Diagnostics for vehicle deformation sensor system
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMyron Ihor Senyk, Paul Zoratti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor system for detecting impacts to a vehicle, including diagnostics for monitoring the sensor system. The sensor system includes one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42), each including a coaxial piezoelectric cable (44) contained within a tube housing (54), which is mounted to a structural member of the vehicle. The sensor system may also include accelerometers (36, 38) that are also in communication with the restraints control module (40) and employed in combination with one or more piezoelectric sensor assemblies (42). Further, the sensor system includes diagnostics for monitoring one or more of the sensor assemblies (42) in order to detect a sensor failure, while not interfering with the impact signals from the sensor assemblies (42).
Claims10
A method of diagnosing a malfunction in an impact sensor including a multilayer piezoelectric cable mounted along a component in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a first diagnostic signal having a predetermined voltage and frequency;
- transmitting the first signal to a first location of the piezoelectric cable;
- capacitively receiving a second diagnostic signal at a second location on the piezoelectric cable, spaced from the first location;
- transmitting the second diagnostic signal to a controller;
- and
- analyzing the second diagnostic signal in the controller.
A method of diagnosing a malfunction in an impact sensor including a coaxial piezoelectric cable mounted along a component in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating a first diagnostic signal having a predetermined voltage and frequency;
- transmitting the first signal to a first location of the piezoelectric cable;
- capacitively receiving a second diagnostic signal at a second location on the coaxial cable, spaced from the first location;
- transmitting the second diagnostic signal to a controller;
- analyzing the second diagnostic signal in the controller;
- generating an impact signal in the piezoelectric cable;
- communicating the impact signal simultaneously with the second diagnostic signal to the controller;
- and
- monitoring the second diagnostic signal apart from the impact signal in the controller.
A diagnostics system for diagnosing a malfunction in an impact sensor mounted in a vehicle comprising:
- a coaxial piezoelectric cable mounted along a component in a vehicle;
- means for generating a first diagnostic signal having a predetermined voltage and frequency;
- means for transmitting the first signal to a first location of the piezoelectric cable;
- means for capacitively receiving a second diagnostic signal at a second location on the coaxial cable, spaced from the first location;
- a controller for receiving the second diagnostic signal;
- and
- means for analyzing the second diagnostic signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.