Airbags are an idea that has been in development since 1941, with the first patents being placed in the early 50’s. In their earliest form, they came pre-deployed, just air filled bladders for extra cushioning in the event of accidents. The deployment system has been the largest challenge in their execution. In function, an airbag has to inflate fast enough at point of impact to provide instantaneous cushioning.
In a modern vehicle, these air bags prevent occupants of a vehicle from ricocheting around during an accident. The may be placed anywhere a passenger can impact against. This includes:
Frontal airbags, usually in the dashboard and steering wheel
Side airbags, which are generally ‘curtain’ or ‘torpedo’
Seatbelt airbags, in the safety belt itself
Knee level airbags, for leg protection
Seat airbags, which reduce pelvic damage
Pedestrian, which are placed to protect people outside a car
The most common configuration is in front of the driver and front passenger seat. Backseat air bags are less common, among many reasons because they present a child safety hazard. With the smaller size of child passengers, airbags cannot deploy at a safe height. This is, incidentally, one of the reasons why safety guidelines demand that children below a certain size and weight travel in the back seat. That is also why air bag technology is taught in auto mechanic courses.
