Vehicle safety and security systems
What is the SRS System
SRS is the abbreviation of “Supplemental Restraint System”, which means “auxiliary restraint system” in Chinese. It is
an important safety system in modern automobiles, mainly used to protect passengers from injuries, SRS system mainly
includes the following parts: Airbags:
• Driver Airbags: mounted in the center of the steering wheel.
• Passenger Airbags: mounted on the dashboard in front of the passenger.
• Side airbags: mounted on the side of the seat or in the door panels to
protect the passenger's torso and pelvis.
• Curtain airbags: mounted on the roof or door frames to protect the
passenger's head from side impacts.
Complementary to Seatbelts: While airbags provide crucial protection, they are designed
to work in conjunction with seatbelts for maximum effectiveness.
Introduction to Airbags
• Airbags are critical safety devices designed to protect occupants during collisions by rapidly inflating to cushion
impact, reducing injury risk. They complement seat belts, forming a key part of vehicle safety systems.
Airbag warning light
The appearance of the airbag warning light varies, but it often
resembles a person sitting down with specific lines and symbols.
The airbag warning light indicates a problem with the SRS system.
Here are some key points:
1. A flashing airbag warning light means a significant issue
that requires immediate attention.
2. The light indicates that airbags or sensors connected to the
system aren't functioning properly.
Airbags system components
1.Sensors: Airbags rely on sensors placed throughout the vehicle to
detect a collision. These sensors measure the force and direction of
the impact.
2.Control Unit: When a collision is detected, the control unit sends
a signal to the airbag system to deploy the airbags.
3.Inflation: The signal triggers a chemical reaction that rapidly prod
uces nitrogen gas, inflating the airbag within milliseconds.
4.Cushioning: The inflated airbag provides a cushion that helps redu
ce the force of impact on passengers, preventing serious injuries.
Generally, when there is a moderate to severe crash, a signal
is sent from the air bag system's electronic control unit to an
inflator within the air bag module. An igniter in the inflator
starts a chemical reaction that produces a harmless gas,
which inflates the air bag within the blink of an eye – or less
than 1/20th of a second.
How Airbags Work
- Sensors: Crash sensors detect sudden deceleration (collision).
- Control Unit: Analyzes data and triggers inflation if impact meets
deployment thresholds.
- Inflation: Chemical reaction (e.g., NaN₃ → N₂ gas) fills the bag in 20–
30 milliseconds.
- Deployment Timing*: Activated within 30–50 ms post-collision;
deflation via vents follows immediately.
Electronic Control Module
Monitors inputs from safing and impact sensors.
Triggers air bag(s), when appropriate.
Self tests circuits to find possible faults.
Incorporates backup power supply.
Various Types of airbags.
1. Side Airbags
These are usually located in the backrest of the seat and inflate between the door and the seat occupant. Side
airbags are estimated to reduce serious chest injuries in side-impact collisions by approximately 25%. There are 2
types of airbags. First is the torso airbag which protects your torso and the second is the curtain airbag which
deploys from the car ceiling protecting your head.
2. Front Airbags
Typically deploy from the steering wheel to protect the driver from striking other parts of the car in a frontal
crash. Drivers? airbags are designed to be used in conjunction with seatbelts and does not offer protection in the
event of a side impact crash.
3. Knee Airbags
These are installed in the lower portion of the dashboard, directly in front of the passenger’s knees. When a
collision occurs, they inflate to fill the space between the dashboard and the passenger’s lower legs.
4. Inflatable Seat Belt
This technology functions much like an airbag and was designed to protect the fragile bones of
back seat passengers, like children and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries.
5. Pedestrian
These airbags are designed to protect pedestrians when they are hit by a vehicle. They are on the outside of
the car and not designed to protect the passengers but rather the pedestrians.
Frontal airbags Side airbags
Knee airbag Rear airbags
Air bags are supplemental protection and are designed to work best in combination with seat belts. Both frontal
and side-impact air bags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes and may deploy in even a
minor crash. Air bags reduce the chance that your upper body or head will strike the vehicle's interior during a
crash. To avoid an air-bag-related injury, make sure you are properly seated and remember—air bags are designed
to work with seat belts, not replace them. And children under 13 should sit in the back seat.
Air bag inflates after large impact.
Types of Impact Sensors
Impact sensors detect impact
and trigger air bag.
A typical vehicle has 2 impact
sensors and 1 safing sensor.
The air bag is triggered by the
safing sensor and either impact
sensor, The safing sensor must
activate first.
Front Impact Sensor
Inflatable Seat Belt, External Pedestrian airbags
Air bag process during 300 ms
Historical Development
- 1970s: First commercial airbags introduced by Ford and General Motors.
- 1980s: Became more common in luxury vehicles.
- 1998: Mandated in all new U.S. cars.
Effectiveness
- NHTSA Data: Front airbags reduce driver deaths by 29%, front passengers by 32%. Side airbags cut driver
deaths in SUVs by 37%.
- Combined Efficacy: Seat belts + airbags lower fatality risk by over 50%.
Technological Advancements
- Smart Airbags: Adjust deployment force based on occupant size/position (weight sensors, cameras).
- Multi-Stage Inflators: Gradual inflation tailored to crash severity.
- External Airbags: For pedestrian protection and rollover incidents.
