Air bag deployment trigger sensor with sacrificial waveguide

Abstract

An air bag deployment trigger sensor for activating the deployment of an air bag in a vehicle as a result of an impact or collision. The air bag deployment trigger sensor utilizes a sacrificial waveguide which transmits optical signals from an emitter along the waveguide, and which are received by a detector. A sensor circuit attached to the detector senses the optical signal and decodes, measures, or compares the optical signal with a predetermined electrical signal produced by the detector. The sensor's detection of an alteration or interruption of the optical signal along the waveguide triggers air bag deployment. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the sensor arrangement is employed for deactivating electric windows, sun-roofs and doors, when it senses an object being placed in the path of closure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.