Flexible optical impact detection sensor for front rail mounted airbag

摘要

A flexible optical impact detection sensor is mounted on an outboard portion of the front bumper for signaling an offset rigid barrier impact event to a forward corner of a motor vehicle and deployment of a small offset rigid barrier airbag mounted on the front rail. The airbag is attached proximate a distal end of a front rail. The flexible optical impact detection sensor, attached to a rear surface of an outboard portion of the front bumper, generates a signal upon a corner impact event, whereby a controller processes the signal generated by the impact detection sensor and electrically actuates an inflator upon a predetermined impact severity. The airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.

主权项

1. A sensing device for actuating an airbag system for mitigating intrusion in the event of an impact with an offset rigid barrier to a forward corner of a motor vehicle, the airbag system comprising a motor vehicle front rail having a forward projecting distal end, an airbag attached proximate the distal end of the front rail, the airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, a flexible fiber optic impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an impact event; and a controller for processing the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to the forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier so as to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.