CRASH SENSING AND ALGORITHM DEVELOPMENT FOR FRONTAL AIRBAG SYSTEMS USING CAE METHODS AND MECHANICAL TESTS. IN: CAE METHODS FOR VEHICLE CRASHWORTHINESS AND OCCUPANT SAFETY, AND SAFETY-CRITICAL SYSTEMS

Mathematical models in combination with mechanical tests were used to develop a frontal crash sensing system and algorithm. The required sensor closure time for the initiation of driver side airbag deployment was estimated by means of multi-body dynamic occupant models. The crash sensing system and algorithm were developed using predictions from a finite element model of the front structure of a passenger vehicle. All models were validated by mechanical tests. Generally good agreement was obtained from the model predictions and results from the mechanical tests.