Learn the Functions and How Airbag Work! | TransTRACK (2024)

A car airbag (Air Bag) is a passive safety system designed to protect the driver and passengers from injury during a hard collision. This air bag consists of a bag made of a high pressure resistant material, such as nylon, which is located on the steering wheel, dashboard, side of the seat, or on the ceiling of the car.

Airbags work on the principle of a physical law called the law of conservation of momentum. When there is a hard collision that causes the vehicle to stop suddenly, the momentum of the driver and passengers tends to maintain their speed. The car’s airbags are triggered by sensors that detect significant acceleration or impact. Once these sensors are triggered, the airbag inflates in a matter of milliseconds, rapidly filling any space between the driver or passenger with the hard parts of the vehicle or with other objects that could cause injury.

The main purpose of an air bag is to provide additional cushioning between the driver’s or passenger’s body and hard parts of the car, such as the steering wheel, dashboard or windows. By reducing direct contact between the body and the hard parts of the vehicle, airbags help reduce the risk of serious injuries to the head, neck, chest and other upper body that can be caused by a frontal or side collision.

It is important to note that air bags are not the only safety feature in cars. The use of seat belts is also very important to maximize the effectiveness of airbags. Airbags work most effectively when used in combination with body protection such as seat belts. Check out the following TransTRACK article for more details!

Airbag Function

The following is a more in-depth explanation of the function of the airbag:

Protection in frontal collision

The main function of a car airbag is to protect the driver and passengers from injury in a frontal collision or frontal accident. When the car experiences a significant impact, sensors on the car detect the high acceleration and trigger the air bag to quickly fill. The air bag then inflates rapidly, forming a cushion that protects the head, chest and upper body from direct impact with hard parts of the vehicle such as the steering wheel or dashboard. This helps reduce the risk of serious injury to the head, neck, chest and spine.

Protection in side collision

Some cars are also equipped with specially designed side airbags to protect the driver and passengers in a side collision. These side airbags are located on the sides of the seats, doors or the ceiling of the car. They expand towards the affected side and provide additional cushioning between the body and the hard parts of the vehicle. This helps reduce the risk of injury to the head, chest and hips in a side impact.

Protection in the event of a rollover accident

Some cars are also equipped with rollover airbags designed to provide protection in the event of a rollover accident. This airbag is located on the ceiling of the car and will inflate rapidly during a rollover. The goal is to protect the head and neck of the driver and passengers from hitting the hard parts of the vehicle or falling out of windows.

Secondary injury prevention

In addition to protecting against direct injury in a crash, air bags can also help prevent secondary injuries. For example, by providing cushioning between the body and the hard parts of a car, airbags can reduce friction and impact that can cause injury or exacerbate existing injuries.

Added protection with seat belts

Airbags work optimally when used in conjunction with seat belts. Seat belts help keep the driver’s and passenger’s bodies in a more stable position when the air bag is triggered. With a properly fastened seat belt, air bags can work effectively to provide protection against injury.

It is important to remember that air bags are one aspect of a complex car safety system, and overall safe driving involves wearing seat belts, maintaining proper vehicle care, and following safe traffic rules.

How Airbags Work

Here’s a more in-depth explanation of how air bags work:

Sensors and controllers

A car’s airbag system uses a series of sensors and electronic controllers to detect accidents and trigger air bag deployment. These sensors can be acceleration sensors, collision sensors, or other sensors capable of detecting significant changes in speed and acceleration. Data from these sensors is sent to electronic controllers who process the information and decide whether to deploy an air bag.

Development of airbags

When the electronic controller decides that the air bag needs to be activated, an electrical signal is sent to the gas cylinder filled with compressed nitrogen or argon gas. The signal triggers the release of a trigger chemical in the gas cylinder, which causes the compressed gas to be rapidly released into the airbag bag.

Airbag fast charging

After the release of the triggering chemical, the compressed gas in the gas cylinder flows into the air bag through a channel or valve designed to allow fast filling. When gas enters the airbag bag, the bag begins to inflate quickly, usually in a matter of milliseconds.

Airbag shape and placement

Airbags are made of very strong and high pressure resistant materials, such as nylon. They are designed in a special shape to fit the space inside the car, such as on the steering wheel, dashboard, side of the seat, or on the ceiling of the car. Airbags typically fold compactly when not in use, but when triggered they rapidly inflate to create a cushion of protection.

Crash protection

Once fully inflated, the air bag provides a cushion between the driver or passengers and hard parts of the vehicle such as the steering wheel, dashboard or windows. This helps reduce the impact of a direct impact and prevent serious injury to vulnerable parts of the body, such as the head, neck and chest. Airbags also help spread impact forces evenly, reducing the risk of injury to the affected body part.

Pressure reduction and deflation

After the air bags inflate, they remain filled with gas for a time to maintain the protective cushion. However, in order to avoid excessive pressure on the driver or passengers, the air bag gradually loses pressure and begins to return to its original shape (deflation) after a certain time.

Once the airbags are triggered, they cannot be reused and need to be replaced by a trained technician. Proper maintenance of the air bag system is essential to ensure optimal availability and performance when required.

It’s important to note that how air bags work can vary slightly between car manufacturers and specific models. Therefore, the information provided here is an overview of how car airbags work.

In order to ensure optimal performance and reliability of the car air bag system, it is very important to carry out regular maintenance and maintenance. One effective way is to use the Vehicle Maintenance System from TransTRACK.

The Vehicle Maintenance System from TransTRACK is an innovative solution for efficiently monitoring and managing vehicle maintenance. Using this system, users can easily track required maintenance schedules for airbag systems and other components in their vehicles.

Take good care of your safety and your vehicle. Use the Vehicle Maintenance System from TransTRACK to ensure the airbag system and other components are in optimal condition. Schedule maintenance and check airbag system reliability regularly. Get TransTRACK now and increase your driving safety!

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