This paper describes new concepts in order to detect side impact collisions. Based on the specific system requirements for side impact detection, two physically different concepts are described and compared to each other. Acceleration sensing principles, applied in today's single point sensing systems, were adapted to cope with the unique requirements for side collision detection. A more advanced and completely new concept is based on the sensing of the pressure change within the cavity of the impacted door. Based on these sensing principles, different system configurations are illustrated. The performance of both sensing principles is compared on the basis of available crash and misuse test conditions. It can be stated that the sensing principles support the rigid firing requirements of a timely airbag deployment. However, the selection of the system configuration and the physical sensing principle has to account for the individual deformation behaviour of the vehicle's side structure. (A)
Abstract