The international automotive supplier Continental received the 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers Contribution to Excellence) award for its ‘Pressure sensor-based Pedestrian Protection System (PPS pSAT). This marks Continental’s third PACE Award win in just two years.
Pressure sensors in the bumper reliably detect accidents
involving pedestrians and activate the safety systems in the vehicle’s body
Continental’s solution for pedestrian protection was initially developed to help European automakers and other manufacturers selling vehicles in Europe meet the upcoming Euro NCAP standards, which require enhanced measures to reduce injury in pedestrian collisions.
With the United States, Japan and other key global markets implementing similar requirements, the company set out to create a cost-effective solution, using pressure sensors and a flexible tube mounted behind the vehicle’s front fascia. The PPS activates within 10-15 milliseconds of impact by slightly lifting the hood of the vehicle, thereby reducing pedestrian injury through energy absorption and deflection of the impact across the surface.
Integration of the PPS pSAT system into the bumper
“In developing the PPS, we accomplished our goal of engineering a pedestrian-protection solution for our automotive partners that not only complies with new and forthcoming safety standards in all major global markets, but can be implemented into their vehicles at a low cost and without any major design changes,” said Bernhard Klumpp, Head of Continental’s Passive Safety & Sensorics business unit.
The PPS pSAT technology is easily installed in a variety of vehicle types thanks to its high flexibility in various front end designs. The PPS pSAT is designed to be resistant to environmental influences including electrostatic discharge, temperature, humidity and stray light. Additionally, the system provides weight and cost reduction compared to other pedestrian protection options currently on the market.
