Abstract: An improved system for passenger safety in a front-end vehicle collision, whereby the kinetic energy of a passenger may be reduced before the passenger is exposed to the crash deceleration. An array of variably momentum-responsive electrical sensors mounted in the forward portion of the vehicle senses the onset of a front-end collision and sends one or more crash signals to the passenger compartment. A passenger seat is mounted on translating means permitting rearward motion and has a harness to secure a passenger to the seat. Beneath the seat, attached between the floor of the vehicle and the frame of the seat, is an array of pairs of linear actuators, each actuator being powered by an explosive charge and each pair being electrically connected uniquely to one of the momentum sensors.

Abstract: An improved system for passenger safety in a front-end vehicle collision, whereby the kinetic energy of a passenger may be reduced before the passenger is exposed to the crash deceleration. An electrical sensor mounted at the extreme front end of the vehicle senses the onset of a front-end collision and sends a crash signal to the passenger compartment. Preferably, the sensor is a normally-closed momentum-activatable switch. A passenger seat is mounted on translating means permitting rearward motion and has a harness to secure a passenger to the seat. The seat is held in place by a shearable pin. Beneath the seat, attached between the floor of the vehicle and the frame of the seat, is a linear actuator powered by an explosive charge which is ignitable electrically in response to the crash signal.