Patent ID: 6784792
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A method of detecting a pedestrian impact with a vehicle, the method comprising:providing at least one first sensor on a bumper and at least one second sensor in an area of a front edge of an engine hood; measuring one of a first pressure and a first deformation caused by the pedestrian impact; forming a first criterion for deciding whether the pedestrian impact has occurred by comparing at least one first sensor output signal with at least one first reference quantity and by comparing at least one second sensor output signal with at least one second reference quantity; determining at least one of a change in velocity of the vehicle and a change in acceleration of the vehicle caused by the pedestrian impact; forming a second criterion for deciding whether the pedestrian impact has occurred by at least one of comparing the change in velocity with a third reference quantity and comparing the change in acceleration with a fourth reference quantity; and determining that the pedestrian impact has occurred if both the first criterion and the second criterion are met.