Abstract: The crash detection system employs a plurality of electronic acceleration sensors distributed at different locations of a vehicle body. The plurality of electronic acceleration sensors measures changes in acceleration of the vehicle body at different locations and therefore the rate of deformation of the vehicle body. The signals from the plurality of electronic acceleration sensors are filtered, amplified, and passed to an evaluation unit, which reads and compares the signals. Based on the rate of deformation of the vehicle body, the evaluation unit then makes a determination of the severity of the vehicle crash and communicates this information to a passenger safety system.

Abstract: A device for protecting vehicle occupants in a motor vehicle has an impact sensor unit which is provided in a front region of the motor vehicle. A control unit is provided in a central region of the motor vehicle and has an acceleration sensor for controlling a vehicle occupant protection device. The control unit triggers the vehicle occupant protection device as a function of the evaluated acceleration signal and of a code signal which is transmitted by the impact sensor unit via a data line.