Special
Report: Occupant Sensors - Excerpt
Executive Summary
Market Forecast
Installation rates of advanced airbag systems and associated occupant
sensors will grown significantly faster than the NHTSA proposed phase-in
schedule. This is a driven by market pressure to make passenger airbags
100% safe for children. The U.S. and Europe markets will experience
a 50% installation rate for passenger systems by 2003. Installation
rates in Japan are forecast to be 35% by 2003. Table 1 shows that market
penetration for the three markets will exceed 80% by 2006.
Occupant sensors will be an integral part of smart airbag systems of
the future. Sophisticated systems will use occupant sensors to detect:
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The presence and position of an occupant |
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Forward or rear facing child safety seats |
These systems will classify the size of the occupant into predetermined
categories, and along with crash severity sensing, manage the level
of airbag deployment. The simplest smart systems will use seat belt
status switches to determine whether the airbag should be deployed.
Other smart airbag systems will use occupant sensors to activate or
de-activate the airbag(an automated on/off switch). Deployment is suppressed
whenever an occupant is:
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Too close to the airbag |
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When a safety seat or small child is detected |
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Not detected |
Multiple sensor technologies will be required to satisfy the needs
of an optimum occupant sensing system. Some technologies will be incorporated
seat mats, while others will reside in the overhead center console or
in the headliner. Sensors located in the windshild and airbag covers
are also being considered. Installations in the A-pillar are being avoided
due to possible interference with side impact protection technology,
for example, the Inflatable Tubular Structure and the Inflatable Curtain.
The A-pillar is also a common location for handle grips, which means
occupants might place their arms near the pillar. This might interfere
with occupant sensor readings.
Market volume will grow dramatically, from only a few million units
in the model year 2000 to over 80 million units per year (including
driver units) by 2006. Market value will exceed $1.5 billion by 2006.
Long term price is targeted at $20 per system, including sensors and
processing electronics. Initial costs for complete systems will be in
the $70-$80 price range.
European car manufacturers such as mercedes, BMW and Volvo
are currently leading the market in the application of occupant sensing
systems. In North America, GM is the most aggressive in developing advanced
airbag systems with occupant sensors, with Ford also showing significant
interest. Chrysler is currently taking a wait and see attitude.
Suppliers of occupant sensors include many names familiar
to occupant restraints and automotive electronics, including TRW, Autoliv,
Bosch, Siemens, TEMIC, BREED, Delphi, DENSO, Takata, Visteon, Mitsubishi,
and others.
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Recommendation - Occupant sensor systems that
detect occupant mass and position relative to the airbag module
will be the most useful. A combination of ultrasonic and film resistive,
for instance, would provide the information needed by most smart
airbag systems at a reasonable cost. More complicated and expensive
systems include the following Technologies: |
| |
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Active Infrared |
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Film-resistive |
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Possibly ultrasonic or capacitive technology (for
a higher level of reliability required by some models. |
Note: No one company is currently prepared to undertake the
responsiblity of delivering a total system. As the industry evolves,
the complexity and diversity of smart occupant restraint systems will
increase, dictating collaboration between car manufacturers and suppliers.
This is especially true as new regulation standards emerge.
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