German mainland company develops sensors that accurately detect collisions between cars and pedestrians

Figure: The new sensor "pSAT" developed by the mainland company. Pressure sensors are connected to both ends of the resin hose. The pipe is embedded in a foamed resin block serving as a bumper impact absorbing member, and the actual pipe is longer. (Click to enlarge)

Continental AG has newly developed a sensor “pSAT” for starting pedestrian protection safety systems such as pop-up hoods and pedestrian airbags. The model equipped with the new sensor will be put into operation in the summer of 2011.

The sensor developed this time is connected with a resin hose between two pressure sensors. A groove is formed in the bump absorbing foam member in the bumper, and the resin hose is placed in the groove. When the bumper collides with a pedestrian and flattens the foamed part, the pressure inside the tube rises, and the pressure sensor detects that the car has collided with the pedestrian by detecting the increase in pressure.

The original acceleration sensor was used to detect the collision between a car and a pedestrian. However, apart from hitting pedestrians, cars may also hit football and small animals. When an automobile collides with an object Other than a pedestrian, it is difficult to distinguish between the two by using an acceleration sensor.

In addition, acceleration sensors sometimes malfunction when the car is driving on bumpy roads. Newly developed sensors are able to accurately identify collisions between cars and pedestrians.