Apparatus with sensor assembly for sensing a vehicle crash condition and associated method

摘要

An apparatus ( 10 ) and method for sensing a vehicle crash condition includes a transponder ( 76 a) responsive to interrogation signals for providing response signals and a transceiver ( 70 a) for transmitting interrogation signals to the transponder ( 76 a) and receiving response signals from the transponder ( 76 a). The transponder ( 76 a) is affixed to a first structure ( 36 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) and the transceiver ( 70 a) is affixed to a second structure ( 64 ) of the vehicle ( 12 ) at a location spaced apart from the first structure ( 36 ). A characteristic of the response signals changes in response to a vehicle crash condition that causes relative movement between the first and second structures ( 36 and 64 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) also includes a controller ( 34 ) for monitoring the received response signals to determine whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring.