contoured panel comprises a length extending between opposing first and second ends of the first edge;
- wherein the length of the first edge extends along the hinge;
- wherein the second edge extends from the first end and the second end of the first edge;
- wherein the second edge substantially aligns with the complex contour of the edge of the structure such that the second edge follows the complex contour of the edge of the structure;
- and
- a member attached to a surface of the contoured panel,
- wherein the member is adjacent to the hinge;
- wherein the surface faces the structure;
- wherein the member is in contact with the sensing wire when a first load is applied to the contoured panel.
10 more elements
A vehicle door comprising:
- a door panel having an edge in which at least a portion of the edge of the door panel has a complex contour;
- a sensor attached to the door panel in which the sensor comprises a sensing wire that runs substantially aligned with the edge of the door panel except for the portion of the edge of the door panel having the complex contour;
- a hinge directly coupled to at least a portion of the sensor, wherein the hinge conforms to at least the portion of the sensor;
- a contoured panel attached to the hinge in which the contoured panel has a first edge that substantially aligns with the complex contour of the edge of the door panel such that the first edge of the contoured panel follows the complex contour of the edge of the door panel;
- wherein the contoured panel further comprises a second edge;
- wherein the second edge of the contoured panel comprises a length extending between opposing first and second ends of the second edge;
- wherein the length of the second edge extends along the hinge;
- wherein the first edge of the contoured panel extends from the first end and the second end of the second edge of the contoured panel such that a first portion of the first edge extends away from the first end of the second edge and a second portion of the first edge extends away from the second end of the second edge;
- at least one member attached to a surface of the contoured panel,
- wherein the at least one member is adjacent to the hinge;
- wherein the surface faces the door panel;
- wherein the at least one member is in contact with the sensing wire when a first load is applied to the contoured panel;
- and
- wherein, when the first load is applied to the contoured panel and meets at least a threshold, the at least one member attached to the contoured panel transfers the first load to the sensing wire as a second load, which thereby results in a detection of an obstruction.
11 more elements
A vehicle door comprising:
- a door panel having an edge in which at least a portion of the edge has a complex contour;
- a sensor comprising a sensing wire running substantially aligned with the edge of the door panel except for the portion of the edge having the complex contour;
- a hinge that is directly coupled to and conforms to at least a portion the sensor;
- and
- a contoured panel having a first edge and a second edge,
- wherein the first edge of the contoured panel is attached to the hinge;
- wherein the first edge of the contoured panel comprises a length extending between opposing first and second ends of the first edge;
- wherein the length of the first edge extends along the hinge;
- wherein the second edge extends from the first end and the second end of the first edge such that a first portion of the second edge of the contoured panel extends away from the first end of the first edge of the contoured panel and a second portion of the second edge of the contoured panel extends away from the second end of the first edge of the contoured panel and thereby, the hinge and the sensing wire, and such that the second edge of the contoured panel is positioned away from the sensing wire;
- and
- wherein the second edge of the contoured panel is substantially aligned with and follows the complex contour of the edge of the door panel.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.