Advanced Airbag Performance

In the US, automakers are introducing advanced airbags in large numbers into the fleet. These systems are often called smart air bags because they can adapt their deployment strategy to whether the occupant is belted, the position of the occupant, the severity of the crash, and other factors. These advanced systems are characterized by multi-stage air bag inflators, pretensionsers, advanced occupant sensors, and complex air bag deployment algorithms. Although these systems have been extensively tested in the laboratory, we are only beginning to understand the performance of these systems in the field. Because EDRs record many of the inputs to the advanced air bag control module, these devices can provide unique insights into the performance of air bags in the field.

Simulation of an Advanced Dual-Phase Airbag

Methods

The goal of this study is to characterize the performance of advanced frontal air bags in real world crashes. Our approach will be to examine advanced air bag cases extracted from NASS/CDS 2000-2006 with associated EDR data. Our specific objectives will be to examine the characteristics of advanced air bag deployment (number of stages and trigger time) as a function of crash severity and seating location, the characteristics of delayed deployments, and the frequency and characteristics of frontal crashes in which the air bag did not deploy.

Selected Publications

1. Gabler HC and Hinch J, “Evaluation of Advanced Air Bag Deployment Algorithm Performance using Event Data Recorders”, Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, v.52, pp. 175-184 (2008)