Ultra-sensitive perception

ESP, ABS or parking assistance systems – not many car drivers really want to know exactly how they work. But neither does anyone want to do without them any more, because these invisible guardian angels, in which plastics play a key role, provide enhanced safety and comfort. They take over at the point where human perception reaches its limits.

Active and passive vehicle safety systems are fitted as standard on many new cars. But sensors are increasingly finding new uses in cars. For example, to control air conditioning systems in cars today, it is possible to measure not only temperature but also the intensity and direction of the incident light. Powerful sensors produced from high-performance polymers such as Vectra® LCP help ensure that not only the objectively measured temperature but also the actually “perceived” temperature is taken into account. Car drivers can then concentrate better on the road ahead rather than letting themselves be distracted by minor tasks such as the precise adjustment of conventional air conditioning systems.

New safety dimension

Year after year, drivers have accidents because they fail to notice a vehicle hidden in their blind spot or a rapidly approaching vehicle soon enough. In future, lane change assistance systems can help avoid such dangerous situations. The new radar-based lane change assistance systems bring the ultimate dream of accident-free motoring a step nearer. With the aid of two 24 GHz radar sensors, these assistance systems are able to detect other road users behind and near the vehicle on which they are fitted in good time and warn the driver. Unlike the driver, their “vision” is not affected by darkness, dirt or weather conditions. To ensure that these sensors function reliably, they are protected by a cover molded from Vectra® LCP.

Essential protection for electronic systems

Vectra® high-performance liquid crystalline polymer is also used in pressure sensors to protect sensitive vehicle electronic systems. A typical example is a new sensor, which measures the air pressure in the engine compartment and so permits optimum engine control. Even with rapid pressure changes – such as when crossing mountain passes – this sensor enables fuel consumption to be reduced and so helps conserve the environment. Other, so-called, peripheral sensors react to changes in pressure and trigger airbag release on impact.

No new car today goes on the road without these electronic sensors. Market experts predict that demand in the automotive segment will increase at an annual rate of 11 percent. The total market size is expected to reach ten billion US dollars by 2010.