Collision detection apparatus

Abstract

A collision detection apparatus has a support member which is fixed to side members of a vehicle, an absorber which is arranged at a vehicle front side of the support member to define a space therebetween, a chamber member defining therein a chamber space which is substantially sealed, and a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the chamber space. The chamber member is arranged in the space defined between the absorber and the support member. A collision of the vehicle is detected based on a variation in the pressure of the chamber space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a construction of a collision detection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing the collision detection apparatus when being attached to a bumper of a vehicle according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a construction of a collision detection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing a construction of a collision detection apparatus according to a related art; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in FIG. 6.

Claims

1. A collision detection apparatus, comprising: a first support member which is fixed to side members of a vehicle;a second support member which is arranged at a vehicle front side of the first support member to define a space therebetween;a chamber member defining therein a chamber space which is substantially sealed, the chamber member being arranged in the space defined between the first support member and the second support member; anda pressure detection member for detecting a pressure in the chamber space, whereina collision of the vehicle is detected based on a variation in the pressure of the chamber space.

2. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second support member is an absorber of the vehicle.

3. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the absorber and the first support member construct a substantially cylinder shape having two ends, at least one of which is open,the chamber member being inserted in the space between the absorber and the first support member through the one end.

4. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the absorber and the chamber member are respectively made of materials which are separate from each other.

5. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the chamber member is made of the material which is softer than that of the absorber.

6. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support member is a bumper reinforcement member of the vehicle.

7. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collision with a bumper of the vehicle is detected based on the variation in the pressure of the chamber space.

8. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first support member and the second support member are integrally joined to each other.

9. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber member has a periphery shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the space defined between the first support member and the second support member.

10. The collision detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure detection member is a pressure sensor.