The inflatable tubular structure (ITS) distinguishes itself from conventional air bag restraint systems in several critical areas. It is basically a fabric tube rigidly mounted at opposite ends. Upon inflation, the patented design and construction method cause the tube to significantly increase in cross section or diameter while at the same time significantly shortening its length. Concequently, the ITS pulls itself from its stored location into the straight line desired occupant restraint position while developing high tensile loads between its mounting locations. The first application of ITS technology has been head and neck restraint to enhance occupant protection in automobile side impacts. This paper briefly reviews the side impact head and neck protection ITS, then discusses two new applications of this technology. The first new application is for side impact torso crash protection. In this case, the ITS is stored outwardly in the seat cushion and the seat back. In the second new application, the ITS is used as a lower torso or knie restraint and is rigidly located between the vehicle side structure and centre tunnel. Experimental data and full scale crash tests illustrating ITS applications are described.
Inflatable tubular structure (ITS) applications in automotive crash safety
Konstruktionen aus aufblasbaren Rohren als Sicherheitselemente bei Kraftfahrzeugunfällen
1996
14 Seiten, 9 Bilder
Conference paper
English
Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) Applications in Automotive Crash Safety
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