Unique Head Protection Airbag for Convertibles Unveiled

TRW Automotive GmbH, Germany, has unveiled a new head protection system for convertibles. Located in the seat mount rather than the door trim, it’s designed to offer head protection for the unique characteristics of convertibles.

The system combines a thorax or pelvic-thorax module together with a head restraint module located in the upper seat-back.

“TRW’s head protection system for convertibles has an innovative product design with two separate airbag safety systems for both head and torso protection,” said Alexander Heilig, European engineering director for TRW Automotive’s Occupant Safety Systems. “The two systems are designed to deploy in the event of a side impact or rollover accident. They work independently to allow individual tuning of the different protection zones yet operate from common sensors.”

Both the head protection and thorax modules use a light-weight plastic housing, with the module located under the fabric and foam of the seat. The head restraint module works with a hybrid gas inflator that enables it to deploy rapidly and remain inflated for a longer duration than other traditional airbags.

Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.