Frontal airbags have already saved more than 50,000 lives and may have saved yours as well. Picture this: you’re driving home after a long day at work. However, just before you pull into your neighborhood, a reckless driver runs a red light and slams right into you. Before you can figure out what happened, your car’s airbags deploy. You get home unscathed, thanks to the airbags.
But how exactly do these airbags work? Well, read on as we explore everything you need to know about airbags before your next journey.
What Are Airbags?
Airbags are complementary safety devices in vehicles made of inflatable cushions that quickly inflate during a crash. They are complementary because they enhance the effectiveness of safety belts, the primary safety device in cars.
John W. Hetrick is the genius behind airbags, patenting them in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the early 1970s that they went mainstream. Fast forward decades later, and airbags are standard in all modern vehicles, including some high-end motorcycle and snowmobile models.
How Do Airbags Work?
To understand how airbags work, we first have to understand its different parts. Airbags consist of three main parts: impact sensors, inflation module, and the bag or cushion. As mentioned, airbags inflate on impact, forming a cushion that keeps you from hitting the steering wheel or glass from shattering on you after an accident.
While impact sensors are part of the airbag system, they aren’t located on the airbag—at least, not all of them. These sensors are located all around the car. You can find front impact sensors next to the bumper or radiator support, side impact sensors inside door panels, and rear impact sensors in the fender/bumper.
These sensors will read abrupt changes in acceleration, force, and pressure and activate a tiny explosive mechanism in the inflation module. This will puff up the airbag, which creates a shock-absorbing layer that softens the impact. The airbag will deflate seconds later, so you can safely exit the vehicle.
Airbags in the latest car models have impact sensors that can detect the crash severity and adjust the pressure of the airbags. Doing so allows the airbags to deploy with just the right force to avoid hurting you and your front-seat passenger.
What Are the Different Types of Airbags?
Airbags work the same way but come in different types. They are classified according to where they’re located in the car. The different types of airbags include:
Side airbags: You can find side airbags inside your seat’s backrest. They deploy to protect vehicle occupants from side crashes like T-bone collisions. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), these airbags reduce the risk of fatal injuries by about 30%. There are two types of side airbags: torso airbags, which protect your torso, and curtain airbags, located in the car’s ceiling to protect your head.
- Frontal/driver’s airbags: These airbags, as the name implies, are located near the driver and deploy from the steering wheel or dashboard. They cushion the driver from impact and protect them from shrapnel following a crash. Frontal airbags are the most conventional type of airbag.
- Knee airbags: Car manufacturers install these airbags just below the dash. They deploy during accidents to shield the knees from forceful impact.
- Inflatable seat belts: Inflatable seat belts are simply seat belts that puff up during a crash. They’re typically found in the back seats and protect passengers from injury. They’re rather rare but can be found in most modern cars.
Do Airbags Deploy After All Crashes?
No, cars have to go over a particular speed to deploy airbags. For instance, your vehicle must crash at speeds of over 8 to 16 mph to deploy frontal airbags. Airbag deployment under low speeds would be unnecessary and increase the risk of injury.
That said, the situation is different if you unfasten your seatbelt. In such cases, the car will set off the airbags when you crash while driving over 10 to 12 mph. That’s because the seatbelt is your car’s primary restraint system, and you have less protection in an unbelted state, even at lower speeds.
How Quickly Do Airbags Inflate?
Airbags must deploy quickly because crashes occur in split seconds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbags inflate within 1/20th of a second or 25 milliseconds. But how?
Well, the ignition module ignites a chemical called guanidinium nitrate inside the airbag, causing it to decompose into water, nitrogen gas, and carbon. Guanidinium nitrate works with a copper nitrate oxidizer to catalyze (accelerate) the decomposition. The result is an explosion of nitrogen that fills the airbag.
It’s worth noting that not all vehicles use guanidinium nitrate. Older models use sodium azide with ammonium nitrate, both of which are expensive and less effective than guanidinium nitrate and copper nitrate oxidizers. There was also the concern that ammonium nitrate could turn explosive when exposed to excessive heat and moisture. Sodium azide fumes can also be toxic.
Can Airbags Be Dangerous?
Yes, airbags can be dangerous if car manufacturers don’t install them correctly. Since these safety devices inflate so rapidly, they can cause injuries when they deploy. Some of these injuries include:
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Neck injuries
- Physical and chemical burns
- Abrasions
Most airbag-related injuries result from improper timing of the deployment. The good news is you can seek compensation from the car manufacturer for any airbag injuries by filing a personal injury or product liability claim.
Airbags Simplified
Now that you’re up to speed with all you need to know about airbags, you probably have a little more appreciation for these nifty devices. Remember, a properly functioning airbag could be the difference between life and death if you are involved in an accident.
So, arrange for frequent vehicle inspections to ensure your airbags are in tip-top shape. Also, be on the lookout for airbag recalls, as you should return your car to the manufacturer if recalled. Non-functioning airbags are no good and, in fact, heighten the risk of injury.