Importance

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Abstract

An inertial sensor for activating a vehicular passenger restraining system comprises a housing, a sensor body supported in the housing for a sliding translational movement under the action of inertial forces from a rest position to an activating position and a return spring preloading the sensor body towards the rest position. A striking pin is displaceably mounted in the housing for activation of an impact igniter. An additional spring is provided which preloads the striking pin towards the impact igniter in a direction transverse to translational movement of the sensor body. A ramp surface is provided on the housing which rises in a direction of sensor body movement towards the activating position. The striking pin has a lateral shoulder resting on the ramp surface and holding the striking pin in a rest position as long as the sensor body has not reached the activating position. The preloading force of the return spring is overcome by an acceleration as low as approximately 2 g. Following an initial stroke of approximately 2 mm, the movement of the sensor body is counteracted by the axial force component created by the spring load of the striking pin under the effect of the ramp surface. The subsequent actuating stroke amounts to only approximately 0.5 mm. With good reliability in preventing malactivation a fast response is achieved.

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First Claim