Crash sensor arrangement for determining whether a crash involving the
vehicle requires deployment of an occupant restraint device including a
first electronic crash sensor mounted in the crush zone of the vehicle
for measuring a reaction of the crush zone to a crash and outputting a
signal representative of the measurements and a processor coupled to the
first sensor for processing the signal to determine whether the restraint
device should be deployed. The first sensor may include an accelerometer,
a gyroscope or an elongate member arranged to sense the reaction of the
crush zone over a substantial part of the front, side or rear of the
vehicle. Optionally, a second electronic crash sensor is mounted outside
the crush zone to measure a reaction of the vehicle other than crush of
the crush zone. Both sensors input signals to the processor which is
programmed to determine whether the restraint device should be deployed
using an algorithm and data from the first and/or second sensors. The
second sensor may be mounted in association with the passenger
compartment.