Patent ID: 6777927
Filing Date: 2004-08-17
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A magnetic sensor, comprising:a. at least one first coil at an associated at least one first location of a body of a vehicle, wherein said at least one first coil is operatively coupled to a ferromagnetic element of a vehicle body; b. at least one magnetic sensing element operatively connected to at least one second location of said body of said vehicle, wherein said at least one first and at least one second locations are in magnetic communication through a first portion of said vehicle and through a second portion of said vehicle, said first portion of said vehicle comprises a portion of said body that is susceptible to deformation by a crash, and said first portion is distinct from said second portion; c. at least one first signal operatively connected to said at least one first coil; d. a means for sensing at least one second signal from said at least one magnetic sensing element, wherein said at least one second signal is responsive to a coupling of a magnetic field through said first portion of said vehicle, said magnetic field is generated by said at least one first coil responsive to said at least one first signal, and said magnetic field is responsive to said deformation of said first portion of vehicle by said crash; and e. a means for discriminating a crash from said at least one second signal.