Chang Chou

US Patent:

60955538, Aug 1, 2000

Filed:

Jun 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/107723

Inventors:

Chang Tau Chou - Troy MI
Jiamaw Doong - Farmington Hills MI
Jian Yang - West Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 2132

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

A side impact sensor system is used in a vehicle having a side air-bag, a lower body component, and a body side with a front door belt line area. The system includes a body side impact sensor mounted to the body side at least as high as the front door belt-line area. A lower body side impact sensor is mounted to the lower body component inboard from the body side. A safing sensor is secured to the vehicle. Electronic control module is provided in the electrical communication with the side air-bag and with the sensors for sending firing signals to the side air-bag when the safing sensor and at least one of the body and lower body side impact sensors signal a sufficiently high lateral acceleration indicative of a side impact.