The airbag was invented to perform as a safety cushion between the passengers and
the hard surfaces of the car interior.
When a crash occurs, the airbags inflate only milliseconds after
to protect the passengers.
Thus, fast operation is a must and a powerful detonator
is needed in order to inflate the airbag in time.
This airbag inflation is controlled by the airbag computer. After deployment, the inflated airbags need to be replaced and the computer usually needs to be reset.
The lab installs and deactivates all types of Airbags
Seatbelt pretensioners work on a similar idea as airbags, when a detonator explosion tensions
the seatbelt at an event of a crash.
Seatbelt pretensioners
The seat belts fasten and lock to prevent passengers
from being jerked into the hard interior as a result of the crash.
For these reasons, working with airbags and seat belt tensioners requires qualifications
and should only be done by someone who was trained to working with these safety systems.
Each manufacturer has specific instructions about the proper way to dealing with airbags
in order to prevent injuries by accidentally activating the detonator.
Airbag installation can be dangerous, thus should be done by pros
The airbag was introduced in the 80's as a driver safety feature only. Since then, they have
changed radically, and today's airbag systems are far more advanced than they used to be.
Today, for example, airbag systems can deploy at different speeds and forces using sensors that identify passenger's size
and distance, as well as the type and strength of the impact.
As soon as the vehicle is started, the system analyzes the data it receives from the different
sensors.
According to this information, the computer adapts the system to specific conditions. The airbag computer activates or deactivates components
in order to maximize protection to all occupants.
The latest safety systems can detect the exact location and size of the passengers and
operates the airbag accordingly to optimize strength and timing of deployment.
Lately, more and more manufacturers use airbags that inflate some like curtains
(curtain airbag) to create a separation between occupants and the windows area.
Side curtain airbag
These types of airbags, however, are more expensive to produce and therefore,
offered by only a low number of car manufacturers at the moment.
Only 25% of new cars sold in North America are equipped with side airbags.
But the predictions are that by 2010, this number will be doubled.
The new retractable hardtop Volvo C70 is equipped with a unique side curtain airbag
that opens vertically rather than horizontally. This type of airbag improves occupants'
safety when the roof is retracted.
Place the cursor over the picture to view side curtain airbag deployment
N. Eyal & Co. vehicle lab specializes in electronic systems diagnostics and repairs.
The lab repairs all car computers including: Engine Control Units (ECU), Transmission Control Units (TCU), immobilizer, climate control, speedometers and instrument panels. As well as sensor replacement and immobilizer computer reset.
In addition, we repair ABS controllers and stability control units and install or deactivate airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
