Thread Starter
#1
ZF Lifetec has developed a two-stage side airbag that uses the milliseconds before an unavoidable crash to build up valuable distance and better protect the occupants.
Drive Safe,
350Z
- The Pre-Crash Dual Stage Side Airbag triggers its first stage around 200 milliseconds before the collision and pushes the occupants a few centimeters into the vehicle interior, away from the expected impact point.
- Thanks to this gain in space, the actual side airbag with second stage can develop its full protective effect during the collision. According to Euro NCAP, side collisions account for a quarter of all accidents in Europe.
- The reason for this is that there is little crumple zone available in the event of a side impact, which can lead to deep intrusions (penetrating deformation of the occupant cabin).
- For the pre-crash function, ZF Lifetec uses the vehicle's existing signal acquisition system. This gives vehicle manufacturers the option of integrating the system into their sensor infrastructure.
- After a corresponding signal detects an unavoidable collision, the first stage of the Dual Stage SAB is triggered 200 milliseconds before the calculated crash scenario.
- To ensure controlled management of the individual stages, ZF uses two inflators to fill the two-part cushion. A hybrid inflator brings the airbag into position and fills the pre-crash chamber of around 20 liters.
- The chamber is filled in 30 milliseconds, as it moves people away from the accident. Another, exclusively pyrotechnic inflator fills the 18-liter second chamber of the airbag within 10 milliseconds shortly after the impact.
- To avoid a pressure conflict between the two chambers, the pre-crash chamber, which is filled first, is vented again via a trigger flap.
- The second chamber, which represents the classic side airbag, then has a significantly larger space available and can offer improved protection in the direction of the penetrating vehicle side parts.
- ZF Lifetec plans to develop the Pre-Crash Dual Stage Side Airbag to application maturity within next few years. The system has already proven its functionality in several tests, including sled tests.
Drive Safe,
350Z