Modification of the method for determining head-toairbag contact time during a vehicle collision

• Autorzy: Galdynski Dominik , Abramek Karol F. , Golebiewski Wawrzyniec , Osipowicz Tomasz , Dobrzyńska Renata

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.20858/tp.2025.20.2.12

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

This article presents a modified method for determining the activation timing of airbags in vehicles, which incorporates the real-time position of the driver’s and passengers’ heads. The primary objective of this modification is to improve the precision of airbag deployment by introducing an additional parameter—namely, the actual head position of the vehicle occupants, monitored in real time. The use of cameras and advanced image processing algorithms enables continuous tracking of head positions. As a result, the airbag system can adjust its activation timing according to the current positions of the occupants during a collision, significantly enhancing protective effectiveness. The results show that reducing the distance of the head from the normalized position by 70 mm requires the airbag activation to be advanced by an average of 28%. The largest correction occurs at a speed of 23 km/h and reaches 30%, decreasing at higher speeds. Conversely, increasing the distance by 70 mm necessitates the activation to be delayed by an average of 22%, with a maximum correction of 23% also observed at 23 km/h. These differences arise from the variable deceleration profile during a crash, which is influenced by specific collision dynamics. Unlike the conventional “13-30” model, which assumes a fixed head-to-airbag distance, the new method accounts for actual variations in occupant positioning, thereby improving protective performance. The proposed system uses infrared cameras and a lidar unit to track reference points on the head, such as the center of the forehead and the chin. Based on the collected data, the system dynamically adjusts the airbag deployment timing, reducing the risk of head injuries. This method can be integrated with other safety systems, such as seatbelt pretensioners and adaptive headrests, and is particularly applicable in autonomous vehicles, for which occupant positions may deviate significantly from standard seating postures. Adaptive airbag deployment has the potential to become a new standard in enhancing road safety.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

frontal collision; airbag; vehicle occupant

PL

zderzenie czołowe; poduszka powietrzna; osoba podróżująca

• Wydawca: Wydawnictwo Politechniki Śląskiej
• Czasopismo: Transport Problems
• Rocznik: 2025
• Tom: T. 20, z. 2
• Strony: 149--160
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 21 poz.

Twórcy

autor

Galdynski Dominik

• West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Automotive Engineering; Piastow av. 19, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3232-2656

autor

Abramek Karol F.

• West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Automotive Engineering; Piastow av. 19, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9704-5253

autor

Golebiewski Wawrzyniec

• West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Automotive Engineering; Piastow av. 19, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3691-8636

autor

Osipowicz Tomasz

• West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Automotive Engineering; Piastow av. 19, 70-310 Szczecin, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3321-7754

autor

Dobrzyńska Renata

• West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Department of Thermal Technologies and Safety Engineering; Piastów av. 41, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5469-5045

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