Collision-detecting device for automotive vehicle

A device for detecting a collision of an obstacle with an automotive vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a bumper-reinforcing member elongated in a width direction of the vehicle;
• a bumper cover covering a front side of the bumper-reinforcing member, the bumper cover being adapted to be movable toward bumper-reinforcing member when an obstacle collides with the bumper cover;
• a member forming an enclosed space therein, the member being positioned between the bumper cover and the bumper-reinforcing member, the enclosed space being deformed by movement of the bumper cover toward the bumper-reinforcing member due to the collision;
• a pressure sensor for detecting air pressure in the enclosed space;
• a temperature sensor for directly or indirectly detecting air temperature in the enclosed space;
• and
• means for determining whether the enclosed space is hermetically enclosed or not based on the air pressure and the air temperature in the enclosed space.