Mechanical Versus Accelerometer Based Sensing for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint Systems

Supplemental Inflatable Restraints (SIR) systems, or air bags, are being used in a wider variety of applications and in increased volumes. New technologies are becoming available for high volume SIR applications which may reduce SIR system cost, improve system reliability and improve SIR system performance. One is using a solid state accelerometer instead of mechanical crash sensors. This paper will first review the major differences between mechanical sensor based and accelerometer based SIR systems. It will then discuss some of the wide variety of issues and considerations that need to be addressed when designing or introducing an accelerometer based SIR system.