Simulation of Seat Integrated Side Airbag Deployment

Modeling and simulation are becoming increasingly popular to help develop restraint systems and enhance the value of the design. Various types of tests are being developed and used extensively in evaluating and optimizing the performance of restraint systems by both OEM's and system suppliers. The use of analytical tools along with laboratory testing can help improve the effectiveness and the speed of developing and implementing a restraint system to maximize the occupant protection.

The side airbags are used in conjunction with energy absorbing foams to manage the energy transfer to the occupant from the structural intrusions in a side impact. The requirement of deployment times are shorter in side impact than in a frontal impact due to the limited space between the occupant and door structure. In the design and development of seat integrated side airbag modules, it is important to predict deployment time and pressure which are affected by the characteristics of the seat-fabric material and tear seam. The PAM-SAFE numerical simulation tool allows us to simulate the tearing of seat fabric and subsequent deployment of the side airbag and its complex interaction with the module and the seat foam.