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US 5,580,084 AGranted
System and method for controlling vehicle safety device
AssigneeArtistic Analytical Methods, Inc.
InventorTony Gioutsos
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AssigneeArtistic Analytical Methods, Inc.
InventorTony Gioutsos
Estimating the term…
A system and method for controlling actuation of a vehicle safety device in response to an impact to a first portion of the vehicle includes a ferromagnetic element mechanically coupled with the first portion of the vehicle so as to receive elastic strain waves generated as a result of plastic deformation of the first portion of the vehicle. A permanent magnet is mounted on the vehicle adjacent to the ferromagnetic element so that the ferromagnetic element itself influences the magnetic field. An induction coil is also mounted on the vehicle so as to fall within the magnetic field generated by the magnet. Upon plastic deformation of the first portion of the vehicle, the ensuing elastic strain waves elastically deform the ferromagnetic element to vary its ferromagnetic properties and, in turn, alter the magnetic field so as to induce an electromotive force voltage in the induction coil. A signal processor receives the electromotive force voltage induced in the induction coil by the varying magnetic field. The signal processor actuates the safety device when the electromotive force voltage, or an appropriate measure derived from the electromotive force voltage, exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A system for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact to the vehicle generating plastic strain in a first portion of the vehicle, said system comprising:
A method for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact, wherein the impact generates plastic strain in a first portion of the vehicle and elastic strain waves propagating away from the first portion of the vehicle along a mechanical transmission path containing a ferromagnetic element, said method comprising the steps of:
A method for controlling actuation of a safety device in a motor vehicle in response to an impact, wherein the impact plastically deforms a ferromagnetic element defining a first portion of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.