Johnson Controls is the Only Company to Develop Both Kinds of Market-Accepted Head Restraint Systems That Protect Against Cervical Spine Syndrome in all Segments

riACT Head Restraints Efficiently Protect Against Whiplash

BURSCHEID, Germany, August 4, 2010 - Year after year across Europe, more than a million car drivers suffer
from injuries to the cervical spine caused by low-speed, rear-end collisions.
Known as cervical spine syndrome or whiplash, the injury not only results in
personal pain and a lengthy recovery phase, but also immense costs. Experts
estimate that the medical treatment of cervical spine syndrome resulting from
traffic accidents adds up to ten billion Euros in Europe annually, and far
more than 600 million Euros in Germany. Johnson Controls started early in
developing head restraint systems that prevent injuries to the cervical spine
or alleviate the consequences of a rear-end collision at this point in the
body. The global manufacturer of automotive interiors and electronics is
currently the only supplier offering the automotive industry both of the
market-accepted active head restraint versions, either pro-active or
re-active, which the company sells under the name "riACT."

Active riACT head restraints reduce the danger of whiplash
Independent studies show that appropriate protection systems can reduce the
risk of long-term damage caused by whiplash by over 50 percent, while the
danger of injury to the cervical spine is lessened by about a third.
Intelligent head restraints, including riACT models from Johnson Controls,
are effective instruments in preventing various cervical spine syndromes.
They support the head effectively during a rear-end collision, preventing
hyperextension of the cervical spine. "The protective effect is also
maintained if the gap between the cushion and the back of the head has been
set too large for reasons of comfort. This is because our riACT systems
establish the proper distance within just fractions of a second in a
worst-case scenario," Dr. Hasler outlines the advantages of the active head
restraints developed by Johnson Controls.

The functional principle of the riACT head restraints is as follows:
regardless of the selected initial head restraint position, the head
restraint moves so close to the back of the head during a rear-end collision
that the relative backward displacement of the head and the subsequent
whiplash movement are prevented or strongly reduced. "We developed an
intelligent telescopic mechanism based on a screw movement; this mechanism is
located between the cushion and the back part of the head restraint. It
connects these two parts, and in our pro-active design is biased by a spring.
In our re-active model, the mechanism is activated by the passenger himself,"
Dr. Hasler explains the core element of Johnson Controls' riACT technology.
As a comfort feature on the pro-active version, the cushion can be adjusted
horizontally by up to 54 millimeters, so that each driver is able to
individually set the most comfortable distance between the cushion and the
back of the head.

If a rear impact occurs, the most important factor is to bring the
cushion close to the back of the head as quickly as possible, bracing the
head and preventing its backward displacement - an occurrence which is
potentially hazardous. Dr. Hasler: "The head restraint thus needs a signal in
order to be released. The difference between our re-active and pro-active
riACT systems is how this signal is provided."

Re-active riACT system: body movement signals the crash
The re-active head restraint system receives the release signal from the
occupant's body, serving as a sort of crash sensor. When the body is pressed
into the lower section of the backrest during a rear collision, the surface
pressure activates a mechanical actuator integrated within the backrest,
which then tightens a Bowden cable. This leads through the backrest into the
head restraint and propels the integrated telescope mechanism. "About 50
milliseconds after the impact begins, or 25 milliseconds after actuation, the
head restraint cushion already reaches its final position - in any case,
early enough to ensure that the riACT system achieves its full effect," says
Dr. Hasler, referring to the results of internal test runs, which also
confirm the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) crash test
data. This independent organization evaluated the protective effect of the
re-active riACT system in all tested vehicles, giving it a top grade of
"good" - in one evaluation even with 3.7 points awarded out of 4, the highest
score ever.

Pro-active riACT system: triggered by crash sensor
While the re-active system is actuated by the dynamic movement of the body in
the event of an impact, the pro-active riACT head restraint utilizes the
information of crash sensors to detect an accident. This information also
controls the seat belt pretensioner and other restraint systems in the car.
These sensors directly signal a small pyrotechnic unit in the head restraint
once a predefined threshold value has been exceeded through acceleration.
This unit is located in a release device, which under normal conditions
blocks the biased telescopic mechanism. By igniting the small pyrotechnic
charge, which is not harmful to health, a bolt is removed from its original
position and the head restraint rapidly moves into its protective position.
Since this happens independently from the movement of the body, Johnson
Controls has named this riACT system pro-active. "By eliminating a range of
mechanical components and providing faster information through the crash
sensor, the pro-active head restraint moves to its final position within
about 25 milliseconds after the crash signal," explains Dr. Hasler.

"Through its external activation, the pro-active head restraint has even
more protection potential than the re-active model, especially when sitting
position, weight or size of the person to be protected differs strongly from
the norm. This higher protection potential also results in higher costs,
which automotive vehicle manufacturers are more willing to accept for
mid-class vehicles and those in higher segments," says Dr. Detlef Jürss, vice
president engineering seating, interiors & systems Europe at Johnson Controls
Automotive Experience. Dr. Jürss continues: "However, our goal is to use our
riACT technology to make this increased safety attainable for purchasers of
small and economically priced vehicles as well. This is why we have developed
the re-active system for cars purchased in the millions in the more
price-sensitive classes. Since small and compact automobiles have the highest
registration rates almost everywhere in the world, this increased safety will
benefit scores of motorists and also contribute to saving billions of Euros
in the public health sector."

Image material is available in digital form at
www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk/press.

Johnson Controls Automotive Experience is a global leader in automotive
seating, overhead systems, door and instrument panels and electronic
systems. We support all major automakers in the differentiation of their
vehicles through our products, technologies and modern manufacturing
capabilities. With more than 200 plants worldwide, we are where our
customers need us to be. Consumers enjoy the comfort and style of our
products, from single components to complete interiors, in over 200 million
vehicles.

We would be pleased to provide you with further information:

    Johnson Controls GmbH
    Automotive Experience
    Industriestrasse 20-30
    51399 Burscheid
    Astrid Schafmeister
    Tel.: +49(0)2174-65-3189
    Fax: +49(0)2174-65-3219
    E-mail: astrid.schafmeister@jci.com

Johnson Controls GmbH, Automotive Experience, Industriestrasse 20-30, 51399 Burscheid, Astrid Schafmeister, Tel.: +49(0)2174-65-3189, Fax: +49(0)2174-65-3219, E-mail: astrid.schafmeister at jci.com