Advanced smart airbags: The solution for real-life safety?

Today, numerical simulation is used all over the world to develop and optimise the restraint system performance. But more than just helping engineers to design restraint systems fulfilling the homologation and ratings requirements, the numerical simulation enables them to extend their field of investigation by going beyond the laboratory test conditions, making their first steps in “real life safety”. This paper presents the simulation of a concept of an adaptive restraint system for the passenger side. Its restraint capacity is continuously adjustable to the occupant, by an airbag whose shape and volume can be varied. In addition to this, the airbag outflow hole characteristics have also been optimised. The performance of this restraint system has been evaluated using the three standard adult dummies (5th, 50th and 95th percentile), each one in various seating positions for both US and Euro-NCAP pulses. The results will be shown with respect to a state-of-the-art restraint system. The design process, starting from the 95th percentile dummy, will be explained as well as the problems encountered during the optimisation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]