Tactile Occupant Detection Sensor for Automotive Airbag

Naveen Shirur,Roman Henze,Christian Birkner,Thomas M Deserno

doi:10.3390/en14175288

Naveen Shirur, Roman Henze + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14175288

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Abstract

Automotive airbags protect occupants from crash forces during severe vehicle collisions. They absorb energy and restrain the occupants by providing a soft cushion effect known as the restraint effect. Modern airbags offer partial restraint effect control by controlling the bag’s vent holes and providing multi-stage deployment. Full restraint effect control is still a challenge because the closed-loop restraint control system needs airbag–occupant contact and interaction feedback. In this work, we have developed novel single and matrix capacitive tactile sensors to measure the occupant’s contact data. They can be integrated with the airbag surface and folded to follow the dynamic airbag shape during the deployment. The sensors are tested under a low-velocity pendulum impact and benchmarked with high-speed test videos. The results reveal that the single sensor can successfully measure occupant–airbag contact time and estimate the area, while the contact position is additionally identified from the matrix sensor.

Highlights

The results reveal that the single sensor can successfully measure occupant–airbag contact time and estimate the area, while the contact position is identified from the matrix sensor
In the event of severe vehicle collisions, the airbag deploys in 30–50 milliseconds and restrains the occupants providing a cushion effect [1]
Two sensor variants discussed in this paper are a single sensor, which gives occupant contact time and contact area, and a matrix sensor, which provides the position

Summary

Introduction

In the event of severe vehicle collisions, the airbag deploys in 30–50 milliseconds and restrains the occupants providing a cushion effect [1]. An airbag offers optimum restraint effect when it deploys as designed for the situation; otherwise, there can be mortal injuries. There have been many attempts to optimize the restraint effect and reduce the injuries for different crash situations by tuning various parameters such as airbag deployment time, early occupant coupling with the airbag, pressure dispersion direction and stagewise deployment [2–5]. In this technology, the occupant is pushed forward during the potential crashes and engaged with the restraint system to reduce the kinetic energy difference between the occupant and the restraint system. Kim et al designed a low-risk deployment airbag with a protective wrap. It disperses the airbag pressure in lateral directions and reduces the force on the occupants [4]. The airbag remains inflated for a longer time and protects the occupants [5]

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