When do side curtain airbags deploy in an accident?
Side curtain airbags deploy from the roof of a vehicle during an accident. Side curtain airbags are airbags which deploy to protect the head in the event of a side impact collision.
Are there side curtain airbags in minivans?
For several years, the side curtain airbag has earned higher safety ratings for passenger cars and minivans. Recently, though, automakers are finding new ways to adapt side curtain technology specifically for niche applications, especially in high-risk vehicles.
Where are curtain airbags located in a car?
So, along came the advent of side curtain airbags, which “unroll” in a collision to provide protection to passengers in a side impact collision. Curtain airbags are most often mounted within the headliner above the doors and windows.
Where are the side curtain airbags located?
Frontal airbags are mounted in the steering wheel and dashboard; side protection systems are mounted in the seat frame or door, which varies according to supplier and automaker. Not all of a car’s airbags will deploy in the event of a collision; the airbag system’s network of sensors will determine which airbags are needed [source: WIPO ].
When did side curtain airbags become mandatory in the US?
Dual front airbags became federally mandated in the United States for the 1998 model year (see How Airbags Work for an overview). Side curtain airbags are designed to complement traditional airbag systems to create safer vehicles all around. They’re currently optional in the United States,…
When do side curtain airbags deflate after impact?
When the bags deploy, they remain inflated longer than their non-rollover counterparts to compensate for the additional time vehicle occupants are in danger. Regular airbags deflate immediately after the impact, usually less than a second after they are deployed.
Why are there curtain airbags in micro cars?
Curtain airbags can also be especially helpful as sub-compacts come into vogue. Though structural integrity of tiny cars is often questioned by consumers and regulators, a new microcar will use curtain airbags to help protect its passengers’ necks. If curtain airbags prove effective for rear collisions,…