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Airbags. Present and Future. Air-bags. GM was first to mass-produce air-bags in 1974 (Oldmobiles and Cadillacs) Basic components are similar in all vehicles Sensing devices/sensors could be anywhere 8-14 mph impact needed +/- 30 degrees from frontal impact. Air-bags.
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Airbags Present and Future
Air-bags • GM was first to mass-produce air-bags in 1974 (Oldmobiles and Cadillacs) • Basic components are similar in all vehicles • Sensing devices/sensors could be anywhere • 8-14 mph impact needed • +/- 30 degrees from frontal impact
Air-bags • Since 1987, at least 60 million vehicles have factory equipped airbags • 90% of 1997 cars have airbags • Driver deaths reduced 14% • Passenger deaths reduced 11% • There is a 33% increase in deaths in children from passenger side bags
Air-bag tips • Look for larger, rectangular steering wheel hubs • Always have the battery disconnected • Sodium Azide is toxic, but when it burns it turns into harmless nitrogen • Powdery residue after deflation is only corn starch, talcum powder or baking soda
Sequence of Events • Sensors detect sufficient inertia causing ball or switch to complete ground circuit • Igniter squib detonates • Squib generates thermal reaction • Thermal reaction ignites Sodium Azide • Sodium Azide releases large quantity of nitrogen gas • Nitrogen gas inflates the bag • All occurs in 50 milliseconds
Disarming the system • Disconnect ground cable of battery • Disconnect the yellow squib connector at the base of the steering wheel • GM systems and others have a reserve charge • All systems should be assumed to be able to discharge for the next 5-10 minutes after disarming
Kids & air-bags • Kids don’t have the weight or height • Car seats smash kids into seat back • Child’s head gets full impact/hyperextension • Bag inflates at a speed of 200 mph • Most killed by air-bags are small women • Kids should be in rear/center • Consider air-bag when assessing kids
Side impact air-bags • Found on cars after 1995 • Expect more manufacturers to follow • Works similar to front air-bags • Side-impact air-bags WILL deploy if the sensor is hit or under pressure • To disarm, cut black, ribbed cable running from sensor unit to air-bag • Found between seat back and seat bottom
Curtain air-bags • Covers side windows • Deploy downward in 25 milliseconds • Stay inflated for about three minutes • Work in conjunction with side air-bags from seat • Will be found in 1999 vehicles
Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) • Attach to posts and roof rails • Has no exhaust ports (may remain inflated) • Cut out of the way • Deflate (very little pressure)
SmartBelt • Works with existing vehicle airbags • Expect to see in two years • Inflates within the first 10 milliseconds of a crash • Airbags deploy after 25-30 milliseconds