Explosions are among the undesirable and frightening situations because they bring to mind attacks or wars. But some explosions have the potential to save human life. For example; An explosion on the dashboard after an accident can trigger airbags to deploy, which can be extraordinarily life-saving. Unfortunately, sometimes traffic accidents can be unavoidable. In particular, we may not be able to completely prevent traffic accidents that develop beyond our control. However, we can take measures to prevent serious consequences. In this article, you can find the answer to the question of how the airbag works and the important details about the life-saving airbag (airbag) in vehicles, together with the seat belt.
What is Airbag?
The airbag is a system used as a security measure in vehicles. Its main purpose is to protect the body of the driver and passengers from impact in the event of an accident. The airbag system absorbs the impact by inflating rapidly in a sudden collision or situation detected by the sensors inside the vehicle. In this way, it reduces the possibility of injury to the driver and passengers.
The first airbag designs appeared in the 1950s. However, it cannot be said that these early models were as successful as today's airbag technology. Its real spread and development took place in the 1970s. The airbag is included as standard safety equipment in almost all cars today.
Airbags are very important to prevent serious injury in the event of an accident. However, it would be wrong to think that airbags are completely protective from injuries. The gas pressure and the inflation of the pillow combined with an airbag explosion can cause minor cuts, bruises, or minor burns in certain situations. For this reason, it is important to always use seat belts and follow the driving rules in order for the airbags to work effectively.
What Does an Airbag Do?
The airbag in the car is a safety system that is frequently used in today's cars. This system ensures that the driver and passengers are less injured in vehicle accidents. Airbags help prevent injuries by activating in the event of a sudden stop or collision, reducing the force acting on the body. The function of the airbag is to stop the body of the driver or passenger in the event of a collision.
The sudden change in speed that occurs in the vehicle at the time of collision causes the body of the driver or passenger to move. Airbag deployment prevents this rapid movement, preventing the person from coming into direct contact with an object. In this way, the severity of injuries to the head, chest, neck, and other important areas is reduced.
Airbag car is a great advance for automobile passengers. Airbags provide extra protection, especially in situations where belt-wearing habits are inadequate, significantly reducing injuries. But airbags alone are not a sufficient safety measure. For this reason, seat belts must be used to increase the effectiveness of airbags.
The seat belt increases the level of protection even more when used alongside the airbag. The airbag system is usually located at a few points on the vehicle steering wheel, on the passenger side of the instrument panel, and sometimes in the form of side airbags. Airbags in different positions are strategically placed to protect against impacts from different angles. In this way, it is possible to minimize the consequences of traffic accidents by increasing the safety of the vehicle.
How Does an Airbag Work?
The rapidly inflating car airbag system consists of several basic considerations to enable activation when it detects a sudden impact or stopping motion in the event of an accident. These include sensors, control units, airbags, and gas generators that inflate airbags. The system evaluates vehicle speed, acceleration, braking force, and other evaluations by monitoring various parameters thanks to advanced annotation-based sensors. Sensors detect the severity of the crash in the event of an accident. They initiate a rapid response by transmitting this to the user control unit. The control unit determines when the takeover airbag should be removed and inflated. The gas generator then kicks in, igniting a small explosive that rapidly releases a gas such as nitrogen or argon. This gas is housed in a sheath in the airbag. It expands as a result of the explosion, inflating the bag and then moving rapidly toward the passenger.
The airbag is designed to absorb and dissipate the impact energy when it is filled with gas inside. In this way, the passengers are not exposed to a sudden stop movement on the body and encounter a significantly reduced impact. Airstrike blasts can help serious injuries by protecting high corridors such as the head, chest, neck, and abdomen.
Why Does the Airbag Light Come On?
Airbag light is a warning sign for use in our cars. This light is designed to attract the attention of drivers and to mark a potential problem with the devices. The light of the airbag system, which is an important one to reduce vehicle safety restrictions, may be inflamed due to a problem or error in case of loss of vehicle electronics. We can list the factors that can answer the question of why there is an airbag malfunction and why the airbag light is on:
- Malfunction Control Unit (MCU) Problems: The MCU, which controls the airbag outlets, detects fault conditions and causes the air suspension sign and light to come on. An error in the ACU itself or the sensors connected to it can cause the airbag light to come on.
- Wiring Problems: The airbag system communicates with sensors located under the seats and in places like the steering wheel. If the cables between these sensors are broken, twisted, or damaged, the airbag light may come on.
- Sensor Faults: Airbag systems use a variety of sensors to detect a collision. for example; A sensor that detects loss of speed in the event of a collision causes the airbags to be triggered. A fault or malfunction in the sensors may cause the vehicle to have an airbag warning, that is, the airbag light to come on.
- Faulty Airbag Module: The airbag module is an important assembly that causes the airbags to inflate suddenly. A problem or error in the module itself can cause the airbag light to come on.
Determining the primary purpose behind the airbag light's illumination often requires a carry-on. Therefore, if the airbag light comes on, you should contact an authorized service center to have both the housing and the airbag light turned off. Expert technicians analyze the vehicle's electronic system and error codes and provide the necessary repairs. Airbag systems are extremely important to enable both passengers and occupants to exit. For this reason, if the airbag warning light is on, it is of great importance not to underestimate the problem and to consult a specialist without wasting time.
