Occupant Protection … Back to the Basics

This paper provides a structured but simple reorientation to the basics of occupant protection with restraint systems. A general assessment of the various kinds of restraints as they relate to those basics at this point in time follows. The evaluation of typical restraints and restraint concepts include: conventional belts, energy-absorbing pads and panels, conventional, air cushions, full crash mode air cushions, passive belts and belt improvements, and inflatable belts. Expanding the basics to include other than technical considerations is also briefly discussed.