40000 people die each year in Europe due to traffic accidents. The vehicle safety approach at Renault has been for many years to study real accidents, try to understand in each new vehicle generation the most relevant improvements identified by biomechanical studies and accident investigation. As soon as these new cars are on the market, a focused accident study on these cars is started, which will generate further data and demands, which will be introduced into the research and development processes to form new specifications. At Renault, a programmed restraint system was developed which allows to transfer a part of the belt restraint force to the airbag, this leads to a system combining 4 kN belt load imitation at shoulder level and an airbag with pressure control vents. Accident analysis of cars equipped with such a system show a very significant effect in reducing chest injuries. The reduction of passenger compartment intrusion to protect lower legs and general reinforcement of body structure, side impact protection and rear impact are described. An accident survey of the Laguna 2 is given. The vision of Renault of the future and immediate actions to be taken are outlined, i.e. generalisation of efficient seat belt reminder systems, ESP equipment, education of drivers no to drive riskier a safer vehicle. The needs of advanced engineering on restraints systems is seen as follows: - significant potential in adaptive airbags by tailoring the airbags inflation speed to the crash pulse; - need of occupant position detection; - a very early crash sensing. Needs of further research activities are shortly outlined: biomechanical research, drivers behaviour, technologies in sensing, data processing and telecommunications.
Our vision of occupant protection. A view into the future
Zukünftige Fahrzeuginsassen-Rückhaltesysteme
13 Seiten, 16 Bilder
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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