Patent ID: 8532883

Claim:
A device for detecting the characteristics of an impact into a motor vehicle, comprising at least one signal generation unit for generating a defined acoustic impulse sequence depending on a speed of the impact, the acoustic impulse sequence being due to a deformation of a bodywork component of the motor vehicle and being generated by a mechanical actuation of said signal generation unit caused by the deformation; a sensor system configured to detect the defined acoustic impulse sequence and to generate sensor signals; and an analysis unit configured to receive and analyze the sensor signals delivered by said sensor system and to output information about the characteristics of the impact; wherein said at least one signal generation unit includes a plurality of elements for generating structure-borne sound, capable of being activated in turn depending on a speed of the deformation by a plunger that is movably disposed relative to said plurality of elements for generating the structure-borne sound, with an acoustic impulse being generated in each case on an activation thereof.