The Use of Magnetostrictive Sensors for Vehicle Safety Applications

New sensor approaches termed magnetostrictive sensor (MsS) and nonlinear harmonics (NLH) for vehicle safety applications such as crash detection and occupant seat weight sensing are described. Both sensor approaches utilize the changes in the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials that occur when a stress (or a strain) is applied to the material. The MsS is a passive device suitable for vehicle crash sensing. The NLH is an active device suitable for occupant seat weight sensing. Technical features of these sensors are also discussed together with preliminary results of ongoing testing.