This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Development Methodology of an Airbag Integrated Steering Wheel in Order to Optimize Occupant Protection Balanced Against Out-of-Position Risks
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
With the increasing number of air bags being used in vehicles there has been a corresponding increase in the number of occupants injured or even killed due to air bag deployment, particularly under out-of-position conditions. Current publications addressing the dangers of air bag deployment has led to worldwide public uncertainty on the safe use of these passive restraint components.
A main goal of the air bag module development must be to balance the out-of-position risks with the overall occupant protection performance to reach the highest biomechanical quality.
Further considerations must be given to the development and production costs, quality and styling of the air bag module and steering wheel. Design, function, cost and styling have competing impact during the product development phase. Economic and efficiency factors require new production and manufacturing of systems that use pre-assembled components as assembly groups, such as the so called “high level assemblies.”
Cooperation of system and module design, testing and numerical simulation experts is required to successfully address these concerns. An existing study of an air bag integrated steering wheel as a component of the entire restraint system shows that a strong integration of the CAD, CAE and testing disciplines is the most methodical and effective procedure for restraint system development. The goal of the study is to show and discuss modern, and above all, effective methods for increasing occupant protection. The emphasis lies on the out-of-position occupants.
This study shows the methodology of a development and assessment of a concept for an out-of-position optimized air bag integrated steering wheel. Furthermore, solutions are shown to reduce the out-of-position risks for an air bag integrated steering wheel. The developed solutions are built as functional prototypes. Static deployment tests with a 5th %ile HYBRID III Dummy are performed to analyze and evaluate the effects of the new technology.
Recommended Content
| Technical Paper | Chest Injury Risks to Drivers for Alternative Air Bag Inflation Rates |
| Ground Vehicle Standard | Seat Belt Restraint System Hardware - Glossary of Terms |
| Ground Vehicle Standard | Motor Vehicle Seat Belt Assembly Installation |
Authors
Topic
Citation
Spiess, O., Marotzke, T., and Zahn, M., "Development Methodology of an Airbag Integrated Steering Wheel in Order to Optimize Occupant Protection Balanced Against Out-of-Position Risks," SAE Technical Paper 970777, 1997, https://doi.org/10.4271/970777.Also In
References
- Adomeit, H.-D. Wils, O. Heym, A. “Adaptive Airbag-Seatbelt-Restraints - An Analysis of Biomechanical Benefits” SAE Paper # 970776 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1997
- Adomeit, H.-D. 1995
- Adomeit, H.-D. 1993
- Horsch, J. et al “Assessment of Air Bag Deployment Loads” SAE Paper # 902324 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1990
- Malczyk, A. Adomeit, H.-D. “The Airbag Folding Pattern as a Means for Injury Reduction for Out-of-Position Occupants” SAE Paper # 952704 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1995
- Melvin, J.W. et al “Assessment of Air Bag Deployment Loads with the Small Female Hybrid III Dummy” SAE Paper # 933119 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1993
- Mertz, H.J. “Anthropomorphic Test Devices” “Accidental Injury” Nahum, A.M. Melvin, J.W. Springer Verlag New York 1993
- Mertz, H.J. “V*C Formulas” October 29 1993
- Nash, C.E. “Life and Love, Bags and Belts in America” Bag & Belt 1994 34 51
- Otte, D.
- Patrick, L.M. Nyquist, G.W. “Air Bag Effects on the Out-of-Position Child” SAE Paper # 720442 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1972
- Winston, F.K. Reed, R. “Air Bags and Children: Results of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Special Investigation into Actual Crashes” SAE Paper # 962438 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1996
- Zinke, D.T. “The Development of Air Cushion Restraint Systems for Small Car Front Seat Occupants” SAE Paper # 800294 Society of Automotive Engineers Warrendale, PA 1980