Bluffers guide
Crack the code of motoring jargon from A to Z with our weekly bluffer’s guide…
UP-FRONT SENSORS
IN the event of a collision, intelligent sensors trigger a vehicle’s occupant restraint systems at the correct moment.
The heart of the system is the airbag control unit, which decides whether or not the airbag should be inflated and ignites the safety belt pretensioner and the airbag inflating system according to the nature and severity of the crash.
This system has two decentral sensors and is capable of determining the pattern and violence of a frontal impact at a very early stage.
Since these sensors, which measure acceleration, are located in the vehicle’s front impact-absorbing zone, they are referred to as ‘up-front’ sensors.
They supply signals to the control unit that enable it to detect the severity of the impact as early as possible.
Further information to enable the crash severity to be measured and the plausibility to be checked is obtained by measuring vehicle deceleration in the central control unit.
ULTRASONIC INTERIOR MONITORING
LIKE a home alarm protection system, cars employ different types of detection units, one of which uses ultrasonic.
The ultrasonic interior monitoring system registers movement inside the car. It is part of the anti-theft alarm and is activated automatically when the car is locked.
Breaking a window will trigger the system, as will forcing open a door, which then activates the horn or a separate siren.
The engine can be automatically immobilised and with some systems a third party can be alerted via the vehicle’s GPS system.
The important first step is to ensure that the vehicle knows it is being illegally tampered with so it can activate the secondary and security back-up systems.
As the system detects movement or pressure variations within the vehicle it could be erroneously activated by a pet so there is a de-activation system.
This is either contained within the key or is separate on the dashboard. It enables the vehicles doors to be locked, with the windows or sunroof slightly open without activating the ultras.
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