Patent ID: 6431593
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A vehicle crash determination arrangement comprising:means for sensing a weight value associated with an occupant located on a seat; means for determining a weight-based center characteristic associated with the occupant using the sensed weight value; and means for determining occurrence of a vehicle crash using change in the determined weight-based center characteristic associated with the occupant and for outputting a signal indicative of the determination of crash occurrence, wherein said means for sensing a weight value includes a plurality of weight sensors disposed beneath a vehicle seat, each for sensing a load from the seat and the occupant located on the seat, said means for determining a weight-based center characteristic includes means for determining center of gravity of the seat and the occupant, and wherein said means for determining occurrence of a vehicle crash includes means for determining an amount of displacement of the center of gravity of the seat and the occupant from an initial position.