A Two-Dimensional Model of Airbag Deployment

by King H. Yang, Wayne State Univ, Detroit, United States,
Hua Wang, Wayne State Univ, Detroit, United States,
Hui-Chang Wang, Wayne State Univ, Detroit, United States,
Albert I. King, Wayne State Univ, Detroit, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Mechanics Computing in 1990's and Beyond

Abstract:

An interactive program was developed to simulate the unfolding and deploying process of a driver side airbag in the sagittal plane. The airbag was represented by a series of nodes. We assumed that the airbag unfolding was pivoted about folded points. After the completion of the unfolding process the airbag would begin to deploy. Criteria to sense contact with occupant are also established so that the model can be used in conjunction with a crash victim simulator. As soon as contact occurs with the occupant, the pressure inside the airbag is allowed to increase to generate a resisting force, consistent with the instantaneous volume of the bag. Thus, during the 40-ms deployment period, it is now possible to simulate occupant interaction with the airbag.

Subject Headings: Two-dimensional models | Simulation models | Fluid dynamics | Interactive systems | Driver behavior | Contact mechanics | Automobiles

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