TI unveils weight sensor for airbag deployment systems
Staff -- Test & Measurement World, 3/1/2005
Texas Instruments Sensors and Controls (TI S&C) has introduced a force-based occupant weight sensor (OWS) for passenger airbag deployment systems. Based upon the strain-gauge micro-fused technology used in other TI sensor applications, this new OWS is targeted at occupant classification applications.
By 2006, nearly all vehicles sold in the US must be equipped with advanced airbag systems that classify passengers by weight and adjust airbag deployment accordingly. TI's OWS uses a direct weight measurement approach that measures force of a physical object rather than pressure from a fluid or gas. The company claims that the sensor is easily integrated into current manufacturing processes and seat structures and that several OEMs have already chosen to install the sensors in their vehicles for model year 2006. www.tisensors.com.
