Airbags Essay

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Air bags are safety features installed in cars so that upon collision the driver limits the damage that is inflicted on him/her. There are several different types of air bags. These include, Supplementary Restraint System (SRS), an Air Cushion Restraint System (ACRS) and the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR). Air bags are commonly known for their rapid inflation upon a collision. They can inflate and deflate within 0.05 seconds, a mere fraction of a second. Inside the air bags are things called gas generators. An accelerometer triggers the ignition of the hot gas inside the nylon bag, causing it to inflate. The inflation of the bag decreases the chance of the driver injuring him or her by acting as a cushioning device. The air bag itself has little air vents in it so when the passenger or driver pushes against it air is slowly let out of it, making it softer to reduce pain upon impact. Air bags compliment the seat belts, as they both work in ways to stop the occupant’s head and upper body parts from hitting the cars interior. They distribute the crash force on the body evenly and reduce the risk of serious injury. Timing is crucial in the airbag's ability to save lives in a head-on collision. An airbag must be able to deploy in a matter of milliseconds from the initial collision impact. It must also be prevented from deploying when there is no collision. Hence, the first component of the airbag system is a sensor that can detect head-on collisions and immediately trigger the airbag's deployment. One of the simplest designs employed for the crash sensor is a steel ball that slides inside a smooth bore. The ball is held in place by a permanent magnet or by a stiff spring, which inhibit the ball's motion when the car drives over bumps or potholes. However, when the car decelerates very quickly, as in a head-on crash, the ball suddenly moves forward and turns on

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