How To Deploy Air Bag?
One of the most frequently asked questions about air suspension, which is designed to prevent the driver and passengers from being harmed in the event of a collision, is how to open the air suspension. Deployment of airbags, solution by a set of sensors and control units. Vehicles have a variety of sensors that are used to limit collisions and evacuate their angles. These are usually located in the front of the vehicles, on the sides, and sometimes in the rear.
Sensors collect data quickly at the time of the collision. By transmitting these collected data to the control unit, they enable the decision to deploy the airbags. The control unit processes the data from the sensors, giving the effects of deploying the airbags depending on the severity of the collision. If a collision occurs and the airbags need to be deployed, the control unit activates a device that produces an explosive gas. This gas rapidly expands the nylon or polyester sheath inside the airbag, allowing the airbag to fully deploy in a few seconds.
Airbag deployment is extremely fast. After the sensors detect the safety of the collision, the control unit causes the airbags to deploy and the gas generator is activated. The gas enters the airbag and inflates it, causing the airbag to pop out. The airbag services or expands towards the passenger's body to absorb the impact. In this way, impact blows and serious injuries to the head, chest, or other important points are avoided.
In Which Situations Does the Airbag Deploy?
Airbag systems, usually with a set of sensors and controlled by the control unit, can be deployed as follows:
- In Front Collisions: The sensors located in the front of the vehicles activate the airbags in case of an important collision perception. In such accidents, airbags protect the driver and front seat passenger from collision-related injuries. Front airbags often work in conjunction with rubberized side airbags, as they adjust to the extremes of a collision.
- In Side Impacts: Side airbags in vehicles provide extra protection against side impacts. Side sensors activate the side airbags when detecting a collision with the vehicle. In this way, the head and chest areas of the driver and passengers are protected. Side airbags are usually integrated into the door panels in the vehicle.
- In Case of Rollover: Some vehicles also have rollover sensors. These sensors trigger the airbags to deploy when the ship detects the development of a rollover or rollover. Curtain-type airbags are also activated to prevent the roof from collapsing in the event of a rollover. These airbags protect the head area and reduce possible head traumas.
The airbag system can be seized not only in the event of a collision but also during sudden stops that may occur in the vehicle. for example; In the event of a sudden braking, the airbags may deploy. The airbag plays a vital role in protecting the car service and its occupants in an accident.
However, sometimes the car airbag may not deploy. In the event of a minor collision or in areas where the vehicle is traveling at low speed, the airbags may not be active. Airbags have a certain threshold value for activation. This value varies depending on the speed of the vehicle, the collision angle, and other factors.
How is Airbag Control Performed?
Airbag inspection is a complex process, usually by an automotive professional. In particular, the auto appraisal must be done. The check is done using a diagnostic tool that checks the vehicle system electronics and detects any faults related to the airbags.
Before the airbag check, the vehicle is parked on level ground to ensure a safe working area. Then the ports are found and placed on the test device. This port is usually located under the vehicle steering column or on the dashboard. After connecting the test device, its software is run. Thanks to the software, the vehicle's electronic system is diagnosed. Paying the fines necessary for detecting faults related to airbags.
During the check, the device accesses the agent's computer and reads the error codes. After reading the error codes, these codes are analyzed. Since each error code points to a specific problem, it should be interpreted correctly by the expert. It is important that these checks be executed in order to oversee the detection of serious inspections of airbag control devices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbags
Is it possible to buy a car with the airbag deployed?
It may not be appropriate to buy a car with a deployed airbag. Because the car's airbag deployment is usually an indication that the vehicle has been involved in an accident or damaged.
What happens if the airbag explodes?
If an airbag deploys in a vehicle, it usually uses the situation of an accident or collision. During the explosion, a slight burning smell and a cloud of dust are formed. This indicates that the airbag is working correctly.
Where is the airbag sensor?
Airbag sensors are usually located at the front and sometimes on the sides of a vehicle. It is placed in strategic positions of the vehicle such as the front bumper, dashboard, or windows.
How does the vehicle with an airbag explode show?
The airbag indicator on the dashboard or instrument panel of the car turns off after 2-3 seconds when the vehicle is started. If the indicator light does not come on at all, the light may have been turned off because the airbag has exploded.
How to understand the repaired airbag?
The repair of airbags in a vehicle is determined by auto appraisal. For this reason, it is recommended to have an auto appraisal, especially when buying a second-hand vehicle.
How to identify the original airbag?
The only way to tell if the air suspension is genuine is to inspect the air suspension. Genuine airbags have serial numbers, barcode labels, and warning signs. It is also wrapped with very special wires.
How much value has the car with the airbag deployed lost?
For damaged vehicles, the value of the car changes depending on the extent of the damage and the parts of the damaged products involved. A certain amount from a process in the air suspension change process can devalue the vehicle.
Will the airbag inspection also come out?
The airbag is removed during the inspection. At the exit of the vehicle, the airbag is gradually inflated by performing an auto inspection.
Will a vehicle with a blown air suspension be a waste car?
Vehicles with a blown air suspension are generally considered waste cars. However, you can clarify whether there are vehicle operating parts or not with auto expertise.