Patent ID: 9127968
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: B60R,B62D,G01D

Abstract:
1. A sensing device for actuating an airbag system for mitigating intrusion in the event of an impact with an offset rigid barrier to a forward corner of a motor vehicle, the airbag system comprising a motor vehicle front rail having a forward projecting distal end, an airbag attached proximate the distal end of the front rail, the airbag having a stowed condition and an inflated condition, an inflator operationally coupled with the airbag responsive to electrical actuation for inflating the airbag with a gas, a flexible fiber optic impact detection sensor for generating a signal upon an impact event; and a controller for processing the signal generated by the detection sensor and electrically actuating the inflator upon computing a predetermined impact severity to the forward corner of the motor vehicle, wherein the airbag in the inflated condition acts against the offset rigid barrier so as to generate a lateral force against the offset rigid barrier to push the motor vehicle away from the barrier and thereby redirect impact energy by lateral movement of the motor vehicle.