Numerous technologies are under development to provide conformance to the NHTSA FMVSS-208 ruling using the static suppression option. While basic conformance to the standard under lab conditions is straightforward, reliable discrimination of small adults and children is problematic under all conceivable environmental, road use and occupant seating scenarios. Key technologies for consideration include pressure measurement of a fluid filled bladder, weight sensing by measuring strain or displacement and a hybrid of weight and pattern sensing using a pressure sensitive mat. A set of common evaluation criteria are established encompassing safety, reliability, environmental performance and application convenience. Once established, a comparison of the considered technologies against these criteria is provided. Finally, a description of common issues confronting the industry along with potential remedies is provided. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126782.
Abstract