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BREED Technologies Premiers a Dynamic Pre-Crash Braking Simulator Test Sled

23 February 1998

BREED Technologies Premiers a Dynamic Pre-Crash Braking Simulator Test Sled

    DETROIT, Feb. 23 -- BREED Technologies has
developed a new test sled which simulates the movement of an occupant during
hard vehicle braking.
    This pre-crash braking simulator test sled uses sensors located in a
vehicle instrument panel to determine if an occupant will be placed out of a
normal position relative to the automobile's airbag during pre-impact braking
conditions.  "Pre-impact braking occurs in over 70 percent of accidents, and
along with seat belt use is a major factor in determining if the occupant is
placed out of position relative to the airbag," said Brian Blackburn, team
leader, advanced restraint systems.
    The patent-pending, 12 foot test sled will work in conjunction with
BREED's occupant sensing system, which includes weight sensing, occupant
position sensing, seat-track position and buckle switch sensing to provide the
maximum and appropriate level of occupant protection during vehicular crashes.
    The sled utilizes a forward pulse that accelerates a test dummy to a
constant velocity.  The seat is then stopped, and the unbelted test dummy
continues to travel at a constant speed, moving into view of the occupant
sensing system mounted within a simulated instrument panel.  BREED's occupant
sensing system then determines the correct level of restraint as the occupant
is traveling toward the instrument panel.
    Headquartered in Lakeland, Fla., BREED is rapidly emerging as one of the
world's most fully integrated suppliers of complete automotive occupant safety
systems.  The company supports its growing list of automotive customers with
advanced engineering, testing and manufacturing facilities located in 13
countries.  Information about BREED and its products is available on the
Internet at http://www.breedtech.com.

SOURCE  Breed Technologies