How does the airbag work?

[SanJustin]

Working state of the airbag: After the sensor detects a vehicle collision, the airbag quickly inflates with gas to protect the safety of the front passengers and the driver. To enable rapid inflation, the airbag does not use compressed air release but instead employs a chemical reaction to quickly generate a large amount of gas. Introduction: An airbag is a device that inflates to protect occupants before they experience a secondary collision during a crash. As an auxiliary device to the seat belt's occupant restraint system, the airbag is referred to as the airbag system. Composition: The airbag system consists of an integrated airbag module comprising the airbag and the inflator (gas generator), a collision sensor system that detects impacts and sends deployment commands to the airbag module, and wiring harnesses that transmit signals from the sensors.

[JulietteDella]

The working state of airbags is actually quite fascinating, primarily relying on an intelligent system to trigger and protect the safety of drivers and passengers. When a severe collision occurs, sensors such as accelerometers immediately detect the magnitude of the impact force and transmit the signal to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU then determines within milliseconds whether the airbag needs to deploy. Subsequently, the chemical substances in the airbag module, such as sodium azide, react to produce a large amount of nitrogen gas, causing the airbag to inflate and expand instantly, acting like a cushion to buffer the impact on the head or chest of the occupants. The entire process, from collision to full airbag deployment, takes less than 0.05 seconds—faster than a blink of an eye. After inflation, the airbag quickly deflates to prevent injuries caused by hard contact. Modern vehicles also feature multi-stage airbags, which may partially inflate in minor collisions and fully deploy in severe ones, working in conjunction with seat belts to reduce secondary injuries. Having studied these technologies, I believe they can truly be lifesaving in critical moments. Remember to regularly check if the sensors are functioning properly, as minor malfunctions can cause the system to fail.

[JordanDella]

In all my years of driving, I've experienced an airbag deployment only once. It was during a rear-end collision where the speed wasn't high but the impact force was significant. In an instant, the steering wheel airbag popped out with a 'bang', hitting me like a big pillow and cushioning the inertia. The whole experience felt like being pushed but without injury, mainly reducing the impact on my head and chest. Airbags work through sensors detecting sudden deceleration - if the collision force meets the threshold, they instantly inflate via chemical reactions that generate gas within milliseconds. After inflation, they gradually deflate to prevent rebound injuries. This system is well-designed to work in tandem with seatbelts, reducing fracture risks. At that moment, I just felt the airbag saved my life. Later, the mechanic checked and confirmed the sensors and electronic control unit were intact - with simple maintenance, they remain reliably durable. While airbags serve as invisible guardians while driving, don't over-rely on them - safe driving practices should always come first.

[DelJocelyn]

The operational status of airbags involves a multi-step response mechanism. Upon vehicle collision, sensors detect impact intensity. If exceeding preset thresholds, the control unit instantly triggers commands to activate the airbag inflation system, generating high-speed airflow that rapidly deploys the cushion to absorb occupant impact. The design core focuses on mitigating trauma risks from high-speed collisions through physical isolation to reduce injury severity. In automotive safety systems, airbags working in conjunction with ABS braking significantly enhance survival rates. Their operation cycle is brief yet highly efficient, ensuring real-time protection. We recommend owners routinely check warning indicators to maintain proper functionality.