Impact Sensor - Description

DESCRIPTION

Remote or satellite impact sensors are located in various locations in the vehicle. These sensors are mounted remotely from the impact sensor that is internal to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Sensors at the front of the vehicle provide an additional logic input for use by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) to control the front air bags and the seat belt pretensioners. Sensors on each side of the vehicle provide an additional logic input for use by the ORC to control the side curtain air bags, the seat belt pretensioners and, if equipped, the seat air bags. Two types of sensors are used in this vehicle. They are the acceleration-type and the pressure-type, which are described in further detail in the following paragraphs.

ACCELERATION TYPE





Each vehicle has at least four, but as many as six remote acceleration-type impact sensors (1). Two front sensors, one each for the left and right sides of the vehicle are secured with a screw to the back of the right or left end of the lower radiator cross member within the engine compartment. Two side sensors, one each for the left and right sides of the vehicle are secured with a screw near the base of the right or left inner B-pillar within the passenger compartment. Quad cab or crew cab and mega cab models have two additional side sensors, one each for the left and right sides of the vehicle, secured with a screw near the base of the right or left inner C-pillar within the passenger compartment.

The right and left front impact sensors are identical in construction and calibration. The right and left side impact sensors are also identical in construction and calibration. Although the front and side impact sensors are similar in appearance and construction, they are not interchangeable. The front sensors are designed to withstand the harsher operating environment found within the engine compartment.

Each sensor housing has an integral connector receptacle (4), an integral anti-rotation pin (3), and an integral mounting hole (2) with a metal sleeve to provide crush protection. A cavity in the center of the molded plastic impact sensor housing contains the electronic circuitry of the sensor which includes an electronic communication chip and an electronic acceleration sensor. Potting material fills the cavity to seal and protect the internal electronic circuitry and components. The front impact sensors are each connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the Front End Module (FEM) wire harness, while the side impact sensors are connected through dedicated take outs and connectors of the body wire harness.

The acceleration-type impact sensors cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, they must be replaced.

PRESSURE TYPE





Two pressure-type front door side impact sensors (2) are used on all standard cab versions of this vehicle, one each for the left and right sides of the vehicle. These sensors are also used on club, crew or mega cab styles, but only if they are also equipped with the optional seat air bags. These sensors are mounted remotely from the impact sensor that is internal to the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC). Each pressure-type sensor is secured with two screws and is sealed by a resilient gasket (1) to the front door module carrier on the inside of each front door. The sensors are concealed behind the front door trim panel within the passenger compartment.

The right and left front door side impact sensors are identical in construction and calibration, and are interchangeable. The sensor housing has an integral connector receptacle (3), two integral mounting tabs, and an integral hood-like water shield (4) that extends through a hole in the front door module carrier into the interior of the door cavity and protects the sensor orifice from contamination.

A cavity in the center of the molded plastic sensor housing contains the electronic circuitry of the sensor, which includes an electronic communication chip and the electronic pressure sensor. The housing cavity is filled with a potting material to seal and protect the internal electronic circuitry and components. A label on the sensor has a directional arrow and the word down imprinted upon it to provide verification of the correct sensor orientation in the vehicle. The pressure-type side impact sensors are each connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the front door wire harnesses.

The pressure-type side impact sensors cannot be repaired or adjusted and, if damaged or ineffective, they must be replaced.