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Volvo V40
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Volvo reveals "Pedestrian Airbag"
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24th May, 2012
Advanced technology, a multitude of sensors and an airbag that deploys at
lightning speed in the windscreen area – these are just some of the elements of Pedestrian Airbag Technology, the system
that makes Volvo Car Corporation, with its all-new V40, the first manufacturer with a pedestrian airbag.
In China 25 per cent of traffic fatalities are pedestrians. In Europe the figure is 14 per cent and in the USA 12 per
cent. Far larger numbers of pedestrians are injured. The most serious head injuries involving pedestrians and cars are
caused by the hard structure under the bonnet panel, the windscreen's lower edge and the A-pillars.
These were some of the considerations when Volvo Car Corporation started development of its Pedestrian Airbag
Technology. The system was a world-first when it was debuted on the all-new Volvo V40 at the Geneva Motor Show in March
this year.
"We are proud to be able to offer a car with an airbag for pedestrians," says Thomas Broberg, Senior Technical
Advisor Safety, Volvo Car Corporation. "The purpose of the airbag is to help protect pedestrians in certain situations
when they impact the bonnet and the area around the windscreen wiper recess and A-pillar, where there may be a risk of
serious head injuries."
Seven sensors embedded in the front of the car transmit signals to a control unit. When the car comes into contact
with an object, the signals change. The control unit evaluates the signals and, if it registers what it interprets as a
human leg, the pedestrian airbag is deployed.
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Raises the bonnet by 10 centimetres
The bonnet hinges are each equipped with pyrotechnical release mechanisms which, when the system is activated, pull
out a pin and release the rear of the bonnet panel. At the same time, the airbag is activated and starts filling with
gas. During the inflation sequence the airbag raises the bonnet. It is lifted 10 centimetres and stays in the raised
position.
The added gap between the bonnet and hard components in the engine compartment gives space for the bonnet to deform,
providing a dampening effect when it is hit by a pedestrian.
"The airbag has two functions. Firstly, it raises the bonnet to create distance, and secondly it cushions the
impact around the hard parts of the area near the windscreen," explains Thomas Broberg.
In its inflated position, the airbag covers the entire windscreen wiper recess, about one third of the windscreen, and
the lower part of the A-pillars. The entire sequence from activation of the system to full inflation takes a few
hundredths of a second.
The system is active at speeds between 20 and 50 km/h – 75 per cent of all accidents involving pedestrians take place
at up to 40 km/h.
"We developed the technology using computer simulations and human-like leg and head forms. The tests were carried
out in a wide variety of configurations," says Thomas Broberg.
The airbag itself consists of a sack and a gas hybrid generator. Upon activation, the sack is filled with gas within a
few milliseconds.
In 2010 Volvo Car Corporation launched Pedestrian Detection with full auto brake. The system can avoid a collision
with a pedestrian at speeds of up to 35 km/h if the driver does not respond in time. At higher speeds the focus is on
reducing the car's speed as much as possible before the collision.
The Volvo V40 will be released locally in 2013, although the specifications for the Australian model are not yet
confirmed.
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