Sensata Technologies, a manufacturer of sensors and controls for automotive, aircraft, industrial, appliance, and HVAC markets, has unveiled various innovations in auto occupant sensing technology.
The illustration of these technological approaches will assist engineers design improved seat belt alert devices for enhanced safety and convenience to users.
The piezoelectric sensors and Monocrystalline Silicon Strain Gauge (MSG) force sensors are two innovations from Sensata Technologies that have presented engineers with a range of design options for manufacturing seat belt alert systems that are reliable and user-friendly.
Detection systems are often confused when it comes to differentiating between heavy objects and human beings. This confusion results in triggering off false alarms from the devices placed in the seat belt alert systems. However, the piezoelectric sensor features an electric wire connected to a pad that can be integrated under the cushion of the vehicle’s seat.
An electronic module receives inputs whenever the device senses the frequency created by the presence of a human being. A- or B-surface mounting and other types of seat belt alerts with piezoelectric sensors can accurately determine the presence of people inside the vehicle, their relative positions and differentiate between objects and persons. These sensors are being considered for use in the airbag deployment systems classified under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208.
In the Monocrystalline Silicon Strain Gauge Pressure (MSG) Occupant Weight Sensor (OWS), there is a stainless steel diaphragm connected to a silicon MEMS strain gauge element. The seat structure can be integrated with four MSG sensors that deliver accurate weight measures that comply with FMVSS208. A variety of designs that support flexible styling and mounting are available.
Source: http://www.sensata.com