TO PROTECT AND SERVE

Marketing departments of car manufacturers are beginning to emphasise the safety features of their new models. For example, Volvo has recently introduced a more sophisticated airbag system, which has two trigger levels, determined by impact speed. The bag will not inflate unnecessarily in a very low-impact collision, and the car doors are automatically unlocked if the airbag inflates. Bosch has developed a similar system, using its SMooth INflation Concept (SMINC), a new electronic system that can control a one- or two-stage inflation process using a two-stage gas generator. The generator responds appropriately to signals from vehicle accelerator and belt buckle sensors, which vary according to the crash severity. A second phase of SMINC, planned for launch in 2000, will include an automatic occupancy sensor (AOS) unit, using ultrasonic and infrared sensors. Bosch will continue to develop airbag technology beyond this stage, and it is expected to apply radar technology to the design of a pre-crash sensor, which could detect an estimated impact speed before a collision and activate individual restraint systems before impact. Volvo is giving priority to head protection in side collisions. Saab is one member of a consortium that has developed the BioRID (Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy) to study whiplash injuries.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03076490
• Corporate Authors:

  WOODBRIDGE PRESS

  SANTA BARBARA,    
• Authors:
  • KIMBERLEY, W
• Publication Date: 1999-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 58-9
• Serial:
  • AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER
  • Volume: 24
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • ISSN: 0307-6490

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceleration (Mechanics); Air bags; Automatic control; Automation; Automobiles; Crash severity; Crashes; Electronics; Improvements; Industries; Infrared radiation; Injury severity; Manual safety belts; Marketing; Radar; Safety; Sensors; Ultrasonics
• ITRD Terms: 5405: Acceleration; 1465: Air bag (restraint system); 3882: Automatic; 1243: Car; 1631: Collision; 6965: Electronics; 9108: Improvement; 332: Industry; 6797: Infrared; 277: Marketing; 6738: Radar; 1665: Safety; 1476: Safety belt; 6120: Sensor; 1623: Severity (accid, injury); 6739: Ultrasonic
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00766904
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 2 1999 12:00AM