Ford on Thursday announced it will commercialize the world’s first automotive inflatable seat belts, nearly a decade after the technology was demonstrated in concept form.
The system will debut in the 2011 Ford Explorer, which will enter production in mid-2010.
The seat belt system is designed to protect rear seat passengers who don’t have the protection of a full scale airbag. It’s conceivable the belts could eventually be used in the front seats as well, to supplement airbags and reduce belt-induced injuries. However, Ford has made no mention of front seat application.
Designed to protect the torso, the belt can also help to control head trajectory in a collision. The increased surface area of the bag means energy from an impact is spread over an area five times larger than a traditional belt. Not only does the larger area provide increased diffusion, but the air-filled bag also offers a great deal of shock absorption, unlike the abrupt restraint of traditional seat belts.
“Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering.
Ford says early surveys show most people find the inflatable belt more comfortable to wear than a standard belt. This is likely because it feels padded and its edges are slightly rounded. Ford hopes this will encourage more rear seat passengers to buckle up.
“It’s a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation,” said Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering.
Ford promotional video:
