2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
A tubular sensor housed in the bumper is designed to increase the chances of pedestrians surviving in collisions with cars. In conjunction with electronic driver assistants in the car, the sensor also protects the occupants better.
In a collision with a car, pedestrians often suffer serious or fatal injuries. With a new sensor integrated in the vehicle's bumper, the risk of injury is now to be reduced. The tubular pressure sensor is integrated into the front apron and covers the entire width of the vehicle.
The bonnet is raised
In the event of a collision with an obstacle, a control unit uses the pressure exerted to determine within fractions of a second whether it is a person. If this is the case, the bonnet is raised. This prevents the hit pedestrian from being seriously injured by the impact on the hood and the engine block below.
The additional distance is a buffer zone which, according to Continental, significantly reduces the severity of the accident. The entire registration and lifting process should only take 10 to 15 milliseconds. For optimal protection, the system should also differentiate, among other things, whether the person hit is an adult or a small child. This is measured using the pressure that would have to be exerted with normal weight. Depending on the result, the hood is raised accordingly. In addition, it is determined where the person impacts, i.e. more at the front, side or in the center of the vehicle. In this way, protection can be specifically increased in certain regions.
Link with assistance systems
In addition, so-called "no-fire" processes are recognized, which means that the system is not triggered if a curb touches the front apron or if a small animal hits it. Due to the tube shape, the sensor should be able to be integrated into any vehicle regardless of the body shape.
It can be combined with individual assistance systems so that, for example, emergency braking is automatically initiated in the event of a collision registered via the sensor. In addition, the belts are tightened and the airbags are triggered if necessary. It is not yet clear when the sensor will be used in series vehicles. (mid)
