Most airbag systems assume that an occupant is a "50% male" (a weight of 75kg) in mid-seating position, when in reality 70% of the passengers are smaller and sit closer to the airbag pod. To compensate, OC instead categorazse people into classifications based on extensive statistical data.
OC helps automotive designers better support their current PPD system goals. It allows the to more precisely set thresholds by measuring and reacting not only to sit-in weight, but alos the buttock print and positioning, centre of gravity distribution, variation of the seat assembly and components, and tolerances due to temperature and humidity. In addition to providing sensing capabilities, OC can be used to group front-seat passengers into a number of weight categories chosen by the car manufacturer. OC can be designed to differentiate driver size categories as well, to offer additional protection to the at-risk fifth percentile females.
The system is based on a force sensitive sensor matrix. If a force is applied on the sensor mat, the resistance of each sensor changes. The occupant sit-in pressure profile is measured and used for classification. IEE OC utilizes a database of actual human form statistics to automatically determine the weight and orientation of the seated passenger.