At What Speed Does an Airbag Deploy?

American industrial engineer John W. Hetrick introduced the Airbag in 1952 while creating its prototype on his kitchen table. This model brought in a gas-filled cover that has the ability to automatically expand to cushion passenger impact during a car collapse. Breed Corporation then employed the Hetrick’s original work and improved this design by adding together a variety of active trigger sensors. This design worked on the airbag’s internal development with joint effort of diverse “Big Three” companies in late 60′s, which resulted in first manufacture roll-out in GM’s Buick Electra line in 1974.

Front Airbags:

Normally airbags are controlled by means of three components i.e. airbag module; one or more crash sensors, including an accelerometer plus a managing diagnostic unit. The front airbag is placed in the steering wheel, along with a dash panel bag on the passenger side on top of the glove box.

Side Airbags:

Side airbags are found in the headliner on either side of the passenger section. These airbags moderate the impact of a side wards movement in a collapse.

Knee Airbags:

Knee airbags are located under the passenger glove box as well as under the back of the front seats. In case of accidents, they usually limit the knee impact.

Rear Curtain Airbags:

Rear curtain airbags usually mitigate the impact of a rear-end crash and are found at the back of the rear passenger partition

Speed Is Relative:

In majority of vehicles air bags tend to expand between; 10 to 25 milliseconds as a result of a collision regardless of their position. The collision consequences are based on a transient impact of 5 to 7g, at a crash speed of between 5 to 15 mph approximately. Although the difference may exits due to several issues such as; angle of impact, its distinctiveness (meaning a direct, otherwise redirected secondary hit), transient velocity, or further pressure metrics. Basically these devices reduce crash sufferers; although in case of slow speed incidents they possess some negative results too. These can include scrapes of the face and body, bruising, or even broken bones in some situations.