Things Friends Need to Know About Airbags
In driving, you need to ensure one thing, namely safety. Besides the AC, radio, and car seats as comfort supports while driving, you also need to pay attention to other car equipment that supports safety and security. This factor can be supported by features such as seatbelt, alarm, and airbag.
Airbag can also be referred to as an air cushion. This cushion contains air that aims to reduce the impact of a hard collision during an accident. Instead of hitting the dashboard or steering wheel, passengers and drivers will hit the airbag. Now, here are the main things you should know about airbags. Let's take a look!
Who Invented the Airbag?
It can be said that the inventor of the airbag is quite difficult to determine. Some sources say it's person A, others say it's person B. However, broadly speaking, the airbag was successfully developed by two main pioneers. Although airbags were invented in the late 1960s, airbag systems had existed since the 1950s. Walter Linderer, a German, patented the airbag system through the concept of compressed air. This system would work when the bumper hits something or when the driver manually activates it. However, this system was considered less effective due to the slow inflation of air in the cushion.
To complement Linderer's shortcomings, Allen Breed became the first person to implement a sensor and safety system in 1968. This was the world's first electromechanical airbag system that became a pioneer in the safety system industry.
The airbag system in vehicles experienced a vacuum after 1975 and 1976. This break ended when the Ford Tempo brought the airbag back to the market in 1984. In fact, the American car manufacturer Chrysler made airbags a standard feature in a car in 1988.
Next, in 1994, TRW released the first gas-inflated airbag. This system was then applied to almost all vehicles since 1988. Nowadays, the Daihatsu All New Sirion not only implements the airbag system in the dashboard but also on the sides.
How Does the Airbag Work?
The components of an airbag are made of thin nylon with small holes. From these holes, the gas that causes the airbag to inflate will escape, and the airbag will gradually deflate. When the sensors in the car detect a hard collision, the sensors will send a signal for the airbag to inflate immediately.
The airbag inflation system reacts Sodium Azide (NaN3) with Potassium Nitrate (KNO3). This reaction will produce Nitrogen. Then, the explosion of Nitrogen will inflate the airbag to protect the driver and passengers in the head, neck, and chest areas. The airbag will minimize the impact of an accident.
When the airbag inflates, you will see a cloud of smoke filling the car. Don't panic. That cloud of smoke is actually just corn starch or talcum powder that serves to keep the airbag from sticking when folded. A sticky condition would make it difficult for the airbag to inflate when an accident occurs.
Airbag? Will Not Inflate If?
It turns out that airbags are not designed to inflate easily. If they inflated easily, the airbag would actually endanger the driver and passengers. Imagine if traffic makes you upset, and you hit the dashboard, and suddenly the airbag inflates. Wow! You could get injured suddenly.
The airbag will not inflate if the car collides with a moving/sliding object because the energy to activate the sensor is not strong enough. Additionally, the airbag may also not inflate if only the middle of the car hits a tree or pole. Usually, the sensors are located at the front right and left. Essentially, if the sensor does not detect a collision or accident, the airbag will not inflate.
Now, to maximize safety, you need to know the specifications of the airbag equipment in your own car. By getting to know it better, you can certainly feel more comfortable because you are safe while driving. The most important thing is, don't forget to read the vehicle's manual!
Read also: Car Airbags, Enhancing Driving Protection
