Things everyone needs to know about car airbags

Car airbags are a device that helps limit and minimize injuries when a collision occurs. However, not everyone clearly understands the airbags on their car model.

In cars, the use of airbag systems helps limit and minimize injuries when a collision occurs, protecting the safety of people in the car. However, not everyone knows how the airbag system is structured, how it protects the safety of users, or notes about car airbags.

Structure of airbag system

Airbags are one-time-use parts in cars. When there is a collision, the airbag will be activated by sensors in the car such as acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, collision sensors, brake pressure sensors, etc. Basically, SRS airbags go through 3 main stages from the time the car collides until the airbag deploys.

Car airbags are one-time-use parts of a vehicle. Illustration photo

First, the main control system (ACU) controls the impact, acceleration, speed and brake pressure sensors, etc. to detect the level of impact. When this number exceeds the specified value, the fuse in the blower is ignited.

Next, the detonator generates a current of 1A to 3A in less than 2 milliseconds to ignite the primer and gas generator to create a large amount of gas in a short time. Finally, the airbag is inflated to reduce the impact force of the vehicle occupants and the gas is immediately released through the rear exhaust holes.

Not every collision causes the airbag to deploy.

Many people believe that if there is a collision, the car's airbags will automatically deploy, but this is not entirely true. In fact, there are cases where the car is in a collision that causes the front end to be crushed, but the airbags still do not deploy, because at this time the car's electronic calculations show that the seat belt alone is enough to protect the occupants, without the need for airbags.

Not every collision will cause the car's airbags to deploy. Illustrative photo

In the order of reaction, when the car crashes into another object, the chassis and body system will absorb part of the force (which can deform), reducing the force applied to the cabin. Then, the seat belts keep the passengers from falling forward due to inertia. The safety reaction process will stop here, if the collision is not dangerous enough to threaten the lives of the people in the car.

Do I have to wear a seat belt for the airbag to deploy?

This is one of the issues that many people are concerned about. In fact, this depends on the car of each manufacturer. Most Japanese cars, for example Toyota, design the airbag and seat belt systems independently. If the ECU calculates that the collision is dangerous enough to deploy the airbag, the airbag will deploy regardless of whether the seat belt is fastened or not.

However, like Mercedes, this car company has a structure where the airbags and seat belts are dependent on each other. That is, if the seat belt is not worn, the airbags will not deploy. Mercedes Vietnam's technical experts said that the design of the airbags deploying when the seat belt is worn ensures the best combination of protection options for occupants.

In fact, whether you need to wear a seat belt for the airbag to deploy depends on the car manufacturer. Illustrative photo

But the technology is still intelligently set up so that in case the car detects a collision that is too dangerous, even if the seat belt is not worn, the airbags will still deploy.

Some manufacturers design the airbag to only deploy when the seat belt is fastened and set it to alert the user. On some models, the airbag light will indicate "Airbag OFF" if the seat belt is not fastened and turn ON if the seat belt is fastened.

Some German car manufacturers such as Volkswagen and BMW also design these two technologies independently. Even with BMW, if the occupants are not wearing seat belts, the airbags will deploy earlier and more sensitively in the event of a collision deemed dangerous enough.

Do not sit too close to the airbag system, drivers should practice sitting in the correct position. Illustration photo

Some other notes

Because the airbag system will explode very quickly and create a very strong force, do not place or install additional objects on the driver and front passenger airbag system.

Do not sit too close to the airbag system. Drivers should practice sitting in the correct position, holding the steering wheel, and not putting their hands on the airbag system.

The airbag will be very hot after it explodes. Do not touch the internal parts of the airbag after it explodes, as this will cause burns.

Do not let children under 12 years old sit in the front seat, this is very dangerous when the belt system is not qualified (pulling force) to operate, so when the airbag system deploys, it will be very dangerous when the child is hit by the airbag.

Never use a rear-facing child seat in a vehicle equipped with a front passenger airbag.

According to VNN