Airbag
An airbag is a supplementary restraint feature, pioneered
by Daimler-Benz in the late 1960s, that affords vehicle occupants
additional protection that provided by seat belts. Airbags
are made typically of strong nylon material, and are deployed
when a sensor system detects a very sudden deceleration at
impact speeds above about 32 km/h (20 miles/h). In such an
event, the sensor system triggers a propellant chemical in
the inflator which produces a large volume of mainly nitrogen
gas to inflate the airbag in less than 0.05 second. The inflated
airbag serves not only as a cushion to minimize injuries to
the head and upper body, but also as an energy dissipator
by allowing gas to escape through small side vents when the
occupant makes forcible contact with it.
Front airbags are deployed from the steering wheel and passenger
side of the instrument panel; so-called dual-stage airbags
can deploy at either of two levels, depending on the severity
of the collision. Side airbags are deployed either from the
door panel or from the side of the seat backrest, and may
be shaped to provide protection for both the head and torso
or just the torso; they may be supplied for both front-and
rear-seat occupants. Curtain airbags drop from the roof. Some
advanced airbag systems deploy if sensors detect an impending
rollover.
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