An Integrated Testing and CAE Application Methodology for Curtain Airbag Development

Abstract

The Curtain Airbag (CAB) is used currently to provide head and neck protection for the front-seat and rear-seat vehicle occupants during side-impact collisions and vehicle rollovers. The coated fabric materials are used in CABs for occupant protection in side impact and rollover events. In this paper the design and development study of CABs is described by using simulation and physical tests. The mechanical properties for the airbag material are determined by uniaxial test in the fill and warp directions. Shear strength is also evaluated by using the uniaxial test, but the specimen is cut along 45° angle. These test values are used in the finite element (FE) simulations. In this paper, a methodology of the design study is discussed. A Free Motion Headform (FMH) impacting a pole with a pillow shaped airbag is used in the design study. The influences of CAB design parameters such as pressure, chamber width, impact speed and hit location are evaluated. The simulations were correlated with actual tests under various conditions such as impact speeds, hit locations and various pressures in the airbag. The simulation results were compared to the physical test by Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) model correlation grading system.