# US 9,517,739 B2 · Diagnose arrangement for a vehicle pedestrian impact sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,739 B2 - Document ID: US9517739B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/364,071 - Filed: 2011-12-09 - Published: 2015-02-05 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-09 - Assignees: Autoliv Development AB; Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Norbert Kollmer; Richard Baur; Herbert Hoefelsauer - Inventors: Norbert Kollmer; Richard Baur; Herbert Hoefelsauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517739B2 ## CPC - B60R 19/48: combined with, or convertible into, other devices or objects, e.g. bumpers combined with road brushes, bumpers convertible into beds - B60R 19/483: {with obstacle sensors of electric or electronic type} - B60R 21/0136: responsive to actual contact with an obstacle {, e.g. to vehicle deformation, bumper displacement or bumper velocity relative to the vehicle (monitoring crash strength in combination with passenger seat detection B60R21/01558)} - G01L 27/007: {Malfunction diagnosis, i.e. diagnosing a sensor defect} - G01M 3/26: by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors - G01M 3/2815: {using pressure measurements} - G01L 5/0052: {measuring forces due to impact (G01L5/0061, G01L5/14 take precedence; impact testing of structures G01M7/08; impact testing of material G01N3/00)} - G01L 7/16: in the form of pistons - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The present invention relates to a vehicle impact sensor device adapted to detect an impact between a vehicle (1) and a person. The sensor device (6) comprises a tubular enclosure (7) which encloses a gas-filled space (8). The tubular enclosure (7) has a first end (7a) and a second end (7b) and is arranged to extend along a bumper cover (5), when mounted to a vehicle (1). The sensor device (6) further comprises a pressure sensor (9, 9′, 11, 11′) arranged to detect pressure characteristics in the the tubular enclosure (7). The sensor device (6) also comprises a gas pulse device (11, 11′) which is connected to the tubular enclosure (7), the gas pulse device (11, 11′) being arranged to insert gas into, or withdraw gas from, the tubular enclosure (7). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle impact sensor device adapted to detect an impact between a vehicle and a person, wherein the sensor device comprises a tubular enclosure which encloses a gas-filled space, the tubular enclosure having a first end and a second end and being arranged to extend along a bumper cover, mainly across a vehicle forward direction of movement, when mounted to a vehicle, the sensor device further comprising a pressure sensor arranged to detect pressure characteristics in the tubular enclosure, wherein the sensor device also comprises a gas pulse device which is connected to the tubular enclosure, the gas pulse device being arranged to insert gas into, or withdraw gas from, the tubular enclosure, wherein the gas pulse device comprises a piston which has a longitudinal extension and is drivable from a rest position in a direction along its longitudinal extension such that a gas pulse is created, and wherein the gas pulse device comprises an electromagnetic device which is arranged to drive the piston. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device comprises a main enclosure and a transitional enclosure, and wherein the transitional enclosure connects the gas pulse device to the tubular enclosure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 2, wherein the main enclosure comprises a membrane, dividing the main enclosure in a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is connected to the tubular enclosure and wherein the second part is sealed from the tubular enclosure by means of the membrane. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device comprises a piezoelectric device which is arranged to drive the piston, the piston being in the form of a piezoelectric stack. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a control unit, being in control of a power source, the power source being arranged to provide power to the gas pulse device when the insertion or withdrawal of gas is desired. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is connected to said pressure sensor and is arranged to determine whether the resulting input from said pressure sensor falls within an expected pressure sensor input range following an insertion or withdrawal of gas by means of the gas pulse device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor is positioned at the first end of the tubular enclosure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 7, wherein a further pressure sensor is positioned at the second end of the tubular enclosure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device is arranged to function as a pressure sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device shares a power source with a safety arrangement firing pulse. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device is arranged to function as an acceleration sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle impact sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gas pulse device is configured to equalize the sensor's inner pressure to the environmental conditions, due to temperature changes and sea level effects. ### Claim 13 A gas pulse device arranged to insert gas into, or withdraw gas from, a tubular enclosure, wherein the tubular enclosure encloses a gas-filled space, has a first end and a second end and is arranged to extend along a bumper cover, mainly across a vehicle forward direction of movement (D), when mounted to a vehicle, a pressure sensor arranged to detect pressure characteristics in the the tubular enclosure being mounted to the tubular enclosure, and wherein the gas pulse device and the tubular enclosure are comprised in a vehicle impact sensor device adapted to detect an impact between a vehicle and a person, wherein the gas pulse device comprises a piston which has a longitudinal extension and is drivable from a rest position in a direction along its longitudinal extension such that a gas pulse is created, and wherein the gas pulse device comprises an electromagnetic device which is arranged to drive the piston.