Unlike a conventional textile device, the technology, which has been introduced on the new Ford Mustang, is made from injection moulded plastic and sandwiched between the outer and inner glove box lid surfaces.
In the event of a collision, a tiny gas generator inside the glove box lid inflates the bladder in just 20 milliseconds, pushing the lid exterior outwards to provide leg protection.
Ford claims that the despite being smaller and lighter than existing devices the new system offers comparable protection.
“With this design we were able to combine the functions of two separate parts into one single part to save on space, weight and components; and move the instrument panel further forward, ensuring there was more room for the front passenger.” said Ford restraints manager Sean West.
“Our glove box airbag opens up a whole new world of possibilities for injection-moulded plastic airbags. The glove box airbag could be just the beginning,” West added.
Integrating the passenger airbag into the glove box lid sounds like a good idea until one considers that passengers may all sit at different distances from the lid. As the lid is a part of the cushioning process it seems to render it either useless or dangerous. I’m not sure which. I tend toward useless.
Front seat passengers riding with their feet upon the top of the dashboard may become the last generation of their line when this Darwinian device deploys.
Still not the best idea. I have met several people that suffered the undesirable effects of conventional exploding airbags, all of them in minor collisions where the airbag produced more body lesions than the crash itself.
The best way to avoid the tremendous friction between the bag material and flesh, is to mount the bag on the seat belt shoulder restraint, firing FORWARD. That has been made already in systems of airbags for small aircraft. It seems the auto industry is still very stubborn, and keeps old concepts for way too long, instead of really innovating and solving issues. My viewpoint, anyway. Amclaussen.