Detection of a motor vehicle impact, especially an offset impact, with another vehicle or object, whereby shock absorbers are mounted between vehicle bumper and chassis together with path sensors for detecting their compression

摘要

Impact detection arrangement comprises a shock- absorber element (4) with path sensors (5a, 5b) for detecting its compression following an impact. The shock absorber is designed to be reversible; i.e. it will spring back out. An Independent claim is made for a motor vehicle with a bumper or fender (3) linked by shock absorbers to the vehicle chassis (2), with path sensors attached to the shock absorbers. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for operating a shock absorber assembly, whereby the output signal of the path sensors is used to generate an acceleration signal that is used to trigger a safety system such as an airbag.