Abstract: A vehicle crush detecting device including an electrically conducting tube with an electrically conducting rod positioned within the tube along with insulators positioned at least two points between the rod and tube to insulate the rod from the tube. The electrically conducting tube is deformed during a vehicle crash causing the tube to contact the rod in response to crush of the vehicle. A header/connector assembly seals a space between the rod and tube at one end while a space between the rod and tube at the opposite end is closed. The header/connector assembly includes electrical connector pins electrically coupled to the rod and tube and having an exposed portion for connection to a wire harness. The device is used to sense crashes for the deployment of automobile passive restraint systems such as airbags.

Abstract: A vehicle crush detecting device including an electrically conducting tube with an electrically conducting rod concentrically positioned within the tube along with insulating means positioned at at least two points between the rod and the tube to insulate the rod from the tube. The electrically conducting tube is deformed during a vehicle crash by a force greater than a predetermined magnitude which causes the tube to contact the rod in response to the crush of a vehicle. The crush sensor is mounted at the rear boundary of the Crush Sensor Zone of the vehicle for frontal and rear impacts and in the door or other appropriate side position for side. The sensor is used to sense crashes for the deployment of automobile passive restraint systems such as airbags.