The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Johnson Controls Introduces Active Head Restraint System and Anti-Submarining Seat at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit

New Seat Technologies Help to Reduce the Risk of Various Types of Injuries in Collisions

DETROIT, Jan. 8 -- Johnson Controls today showcased an active head restraint system and active anti-submarining ramp for automotive seating. The active head restraint is designed to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries in low-speed, rear-end collisions. The active anti- submarining ramp reduces injuries to an occupant's pelvis and legs in frontal crashes. These new technologies will help Johnson Controls' customers to optimize the safety performance of their vehicles. Both products can be integrated into existing seating systems.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030423/JCILOGO )

These seat technologies are among the innovations featured at the Johnson Controls product and technology exhibit at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company's display, in room D2-15 of Detroit's Cobo Center, will be open during media days at the event.

"These seating technologies help address several injuries - whiplash and leg and pelvis injuries - in vehicle collisions," said Charlie Baker, vice president and general manager, engineering - North America for Johnson Controls. "According to insurance industry data, whiplash injuries account for the most common type of auto insurance claim. In addition, frontal impacts are the most common type of automobile collision."

Active Head Restraint:

Recent technological progress has made driving safer, but neck injuries with long-term impairment effects are one of the most frequent accident injuries. The Johnson Controls active head restraint is designed to reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of rear impact.

Johnson Controls is offering the active head restraint system in two configurations. One relies on an electrical signal from the vehicle crash sensors to trigger the activation of the active head restraint. The second design uses the force of the occupant on the seat back during the crash to trigger the head restraint. Both have proven to be very effective in testing, with essentially zero resultant neck shear when tested to the International Insurance Whiplash Prevention Group's (IIWPG) test protocol. Both configurations are available for model year 2009 vehicles.

Active Anti-Submarining Seat:

Leg and pelvis injuries occur when an occupant's knees hit the instrument panel during front-end collisions or when the lap belt is not strapped tightly, allowing the body to slide under the belt.

To reduce this "submarining" effect, Johnson Controls developed a new active ramp, which is integrated into the seat pan area. During a front-end collision, the ramp rises quickly and the bar in the front section of the seat restrains the forward movement of the pelvis. If the occupant is seated in the correct position, the risk of impact to the knees from the instrument panel is reduced, and the belt forces acting on the body are reduced. During the company's sled testing to simulate the European New Car Assessment Programme's (EuroNCAP) frontal impact test, forward displacement of the pelvis is reduced by more than 30 percent when the seat is equipped with the Active Anti- Submarining system. In addition, this greatly reduces the likelihood that during the EuroNCAP test the testing dummy's knees will impact the instrument panel. This patent-pending technology will be available for model year 2009 vehicles.

Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls has 136,000 employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers in 125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution photos of the Active Head Restraint and
Anti-Submarining Seat from Johnson Controls are available from Debra Lacey at
254-5735, or can be downloaded from the Johnson Controls press room:
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corp/pressroom.htm
(JCI)

Photo: Newscom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030423/JCILOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html