Mechanical-electrical system for mitigating vehicle collisions and detecting structural accident damage

Abstract

A mechanical-electrical system for mitigating vehicle collisions, characterized in that a bumper support which is movable relative to the vehicle structure can be moved from an initial position (A) to an end position (B) upon impact, wherein an energy absorption element coupled to the bumper support is mechanically or fluidically loaded during the transition from position (A) to position (B) and thereby absorbs impact energy, the bumper support is permanently locked by a locking device after reaching the end position (B) and a sensor which can be activated by the movement or deformation of the energy absorption element generates an electrical signal for detecting an accident.