This paper describes a sensor system developed to deactivate the front passenger airbag when a child seat is positioned on the passenger seat. Rear-facing infant seats offer most injury risk if hit by the airbag. A child seat identification system, Child seat Presence and Orientation Detection (CPOD), has been developed consisting of two sub-systems, a CPOD sensor in the passenger seat and resonators in the child seat. A warning display informs the driver that the airbag has been switched off. The system can identify the presence of the child seat, its positioning (including incorrect positioning), seat type identification and system diagnosis. This system and related child seats are offered by manufacturers Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and Opel/Vauxhall. Future developments involve smaller resonators to make installation cheaper and easier, and may include the integration of seat belt reminders and passenger presence detection. System compatibility and standardised test procedures are needed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126782.
Samenvatting