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Occupant detection and classification system using electric-field imaging technology for capacitive sensing; a single-layer flexible sensor assembly is installed in the front passenger s seatback to detect the height and seating position of the occupant. These sensors deactivate the side airbag if a child or small-statured adult is in the airbag s path of deployment.
Safety Goal: To protect children from the deployment of side airbags.
Benefits:
- Accurately detects the presence of a child’s head near the side airbag to prevent deployment
- Protects children in the event of a side impact crash from the adverse affects and injuries from a deployed side airbag, in accordance with NHTSA FMVSS-214 mandate for Side Impact Protection: Dynamic Performance
- “E-field” sensing is mounted into the seat back (Note: seat configuration, wear, water, seat ventilation do not compromise the system’s reliability)
- Sense the presence of a child regardless of the position, e.g. leaning
- Compatible with and integrates with seat heaters
- Integrates and communicates with other seat functions, including seat belt reminder systems (SBRS)
How it works: A series of flexible sensors are embedded in the seatback. They set up a low-level electric field (EF), "e-field," to determine the size and position of the occupant. If an occupant s head is detected near a deploying side airbag, an electronic control unit (ECU) sends the appropriate signal to the side airbag control ECU to suppress the side airbag.
This system is currently available on Hondas and Acuras.
FMVSS-214 mandate for Side Impact Protection: Dynamic Performance
Side Impact tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administraion (NHTSA) for the proposed new side-impact protection criteria, Honda vehicles equipped with Elesys electric field sensing side airbag suppression systems met the stringent injury criteria at the minimum scale of injury. Honda had the most powerful and most aggressive seat-mounted side airbags, made feasible by the dynamic suppression capability of the electric field sensing system. This demonstrates the technological superiority of the system. |