System Description

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEMS: OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM: SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

1. GENERATION DESCRIPTION

(a) The occupant classification system determines whether the front passenger seat is occupied by an adult or child (with child seat) or is unoccupied, based on the load that is applied to the front passenger seat and whether the seat belt is buckled. The system restricts the deployment of the front passenger airbag, front passenger side airbag, and front passenger seat belt pretensioner in accordance with this judgment. The result is informed to the driver through the airbag ON/OFF indicator illumination.

2. SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

(a) This system consists of the occupant classification ECU, occupant classification sensors, airbag ON/OFF indicator, passenger side buckle switch, and center airbag sensor assembly.

3. OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR

(a) The occupant classification sensors are installed on 4 brackets, which connect the seat rail and the seat frame. The resistance values of these sensors, which vary in accordance with the load that acts on the brackets, are transmitted to the occupant classification ECU as signals. Upon receipt of the signals, the ECU determines the front passenger seat occupant conditions.