Abstract: A hybrid impact sensor and method of operating the same. One sensor includes a support containing one or more mounts; a first sensor with first sensing properties and configured to generate a first output signal; a second sensor with second sensing properties and configured to generate a second output signal, wherein the second sensing properties are different from the first sensing properties; and a housing encasing the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: Method and device for sensing stress waves. One embodiment is a method that includes providing a bendable support with one or more mounts each located at an end of the support; attaching a semiconductor element containing a plurality of piezoresistors, each having impedance, to the support; connecting the support to the component by the mounts of the support; and sensing the impedance of the plurality of piezoresistors.

Abstract: An intrusion sensor which includes a first light guide arrangement and a second light guide arrangement for detecting the severity of an accident in a vehicle. An interval having a width is positioned between the two light guide arrangements. In this case, the first light guide arrangement is positioned in the direction of an intrusion side. The second light guide arrangement is positioned in the direction of the vehicle interior side.

Abstract: The deformation sensor does not require a supplementary sensor to check functionality. This deformation sensor includes an optical transmission medium, multiple transmission elements, which couple the light of various wavelengths into the transmission medium, and multiple reception elements, which selectively couple the transmitted light out of the transmission medium according to wavelength. An evaluation unit detects deviations between the output signals of the reception elements and signals a malfunction of the sensor if the deviations exceed a preset measure.

Abstract: A sensor system is for detecting forces which, particularly in the case of a motor vehicle, lead to a deformation of components, e.g. body parts as the result of an accident. The sensor system includes a number of contact elements which are arranged on the component staggered one behind the other in a possible deformation direction, compressible insulation layers being disposed between the contact elements. The contact elements are electroconductively connected to an electronic evaluation circuit by which a contacting and/or de-contacting of adjacent contact elements, caused by a deformation, is able to be detected and converted into control and or regulating signals.

Abstract: A method of detecting the improper mounting of a sensor on a motor vehicle includes monitoring the output signals of the sensor, determining the noise levels in the output signals, and comparing the noise levels from the output signals to a threshold noise value to determine if the sensor is properly mounted. Preferably, the method monitors the output signals of a first sensor and a second sensor, determines the noise levels in the output signals being emitted by each of the sensors, and compares the noise levels of the first sensor to the noise levels of the second sensor to determine if the sensors are properly mounted.

Abstract: An intrusion sensor which has a first light guide arrangement (2) and a second light guide arrangement (5) for detecting the severity of an accident in a vehicle is described. An interval (8) having a width (h) is positioned between the two light guide arrangements (2, 5). In this case, the first light guide arrangement (2) is positioned in the direction of an intrusion side. The second light guide arrangement (5) is positioned in the direction of the vehicle interior side.

Abstract: A sensor system (1; 20; 30; 40) is proposed for detecting forces which, particularly in the case of a motor vehicle, lead to a deformation of components, e.g. body parts (10) as the result of an accident. The sensor system (1; 20; 30; 40) has a number of contact elements (2, 3, 4; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33) which are arranged on the component (10) staggered one behind the other in a possible deformation direction (11), compressible insulation layers (5, 6, 7; 24, 25; 35, 36) being disposed between the contact elements (2, 3, 4; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33). The contact elements (2, 3, 4; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33) are electroconductively connected to an electronic evaluation circuit by which a contacting and/or de-contacting of adjacent contact elements (2, 3, 4; 21, 22, 23; 31, 32, 33), caused by a deformation, is able to be detected and converted into control and or regulating signals.

Abstract: A method and system of activating a safety device of a vehicle having x, y and z-axes. The method includes generating a y-acceleration signal representative of the acceleration of the vehicle in the y-axis, generating an angular-rate signal representative of the angular velocity of the vehicle with respect to the x-axis, calculating a vehicle angle having a relationship to the angular-rate signal and being representative of the angle of the vehicle about the x-axis, determining an angular-rate threshold having a relationship to the vehicle angle and the y-acceleration signal, comparing the angular-rate signal to the angular-rate threshold, and activating a safety device when the magnitude of the angular-rate signal is greater than the angular-rate threshold.

Abstract: A method of detecting the improper mounting of a sensor on a motor vehicle includes monitoring the output signals of the sensor, determining the noise levels in the output signals, and comparing the noise levels from the output signals to a threshold noise value to determine if the sensor is properly mounted. Preferably, the method monitors the output signals of a first sensor and a second sensor, determines the noise levels in the output signals being emitted by each of the sensors, and compares the noise levels of the first sensor to the noise levels of the second sensor to determine if the sensors are properly mounted.

Abstract: A method and system of activating a safety device of a vehicle having x, y and z-axes. The method includes generating a y-acceleration signal representative of the acceleration of the vehicle in the y-axis, generating an angular-rate signal representative of the angular velocity of the vehicle with respect to the x-axis, calculating a vehicle angle having a relationship to the angular-rate signal and being representative of the angle of the vehicle about the x-axis, determining an angular-rate threshold having a relationship to the vehicle angle and the y-acceleration signal, comparing the angular-rate signal to the angular-rate threshold, and activating a safety device when the magnitude of the angular-rate signal is greater than the angular-rate threshold.