Anybody see that OnStar commercial for accident response?

[hosnatcher]

Some dude is in a serious car accident and is pinned in his car and then some service agent from OnStar communicates to him in the car and asks him if needs an ambulance. The guy then mutters "Yes".

Now from my experience in major collisions doesn't your battery and starter shut down on impact and in order to get any power back into your car you need to flip a switch to get the power going again so you don't try to immediately restart your car and blow yourself from a potential gas leak? Granted the last time I was involved in a major collision I was hit from behind while driving a 1993 Ford Probe and technology has improved a lot since then. I was just curious though.

 

[barman]

Some dude is in a serious car accident and is pinned in his car and then some service agent from OnStar communicates to him in the car and asks him if needs an ambulance. The guy then mutters "Yes".

Now from my experience in major collisions doesn't your battery and starter shut down on impact and in order to get any power back into your car you need to flip a switch to get the power going again so you don't try to immediately restart your car and blow yourself from a potential gas leak? Granted the last time I was involved in a major collision I was hit from behind while driving a 1993 Ford Probe and technology has improved a lot since then. I was just curious though.

I'm unaware of any automobiles terminating the electrical system in case of "major collision", but would be interested to hear from others if that might happen (presuming the battery is still properly connected)

 

[hosnatcher]

Inertial switch

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A disconnect switch


An inertial switch is a switch, firmly mounted upon a vehicle or other mobile device, that senses shock or vibration. It is a part of electrical circuits that may either enable or disable some function.

[edit] Disconnect

The switch shown to the right is intended to disable an electric fuel pump in automotive applications. This functionality is required in some vehicle racing applications, since an electric fuel pump may otherwise continue operating after a collision or rollover. If the fuel line is broken or the vehicle is inverted, fuel may be spilled, creating a fire hazard. A small loose weight (called a proof mass) is trapped within a spring loaded cage. A shock in any direction will cause movement of the mass relative to the cage, and if sufficiently shocked the cage will spring open, actuating an associated switch. The switch is reset by pressing the cage closed through the flexible (red) top cover, retrapping the mass. These switches are also used to open a contactor (a large relay) to disable the high power circuit of a battery electric vehicle upon collision.

[edit] Actuation

A normally open switch is used to activate passenger safety equipment early in a collision, typically to pre-tension seat belts and/or to activate air-bags to protect the occupant(s) from collision with the vehicle interior or the steering wheel.

 

[mrcrash]

Inertial switch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Inertia switch)
Jump to: navigation, search
<!-- start content -->
A disconnect switch


An inertial switch is a switch, firmly mounted upon a vehicle or other mobile device, that senses shock or vibration. It is a part of electrical circuits that may either enable or disable some function.

[edit] Disconnect

The switch shown to the right is intended to disable an electric fuel pump in automotive applications. This functionality is required in some vehicle racing applications, since an electric fuel pump may otherwise continue operating after a collision or rollover. If the fuel line is broken or the vehicle is inverted, fuel may be spilled, creating a fire hazard. A small loose weight (called a proof mass) is trapped within a spring loaded cage. A shock in any direction will cause movement of the mass relative to the cage, and if sufficiently shocked the cage will spring open, actuating an associated switch. The switch is reset by pressing the cage closed through the flexible (red) top cover, retrapping the mass. These switches are also used to open a contactor (a large relay) to disable the high power circuit of a battery electric vehicle upon collision.

[edit] Actuation

A normally open switch is used to activate passenger safety equipment early in a collision, typically to pre-tension seat belts and/or to activate air-bags to protect the occupant(s) from collision with the vehicle interior or the steering wheel.

:think2:

 

[barman]

okay...thanks for that info.

You had mentioned 'starter' in your first post, but if no fuel is available that's moot.

But I'm now puzzled as to what you were asking in your lead post with regard to the fictional collision in the OnStar ad spot

 

[mrcrash]

The answer is at A)therxforum.com or B)onstar.com? I don't know.

 

[hosnatcher]

okay...thanks for that info.

You had mentioned 'starter' in your first post, but if no fuel is available that's moot.

But I'm now puzzled as to what you were asking in your lead post with regard to the fictional collision in the OnStar ad spot

I was wondering if everything electrical on your car shuts down on major impact how can OnStar communicate with you?

 

[barman]

oh

If I read your link correctly, the entire electrical system does not shut down, but only the electric fuel pump.

Now I don't know for sure, but would not be surprised if the OnStar component is also equipped with a separate power source to help assure they can stay in touch even if the front end was smashed and the automobile main battery disconnected

 

[barman]

I guess not...From the OnStar site:

*OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly.

So I guess dude's car in the advertising spot may have been mashed, but the battery was intact and still connected

 

[hosnatcher]

The answer is at A)therxforum.com or B)onstar.com? I don't know.

You guys seem like a bunch of Cliff Clavin's here at the RX with your expert opinions and shit.

 

[barman]

Cliff would probably remind you that you don't need an apostrophe between the N and the S.

 

[Akillies]

i know someone who was saved by onstar

 

[djmatt]

I was in a friend of mine's caddy a few years back and they gave you a free trial for OnStar.. I forget what we called in for, nearest place for ribs or something anyway.. the onstar guy gave us a suggestion and then he says mr lombardi, you should probably slow down sir to a more safe speed!!!

big brother is watching hno: