Is a car with only two airbags safe enough?

Airbags are a unique device on cars that can only be used once. If the airbag deploys, it cannot be repaired and the car owner must replace it with a completely new airbag.

Car airbags are very important, but many car models only have 2 airbags, making many people wonder whether a car with 2 airbags is safe for people in the car or not?

According to auto engineer Tran Van Chung, Director of Tran Chung Auto Garage (Dich Vong Hau Ward, Cau Giay, Hanoi), for car models with 2 airbags, they can still basically meet safety requirements in case of a head-on collision with an obstacle. However, it is important that the driver and passengers in the car must always remember to fasten seat belts in all equipped seating positions.

Mr. Chung further emphasized that the airbag system in a car is only a detail that supports human protection, while the chassis system as well as the seat belt are the main safety equipment that helps protect and fix the driver to the seat, avoid collisions around the car and minimize injuries when an accident occurs.

Especially in cases of rear-end collisions, side-impact collisions or vehicle rollovers, the chassis system and seat belts are the main factors supporting the protection of vehicle occupants.

Structure and operating principle of airbags

The structure of car airbags includes:

Sensor system such as: weight sensor (installed in the seat), collision sensor, speed sensor, acceleration sensor

Detonator

Airbags (usually made from synthetic composite fibers)

The operating principle of the airbag is as follows:

When the vehicle collides, the sensors will transmit signals to the ECU. If the collision exceeds the specified value, the ECU will transmit a signal allowing the airbag initiator to operate. At this time, the detonator will be ignited, igniting the primer, creating a large amount of gas to inflate the airbag.

In the past, car airbags were inflated with compressed air. However, manufacturers found that it was not effective. Therefore, it was replaced by a sodium chemical reaction, which means that when charged, it will inflate the airbag in a very short time (about 30 ml/s).

When receiving the activation command from the ECU controller, the igniter is burned, producing Hydrogen and Oxygen gas. At this time, the amount of gas produced is large in a narrow area, forcing the airbag to inflate. The entire airbag deployment process takes place at a speed of 320 km/h, in just 0.04 seconds all the airbags are inflated.

Immediately after inflation, the air in the airbag will immediately escape through the rear exhaust holes, causing the airbag to deflate quickly. This helps reduce the impact force on the airbag, while also helping the driver to easily observe the front and move easily to get out of the car.