The airbag is a system that is used to supplement the slowing down by the seat belt by deploying a rapidly inflating cushion in the space between the passenger and the steering wheel or dash board to prevent crash injuries. The airbag typically consists of the following three parts: The bag itself is made of a thin nylon fabric, which is folded into the steering wheel or dashboard or, more recently, the seat or door; the sensor is the device that tells the bag to inflate; and the airbag's inflation system uses the rapid pulse of hot nitrogen gas from the chemical reaction of sodium azide and potassium nitrate to inflate the bag. The main requirements in airbag fibre materials are high strength, heat stability, good ageing characteristics, energy absorption, and functionality at extreme hot or cold conditions. Airbag fabric constructions which are different in Europe, Japan and America are compared in this article. Recent developments in airbags are presented such as electromagnetic crash sensors, fluid pressure based weight sensors, smart restraint systems, new fabrics for frontal airbags, multi-layer jacquard fabrics, and X-Tethers and other expansion limiters. The so called "green airbag inflator" is a completely new concept for inflating airbags that is more environmentally friendly and more cost efficient than traditional inflator technologies. Barcodes on all airbags guarantee complete traceability of all materials throughout the process chain. New systems are under development for such areas as knee, foot, and headrest, even an external pedestrian system.
Airbags & airbag textiles
Airbags und Textilien für Airbags
The Indian Textile Journal ; 123 , 12 ; 65-72
2013
7 Seiten, 13 Bilder, 3 Tabellen, 14 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch