Abstract: A vehicle safety system having an external safety system for protecting a pedestrian, and a device for activating the external safety system the device being connected to a pre-crash sensor system (10, 11) and an in-crash sensor system (16). The device is arranged to perform an object classification of a first signal from the pre-crash sensor system and to determine a threshold (T1, T2) for the in-crash sensor system as a function of the object classification.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a vehicle. The safety arrangement has a control unit; one or more sensors, a road detection arrangement; and one or more vehicle safety systems. The control unit processes the signals from the sensors and determines whether the vehicle is travelling over rough terrain, entering a ditch-like feature, or is airborne. The control unit will activate one or more of the vehicle safety systems if it is determined that the vehicle is travelling over rough terrain, entering a ditch-like feature, or is airborne. Signals, or derived quantities, from the sensors are compared against a threshold to determine whether to activate a vehicle safety system. A first threshold level is used if the vehicle has not or is not likely to leave the road, and a second threshold level is used if the vehicle has or is likely to leave the road.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system having an external safety system for protecting a pedestrian, and a device for activating the external safety system the device being connected to a pre-crash sensor system (10, 11) and an in-crash sensor system (16). The device is arranged to perform an object classification of a first signal from the pre-crash sensor system and to determine a threshold (T1, T2) for the in-crash sensor system as a function of the object classification.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system comprising: at least one occupant safety device (6) for protecting an occupant of the vehicle (1) in the event of a side impact; and a control unit (7) operable to receive information from one or more vehicle sensors (2, 3, 4, 5) and to provide a trigger signal to activate the occupant safety device (6). Under normal driving conditions, a default deployment algorithm is used by the control unit (7) to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated; and if it is determined that loss of control of the vehicle (1) is occurring, or is expected to occur, and the longitudinal speed of the vehicle (1) exceeds a first threshold, the control unit (7) employs a first further deployment algorithm to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated. The first further deployment algorithm being adapted to cause the trigger signal to be generated a shorter time after the initiation of a side impact than is the case for the default deployment algorithm.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system for detecting a side impact, the system comprising at least one sensor operable to detect one or more parameters relating to the rate of yaw of the vehicle, and to provide an output that is dependent upon the longitudinal position along the vehicle of the side impact.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system comprising: at least one occupant safety device (6) for protecting an occupant of the vehicle (1) in the event of a side impact; and a control unit (7) operable to receive information from one or more vehicle sensors (2, 3, 4, 5) and to provide a trigger signal to activate the occupant safety device (6). Under normal driving conditions, a default deployment algorithm is used by the control unit (7) to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated; and if it is determined that loss of control of the vehicle (1) is occurring, or is expected to occur, and the longitudinal speed of the vehicle (1) exceeds a first threshold, the control unit (7) employs a first further deployment algorithm to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated. The first further deployment algorithm being adapted to cause the trigger signal to be generated a shorter time after the initiation of a side impact than is the case for the default deployment algorithm.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system for detecting a side impact, the system comprising at least one sensor operable to detect one or more parameters relating to the rate of yaw of the vehicle, and to provide an output that is dependent upon the longitudinal position along the vehicle of the side impact.