초록 ▼

A vehicle rollover sensor (10) includes an optical transmitter (80) for providing a light beam (86) extending in a first direction (36) and an optical receiver (90) for receiving the light beam. A movable member (40) when in a first orientation enables the light beam (86) from the optical transmitte

A vehicle rollover sensor (10) includes an optical transmitter (80) for providing a light beam (86) extending in a first direction (36) and an optical receiver (90) for receiving the light beam. A movable member (40) when in a first orientation enables the light beam (86) from the optical transmitter (80) to be directed to the optical receiver (90). The movable member (40) when in a second orientation prevents at least a part of the light beam (86) from being directed to the optical receiver (90). The movable member (40) is supported on the vehicle for movement between the first and second orientations in a direction transverse to the first direction (36), in response to rolling movement of the vehicle of a predetermined amount relative to the first direction. An inertia mass (60) is connected with the movable member (40) to maintain the movable member in a predetermined orientation relative to the ground surface on which the vehicle is disposed. The operativeness of the sensor (10) can be tested whenever the vehicle is not in a rollover condition.

대표청구항 ▼

[Having described the invention, I claim:] [1.]an optical transmitter for providing a light beam extending in a first direction;an optical receiver for receiving the light beam from said optical transmitter;a disk having an opening for enabling the light beam from said optical transmitter to be dire

[Having described the invention, I claim:] [1.]an optical transmitter for providing a light beam extending in a first direction;an optical receiver for receiving the light beam from said optical transmitter;a disk having an opening for enabling the light beam from said optical transmitter to be directed to said optical receiver and having portions for preventing at least a part of the light beam from being directed to said optical receiver;means for supporting said optical transmitter and optical receiver on the vehicle for movement relative to said disk and transverse to said first direction in response to rolling movement of the vehicle relative to said first direction;means for supporting said disk on the vehicle for movement relative to the vehicle and transverse to said first direction in response to rolling movement of the vehicle relative to said first direction in an amount above a predetermined threshold value to prevent at least a part of the light beam from being directed to said optical receiver;an inertia mass connected with said disk to maintain said disk in a predetermined orientation relative to the ground surface on which the vehicle is disposed when the vehicle is in a rollover condition;said opening in said disk enabling the light beam from said optical transmitter to be directed to said optical receiver whenever the vehicle is not in a rollover condition; andsaid disk is supported on the vehicle for pivotal movement about an axis, said opening comprising a single arcuate slot centered on said axis and extending between end boundary portions of said disk, said portions of said disk for preventing at least a part of the light beam from being directed to said optical receiver comprising said end boundary portions of said disk.