Patent ID: 6328126
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B60J,B60N,B60R,B62D,G01F,H01H

Abstract:
A vehicle crush detecting device in combination with a vehicle, comprising:a sensor assembly consisting ofa first elongated electrical conductor,a second elongated electrical conductor, andmeans for coupling said second electrical conductor to said first electrical conductor so that said first and second electrical conductors are parallel and substantially co-extensive to each other and thereby form the sensor assembly, said coupling means maintaining a separation between said second electrical conductor from said first electrical conductor; andattachment means for attaching said sensor assembly to said vehicle at least two spaced apart positions providing thereby at least one free, unrestrained span of said sensor assembly between said at least two spaced apart locations which is spaced away and not in contact with any part of said vehicle;wherein when a portion of said vehicle crushes to contact said sensor assembly in said span between said at least two spaced apart locations, said sensor assembly bends in said span between said at least two spaced apart locations and provides a signal indicative of crush of said vehicle.