Airbags play a very important role in the modern-day safety of passengers in cars, and they have saved countless lives since their introduction in the 1970s. Airbags are a type of vehicle safety device that is designed to inflate quickly in the event of a collision, providing a cushion that reduces the risk of serious injury to the driver and passengers.
History of Airbags:
John W. Hetrick, a retired industrial engineering technician, received a patent in 1953 for what he called a “safety cushion assembly for automotive vehicles.” His U.S. Patent No. 2,649,311 was the first prototype for today’s modern airbags.
Hetrick designed the system to reduce injuries during emergency braking and frontal collisions. German inventor Walter Linderer also received a patent in 1953 for an “inflatable cushion” to protect drivers in accidents.
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Their early airbag designs inspired others in the automotive industry to work on this safety feature. Ford and General Motors, for example, started experimenting with inflatable restraints in the late 1950s.
In the late 1960s, a New Jersey mechanical engineer named Allen K. Breed invented a device that many say gave birth to the airbag industry. Breed invented a reliable, five-dollar crash sensor. His crash-sensing technology — the only one of its kind — is considered the world’s first electromechanical automotive airbag system.
In 1967, carmaker Mercedes-Benz started to develop airbags for its vehicles.
How Airbags Work:
Airbags work using a combination of sensors, inflators, and fabrics. When a collision occurs, sensors in the vehicle detect the impact and send a signal to the airbag control unit. The control unit then triggers the inflator, which rapidly fills the airbag with gas. Most airbags are filled with nitrogen gas, which is generated by the chemical reaction between sodium azide and potassium nitrate.
The airbag is made of a fabric material that is designed to stretch and absorb the force of impact. When the airbag inflates, it expands rapidly, filling the space between the occupant and the vehicle structure. This cushion of air helps to prevent the occupant’s head and upper body from striking hard surfaces in the vehicle, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield.
Types of Airbags:
Several types of airbags are used in vehicles today. The most common type is the front airbag, which is located in the steering wheel or dashboard on the passenger side. Front airbags are designed to protect the driver and front passenger in the event of a head-on collision.
Side airbags are also becoming more common in modern cars. These airbags are located in the doors or seatbacks and are designed to protect the occupants in the event of a side impact. Some vehicles also have side curtain airbags, which deploy from the roof and provide protection for the head and neck in the event of a rollover or side impact.
Benefits of Airbags:
Airbags have saved countless lives since their introduction in the 1970s. They are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision, and they have been very effective in doing so. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags saved an estimated 50,457 lives from 1987 to 2017.
In addition to saving lives, airbags can also reduce the severity of injuries in the event of a collision. They can help to prevent head and neck injuries, which are among the most serious types of injuries in a collision. They can also help to prevent injuries to the chest and abdomen, which can be caused by impact on the steering wheel or dashboard.
Limitations:
While airbags are very effective at reducing the risk of serious injury in a collision, they are not without limitations. For example, airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts. If the occupant is not wearing a seat belt, the airbag may not be able to provide adequate protection.
Airbags are also not designed to prevent all types of injuries. For example, they may not be effective in preventing lower body injuries or injuries to extremities.
Keeping the safety of passengers in mind, The Indian government has made a minimum of six airbags in passenger vehicles mandatory from October 2023.
“Safety of all passengers travelling in motor vehicles irrespective of their cost and variants is the foremost priority,” said Gadkari. “Considering the global supply chain constraints being faced by the auto industry and its impact on the macroeconomic scenario, it has been decided to implement the proposal mandating a minimum of 6 Airbags in Passenger Cars (M-1 Category) w.e.f 01st October 2023,” he further added.
Airbags are an essential safety feature in modern cars, and they have saved countless lives, They are designed to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a collision, and they have been very effective in doing so. However, airbags are not a substitute for seat belts, and they are not designed to prevent all types of injuries.
