Collision detection device and method of manufacturing the same
AssigneesDenso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsAkira Suzuki, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Ryotaro Kachu, Yujiro Miyata, Motomi Iyoda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A collision detection device is provided with a load detection member 2 for detecting a collision load in a collision, and a mold member 3 which is molded to be integral with the load detection member 2. The mold member 3 covers at least the surface of a collision side of the load detection member 2, to absorb at least a part of impact energy in the collision by a resilient deformation of the mold member 3. Thus, the collision detection device is substantially resistant to an impact in the collision, while being simply manufactured.
Claims25
A collision detection device for a vehicle, comprising:
- a load transmission member that has an opening facing a rear side of the vehicle, the load transmission member having a substantially c-shaped cross section when viewed from a side surface of the vehicle;
- a load detection member for detecting a collision load in a collision, the load detection member being disposed in the opening of the load transmission member;
- a mold member which is molded to be integral with the load detection member and covers at least a surface of a collision side of the load detection member, the mold member absorbing at least a part of impact energy in the collision through a resilient deformation;
- and
- a concave-convex member which has a substantial tape shape and is integrally molded with the load detection member, wherein
- the load detection member is an optical fiber member.
A method of manufacturing a collision detection device for a vehicle, including an attachment member, a load transmission member, a load detection member, a concave-convex member and a mold member, the method comprising:
- swaging a stationary die and a first movable die, which are spaced from each other by a cavity having a c-shaped cross section;
- injecting a melted first material into the cavity to form the attachment member having an opening;
- replacing the first movable die by a second movable die,
- the load transmission member, the load detection member and the concave-convex member which are beforehand prepared being disposed in the opening of the attachment member such that the load transmission member has an opening facing a rear side of the vehicle and has a substantially c-shaped cross section when viewed from a side surface of the vehicle, the load detection member is disposed in the opening of the load transmission member, a cavity in which the load detection member and the concave-convex member are accommodated being formed between the second movable die and the attachment member after the second movable die is arranged;
- injecting a melted second material into the cavity to form the mold member;
- and
- removing the stationary die and the second movable die.
A collision detection device for a vehicle, comprising:
- a load transmission member that has an opening facing a rear side of the vehicle, the load transmission member having a substantially c-shaped cross section when viewed from a side surface of the vehicle;
- a load detection member for detecting a collision load in a collision, the load detection member being disposed in the opening of the load transmission member;
- a mold member which is molded to be integral with the load detection member and covers at least a surface of a collision side of the load detection member, the mold member absorbing at least a part of impact energy in the collision through a resilient deformation;
- and
- a concave-convex member which is integrally molded with the load detection member, wherein:
- the load detection member is an optical fiber member;
- and
- the concave-convex member is arranged only at one side of the load detection member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.