Airbags

Written by N.N

Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/drive-he-said/files/2014/11/Airbag_02.jpg

Airbags play a critical role in car safety features. They are inflatable devices that are designed to protect and cushion your heat and/or chest area in the event of a serious side-on crash. Airbags also prevent occupants from ricocheting around the car.

Airbags have been in development since 1941 and were patented in 1952. Mercedes Benz S class was the first to intorduce a driver's airbag and from there, airbags have been in development! Airbags are basically air-filled bladders for extra cushioning, filled with sodium azide to react with potassium nitrate; prodcing nitrogen gas. They inflate as fast as 320km/h after the controller decides the the impact force is too much and extra protection for the passengers is needed.

There are 6 types of airbags in a vehicle, frontal, side, seatbelt, knee level, seat and pedestrian.

Frontal: the frontal airbags are located in the dashboard and steering wheel. These are designed to protect the driver and front seat occupant and cushion their heads and torso when they experience inertia in the event of a car crash.

Side: the side airbags are also known as curtain or torpedo airbags and their purpose is to protect the passenger from side impacts or from hitting the safety cell/crumple zones when they experience a car crash.

Seatbelt: seatbelt airbags are in the safety belt itself and are designed to cushion the passenger's torso from the tight seatbelt. This reduces the chances of seat belt syndrome or any other relatable injuries.

Knee level: knee level airbags are designed for leg protection and are located right under the dashboard.

Seat Airbags: seat airbags are used to reduce pelvic damage and other relatable injuries. They are located within the seat.

Pedestrian: pedestrian airbags are located on the external side of the windsreen (U -shape) and provide protectionf or pedestrians affect by the impact. Mos tof the time, pedestrians can roll onto the windscreen and injurie themselves so this airbag protects them from the glass and reduced the impact force.

Without airbags, the number of injuries induced from a crash would be significantly higher and many lives would be lost. They have changed the face of car safety features and hopefully, will continue its improvements.

Frontal Airbags Seatbelt Airbags Knee level Airbags

Side Airbags Seat Airbags Pedestrian Airbags

Image bibliography

All Accessed 17th of August:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl_DVWcttEQ/TqiljKrIBBI/AAAAAAAAAAk/i0OGhsO_Blc/s1600/front_airbag.jpg

http://www.crashzone.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ford-seatbelt-airbags.jpg

http://www.hyundaiproductinformation.com/images/2012_Azera_Knee_Airbag.jpg

http://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/images/torso_curtain_bags.jpg

http://www.shearcomfort.com/images/content/sideairbag.jpg

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2013/02/17/1226579/767185-volvo-v40-hatch.jpg