Search Results

Crash sensors are used for crash detection and initiation of squibs in Airbag and Seat Belt Tensioner Systems. A new single point electronic sensor has been developed that incorporates a dual piezoelectric accelerometer to measure the deceleration in the passenger compartment. This concept achieves the required fail safe operation without a mechanical safing switch. A conventional microcomputer and sophisticated crash discrimination algorithms are used to reach the deployment decision. Supplementary functions include monitoring of squib and wiring harness integrity and storing of fault codes as well as a “crash journal” in a non-volatile memory. INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, commonly called “AIRBAGs”, are designed to protect the occupants in automobile accidents against severe injuries. The life saving potential of such an air cushion becomes evident if one realizes that the impact of a body moving at 30 miles per hour corresponds to a free fall from a 10 m high diving tower.

Increasingly stringent requirements regarding exhaust emission, fuel consumption, driveability and comfort have led to an accelerated introduction of electronically controlled systems, the complexity of which can best be handled by microcomputers, these being the basis of all modern electronic control units. These electronic control units are usually installed in the passenger compartment, due to the need for moderate conditions in respect of temperature, vibration, moisture and dust. However because of the increasing variety of systems the available space for the installation of these control boxes has become smaller and smaller whilst the complexity of the wire harness has led to increased costs and electromagnetic interference problems. As a result there is an increasing demand for electronic control units (ECU) which can be installed in the engine compartment.