Low severity impact detection sensor system for a vehicle

A crash sensor system for a vehicle that can operate in an autonomous mode, the vehicle having a front end, a rear end a left side and a right side, the system comprising:

• an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising:
• a first accelerometer constructed and arranged to measure longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle during a severe impact event with the vehicle,
• a second accelerometer constructed and arranged to measure lateral acceleration of the vehicle during a severe impact event with the vehicle, and
• a processor circuit, and
• a LIDAR sensor and/or a camera electrically connected with the ECU and constructed and arranged to identify if an object is coming in close proximity to the vehicle and on a path where low severity impact event with the vehicle is expected,
• wherein the ECU is constructed and arranged to trigger an occupant restraint system of the vehicle in the event of a severe impact event with the vehicle as detected by at least the first and second accelerometers, and
• a plurality of satellite sensors electrically connected to the ECU and mounted at the front end, the rear end, the right side and the left side of the vehicle near or on an outer surface thereof to detect low severity impact event with the vehicle that does not cause activation of the occupant restraint system,
• wherein the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to execute an algorithm to confirm, via data from the plurality of satellite sensors, whether the low severity impact event with the vehicle occurred, and
• wherein the processor circuit is constructed and arranged to execute the algorithm to confirm, if the expected low severity impact event with the vehicle had actually occurred.