This paper presents a summary of the problems associated with passenger airbag deployment and a sensing system concept that addresses these critical problems. Airbags, both driver and passenger side, provide a significant contribution to the overall safety of occupants involved in collisions. However, due to the number of deaths and severe injuries of infants and children caused by interactions with passenger airbags, their usage has come under extreme scrutiny. In North America, the issue of occupant protection has taken on critical importance due to the following conditions: (1) Passenger Airbags (PABs) are mandated by federal regulation for model year '98 on all vehicles - 12 million are in the current fleet; (2) Seat belt usage is relatively low - approximately 70%; and (3) 50% of the North American market are light trucks, many of which do not have rear seats. For the covering abstract see ITRD E116488.
Abstract