INJURY REDUCTION POTENTIAL FOR "SMART" AIRBAGS

Current airbag systems have proven their capability in reducing injuries and fatalities. Field data has shown that the majority of frontal impacts are mild in severity, and in certain crash scenarios, the occupant may move close to the airbag module and into the path of the inflating airbag. As a result, the occupant could receive considerable forces due to the airbag deployment. The injuries which may be produced by these forces are generally classified as out-of-position injuries. Smart restraint systems are being developed to optimize occupant crash protection and reduce the risk of injuries due to airbag deployments. This report presents analytical and experimental test results which demonstrate the injury reduction potential of using two stage inflators in smart restraint systems.