Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS) Description and Operation

Description

The system is designed to classify the occupancy status of the front passenger seat in the vehicle based on the measured pressure on the seat cushion. The system also informs the SRSCM whether to allow or inhibit deployment of the passenger airbag and/or pretensioners based on this status. The system also measures the dynamic reactions of the occupant. This information is used to determine when a child seat is secured tightly with the seat belt, and also to determine whether the seat is unoccupied. However, dynamic measurements are not designed and not capable of monitoring the position of the seated occupant, and they cannot determine the proximity of the occupant to the inflator modules. This system should not be confused with an occupant position recognition system or any other occupant proximity sensor. The Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS) uses a bladder between the passenger seat cushion and the frame to measure the load of the passenger on the passenger seat. The sensor mat is connected to an intelligent digital pressure sensor, which is installed under the seat pan. The load quantity determined by the system is compared with a preset threshold to determine passenger airbag deployment.