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, a sensor, a hinge, and a contoured panel. The structure 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.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a structure having a first edge in which at least a portion of the first edge has a complex contour;
- a sensor attached to the structure;
- a hinge attached to at least one of the sensor or the structure;
- and
- a contoured panel movably attached to the hinge in which the contoured panel has a second edge that substantially aligns with the complex contour of the first edge of the structure.
A vehicle door comprising:
- a door panel having a first edge in which at least a portion of the first edge 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 first edge of the door panel except for the portion of the first edge having the complex contour;
- a hinge attached to at least one of the sensor or the door panel;
- and
- a contoured panel movably attached to the hinge in which the contoured panel has a second edge that substantially aligns with the complex contour of the first edge of the door panel,
- wherein, when a first load is applied to the contoured panel, the contoured panel transfers the first load to the sensor as a second load, which thereby results in a detection of an obstruction.
A method for controlling an operation of a structure, the method comprising:
- moving a contoured panel relative to a hinge and towards the structure in response to a first load being applied to the contoured panel,
- wherein the structure has a first edge in which at least a portion of the first edge has a complex contour;
- and
- wherein the contoured panel has a second edge that substantially aligns with the complex contour of the first edge of the structure;
- transferring the first load applied to the contoured panel as a second load to a sensor;
- detecting an obstruction in response to the second load being applied to the sensor;
- and
- controlling the operation of the structure in response to detection of the obstruction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.