Roll arming sensor

An electromechanical arming sensor for use in determining an arming signal for rollover detection about a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, said sensor comprising:

• a housing defining a first cavity;
• a light source for generating a light beam;
• a receiver for detecting the light beam:
• a first cylindrical member disposed substantially horizontal within the first cavity and oriented substantially parallel to the horizontal axis of the vehicle, wherein said first cylindrical member is located between the source and receiver and having a window extending therethrough for passing the light beam during a non-armed driving condition, and said first cylindrical member is movable to a second position during an armed driving condition to prevent the light beam from passing to the receiver;
• and
• an output for generating an arming signal when the first cylindrical member moves to the second position.

An electromechanical roll arming sensor comprising:

• a housing defining a first cavity and a second cavity;
• a source for generating a signal beam;
• a receiver for detecting the signal beam:
• a first cylindrical member disposed substantially horizontal within the first cavity between the source and receiver and having a first window extending therethrough, wherein said first cylindrical member is located in a first position during a non-armed condition so that the signal beam passes through the first window, and said first cylindrical member is movable to a second position during an armed condition to prevent the signal beam from passing to the receiver;
• a second cylindrical member disposed substantially horizontal within the second cavity between the source and the receiver and having a second window extending therethrough, wherein said second cylindrical member is located in a first position during a non-armed condition so that said signal beam is able to pass through the second window, and the second cylindrical member is movable to a second position during an armed condition to prevent the signal beam from passing to the receiver;
• and
• an output for generating an arming signal when said signal beam is prevented from passing to the receiver during an armed condition.